When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.
And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind,
and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. - Acts 2:1-4 NRSV
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I hope this message finds you remaining in the peace that surpasses understanding.
Tomorrow, May 28, 2023, is Pentecost Sunday, the birthday of Christian church. It is the day the first disciples received the Holy Spirit in a spectacular way. In Acts chapter 2, the Holy Spirit--manifested in a powerful wind and tongues of fire--was poured out on people from all over the world who came to Jerusalem to celebrate a Jewish feast. On Pentecost Day, after the Apostle Peter preached his first sermon emphasizing the resurrection of Jesus, more than 3,000 people were baptized. Filled and empowered by the Spirit of Christ, the early Christians boldly proclaimed and radically lived out the gospel of mercy, justice, peace, and love of the Risen Christ. Through the power of the Pentecost Spirit, they turned the world upside down.
Come one, come all! Let us celebrate Pentecost Sunday! Let us reclaim the power of the Spirit of Pentecost! Join us for our Worship Service at 11:00 a.m. It is a special day to be inspired and empowered anew by the Spirit of the Risen Christ. It is also a great time for us to renew our relationship with God, with our church, and with one another in the life-affirming and -giving power of the Holy Spirit.