Pentecost is approaching fast (May 24 this year). Pentecost is one of my favorite celebrations in the church. Opportunities abound for creative visuals and liturgy. It is typically the only Sunday in the liturgical calendar when red is used. Creativity and the Holy Spirit go nicely together. The church was created and given life through the giving of the Holy Spirit. We are reborn, recreated, through the work of the Holy Spirit. We even see the creative power of the Holy Spirit in Genesis as “God’s Spirit was moving over the surface of the waters.” In the creative spirit of Pentecost, I share the following stream of thoughts and wonderment as I reflect on the story:
Waiting…wondering…power from on high?
What kind of power?
How long of a wait?
He was dead…alive…raised…here…gone again…
Confusion…sadness…joy…uncertainty…what next?
And then the noise…from here…there…everywhere!
A wind…like creation but new…strange but familiar.
A storm that brings life not destruction…
A gale that brings strength not fear.
And the flames…not consuming but eternal…
A gift to all but a fire for each.
Out to the streets…this is new…
Boldness…power… voice!!!
This is how it starts…the church…
From one to another…larger and larger…
Jerusalem…Samaria…the world!!!!
Christ is gone…but here…here in the Spirit…
Here in us…alone and together…
The new body of Christ!
And the story continues…with every breath…
With every profession…in every act of mercy and grace.
Christ continues to live…in….through…among…each of us…
And together we are the church…for the good of all…
To the glory of God…that the whole world may know!
Come, Holy Spirit, Come! Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
Pastor Wilson