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May is a very busy month.  Mother’s Day, graduations, end of the school year activities, as well as spending more time outside with picnics, bike rides, fishing, and gardening. In the life of the church we certainly acknowledge all of that; but liturgically we will celebrate Pentecost on May 24th.

Pentecost is the fiftieth day after Easter, on which we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit. We read in Acts 2, that the disciples had gathered together, when all of the sudden a roar like the rush of a mighty wind was heard, and tongues of fire descended upon them. (This is why the color for the day is red!) In addition, the Holy Spirit filled them and it allowed everyone gathered that day to speak in other languages so that everyone could understand each other.

In Acts Chapter 1, we read that the disciples and other followers of Jesus (about 120 people) had come together to decide on a replacement for Judas who had betrayed Jesus and died by suicide. Historically, we know that people had gathered in Jerusalem from all over the region to celebrate the Feast of Shavuot, which was fifty days after Passover. In the following verses and chapters of Acts, we hear about the beginning of the Christian church. The disciples fulfill their call by Jesus to make disciples of all nations and now the Holy Spirit is empowering them to do this important work.

Pentecost is a celebratory day. We often describe it as the birthday of the church, even though the church as we know it wouldn’t exist for some time. At this point in time, the followers of Jesus simply called themselves disciples. They were part of a movement within Judaism and they were known as followers of “The Way.”

In this season of Spring, when trees and flowers are blooming and we are invigorated by the fresh air and cleansing rain, it seems appropriate to celebrate the way the Holy Spirit empowers us. This is a great time to invite someone to join you for worship or an event at church. As we continue to learn about how to pray and deepen our walk with God, may you be filled with the Holy Spirit’s power and peace.

Pastor Jenny