Pentecost

On May 15, we once again celebrated Pentecost.  Once again, we heard the story.  Once again, we confirmed our young people.  Once again, we adorned the sanctuary in red.  Pentecost is a day of celebration.  It is seen as the birthday of the church when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the people of God gathered in that upper room.  The Holy Spirit came in wind and fire, and sent those gathered out into the streets of Jerusalem to proclaim the Gospel.  Everyone who heard those early disciples understood and responded to that good news of God's love, which, in many ways, is more of a miracle than speaking in other languages.  Pentecost declares that the Gospel is for everyone.

Yes, on May 15, we celebrated Pentecost, but it was more than a day when we looked back at the working of the Holy Spirit.  Pentecost is also present tense.  The Holy Spirit is still poured out on the people of God.  It was poured out on those young people who were confirmed, but it is also poured out on the people of Zion.  It is poured out on God’s people wherever they are gathered.  And like Pentecost of old, the Holy Spirit sends us out into the streets of the city to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed.  It is a Gospel that still needs to be heard.  It is a Gospel that still has the power to change the world.  It is Gospel that is still for everyone.  Let us keep Pentecost alive in our hearts and in our lives.

                                                                   Peace,

                                                                   Pastor Summer