Pentecost blessings, beloved!

I’d invite you to read the story of Pentecost in Acts 2. What an incredible day! Can you imagine the experience of being there?

Easter through Eastertide into Pentecost is my favorite time of the church year. These seasons cause me to wonder. They cause me to rejoice in the gifts of new life we receive from the Creator of the earth and the skies. They cause me to pause and confess my own sin that betrays Jesus whom I seek to follow. They encourage me to receive grace and listen for how I am being called to respond in this moment in time.

As we reflect on the power of Pentecost – the filling and covering of the Holy Spirit – the sending forth promised by Jesus, may I ask – what passion is God igniting in your heart? When you feel and hear the mighty rushing wind, how are you being inspired to respond?

Friends, the world is filled with deep need and suffering. The world is filled with overwhelming compassion and held by a God whose love is unstoppable, relational, connective, and at work in the world.

In learning from the children and young adults in their mid-twenties and early thirties, I am being moved to grow deeper in understanding and responding to the causes behind the rising numbers of climate refugees. Friedens was started by greenhouse growers. We have a strong commitment and history in working to overcome hunger and food insecurity through weekenders and advocacy through Bread for the World. We wrote 207 letters this spring! (Thank you and thanks be to God.) The changes leading to so many climate refugees are related and connected to hunger and food insecurity. The temperature changes impacting people all around the world impact us nearby as well. This is one of the ways God’s Spirit is moving me to grow. How is God’s Spirit moving you?

I’d appreciate your prayers as we respond individually and collectively to the flames of love God continues to place in our souls. You are in my prayers. I thank God for you! May we trust God our Maker, Jesus our Leader, and the Spirit our Guide. We are not alone. God goes before us and behind us and draws us together.

With the hope and awe of Pentecost,

Sarah

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2:1-4