The Birth-day of the Church; Acts ch 2 vs 1 – 17
On this special Sunday, Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to the disciples after Jesus left them to ascend into heaven.
The disciples whose lives were already turned upside down by all that had happened in the last month or so. And now their lives were completely changed, as they were filled with the Holy Spirit, went out to the world, and the Church on earth really began.
What marks us out as disciples in whom the Holy Spirit works?
What binds us together as one body, each of us with our different gifts?
I Corinthians ch.13 tells us that gifts alone are not enough.
“I may have all sorts of gifts; prophecy, and knowledge, faith to do marvellous things, give all I have away, but if I have no love then I am none the better”
A prayer from the Early Birds Service for Pentecost when the children lit candles on a birthday cake for the Church’s birthday.
God of all, you sent your Spirit to be with the disciples,
filling them with joy, peace and courage.
May we also be filled with your Spirit,
be brave and share your love in our world. Amen
As the burning candles on a birthday cake remind us, we are each distinct but, with the Holy Spirit lighting each of us, we become a celebration of God at work in the world.
Our sung blessing.
Spirit of God, unseen as the wind,
gentle as is the dove.
Teach us the truth and help us believe,
show us the Saviour’s love.