Before Jesus ascended into heaven he gave his disciples this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1:4-5

Now it's the Feast of Weeks in Jerusalem, a Jewish harvest celebration where the first fruits of the wheat harvest are brought to the temple. The streets are packed with Jews from every nation who have come to celebrate and bring their offerings.

Imagine you are in the Upper Room with the followers of Jesus. You are barricaded, disillusioned, confused and ready to give up. Christ your leader is gone. Your fledgling movement, once holding forth the promise of liberation and freedom, seems to have fizzled out. You wonder: Is it "game over" for Christianity?

Then, suddenly, you hear it.

The sound starts as a whisper, and then explodes with ear-shattering intensity. It is the sound of a mighty rushing wind. Beginning with a spark, then a flicker, then a fiery burst, each person in the room appears to have a flame above them. Each believer is endowed with miraculous gifts.

This is not your ordinary prayer meeting or small group Bible study. This is the Day of Pentecost, the day the Holy Spirit unleashes His presence with unprecedented power and an astonishing miraculous display.

"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 them speaking in his own language." Acts 2:5-6

How can it be? These men are locals--ordinary Galileans--who are speaking in foreign languages. Some make fun of them and think they're drunk, but it's only 9 o'clock in the morning. Peter gets up and addresses the crowd, and on that day over 3000 people are baptized and join the disciples as followers of Jesus Christ.

It's not "game over" for Christianity; it's "Game On." From now on, these disciples would turn the world upside down with the life-changing news of God's love and the resurrection of Jesus, who lived and walked on this earth. Everywhere they went they preached the gospel message of new life in Christ and the forgiveness of sin. They healed people from sickness and delivered people from evil spirits.

Friends, two thousand years later we share in this message. We share in this healing ministry. We, too, are recipients of this same Holy Spirit. We proclaim this Good News. "Anyone who has faith in me will do what I have been doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." John 14:12

Let it be so, O Lord, for us.

Greg

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SUMMER EVENTS

Sunday, July 1: Cirque du Soleil - Kooza
5:00 PM Sunday matinee under the Grand Chapiteau ( air-conditioned tent) at University of Phoenix Stadium. Tickets: $27.00 per person.
If you've never seen a Cirque de Soleil show, now is your chance to see one at a fraction of the cost. They are spectacular. This particular show combines two circus traditions - acrobatic performance and the art of clowning. The show highlights the physical demands of human performance in all its splendor and fragility. Call Bob at 623-326-9047 to get your tickets now. We have only 20 group tickets at a great discount, so first come - first served. A great mid-summer break!

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ON-GOING

DivorceCare: Wednesday Evenings, 6:30 PM
Community Church of Joy
21000 N 75th Ave
Glendale
If you are going through a divorce or have unfinished emotions and feelings regarding a past divorce, come for this series of videos that can help you heal and move forward. This is a small group setting.
Call Jerry for more info at 623-972-7651.

Healing from Loss
This 12-week workshop involves reading, reflection, homework and sharing. The next workshop will begin this fall. Please call Greg for info: 602-622-1488.