This coming Sunday in the church we celebrate Pentecost – the coming of the Holy spirit on the first disciples. Locked in a room, hiding from the authorities in fear of their lives, they are given the gift of the Holy Spirit, coming in the form of tongues of fire and a rushing wind. This enables them to speak openly to all who will listen of their belief as Jesus being the coming Messiah – born to be the Saviour of the world.
We have had some blustery winds this week, with some rain, that will go some way to watering the crops in the field- although we need more. And as we enter the new season of meteorological summer, then we can certainly do with crops growing before we reach harvest time.
The church began to grow after the event of Pentecost, as the disciples were filled with confidence in their beliefs. I love the beginning of the book of Acts in the New Testament as the disciples were encouraged to spread the Good News of God’s new kingdom. On one occasion the Bible tells us that thousands came to believe in Jesus, and not only that, they met together, worshipped and shared their possessions so that nobody went without. This is truly an inspiring picture, and there is always hope that one day the church will return to the example of those first disciples. Pentecost is considered to be the birthday of the church as we know it, and may we continue to show the love of God through our words and actions in our communities. Happy Birthday to the church!
May I wish you God’s blessings.
Revd Graham
