Scripture
– NIV
Acts
2:1-21 –
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.
Now
there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under
heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment,
because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they
asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each
of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites;
residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and
Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both
Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the
wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one
another, “What does this mean?”
Some,
however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
Then
Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd:
“Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you;
listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose.
It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
“ ‘In
the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and
daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will
dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my
Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the
heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of
smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the
coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the
name of the Lord will be saved.’
Philippians
4:4-7 –
Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be
evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in
every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will
guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Bob’s
thoughts:
We
set out to visit a nearby church this morning, but we got there early and were
ignored. We were hoping to celebrate Pentecost, so after a drive to a coffee
shop, God led us to a Presbyterian church that was observing the occasion.
Several people greeted us there.
There
was a beautiful cross that looked like it had reflective red tape on the edges
but when we went forward after the service we could see the internal red lights.
It was most striking with the red drape. The sanctuary was decorated with red
and orange, and I particularly liked the flower arrangement in the rear. My
favorite, though, was the red ribbon streamers on the windows that blew in,
quite appropriately.
In
the message the pastor mentioned that God waits patiently for us and I thought
back to when He claimed me. In my childhood I attended a church that became
Methodist and have the Sunday School ribbon bars to prove I was there. I thought
I was a Christian but lived a rough life for the first 50 years. When God
claimed me, the change was overwhelming. My wife started calling me her second
husband and our pastor started using me in his sermons (which he still does). I
was ordained a deacon and an elder, became a lay pastor and the visitor
greeter, and anything else that came my way.
I
went from smoking six packs a day and drinking accordingly to being His
servant. I believe He waited on me for those 50 years because I was so stubborn
and so I would have those experiences as part of my witness. He has guided me
to use what I was to witness for Him. The question was raised “Where is the
joy?” Now I know that joy.
I enjoyed
watching the children, as always. Communion was served, albeit silently, and I think
the pastor served himself. I enjoyed talking to the pastor and some others
after the service.
Jan’s
thoughts:
It
was an unusual morning. We arrived far too early at the church where we
intended to worship. Since the sun was shining and the flowers smelled lovely,
we decided to walk around this quiet neighborhood. Down the street we happened
upon this PC(USA) church, then walked back to the one we planned to attend.
When we went in, there was nowhere to go except the sanctuary where people were
engrossed in a game and ignored us. After sitting there for 10 or 15 minutes,
noting nothing to indicate Pentecost would be observed, no signage to indicate
the location of a restroom, and no one who seemed at all interested in conversation,
we left and went down the street to this church.
We
encountered restrooms immediately upon entering the building, and the women in
the kitchen welcomed us as we found our way. The ladies pointed the way toward
the sanctuary, and others greeted us as we went.
I
couldn’t help but admire the red, orange, and yellow decorations in observance
of Pentecost, and most of the congregation sported red.
In
addition to worship, the service included Communion, a new member, recognition
of the Communicant’s class, and a Minute for Mission.
Most
of the songs were contemporary and led only by a pianist.
The
sermon was entitled “The Lord is Near” and I like the pastor was speaking
directly to me. He assured that God has His ways of making His Presence known,
that He
waits patiently for us to understand. He gives us space to figure things out
and to grow without forcing Himself on us. He prepares us, and at the right
time, He gives us the opportunity to respond by stepping out in faith. The
pastor acknowledged it often happens that we only see these things clearly when
we do take that step in faith but encouraged me to rest assured that God is the
God of creation and He is always creating something new.
We
were kindly invited to attend the celebration luncheon following but had to
decline.
Our
prayer for this church:
Lord,
Your church is nestled in a community that needs You. We pray they might shine
brightly in Your name. Amen.
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