Welcome to another week!
It’s absolutely beautiful in the Atlantic community. Lilac bushes are heavy with blooms. Our dogwood blossoms are prettier than ever this spring. The pink, blue, and orange sky at sunset with dogwood blooms in the foreground looks exactly like a landscape painting. It’s breathtaking.
May 15 was Pentecost, the day when Christians celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was Jesus’ promised gift of comfort to his disciples (John 14:16). Accompanied by the sound of a rushing wind, the Holy Spirit appeared as something that looked like fire above the believers’ heads.
They could suddenly speak foreign languages and tell about God’s wonderful deeds. Jews from all over the world were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Pentecost. The Jews heard the disciples speaking in their own languages. I’m not sure if this means believers each spoke a different language or if they spoke a heavenly language that everyone could hear as his or her own language. Wouldn’t it be amazing to hear an evangelistic message in English only to find out the man next to you heard it in Spanish and the woman behind you heard it in Mandarin?
Jesus’ best gift to us is salvation. But the Holy Spirit is a close second. God’s spirit actually lives in us when we receive Christ. How awesome is that?
We sing hymns on Pentecost that honor the Holy Spirit. One of my favorites is “O Spirit of the Living God.”
Speaking of hymns, Fallowfield United Methodist Church is hosting an old-fashioned hymn sing on Sunday, May 22, at 6:30 p.m. Please join us. It’s a truly worshipful experience. We’ll sing some of your favorites, I’m sure, and if you come, we can sing your absolute favorite. Just holler out the title, and we’ll sing it. I have many favorite hymns, but “Christ the Lord Is Risen Today” will always be my favorite. What a song of victory.
May 21 is Armed Forces Day. Maybe you can use this day as an opportunity to thank those who have served in the military to defend our freedoms.
May also marks Memorial Day, when we honor the memory of our military dead. The Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge #1128 and Rebekahs will host a Memorial Day service at 1 p.m. on May 30. The service typically includes a keynote speaker, music, and laying fresh flowers on veterans’ graves. The Odd Fellows place flags at every grave stone. The service will end with the playing of “Taps.”
Senior citizens are invited to a luncheon on Thursday, May 26, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Salem United Methodist Church. Anyone age 55 or older is welcome to attend. The luncheon is free, but they request a free will offering.
Have a wonderful week. Blessings!