May 10, 2016
Dear LABC,
This coming Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, the annual celebration of that day in Jerusalem long ago when, with a sound like the rush of a violent wind and the appearance of tongues of fire resting on them, the Holy Spirit fell upon the followers of Jesus.
In my sermon on Sunday I will emphasize the point that theologian Charles Hefling makes in a recent Christian Century article, “How wide is God’s mercy?,” namely that “God the Spirit was not absent prior to the coming of Christ.”
Indeed the Spirit of God, the wind of God, is very active on the pages of the Hebrew Bible. The Spirit broods over the chaos as God begins to create, the Spirit inspires artists like Belazel son or Uri son of Hur to apply their skill to the construction of sacred spaces like the wilderness Sanctuary, and the Spirit enters prophets like Ezekiel so they may speak hope to desperation.
It is most accurate to say not that Pentecost was the Spirit’s first appearance but that at Pentecost the Spirit, as she is known to do, pointed the people in new directions, helped the people bridge old differences and strengthened the people at the points they were fragile. I invite you to join me in wearing red in recognition of the occasion.
Prayers of the Congregation
- Charlotte Myers for her sister Myrna who is under hospice care
- Celestine Bennett as she mourns her sister, Cecelia
- Joan Thatcher (health concerns)
- Karen Hopkins for Chris Mitroff as she mourns the death of her mother
- Our students and their families
- Louis Greer as he mourns the death of his grandson, Michael
- The family and friends of Peggy Shaw as they mourn her death
- Dave Robinson for his mom and dad
- Aaron and Teresa, David and Kristen as they prepare for the birth of their second children
- Thanksgiving with Jamie Reid and family as he completes his program at Paradise Baptist Church
- Ted and Doris Evans
- Karen Okusu as she cares for her mom
- Georgia Upshaw as she cares for her brother
- John Lee as he recuperates
- Gloria and Phil Meads for the Elias family and for Alfred
- All our home-bound members
- The Oladoja family
- Lloyd Scott as he pursues an MBA
- The participants in the Ceasefire Call-In on Thursday evening
- Robert Wilkins as he concludes his ministry at Faith Presbyterian Church
Announcements
Baptists Lunching Together, Wednesday May 11 at noon. Luncheon $10. Jesse Lucas will report on his trip to Haiti. Reservations on line at pcba.org.
Flick Flack – Friday evening, May 13 at 7:00, at home of Jerry and Charlene Wolf. Please let the Wolf’s know if you are coming.
Forever Young -Saturday, May 14 at 12:30 in Family Room. A delicious Luau themed lunch and program by ukulele group from the Academy of Hawaiian Arts. $7, please make reservations with George Lee.
Our guest musicians on Sunday will be Lenny Ott and his daughter Olivia.
There will be a Stand and Sing for Justice on Mandana Green following worship.