Hi everyone,
What a day.
Don’t get me wrong, it was a good day (so far, it’s only about 4pm at the time of writing). We celebrated the graduation of 3 of our young folk in the congregation, we had cake, and our council met for an invigorating and engaging conversation around mission and vision. It was a good day.
I took some time this afternoon after I got home to watch the recorded funeral service of Rachel Held Evans, who I spoke about passing away a few weeks ago (here is the link, if you’re interested). And while I am still incredibly saddened by her death, the worship service held her honour was full of the Spirit and encapsulated everything I know about her (mostly from her blog posts and books, I never met her).
And also today, I announced the passing of another dear servant of our God, former bishop, former pastor here at Grace, friend and colleague, Bishop Marlin Aadland, whose funeral service will be this coming Friday. I am saddened at his passing too, but will always remember his wise words and deep insights. I am also saddened that I won’t be able to make his service as I’ll be travelling with my family (I have this coming week off, which was planned months ago).
What a day.
But, we are still one in the Spirit, one as the body of Christ, one in the love of God.
Here are the readings for next week:
Acts 2:1-21
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Romans 8:14-17
John 14:8-17, 25-27
It is Pentecost Sunday this coming week. It is a day in which we remember the Spirit of God entering our lives in a very visible and tangible way. It is a day when we remember how the gift of God’s Spirit is one that fills us, remains with us, and grants us hope and peace. A day when we remember our days of ups and downs, high and low emotions, all the good and bad that life offers and at times throws at us.
The Spirit remains with us through it all.
The Spirit, broken and bruised as we are, holy and pure as we can be, inviting and welcoming as we are called to do as well, resides with us, travels with us, and holds us with arms of unending love. That even when we have our days, we will also always have each other, we will always have the community of Christ, we will always have the love of God on our side, we will always be joined in and by and because of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God! For we need to be reminded often, at least weekly if not daily, that we are loved, we are included, we belong by the power and grace and mercy of the Spirit, given to us all.
Have a great week, everyone!