Come, Holy Spirit!

Post date: Jun 08, 2019 12:15:7 AM

Grace and peace to you for this last week of Easter!

This Sunday, June 9th, we will mark one of the most important moments in the liturgical year, the Day of Pentecost. Oddly, even though Pentecost is essential for the Christian life, it doesn’t seem to attract as much attention as Christmas and Easter do. I’m not exactly sure why. Perhaps it’s because Pentecost is not linked with gift-giving and a jolly-bearded man. There’s no fluffy bunnies at Pentecost, the new life of spring flowers, or chocolate crosses and little yellow chicks. And yet, Pentecost is about a gift, the gift of the Holy Spirit as our Advocate and Comforter; and it is certainly about new life, a life that is fueled by the Spirit’s power of fire and breath, the breath that brought about the creation of the world. Assuredly though, the most significant part about Pentecost is, because of that day of fire and wind, we have become joint heirs with Christ and are now part of God’s covenant people.

On that day in Jerusalem, when the Spirit came, gentle as a dove and burning as fire, the Spirit was no longer the possession of a few, like kings, or prophets, or the covenant people of Israel, but was given to all people: the rich, the poor, the highly favored, the oppressed. And now the Spirit is offered today to us, our children, and to everyone near and far. Pentecost is the evidence of God’s longstanding promise of unconditional love, care, and most importantly, the restoration of all creation.

When the Spirit was poured out that day in Jerusalem, the people in the crowd responded immediately, asking what is it we have to do? And many people were baptized, as the holy rushing wind of the Spirit moved out into the world, and the good news of God’s love spread into the surrounding areas. 

But it didn’t end there. 

The Spirit is still being poured out today when we come together to worship and celebrate the One who gives us life. I look forward to worshiping with you on Sunday as we rejoice in the blessings of wind, fire, and Spirit.

In gratitude for the joy of being your Pastor and the holy call of loving you,

Pastor Trish