Dear First Pres,
I know that some of you have been watching the Sunday night NBC show “A.D. The Bible Continues.” We’ve been recording the show and slowly working through the episodes with the kids. It’s going slowly because we’re often pausing the show to talk about what the Bible says and doesn’t say, sort through all the different characters, and process the violence. Last night we watched the episode that covered Pentecost. The timing was perfect, because this Sunday is when we celebrate Pentecost in worship. Plus, the kids thought it was pretty cool how the fire came down from heaven.
As you know, Pentecost was a Jewish holiday. It was also known as the Festival of Weeks, and it celebrated the giving of the Law to Israel. But on that first Pentecost after the Resurrection of Jesus, the holiday came to have new meaning for Christ followers. When the day of Pentecost came, they [the disciples] 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). So, for Christians we celebrate the coming of the new law of God at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit (for more on that read Romans 8:1-4). The gift of the Holy Spirit is the incredible promise of Jesus to the Church. The Spirit has come to empower the Church to carry on the mission of God in Jesus. What a gracious and powerful gift the Spirit is to us, the people of God! May you be reminded today to live by the Spirit.
This Sunday we celebrate this gracious and powerful gift. One of the ways that we remember and celebrate is to wear red; it reminds us of what seemed to be tongues of fire that descended on the disciples that day. It reminds us that the Holy Spirit of God lives in us by the grace of God through faith in Jesus. It reminds us that we, like those first disciples, are chosen and equipped to continue Christ’s work of making disciples for the redeeming transformation of our city and world.
We’ll see you on Sunday.
Blessings,
P.S. This Sunday we’re also honoring our high school and other graduates. Plus, we’re remembering those who have given their lives in service to our country. It’s going to be a full and important morning of worship.
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