America celebrates her "birthday" on July 4th, though we'd prefer to say we declared our "independence" from England on that particular mid-summer day.  All of us can readily state our birth date, some of us even knowing what time of the day or night we entered this world.  Then again, there are some of us who forget, perhaps conveniently the day of our birth.  And that's okay, too.  The Titan god Kronos, god of time would certainly have a thing or two to say to those of us who minimize the nature, significance and importance of time. 

  

When it comes to the Christian Church, it is rather difficult if not impossible to actually provide a date to when She, the Church, was given birth.   There is no particular year.  There is no real recognition of which to speak.  However, the Church does celebrate "the Descent of the Holy Spirit, the Birth of the Church, Pentecost" which, for better or worse, is what we have in terms of an actual birthday celebration.  Actually, historically speaking, Christian Pentecost was born of -- and has its roots deeply planted in -- the ancient Israelite commemoration of Pentecost, which was the celebration of the wheat harvest. From this sacred and agricultural origin came the Christian feast of Pentecost which commemorates the "celebration of the first spiritual harvest of souls that marked the founding of the Christian church as an institution.  Pentecost is the festival that celebrates the birth of the Christian church, because it was on that day that Christ's followers were consolidated into a new, messianic community we call,"the Church."  

(Samuele Bacchiocchi, Ph.D., Andrews University)

You see my friends; Jesus did not really break away from His Hebrew upbringing.  Jesus never "started the church."  In fact, He never really broke off nor created -- or even required the creation of -- another synagogue or "house of God" for worship.  Rather, His command to the disciples and those who came immediately afterwards was to remain rooted in the faith of their ancestors and in their ministry, bringing about and fostering what He Himself taught them (you know, forgiveness, love, sharing of goods, prayer, all without condition or expecting anything in return).  The major difference between the ancient Israelites and these early followers of Christ was who they pledged their allegiance and love to...and that was to Jesus Christ, "the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords, the Prince of Peace whose reign would last forever and ever."'

So, what does all this mean for we 21st Century Christians living in the highly modernized and profoundly secular western world?  Well my dear friends, it means pretty much for us what it meant for those first followers of Christ:  we are called to ministry to all people, to share our faith and beliefs with all, especially those who are in most need of healing, strengthening and support.  That mandate went out to the earliest of disciples over 2000 years ago and it still calls us all to accountability. 

Pentecost, or as it is referred to in Britain and Ireland, Whitsunday, is for us the Birth of the Christian Church.  We as her members are called to go forth into the world as we labor to bring the Good News of Christ to the world.  We are chosen and called upon to 'bring in the harvest that stands waiting in the field.'  It's quite a command.  Yet, my dear sisters and brothers, I do believe we are up to the task.  I've seen just how committed and caring this loving community of St. Nicholas can be.  We all give of ourselves as we are able.  Let's all continue to give, to share, to pray and to love unconditionally, without hesitation and always with Jesus as our Light showing us the way.

A Blessed Pentecost to all.  May the Holy Spirit come to us, overwhelm us with grace, peace and spiritual strength, now and forever.

   

 

Amen.

 

-Manny

June is the start of the summer season.  Yet, it is also the month we set aside to celebrate and honor our Dads. 

Bring a framed photo of our Dads so we can all celebrate as we thank them for the many blessings, lessons and love they shared with us. 

The Giving Tree continues to be a key focal point of our church and a source of conversation for both visitor and parishioner.

The tags are changed from time to time, which allows us to help purchase the things our church needs.  Not everyone is able to pledge or share financial gifts.  However, with the Giving Tree, we are invited to perhaps make a purchase of some juice for our kids, or paper plates for Coffee Hour or maybe a ream of copier paper, all of which are important and necessary for the growth and sustaining of our community of faith.

Take a look and see what's up...and thank you to all who have been so blessedly generous and kind.

 

As a reminder, the full master calendar is always available online at this link.  Here is the schedule for the next week: