Pastor’s Corner “The Importance of Pentecost”

There can be no life without the life-giver, no understanding without the Spirit of truth, no fellowship without the unity of the Spirit, no Christlikeness of character apart from his fruit, and no effective witness without his power. As a body without breath is a corpse, so the church without the Spirit is dead. (John Stott)

Thus, the importance of Pentecost! Pentecost is the day we celebrate the empowering, unifying, life-giving gift of the Holy Spirit to the Church, the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in John 14:16-17. This gift, however, is intended for the whole world. That’s why Peter quotes the prophet Joel in his first Spirit-inspired sermon and concludes by saying, “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” (Acts 2:38).

As the people of Immanuel, baptized into Jesus, we have received the Holy Spirit to empower us together to offer our Father’s forgiveness and his Holy Spirit to our family and friends, neighbors and co-workers, and those of other cultures we have yet to meet. That’s why our Mission Statement emphasizes the presence of the Spirit sending us out into the world:

We cultivate a Spirit-filled family that goes into our communities and the world to offer Refuge, Reconciliation, and Renewal, inviting everyone to experience life with God the Father in Jesus Christ.

We will celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit this Sunday at 9:30am. Remember we are gathering for only one service as an expression of the unity enabled by the one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13). During this service we will also honor graduating seniors, celebrate kids who are moving up into the Youth Group, and welcome new members to Immanuel!

Additional parking will be available at Coles Elementary. Shuttles will begin running at 8am. Staff and Sunday volunteers are asked to park at Coles.

Sadly, the Picnic on the lawn has been cancelled, but we will still hang out after the service and enjoyed “enhanced fellowship” – light lunch and treats and good conversation. And we will sing together, in the words of the hymn “On Pentecost they Gathered”:

O Spirit, sent from heaven

on that day long ago,

rekindle faith among us

in all life’s ebb and flow.

O give us ears to listen

and tongues aflame with praise,

so folk of every nation

glad songs of joy shall raise.

Your Pastor in Christ,