Bishop Ward describes Pentecost people and the work of the Holy Spirit as we prepare for Pentecost Sunday on June 4.
Grace and peace to you through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Sunday is Pentecost. Pentecost is the day when we celebrate the Holy Spirit coming upon the followers of Jesus. That Spirit came like wind and fire. The Spirit rested upon each of them. They were able to speak the wonders of God. They were able to understand each other across their various languages.
Pentecost is a great festival of the church. When we say the word “church,” the image of a building sometimes appears in our mind. Pentecost is a corrective to that response. Pentecost teaches us that the church is always the people, the gathered people of God. The Spirit came not upon a building; the Spirit came upon the people as they gathered. Our buildings are wonderful resources for ministry. In these buildings, we gather to worship, to learn, to be connected in profound ways with one another. And yet, we gather, we worship; we connect in order to go forth into the world as Pentecost people. Pentecost people are filled with the Spirit. Pentecost people know that Christ is alive. Pentecost people move out into the world in mission.
On this Sunday of Pentecost, may the colors of fire abound in our churches, reds and oranges and yellows. On this Pentecost Sunday, may the spirit of Pentecost be yours in full. May you know the power of the Holy Spirit in your life. In your congregation, may you know the power of the community of the Holy Spirit faithfully serving God in the world. The Spirit comes and we give thanks.