May 22, 2021

Dear Road Church Friends,

Tomorrow is Pentecost Sunday, commonly known as “the birthday of the church.”

The story of the Church’s beginning is like our nation’s “Fourth of July Moment.” Acts 2 follows the trail of the Church’s biblical roots all the way back to the very beginning. It traces the source of our spiritual power all the way up to heaven. It defines our commission, all the way to the ends of the earth, and it gives us our message of faith, hope and love for the whole human race. This origin story is the authoritative guide for all aspects of the life of every church. It reveals that the Church was born by the will of God, and that its work is sustained by our prayers and guided by the Holy Spirit. The story of the first Pentecost gives every local church assurance that anything is possible. Beginning tomorrow we will examine the roots of our Christian faith.

SCRIPTURE:  ACTS 2:1-21     SERMON TITLE:  “Black Sun, Red Moon”

On Pentecost morning, Jesus’ disciples were together, when suddenly the house where they were was filled with a loud noise like the rush of a violent windstorm. Then flames like fire circled around them until a flickering flame rested above each of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation staying in Jerusalem...The howling of the wind drew a crowd of people who were fascinated because each person heard them praising to God in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking unschooled Galileans? How is it possible that each of us hear them in our own native language speaking about God’s mighty deeds?” In their amazement they asked one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are all drunk on new wine.” But Peter, spoke up, “All of you who live in Jerusalem and Judea, listen to me! We are not drunk!

It is only nine o’clock in the morning. What’s happening here is something the prophet Joel predicted: ‘A day is coming, declares the Lord, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all of humanity. Your sons and daughters will be my prophets. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will have amazing dreams. I will even put my Spirit on your male and female slaves. They too will be my prophets. There will be portents in the sky above and signs on the earth below,—# blood, fire, and smoke. The sun will turn black and the moon will turn red, to celebrate the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. In those days everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

POEM/PRAYER

Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire, and lighten with celestial fire.

Thou the anointing Spirit art, who dost thy sevenfold gifts impart.

Thy blessed unction from above, is comfort, life, and fire of love.

Enable with perpetual light, the dullness of our blinded sight.

Teach us to know the Father, Son, and Thee of both, to be but one.

That, through the ages all along, this may be our endless song;

Praise to thy eternal merit, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Anonymous   

   May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

Pastor Norm

PENTECOST May 23, 2021 Road Church service on YouTube: https://youtu.be/yA6BrJUViYg