May 11, 2008
The Rev. Dr. Marcus McFaul, Senior Pastor, preaches at 11am "What Kind of Church?"
Scripture: Joel 2:27-29, Acts 2:1-21, John 20:19-23, II Timothy 1:3-7
Hymns: Christ is Made the Sure Foundation, Glory Be to the Father, Spirit of the Living God, Christ Whose Purpose is to Kindle
Special Music: On Pentecost They Gathered, Spirit Move in Me, Every Time I Feel the Spirit
Marcus' Mid-Week Missive
Sunday's Lectionary Readings:
*Acts 2:1-21
*Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
*I Corinthians 12:3b-13
*Psalm 20:19-23
Let me say it again: your welcome of me has been tremendously generous, warm, and loving, and I'm grateful to you for it!
As we make our way to Pentecost Sunday (what a wonderful first Sunday to preach!), let me use this space to give a bit of instruction for our worship service. I cannot find adequate words to tell you how excited I am for our very first celebration of worship together as pastor and people, to lift our voices in song, praise and adoration to our loving God. Because Sunday is Pentecost, I encourage you to read again the account from Luke in Acts 2 the falling of the Holy Spirit on the disciples that birthed the movement of God's people as Church.
The second chapter of Acts ends like this:
Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the good-will of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. (Acts 2:43-47 RSV)
Pentecost issues out into a life-giving, covenanted community of sisters and brothers in Christ who share, care, and give and love one another - what a sign of the Holy Spirit in our midst! No wonder "others were added" - who wouldn't want to become part of such a fellowship?
On Sunday please come early for worship: the gathering of our community will start with Brook's prelude (it will sound like a wind-swept call to worship; now that's Pentecost!) Each Sunday, we will follow the first hymn with the "passing of the peace of Christ." This ancient sign is both greeting and enacted grace: I will say, "The Lord be with you," and you will respond "And also with you.""Lift up your hearts," is followed by "we lift them up unto the Lord,"at which time we will greet one another with the very same greeting of "peace of Christ to you." The organ will sound us back into the rhythm of worship and together we will sing the Gloria Patri - glory be to God, Creator Christ, and Spirit!
The day calls for colors matching the "tongues of flame" so I encourage you to wear red, yellow or orange (burnt or otherwise!) to commemorate the day.
My daily prayer for us is that the power of God's spirit on the day of Pentecost be further evidenced in our congregation - wonders, signs, awe-filled (not awful!) worship, ministries of service, koinonia (partnered fellowship with good food and faithful service), and inspired praise to God. May it be so.
Come Holy Spirit, come!
Pentecostally Yours,
Marcus W. McFaul
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