The Church's Baptism in the Spirit and her Calling
The calling in the upper room to those who were gathered faithfully in the midst of anxiety and fear, and they were made new and called to be the church. The church is made by the Spirit of the living God coming with power upon the believers, but to a purpose. We are to be outposts of the New Jerusalem where God is known. Two stories of church in the wilderness, and heckling in the name of Jesus.
On a personal note: You have to be proud of a church where the people shout out faith-support to the priest in the middle of the sermon. Thank you, hecklers for Christ; your love is tangible. Clergy tax reporting was the start of all of this trouble, and it is a pain to get right (that's why we use a CPA to do our taxes.) But the other side of being clergy, after the odd hours and odd taxes and all the rest, is a community of faithful disciples who give generously in times of need. A special thanks to Ann Hackett and the Brick family and Connie R. for supplying places to sleep during the transitions. God's blessing on you all.
Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Romans 8:14-17
John 14:8--27
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
*The stone tower is 98 feet tall in Glendalough.
