Pentecost Sunday Revisited

Today is Pentecost Sunday, the Sunday set aside to remember the day of Pentecost, which was in actuality 50 days (hence the meaning of the word "Pentecost") after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, when God sent His Holy Spirit to indwell the gathered disciples, and all who would believe.

Here is our Pastor's message from today, which is from the book of Acts chapter two. If you take the time to listen to this, I am sure you will enjoy it and learn even more about the significance of this day. Our pastor is an excellent Bible teacher. 

 

Now here's another post that I wrote about Pentecost Sunday way back in 2017. As I re-read this story, I thought to myself, "you can't do any better than this today...why not share this again?  The message is still the same and still speaks to us today, five years later."  I am sure my friend Susie Klein won't mind if I quote from her book again either.  Susie isn't doing as much blogging these days and I miss her voice here, but her book is still available on Amazon.com HERE, if you would like to read it for yourself. I highly recommend it.  Susie's blog, "Walking Butterfly, a book about love," can still be read at this link.  Perhaps if you visit her blog and become her one of her "followers", we might be able to encourage her to do more writing!!

Here is my original blog post from 2017.  I had apparently just had some surgery previous to writing this.  At least then I had a good excuse for having "fuzzy brain". LOL.  Okay, read on friends, and I hope this will bless you today:

Original Post 6/4/2017:

It's Sunday, and I know I should write something deep and spiritual. But to be honest, my brain is still a little fuzzy since my surgery...even though my surgery had nothing to do with my brain...totally opposite...but well, I won't give TMI.   Anyway, there really is something to "anesthesia brain". I realize that as I try to type here...you don't know how many times I am hitting the wrong keys and have to go back and rewrite words.  I find it is easier to just go sit in my recliner and read a book than to try and think and write and communicate.  But something drives me to at least keep trying...don't give in to it or it will become difficult to ever get back in the routine and groove...

Today is Pentecost Sunday...the Sunday set aside in the traditional church calendar to remember and celebrate the day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, who were gathered "with one accord in one place..." (Acts 2:1).  Acts 2:2-3 tells us that

"Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, 

as of a rushing mighty wind,

and it filled the whole house where they were sitting...

Then there appeared to them divided tongues,

as of fire, and one sat upon each of them."

Now I know that all of Christendom has discussed and debated over this event ever since it happened...and many differences in church denominations have sprung up because of the differences in opinion over just what happened here and what it meant to all Christians everywhere.  I am not going to discuss that here, but what I do want to talk about is who we are in Christ...and what this means to each of us individually.  To do that, I need to look at I Corinthians 12:4-7

rr

"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.

There are differences of ministries,

but the same Lord.

And there are diversities of activities,

but it is the same God who works all in all.

But the manifestation of the Spirit

is given to each one for the profit of all..."

This morning I happened to pick up my friend Susie Klein's wonderful little book, Walking Butterfly~Comfy Cocoon to Flying Free , and turned to this particular page (Chapter Ten, page 58), and I'd like to quote what Susie wrote here. I know she won't mind...she really is a very special friend of mine, whom I met through blogging several years ago...and we formed a very genuine and precious friendship that I treasure highly...  So here is what Susie says:

"The Father designed you for a purpose.

To be loved by Him and to share that love with others.

It really is as simple as that.  When we actually believe God loves us, it changes everything.

When you know you are loved, you are free to give away that love generously and abundantly.

You know there is more where it came from;

there is no need to be stingy or protective.  

Love is generous.

God likes your personality.  He thought it up and installed it in you.

Don't ask Him to change it for a bigger, louder, quieter or fancier version.

He wants to send His love to the world through your style and version.

Are you quiet, or are you boisterous?  

Are you methodical or are your spontaneous?

He enjoys that about you.

He won't answer the prayer to change the way you've been designed.

God has created you with love.

Like one of those tags that grandmas add to a hand-knitted sweater or blanket;

Made With Love.

You are made with love to share love."

I love this, Susie!  It speaks to my heart exactly what I Corinthians 12 is trying to get across to us (if you read the whole chapter)...We are created for the purpose of serving God with the gifts that He, through the Holy Spirit, has instilled in us.

Now, one may think that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have nothing to do with our personalities or how we were made...but I beg to differ.  I believe that the gifts of the Holy Spirit enhance and build upon the qualities and traits God has already built into us.  The Holy Spirit takes our propensity for boldness and fills us with the ability to use that gift for God's Kingdom.  He takes our capacity for love and gives us the desire to spread His love wherever we are.  Whatever our particular gifts and strengths are, when filled with God's Holy Spirit...those strengths are magnified and utilized for His glory throughout the world. God made us in His image, with love, and when we become His children by salvation through Jesus Christ, His Holy Spirit seals us and empowers us to become all that He intended us to be from the beginning of time.

Jeepers, "It's Sunday, and I know I should write something deep and spiritual!"  Wow!  I guess the Holy Spirit did intend for me to write something from His heart to ours...and I thank Him for the inspiration...and I also thank my friend Susie Klein for her very heartfelt, honest, and down to earth book that has deeply touched my heart in so many ways.  God is using her gift to bless you and me and others today as well...and I know Susie would be very humbled and blessed to know this.

Lord, I am so thankful for Your gift of the Holy Spirit, Who came down to us at Pentecost so many years ago, and Who continues to indwell, embolden, give gifts, and empower us today to serve You and stand strong in the face of countless foes and dangers in life.  Thank you for Your gifts that give us the words to speak when needed, the capacity to love others as You have loved us, and the wisdom to know what, when , and where to be available and at Your service.  Without Your Holy Spirit guiding us we would be lost and confused and unable to be of much help in any situation.  Our own personal traits and qualities are wonderful, but when filled with Your Spirit they become tools for Your glory in Your Kingdom.  Thank You, Lord, for taking the time to shape us and mold us after Your will.  In Jesus' Name I pray, Amen.

Back to the present:  

It is currently pouring down rain here on Still Waters Pond.  We sure needed the rain.  As the rain comes down and replenishes the earth and the pond, I pray that God's Holy Spirit will also "rain down" on us once again, and pour out His power upon us, restoring our strength and courage and energy to stand strong in the face of so much opposition in the world.  We truly need God's Holy Spirit power indwelling us more than ever in these evil times.

Our choir sang this song this morning.  I wish we had recorded us singing it along with the pastor's message above, but here's a recording of the composer of the song, Jamie Cortez, singing it with his wife.  

I hope you will enjoy it and sing along.

“Rain Down” by Jaime Cortez 

(Refrain) 

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN, 

RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE, 

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN, 

RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE, GOD OF LIFE.

 

Faithful and true is the word of our God. 

All of God’s works are so worthy of trust. 

God’s mercy falls on the just and the right; 

full of God’s love is the earth. 

(Refrain) 

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN, 

RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE, 

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN, 

RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE, GOD OF LIFE.

We who revere and find hope in our God

 Live in the kindness and joy of God’s wing. 

God will protect us from darkness and death; 

God will not leave us to starve.

 (Refrain) 

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN, 

RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE, 

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN, 

RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE, GOD OF LIFE.

God of creation, we long for your truth; 

You are the water of life that we thirst, 

Grant that your love and your peace touch our hearts, 

all of our hope lies in you. 

(Refrain)

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN, 

RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE ON YOUR PEOPLE, 

RAIN DOWN, RAIN DOWN, 

RAIN DOWN YOUR LOVE, GOD OF LIFE.

Amen!

The Day of Pentecost

I shared this post again last year, when we couldn't be together for church because of the "pandemic". Today I am excited to be able to worship in person again in our beautiful sanctuary. Here is a link to our pastor's sermon for today, as well as the choir's anthem: "He Is Here/ Holy Spirit, Thou Art Welcome in This Place".  I was not present at choir practice when they recorded this song, but I will be there today singing it with the choir in person. Wish you could come join us. But hopefully you are also now able to attend church in person at your place of worship.   

Have a blessed Pentecost Sunday! Don't forget to wear red in commemoration of this special day!

This is the original post written last year, which was an update from a previous year:

May 31, 2020

Since we will not be meeting in the traditional way at our church today, I wanted to share the "sermon notes" and post from last year's Pentecost Sunday.  Seeing this again, with the pictures of our dear friends in our church, at first made me a little sad because it has been so long since we have all been together like this, but then it also made me happy to see us in that place, in one accord, and to know that we will be together again, hopefully soon...but also because of the gift of the Holy Spirit to us at Pentecost, the church is still alive and vibrant today...wherever we are.  We carry God's Holy Spirit with us wherever we go, and we are sent out as His ambassadors to spread His love and peace and salvation to everyone.  May we continue to carry out our mission regardless of whether or not we are able to meet within the physical walls of our church buildings.  We are the church! Let us each do our part in this sadly hurting and divided world today.


Original Post 6/9/2019:

Today is Pentecost Sunday...the Sunday set aside in the traditional church calendar to remember and celebrate the day that the Holy Spirit descended upon the Apostles, who were gathered "with one accord in one place..." (Acts 2:1).  Acts 2:2-3 tells us that

"Suddenly there came a sound from heaven, 

as of a rushing mighty wind,

and it filled the whole house where they were sitting...

Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, 
and one sat upon each of them."

We celebrated Pentecost Sunday in our church in several ways...

Our choir members all wore red in commemoration of Pentecost Sunday:

Here's a few pictures of our choir during the prelude:

Our wonderful choir director, Carol, pictured above

There's always that one who is ready for mischief no matter where we are...  😇  She knows who she is...

Some of my fellow altos

This "banner" below was created especially for today out of various hues of bright orange crepe paper, and it "flickered" like a flame to represent the flame of the Holy Spirit:

We sang many hymns specifically about the Holy Spirit, and as we sang and prayed and listened to the message from God's Word, the thunder pounded, the wind blew and the rain poured down upon our little church in torrents, much like the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. We felt the power and presence of God in our midst today in many ways.

The message came from Acts 2:1-21 in particular, but also included many thoughts from the whole 2nd chapter of Acts.

What was interesting in the beginning of the message was the fact that the Day of Pentecost was only seven weeks after the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. And if you go back to that time, you will remember that Peter had denied knowing Christ three times on the night Jesus was betrayed...and the other disciples also ran and hid for fear of the soldiers and what they would do to them.  And then Christ arose from the dead, and was seen by the disciples and many others during the forty days after His resurrection...and then they beheld him ascending back up into the clouds to heaven just about ten days prior to this day of Pentecost.  He promised them He would send the Holy Spirit to them...and so they were waiting.

So here it is, just seven weeks after the trauma of Christ's death, and they waited and wondered what would happen next. But look at the 2nd Chapter of Acts...As they waited together in one accord, they were all filled with the  Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. (verse 4)   And people from everywhere heard them speaking in their own languages, and they understood them...and they were amazed.

And this this same Peter, who had denied Christ seven weeks earlier, now stood up and began to preach...and He read to them from the Prophet Joel, and then explained to them about Jesus, and who He was, and all the prophecies concerning Him...and as Peter preached, the Bible says in Acts 2:41

"Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; 

and that day about three thousand souls were added to them."

The time of "Pentecost" was already a Jewish festival, or a feast of the firstfruits, a time to celebrate the harvest.  And now, at this time, God was adding a new meaning to this festival or time...it was a harvest of souls...Remember when Jesus said to His disciples, in Matthew 9:37-38,

"The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few.  Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest"...

Well, here we see the beginning of that great harvest, and it is still continuing today...there were 3,000 souls added that day, and then there were 5,000...and the numbers continued to rise day after day, year after year, until today some 2000 plus years later, and Christianity is the largest "religion" in the world today.  (However, true believers recognize that Christianity is more than just a religion...it is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ)...

The days of signs and wonders are not over. We've just gotten lazy and blind to what God is doing and what He wants to do in our world today.  We, as individuals, need to allow God's Holy Spirit to empower us for service in His kingdom.

Again...just seven weeks after Peter could not even admit he knew Jesus, he was speaking and preaching the Gospel to thousands through the power of the Holy Spirit...

Jesus still offers salvation for all today.  Because of the gift of the Holy Spirit, the Church exists to offer that gift of salvation to all of mankind.

Where are you headed?  Are you feeling life is at a dead end, or do you dream dreams and see visions (Acts 2:17)...

Jesus wants to transform you into the person He desires you to become for His glory, through the power of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is still alive and active and powerful 2000 + years later. It is our job to proclaim this Good News to all generations.

One of the hymns we sang today was "Breathe on Me, Breath of God".  I love this one, and can remember singing this song as a young person at youth camp:

"Breathe on me, Breath of God,

fill me with life anew,

That I may love what Thou dost love,

and do what Thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

Until my heart is pure,

Until with Thee I will one will

To do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,

Till I am wholly Thine,

Until this earthly part of me

Glows with Thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God.

So shall I never die,

But live with Thee the perfect life

Of Thine eternity."

It was hymns like this, along with the teaching of God's Word, and the power of the Holy Spirit enlightening my eyes and mind to understand, that has brought me this far in my walk with Christ. I pray that He will continue to teach me and help me grow in my faith in Him, and that others will see Christ living in me and seek to know Him for themselves.

Our closing song today was another great benediction of God's grace and love:

Spirit Song, written by John Wimber:

"O let the Son of God enfold you 

with His Spirit and His love;

Let Him fill your heart and satisfy your soul.

O let Him have the things that hold you,

and His Spirit, like a dove,

Will descend upon your life and make you whole.

Chorus:

Jesus, O Jesus,

come and fill Your lambs.

Jesus, O Jesus, 

Come and fill Your lambs.

"O come and sing this song with gladness

as your hearts are filled with joy;

Lift your hands in sweet surrender to His name.

O give Him all your tears and sadness;

give Him all your years of pain,

and you'll enter into life in Jesus' name.

Chorus:

Jesus, O Jesus,

come and fill Your lambs.

Jesus, O Jesus, 

Come and fill Your lambs.

Sermon Notes: FUMC, Interlachen, FL, Pastor A.C. Myers, 6/9/2019

Please Note : I want to repeat this disclaimer here...the notes, outline, and content included here are based upon my own personal understanding of the message that was being given. I am not attempting to completely quote or reproduce this message or any other message I've shared previously. Just as each person reading these notes may glean insights and thoughts that seem to directly apply to one's own situation and interpretation, my own delivery of these messages is skewed by my hearing and translation of what is being said. Some may read my notes here and wonder if they were hearing the same message as I...and I say, God speaks to each of us as He wills...there are things He is trying to get across to each individual that may be entirely different than what the person sitting next to you in the pew is needing to hear... That is how the Holy Spirit works! He knows what we need to hear and how to apply it to our hearts. So it is with that understanding that I present these sermon notes to you.

A Chilly Baptism

More of the Steiner Family in Ohio Saga, circa 1980...


Acts 2:41 “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”

With the coming of spring also came some new challenges and blessings. The first challenge was that the Pastor of our church resigned and John was given the task of preaching both sermons on Sundays in addition to his other responsibilities of leading the youth, the choir, and continuing his seminary studies throughout the week. Although the situation was a bit stressful, John appreciated being able to keep his preaching skills in practice for the future, and the Lord was blessing both us, and our congregation in the process.

Not long after the spring thaw, several people came to John and requested to be baptized. This church did not have an indoor baptistry, so one of the local farmers volunteered to have the baptism at his pond. That was a very kind gesture, except for one problem: The water in his pond in April was still extremely cold! It was especially cold for John, a southern boy who did not much care for cold water under any circumstances! One of the church members loaned him some rubber waders to help “insulate” him from the chilling waters and keep him somewhat dry, but the morning of the scheduled baptism John was also running a slight temperature, making the water feel even more frigid! Dedicated to his task, he was determined to go ahead with the baptism regardless of the conditions.

One of the first candidates for baptism that morning was a very exuberant lady, who stood about five feet tall, and was just about as big around in the middle! As John began to immerse this rather rotund lady into the water, she became really excited and threw back her arms and started praising the Lord and shouting “Hallelujah”, and in the process pulled John right into the water with her, filling his rubber waders with icy cold water. When he tried to regain his balance and pull her up out of the water he just about lost hold of her completely. If it hadn’t been such a deeply spiritual moment, it would have been hilarious! Just the visual memory of it now brings ripples of laughter. As he regained his composure he remembered that he only had sixteen more people to baptize that morning!

Acts 2:46-47 “So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.”

Wow...Thanks, Lord, for these happy memories sandwiched in between the more difficult experiences.  Such is life in the real world...we learn early on that in this life we have to take the bad with the good, and vice-versa.  Thankfully, God gives us the grace we need to endure, and He promises that when things get beyond our ability to cope, He will be there to carry our burdens for us.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."            Matthew 11:28-30

What new challenges are you facing today? Are they overwhelming you?  Maybe Matthew 11:28-30 was written just for you today! Try it and see. What have you got to lose?  A heavy burden!!!  Sounds like a win-win answer to me. How about you?