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That is a greeting we all like to give, but sometimes are reluctant to receive. During our moments of prayer a couple Sundays ago, we celebrated the birthdays of at least five people who were having their "big day" that week. We also surprised Katherine Horton with a party in honor of her 94th birthday during our potluck luncheon on April 27. Birthdays, though many of us have lived more than we care to admit, are an important part of our lives. So is the birthday of the Church. Each spring, seven weeks after Easter, Christians observe the Church's birthday on the day called Pentecost. On this day (May 11 this year) we join with our Christian sisters and brothers around the world to remember and celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit to Jesus' disciples and the birth of Christ's church. Chapter 2 of the book of Acts describes the day when Jews were gathered in Jerusalem for the spring Jewish festival of Pentecost that commemorated the completion of the grain harvest (Numbers 28:26-29); and the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles; and under Peter's preaching, thousands of people were converted and baptized, and the Christian church began. What a memorable and eventful day! The color for this special day in the church year is red, so I invite you wear something red in color on this day (May 11) as we celebrate the Church's birthday.
Pastor Martha Dominy |
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