From The Pastor - June 2018 Newsletter
Pentecost, a Royal wedding, and you!
Pentecost, a Royal wedding, and you!
The day of Pentecost, with all of its red decorations, reminding us of the Spirit’s descent upon the disciples, falls on the fiftieth day after the Passover. The original day of Pentecost found peoples from all lands gathered in Jerusalem for the Jewish Feast of Weeks, celebrating the wheat harvest and the commemoration of God giving the Torah. It was on that day that God’s Spirit was poured out on Jesus’ disciples; with the sound of a rushing wind and tongues as of fire, it descended upon each of them. Filled now, by the power of the Spirit, the disciples began to proclaim the good news of Jesus in Jerusalem. Astonishingly, those from every land heard the word of God in their own native language. The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Over 2000 years later, on May 19, 2018, in a world so diverse, with languages too many to number, the world was captivated by a Royal Wedding in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales was marrying actress Meghan Markle. The Dean of Windsor conducted the service, while the Archbishop of Canterbury officiated as the couple exchanged their vows. But it was the Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church that caused the biggest stir in the hour long service with his 14 minute sermon. It is estimated that over 2 billion people tuned in to watch the Royal Wedding on television. That meant that over 2 billion people watched and listened attentively to God’s Word being preached in countless languages across the world. They heard a word of love and fire, of passion and compassion, of emotion and action, of justice and truth.
Everyone that I’ve heard from or talked to about the Royal Wedding was mesmerized by the power of Bishop Curry’s message. The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. So what about us, you and me? Can we speak the language of love and compassion? Dare we speak what we have first heard, that God so loved us that he sent his Son, the Christ, on our behalf? We are the mouth pieces of God, not just the paid preachers, but each and every one of us giving a living testimony to the power of God’s love for us and for the world, that justice, truth, and peace might reign. God’s Spirit has been poured into us for the sake of the world. Let voice of God be proclaimed through you, by what you say and what you do. The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Peace,
Pastor Mike
Over 2000 years later, on May 19, 2018, in a world so diverse, with languages too many to number, the world was captivated by a Royal Wedding in St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Prince Henry Charles Albert David of Wales was marrying actress Meghan Markle. The Dean of Windsor conducted the service, while the Archbishop of Canterbury officiated as the couple exchanged their vows. But it was the Most Reverend Michael Bruce Curry, the 27th Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church that caused the biggest stir in the hour long service with his 14 minute sermon. It is estimated that over 2 billion people tuned in to watch the Royal Wedding on television. That meant that over 2 billion people watched and listened attentively to God’s Word being preached in countless languages across the world. They heard a word of love and fire, of passion and compassion, of emotion and action, of justice and truth.
Everyone that I’ve heard from or talked to about the Royal Wedding was mesmerized by the power of Bishop Curry’s message. The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God. So what about us, you and me? Can we speak the language of love and compassion? Dare we speak what we have first heard, that God so loved us that he sent his Son, the Christ, on our behalf? We are the mouth pieces of God, not just the paid preachers, but each and every one of us giving a living testimony to the power of God’s love for us and for the world, that justice, truth, and peace might reign. God’s Spirit has been poured into us for the sake of the world. Let voice of God be proclaimed through you, by what you say and what you do. The Word of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Peace,
Pastor Mike