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"When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force-no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them," (Acts 2:1-4, MSG)
I enjoyed last week. I was off and resting after a very busy Lenten and Easter season. I had no idea how tired I actually was. I took a nap last Monday. Slept during the day. Got up that morning and two hours later went back to bed. I had to look nap up. I thought it started with a k. Turns out nap begins with an n. Anyway, I'm back in the office today rested and ready to rock and roll!
Much like the Christmas season rolls on for twelve days after Christmas day, Easter has a season as well. It concludes on the Day of Pentecost. Pentecost is the fiftieth and last day of the Easter season. To many, Pentecost is the birthday of the church. The day we celebrate a group of believers, and thereby the universal and organic body of Christ, receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. In essence, the commissioning and work of the church was being set into motion. Although the "Easter season" concludes with Pentecost-it is now time to get to work. Far from being over, the work of the church is just beginning. Having caught a nap-we are ready to fulfill our Great Commission as Christ's church in the world.
The end of Luke's gospel sets the stage. Jesus tells his disciples that all things have happened to fulfill the scriptures, from the Law, to the Prophets, to the Psalms. He opened their minds to the understanding of God's Word and how a total forgiveness of sins was to spread across the world, beginning in Jerusalem. Jesus says, (Sam's paraphrase) "you are going to be my witnesses. Stay right here in Jerusalem until I fulfill my father's promise to you. It will take the power you'll receive from on high to fulfill the task I am sending you to!" Wait for the Father's promise to be fulfilled....and then....Pentecost! The sending and receiving of the Holy Spirit. Our witnessing work is not undertaken in our own power but in the power of the Holy Spirit!
In the life of James Island Presbyterian Church, our work has just begun. We have gathered over the Lenten and Easter season for glorious worship. We have seen Christ crucified, dead and buried. We have experienced the day God surprised and transformed all of humanity by raising Jesus from the dead. And we continue to gather...to wait for God the Father's promise to be fulfilled in sending the Holy Spirit.
I hope you will join me in daily prayer as we anticipate the Holy Spirit falling from on high this Pentecost. We will find ourselves being awakened from a refreshing nap! (metaphorically speaking!) We will find ourselves empowered to speak the love language of God's grace, forgiveness and love to a world in desperate need of it. I trust you will commit yourself to exercising your unique strengths and gifts both within and outside the walls of James Island Presbyterian Church. In doing so we will live into our commission as the body of Christ-living and speaking a unified language of God's love to the world!
Thanks to the entire James Island Presbyterian Church family for being how you are, who you are!
Much grace and peace,
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