Beloved Friends,
This Sunday we will gather again from our homes for a fabulous Feast Day in the life of the church called “Pentecost.” One of the most ancient feasts of the Church, Pentecost is often referred to as the “birth”-day of the church.
On this day we read the story from Acts recounting the original Pentecost. It is a dramatic account of the in-breaking of a mighty wind filling the house where the disciples were gathered followed by the appearance of “parted tongues as it were of fire,” (Acts 2:2). What happens next is true “holy chaos”! Crowds form and languages of all kinds are heard and amazingly understood, and out of the cacophony of sound and wild energy and confusion provoking wonder and skepticism alike, a kind of faithful clarity seems to emerge resulting in the conversion and baptism of “about 3,000” people.
It is a story rich in both meaning and mystery for us as well. We’ll decorate the church in red (and ask all of us to do the same) symbolizing the color of flames and fire – marking our faith-filled vision that the gifts of spirit are still revealed and given to us just as surely as they were revealed centuries ago.
We will also spend a few minutes looking at the faces of the 45 new members who have “come home” to Trinity over this past year. While there is absolutely no doubt this past year (plus) of being apart has been so very challenging, it has also been a surprisingly fruitful time for the work of the Holy Spirit. Someone asked me the other day how we will know who all these new members are once we are back together?! Great question. So, Sunday we’ll share their beautiful faces and names again as we continue to hold each other in prayer until we are face to face once more. This will be a wonderful reminder of the joyous occasion of this particular feast day bringing depth of purpose and meaning to our growing community of faith.
Come “home” to Trinity@Home this Sunday for what is sure to be a glorious celebration of God’s love in and through us, with the Holy Spirit still having her way—pulling and pushing, prodding and coaxing, forging a path of new possibilities each day, and simply waiting for us to be amazed and ready to respond.
May you never forget that you are loved,
Lisa