“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:1-4
On June 4, 50 days after Easter, we celebrate Pentecost and the fresh infusion of the Holy Spirit that gave the church the power to carry out Jesus’ command to share the Good News of Jesus’ death and resurrection to people everywhere. Willimon and Hauerwas, in the book Holy Spirit, write, “The Spirit continues to rest on Jesus’s body only now that body turns out to be the church. The church, moreover, under the direction of the Spirit, has as its task—in word and deed—to point to Jesus.” (p. 38)
The church, that’s you and me together, has the responsibility and privilege of pointing to Christ. We do that when we love and forgive others, whether or not they deserve it. We do that when we offer a free meal in celebration of the free gift of God’s grace. We do that when we serve Christ with joy according to the gifts he has given us. We do that when we share with a hurting friend, how Jesus helped us through a tough time. We do that in hundreds of other ways as we work with God to build God’s Kingdom.
Come on June 4th for one of our Pentecost worship services, wear red if you have it, and join the celebration, receive anew the power of the Spirit that we might be all we are called to be! Then join us for the annual church picnic at Braddock’s Bay.
Also in June, we will celebrate the baptism of Iris Simonelli at the 11 am service on June 11. June 18 we will recognize fathers and graduates. And on June 25 we will celebrate the ministry of Tammy Ruiz as she retires from her role as Aldersgate’s organist. See you in church!
Blessings and prayers,
Pastor Anne