Musings Along Lifes Way
Dear Friends,This Sunday is the celebration of Pentecost. Pentecost is the day in the church year where we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the church. On Sunday we will read that wonderful passage from the second chapter of the Book of Acts where the Holy Spirit visits a gathering of the faithful. The imagery is of a rushing wind, of tongues of fire settling on the hearts of each person present. It is a fun passage to imagine. But, more than that, this passage speaks directly of the early church's experience of God. We can learn a few things from this passage:
To experience the Spirit of God is to be energized in some way, as if propelled by gale force winds.
To experience the Spirit of God is to be discover the fire of passion for God -- the flame that burns even our hearts but does not burn them up or out (as in burn-out).
To experience the Spirit of God is to experience our unity as a people of God. All who have been touched by the Spirit, are touched by the same Spirit, the same God. We are one in this, or, as Paul puts it, we are one body in Jesus Christ. In this way our community of faith, the church, is born.
So, yes, Pentecost is an important observance in the church year. This year it will be more special still. On Pentecost we will be in church pretty much all day -- but not to worry, this is an auspicious day for us at First Congregational UCC, Santa Rosa. At our 8:30 and 10:30 am worship services we will be thanking Andrew Metcalfe for his two years of service to our church as Minister in Training. The First Samoan Congregational Christian Church, UCC will be worshiping with us at 10:30 and will join us for a Potluck and Picnic after worship (this will be a potluck with our two congregations -- we have not gone out of our way to invite our SRJC neighborhood neighbors, unless of course, they want to come).
At 2 pm we will be gathering again for worship. We will install Dale Webb as a 3-Way Covenant Minister of our congregation and we will recognize Rev. James Scherfee as a Minister Emeritus of our congregation. This will be a marvelous celebration for us as we join with Jim's family to celebrate his ministry here in Santa Rosa and as we acknowledge his 55 years in the ministry. We look forward to seeing everyone at this service. There will be a reception following the 2 pm service.
Blessings,
David
The Picnic on Sunday is a POTLUCK. Please do not forget to bring some of your favorite dishes.
To experience the Spirit of God is to be energized in some way, as if propelled by gale force winds.
To experience the Spirit of God is to be discover the fire of passion for God -- the flame that burns even our hearts but does not burn them up or out (as in burn-out).
To experience the Spirit of God is to experience our unity as a people of God. All who have been touched by the Spirit, are touched by the same Spirit, the same God. We are one in this, or, as Paul puts it, we are one body in Jesus Christ. In this way our community of faith, the church, is born.
So, yes, Pentecost is an important observance in the church year. This year it will be more special still. On Pentecost we will be in church pretty much all day -- but not to worry, this is an auspicious day for us at First Congregational UCC, Santa Rosa. At our 8:30 and 10:30 am worship services we will be thanking Andrew Metcalfe for his two years of service to our church as Minister in Training. The First Samoan Congregational Christian Church, UCC will be worshiping with us at 10:30 and will join us for a Potluck and Picnic after worship (this will be a potluck with our two congregations -- we have not gone out of our way to invite our SRJC neighborhood neighbors, unless of course, they want to come).
At 2 pm we will be gathering again for worship. We will install Dale Webb as a 3-Way Covenant Minister of our congregation and we will recognize Rev. James Scherfee as a Minister Emeritus of our congregation. This will be a marvelous celebration for us as we join with Jim's family to celebrate his ministry here in Santa Rosa and as we acknowledge his 55 years in the ministry. We look forward to seeing everyone at this service. There will be a reception following the 2 pm service.
Blessings,
David
The Picnic on Sunday is a POTLUCK. Please do not forget to bring some of your favorite dishes.
posted by Online Coordinator at Tuesday, May 22, 2007
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