Beloved in Christ,
In a few short days (June 5th) we will come to the end of the Season of Easter as we celebrate the Festival of Pentecost, often called the birthday of the Church, the day when the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus’ followers in wind and fire, fulfilling Jesus’ promise to send an Advocate, a Helper. It must have been quite startling for all who were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Feast of Weeks.
The Feast of Weeks is one of three festivals God commanded Israel to observe annually; “Three times a year all your males shall appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose: at the festival of unleavened bread, at the festival of weeks, and at the festival of booths. They shall not appear before the LORD empty handed; all shall give as they are able, according to the blessing of the LORD your God that he has given you.” (Deuteronomy 16:16-17) Certainly nothing like this had ever happened before. I hope you will join us as we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit!
At the Semi-Annual Congregational meeting on Sunday, May 15, there was interest in forming a committee to lead conversation and recommend options for forward movement at Good Shepherd including, but not limited to, worship, outreach, and attracting children and families. To that end, I invited five members to serve on a Task Force to undertake this effort. Our first meeting will be on Monday, June 6. The members of the Good Shepherd Task Force are Ron C*********, Elizabeth V********, Skip G****, Andrew A*******, Christine H*****, and me. As we work, we will communicate with the Congregation Council and then the congregation. I ask that you pray for the committee members, their work, and the directions Good Shepherd may eventually take, that God will be glorified through it.
As I write it is Memorial Day, the secular holiday that is the unofficial beginning of Summer in the United States of America. By the time we enter astronomical summer, we will have entered the Season after Pentecost, about half the Church Year, when we are not either preparing for, celebrating, or basking in festival celebrations of great mysteries of faith, The Resurrection of Our Lord and The Nativity of Our Lord. But even in the church calendar’s Ordinary Time (3rd, 4th, 5th Sunday after Pentecost, etc.), each Sunday is a celebration of Our Lord’s Resurrection from the dead, as we remember and celebrate God’s love for us in sending Jesus Christ to be Our Savior.
I pray that during these months of Ordinary Time you will listen for and hear God’s voice and respond. Please pray for all who will visit and worship with us in these months to come. The Holy Spirit is on the loose and at work in the world. May we joyfully announce God’s presence!
In Christ’s Love and Peace,
Pastor Kim Trabold
But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us.
2 Corinthians 4:7
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