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![Text Box: We celebrate the birth of Jesus and all the world pauses to celebrate Christmas with us. We celebrate His resurrection, and most of the world recognizes Easter as a very special day on the calendar. But today is Pentecost, and hardly anyone realizes it. Yet, this day is important, because Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, and God has given us the wonderful opportunity of being a part of it. It is in the 2nd chapter of the Book of Acts that we read about the beginning of the Church.
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them" [Acts 2:1-4]. "Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. . . . Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’ Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine’ [Acts 2:5-6,12-13]. Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day. [Acts 2:36-41].
It’s interesting that some of the people who were passing by reached the conclusion that the apostles were drunk, because it tells us something of the spirit of excitement & joy that prevailed on that day.](index_newsletter051810_files/image276.png)
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There is a story about three prospectors who found a rich vein of gold in California during the gold rush days. They realized what a great discovery they had, and decided, "We’ve a really good thing going here as long as no one else finds out about it." So they each took a vow to keep it secret. Then they headed for town to file their claims and get the equipment necessary to mine the gold. True to their vows, they didn’t say a word to anybody. They filed their claim, bought the equipment, and headed back to their mine. But when they did, a crowd of people followed them. And the reason was because the expression on their faces had given them away. Their faces were aglow in anticipation of the wealth that soon would be theirs. People knew that they must have found something very special. So a crowd followed them out of town. Then there is the story that Erma Bombeck tells about a little boy at church with his mother. He was a good little boy, quiet and well behaved. He didn’t cause any problems. But every once in a while he would stand up in the pew, turn around, look at the people behind him and smile at them. His smile was infectious, and soon everybody behind him was starting to smile back at him. It was all going fine until the mother realized what the little boy was doing. When she did, she grabbed him by his ear and twisted it a bit, told him to sit down and remember that he was in church. Then he started sniffling and crying. She turned to him and said, "That’s better." It’s kind of sad, isn’t it, that some have the impression that when we come to church that it is all gloom and doom, and that there is nothing here to really bring joy into our lives? Pentecost says that the early Christians discovered joy unspeakable in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ. Again and again, Paul writes, "Rejoice in the Lord. Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, Rejoice!" While Pentecost was a once-in-history event, when the Church was born. I hope you will come to Worship on Sunday as we look at what we learn from "Pentecost" and ways that we can find the joy that God desires for us to have. |
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From Your Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . |
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Sunday, May 23 |
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10:30 AM |
6:00 PM |
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“The Outpouring of the Spirit” Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17 |
“Widen Your Hearts” 2 Corinthians 6:1-13 |