St. Andrews by the Lake

What is PENTECOST and what difference does it make in my life?

The Day of Pentecost is the occasion when pious Jews, in the time of Jesus, gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the ‘Feast of Weeks’. If a Jewish person had the ability to travel to Jerusalem, they were expected to be there to participate in this festival – which was a celebration at which the first fruits of the spring harvest were offered to God. That’s why the disciples were gathered in that room after the crucifixion of Jesus – they had gathered for this festival – yet were still fearful of the fallout from the crucifixion and having been followers of Jesus. It could have been several months time that had passed since Jesus had been crucified – so they were still dealing with grief, loss, bewilderment. Anyone who experiences the death of a loved one, knows the feelings that permeate life for a long time after a loved one dies.
In the midst of their fear and grieving, a miracle occurred:

tongues of flame lighted on each person, and each person spoke their own native tongue – but miraculously, everybody understood everybody else! (Acts 2: 1-21)
Pentecost, for a Christian, is the Church’s celebration of the gift of the Holy Spirit. It comes from the realization that God’s very life, breath and energy lives in, with and among us. Those who are Christians experience this life through Jesus because we see the Spirit so fully present in him. This Spirit that poured out on the gathered disciples was a unifying Spirit that crossed the artificial boundaries of language, race and culture. What happens when people allow this divine Spirit to energize them? What happens when the Spirit comes into our lives?
We receive gifts we never dreamed of. We might intuitively know how to handle a tough situation at work or home. That’s wisdom. We might stop our angry response toward another long enough to think what it’s like to be in his or her shoes. That’s understanding. We might find the words of hope to help another in a dilemma. That’s counsel. Maybe you are persevering in a difficult time in your life. That is fortitude.
Some people will look at complex problems in the world and not settle for simplistic answers. They are willing to dig deeper. That is the gift of knowledge. In every church community you will find some truly faithful souls whose life shows they radically rely on God’s help and accept all of life as a gift. They show true piety. These are often known as the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
What is our task in living Pentecost? Our task, and the task of every community of the spirit, is openness and eagerness to receive sprit. Our task is a willingness to be surprised – to be ‘drunk’ on God – which is what ‘enthusiasm’ (en theos in Greek) means. Our task is to be open to being changed, and being re-created and being filled with boldness. Our task is to be willing to partner with this inspired community of Christians all over, to change the world.
We don’t know what God will do in our community and the world, but the inspired thing will have something to do with bringing peace and boldness. Our task is to keep listening and responding.

Pentecost Blessings. Cindy

CELEBRATION OF PENTECOST – Sunday, May 11th, 9:45 a.m.
Catch the Spirit – Wear something RED!

Spirit divine, attend our prayers,
And make this house thy home;
Descend with all thy gracious powers;
O come, great spirit, come!

Come as the light; to us reveal
Our emptiness and woe;
And lead us in the paths of life
Where all the righteous go.

Come as the wind; sweep clean away
What dead within us lies,
And search and freshen all our souls
With living energies.

Come as the fire; and purge our hearts
Like sacrificial flame’
Let our whole soul as offering be
To our redeemer’s name.

Spirit divine, attend our prayers,
Make a lost world thy home;
Descend with all thy gracious powers;
O come, great Spirit, come!
‘Spirit Divine’, by Andrew Reed

SOME THINGS TO NOTE:

Washington National Cathedral will be offering a light show called, “Cathedral Lighting to Unite”. Stunning images will be projected onto the cathedral for several nights in the coming weeks. If you’d like to see what they look like, go to: http://www.cathedral.org/cathedral/ltu/main.shtml
Those who have been to National Cathedral (on pilgrimages or other trips), might be especially interested in viewing this. It is beautiful!

All you NARNIA FANS! The next film in the Narnia series is coming out soon – Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian. Those who would like to go in a group and have a discussion afterwards – we’ll plan to go Sunday, May 25th for the early matinee. Time and place will be publicized in the next two Sunday bulletins.

A good website for Bible Study helps:
Virginia Theological Seminary – Bible Briefs – Short introductions to books of the Bible: Very helpful. www.vts.edu