“They broke bread together in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily the number who were being saved.”
Acts 2:46-47
Dear Friends in Christ,
A healthy Church attracts people to Jesus. The early Church’s enthusiasm and love for others was contagious. A Church like that will grow. St. John’s has been doing that and when people visit they feel welcome and that they have found a possible Church home. St. John’s has shown that it is committed to Christ and Committed to the future. When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost things changed because the Holy Spirit changed people.
On the first Sunday after Pentecost each year the Church celebrates Trinity Sunday. There is only one God, but there are three persons in one God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as we confess in the Apostles’ Creed. On Trinity Sunday we acknowledge the great mystery of the Holy Trinity. On Trinity Sunday we confess the Athanasian Creed which goes into great detail to present the true faith that must be firmly believed. All the Sundays following in the ongoing season of Pentecost are referred to as Green Sunday, signifying a time of growth.
The Church paraments which are displayed on the pulpit and other places around the Church are green, the color of growing plants. This marks the season of growth of living out our Baptism and hearing the Word and receiving the Lord’s Supper in Holy Communion. The Scripture readings throughout the Summer and Fall focus on the power of the Holy Spirit in the Church. The readings also present Jesus’ teaching, preaching, healing, along with some of His other miracles.
During the season of Pentecost, we focus on growing together in the life of the Church and its important work and witness in the world. May the Lord continue to add to our numbers those who are being saved. Amen.
God bless you all,
Pastor Dan