Pentecost 2009: Be the Church

"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability." – Acts 2:1-4

In my travels, I often pass a rural church with a sign out front whose message often changes. This week, it read “Don’t go to church! Be the church.” This got me to thinking about Pentecost, and how the Holy Spirit descended upon everyone of the believers who had gathered. First, I went to church in my mind. I thought of our congregation and my mind moved from pew to pew. I recalled a couple who are both faithful sixty-plus year members and who still come to worship every Sunday. I saw a young family with small squirming children of various ages who sat near the front, hopefully, expectantly, waiting and seeking the message that will enable them to carry on in a time of financial and personal crisis. I saw choir members getting ready to sing their anthem. Someone preparing a story for the children. Elders praying. Deacons serving. Trustees unlocking doors and turning on lights.

I am grateful for all who go to church, and who share fellowship with me and one another every Sunday. The presence of each person refreshes and encourages me.

Then my mind expanded to envision people being the church in a variety of places. I am even more grateful that our ministry doesn’t end at the church door but extends to all the places we go during the week. I thought of people who prepare a meal, or wait a table, or serve homebound communion, or make a visit, or call a friend who’s absent, or pray with a special person who is despairing or hold the hand of one who is surrendering at the end of life’s journey in a hospice room. And I thought of Rosamond Kemmerer, whose week is not complete unless she has visited at least a dozen people in the nursing homes and called many others, attended at least two Bible Study classes, and perhaps baked some brownies for a church event. Recently, Rosamond, who is only ninety-five years young, was hospitalized, yet she spent her hospital days talking to the nurses and attendants about our church, inviting them to visit church, and encouraging and complementing them in the caring service they were doing.

I let my mind wander a little more, and I imagine an entire congregation who all share Rosamond’s passion for bringing the gospel to someone every day, for being the face and hands and heart of Jesus. That would truly be Pentecost. May it be so for us.

I look forward to greeting you at the church door, or at one of the many places where God invites us to be in ministry together!

"Pastor Paul"