Confession…I love Pentecost.
Over a year ago I was trying to plan a vacation with my whole family. We
carefully coordinated dates, looking at work schedules, school schedules,
and basically every calendar you can imagine, to make sure nine people
could all be together. But I admit, I forgot to look at the liturgical
calendar. And I scheduled vacation over Pentecost.
At some point I realized my error and began to put Pentecost plans in
place that could happen without me being physically present. But the
more I planned, the more I realized I wanted to celebrate with you all. So,
I decided that we would celebrate Pentecost when I got back (and yes,
that means you get two Pentecost Sundays).
Pentecost is the day we celebrate the promised gift of the Holy Spirit
descending in a mighty rush of wind and flame to inspire the church’s
proclamation of Jesus’ resurrection and to empower its mission and
ministry to the world!
Pentecost is a grand celebration!
It is a chance to look back and see how God has been at work, but it is
also an invitation to look forward and imagine how God will continue to
be at work. For God once took a ragtag bunch of followers and did
something amazing. God gave them the gift of the Holy Spirit and it
changed everything. Every surprising story we have encountered in the
book of Acts is possible only because of the Holy Spirit.
And that same power of is available to us too. God is still doing a new
thing. God is still at work in our world. God is still taking a ragtag bunch of
followers and doing something amazing. God is still a God of surprises.
And I’m grateful to be on that journey with you. To look back together in
gratitude and to look forward together in hope.
I hope you’ll join us on Sunday for the Ultimate Surprise Party. Come
ready to be surprised! And don’t forget to wear red!
Grace and peace,
Kimmy