Well, we are following up one of the most important Sundays of the church year with another one!  Last Sunday, we observed Ascension Sunday, which was Jesus’ ascending to the right hand of God the Father 40 days after Easter (on a Thursday). And it is because of Ascension Sunday that we can celebrate this next most important Sunday, which is Pentecost.

Pentecost Sunday is the anniversary of the gift of the Holy Spirit on the disciples, which was promised to all believers. As I mentioned last week, the point of Christmas, Good Friday, Easter, and the Ascension was Pentecost, so that God the Holy Spirit might be "Emmanuel" to all people everywhere. If God is with us now, it is because of Pentecost, which was because of all of those other events!

The Psalm for this Sunday is Psalm 33, which includes the verse "When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth again." The Old Testament reading is from Joel 2, which was the promise of the Spirit, and the New Testament reading is the story of the day of Pentecost, from Acts 2. Dr. Kent Olney will be bringing the message, and I am confident that the Lord will speak to you from this faithful servant.

As this is Memorial Day weekend, we will also be remembering those who have passed away this last year, as we do. It is always a special time as we remind ourselves of our loved ones and friends who are worshipping the Lord with us from heaven.

I believe it will be a very good day, as we celebrate God's generosity, in the gift of God's Holy Spirit to us.


Pastor Mark