I took a moment to pray, to thank god, and think about the simplicity of her joy and mine. How grateful I am that she shared that moment with me. How many times have I walked up a flight of stairs and thought nothing of it. How many times did I moan when I reached the top. Hearing her voice overcome with joy by a simple task that most of us think nothing of will have me looking at stairs very differently.
What my sister did for me, is what Pentecost does for us as a church. She was touched by the spirit and came home to share her story, her joy, her triumph. She reached out to her community, in this case, me and I'm sure all who were in her phone book. There would be no containing the spirit that was pouring through her.
Pentecost Sunday comes 50 days after Easter. Its origin is rooted in the Feast of the Weeks (Leviticus 23:15–21). It’s the time when the Church observes the coming of the Holy Spirit.
On the day of Pentecost, people gathered from a wide variety of places. They are “all together in one place” (Acts 2:1). Then, the Holy Spirit descends, spreads through the crowd, and those assembled begin speaking in different languages, as the Spirit gives them ability. Imagine what would have been if they kept that Pentecost event all to themselves. Thank goodness they didn't!
God had a holy influence on their souls. They worshiped, they believed, they spent time together in the temple. Scripture describes expressive types of worship, but ultimately, worship comes directly from the heart. John 4:23–24 tells us: “But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him. God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”
In other words according to The Rev. Dr. Glenn E. Porter Sr,
"God is looking for worshippers who sincerely love him, and are not “fair-weather” worshippers. God is looking for authentic worshippers, who will give praises throughout all the changes of life."
Pentecost calls attention to the church as a community.
"And day by day the Lord added to their number." (Acts 2:47)
The people witnessed the manifestation of the Holy Spirit at work. People outside the community watched the people in the community make sacrifices for one another, and provide for others’ needs. Those outside the community witnessed those inside the community enjoying the heartfelt and genuine fellowship of each other and praising God. As you have heard me frequently say, Joy is infectious. The people outside the community wanted what the people inside the community had deep in their hearts, and one by one they joined the community.
This weekend we will renew our Baptismal Covenant. We are asked to remember that God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are at the center of our Community. We renew our vows and recommit ourselves to the Fellowship we share with one another as one Body in Christ. We do so with exuberant joy and hopeful expectation.
With all the excitement of Pentecost, we once again return to a full sung Eucharist on Sunday morning. So mask up and come sing with joy to the Lord!
See you Sunday!
Blessings,
Mo. Allison+
551-697-6133
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If you would like a pastoral visit or a visit from one of our
Eucharistic Ministers, please contact
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