Come, Holy Spirit come...

Dear Friends,

As we approach the feast day of Pentecost I cannot help but reflect on life at Church of the Incarnation and how rich and full this journey has been.  We started at Canterbury before we launched, before we were a mission, when we were little more than me and a website.  We sojourned to the Mission House, under a tent, to the fellowship hall at RTS and now back to Canterbury. It brings me great joy as the vicar to gather week after week in the St. Augustine Chapel, to watch as people make there way into this sacred space, to be fed by the Word and Sacrament, Sunday after Sunday. That should be enough...  its not.

We are filled with the Holy Spirit day by day not just for our own benefit but more so for a mission in this world.  The text in Acts 1:8 reads this way...

"But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

We receive power from on high to be witnesses.   Does the Holy Spirit bless us and do we benefit from the "filling" and power made manifest in us and through us?  Without a doubt the answer is yes!   But the purpose given, at least in this passage for the coming of the Holy Spirit is so that we as God's people may bear witness and proclaim the Good News of Salvation in Christ Jesus.

What have you seen?  What have you experienced of God's salvation?   What difference has knowing Christ Jesus made in you?  ...your family?  ...your job? This is what we proclaim, in the power of the Holy Spirit to a world in need of Good News.  I heard Bishop Howe say years ago in a teaching that one of the miracles of the New Covenant is that which was reserved for prophets, priests and kings is now given freely to all who believe in Jesus and call upon the name of the Lord.  The Holy Spirit in the Old Covenant was designated by "offices and callings" and now in Christ Jesus the Holy Spirit is given to all believers. as a down payment or deposit guaranteeing a fuller redemption yet to come. (Ephesians 1:14)

So come expecting this Sunday as we celebrate Pentecost and by the Holy Spirit we take another step in this glorious journey of salvation, hope, peace, faith and love.  (and remember to wear RED!)

In the mission,

Fr. Jon+

A FEW THINGS...

Volunteering at Canterbury... There is much to do.  A I grow in my familiarity with the Canterbury campus, I see there is a great deal we as a congregation can do to contribute to the operation of the retreat center.  There are: flower beds that need attention; office projects (some routine, others that are special tasks);  painting; sprucing up the campus and physical plant; and more.  If you or your family or a group of you want to help out please contact me.  
( jon@incarnationoviedo.com / 321-436-8006 )

Next vestry meeting Tuesday, May 18th / 6:30pm at Canterbury.

Pentecost is Sunday May 23rd- remember to wear RED

For more Incarnation News Click Here