Today we celebrated the Day of Pentecost using the following Bible readings: Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, and the New Testament I Corinthians 12:3b-13, Gospel: John 20:19-23. Our lector was Jerry Johnson.
Today we prayed for all the survivors and the victims of that terrible tornado in Joplin as well as the devastation all over our country. There will be more people from our church going to help the people of Joplin.
Pastor Wayne Strohschein’s sermon was on Pentecost, the day that marks the end of the Easter season and the beginning of the Season of Pentecost. Using the story in the passage from Acts, Pastor Wayne told that the gift of the Holy Spirit given to the Disciples that day equipped them to begin their job of going into the world and tell the good news of Easter – He is not here, he is risen. Alleluia!
That same Holy Spirit is given to us in our baptism. We, too, have been “equipped” to tell the good news of Easter. We do that by our words and deeds. The job of the Holy Spirit is to “jar us loose” from our complacency, to change lives with His mercy, grace, compassion and forgiveness. Our lives, too, have been changed by the Holy Spirit and today we celebrate that gift. Let us go and tell the good news.
In these days between Ascension and Pentecost we gather with the disciples who have waited for 50 days in the upper room. We now witness the giving of the Holy Spirit that gives birth to the church and will transform people around the world.
Pentecost started as a Jewish festival commemorating God’s giving the law to the Israelites 50 days after they escaped from slavery in Egypt. Just days after the risen Jesus ascended to heaven, his Jewish disciples gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. But God transformed the occasion by giving them the Holy Spirit, as he’d promised.
In Christian churches, Pentecost was once as important as Christmas and Easter. Today, many congregations still observe it in special ways, such as using the color red to symbolize the Holy Spirit’s presence. In that tradition, Trinity members were ask to wear red when they came to worship.
Naomi’s Circle women’s group donated hand made rag dolls to the Rag Dolls 2 Love in Vermont, to be sent to places of war, natural disasters or serious illness. We also sent $165.65 gift to Heifer Project so families can take care of themselves, by having such as goats, chickens, pigs etc.
The women are now crocheting hats to give to the hospital cancer treatment centers. We are also crocheting wool hats to be sent to troops overseas to wear under their helmets.
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans has a meeting in West Plains at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Saturday June 25.
Monday at 5 p.m., the Sunshine Singers will meet at the church. Wednesday at 8:30 a.m. people will meet at the church to go to an exercise class.
Thursday 9:30 a.m. will be Naomi’s Circle women’s workday.
We wish to welcome all visitors and the new members that have joined us.
Please come join us Sunday, as we have adult Bible study and children’s Sunday school at 9:30 a.m. The church service is at 10:45 a.m.
Communion is the 2nd and 4th Sundays of the month and potluck luncheons are on the 1st and 3rd Sunday after the service.
