Pastor's Notes fo May 23, 2010

DATES WE CELEBRATED
Saturday, May 22,
We celebrated Megan Brackenridge’s graduation party at Land-O-Lakes Fairgrounds.

Sunday May 23, High school graduation at the football field.

Sunday May 23,
We celebrated Ashley’s graduation party, Sac Osage Community Room.

Today is Pentecost, one of the three pilgrimage festivals in Jewish worship. Called the Feast of Weeks or Shavout, it is a joyful celebration bringing the first fruits of the wheat harvest to God. Later generations celebrate the giving of the Ten Commandments on this day. Jews gathered in Jerusalem for this celebration at the Temple.

On the first Pentecost after the resurrection the promised Holy Spirit fell on the 120 disciples of Jesus. Church tradition has red symbolizing the Holy Spirit, so today we wore red to celebrate the Spirit’s work in us and through us.

Reflecting on the Scriptures: JESUS & JOEL SPEAK
John 14:8-17 (25-27). Jesus promises his obedient followers an abiding and indwelling Advocate, the Holy Spirit. In this scriptue Jesus speaks to us today of 1) spiritual companionship, 2) community, 3) peace, and 4) comfort.

Acts 2:1-21. Compare to Joel 2:28-32. On Pentecost the Holy Spirit empowers Jesus’ followers to speak in various languages. Peter quotes the prophet, Joel, to clarify the event. People from many nations heard the news about Jesus in their language!

Peter understands that we are living in the last days. 1) A new era of God’s mighty works begins with this outpouring of the Holy Spirit. 2) A new aspect of God’s work begins. In these last days the Spirit is lavished upon us, regardless of age, gender, social class, or economic status. When the Spirit works within a congregation there will be 3) mutual respect—because the Spirit empowers sons and daughter, women and men, young and old, slave and free.

Genesis 11:1-9. Centuries before people had rebelled against God. God scattered the people and confused their language! When the Holy Spirit came on Pentecost the followers of Jesus had the ability to speak the good news in every language—blessing the diversity of languages.

Psalm 104:24-35. Creation declares the manifold works of God—diverse yet looking to the Creator for provision!
“Bless the Lord, O my soul. Praise the Lord!”