Pastor’s Corner – Sunday, June 8, 2025
Dear Beloved,
What is your favorite summer holiday? How would you describe it to others? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite summer holiday is coming! For years, I have been captivated and inspired by the holiday of Pentecost. For me, Pentecost is a celebration of God’s Spirit and all the amazing work the Holy Spirit does in and through the world! I love the ways God’s Spirit connects us all. I love the creative energy of Spirit that we celebrate on Pentecost. As a very practical and pragmatic person, Pentecost invites me to pause and appreciate the wonder, mystery, joy and hope of God’s Spirit. I appreciate the waiting and preparation before Pentecost and the sending that happens through Pentecost. The diversity of languages and cultures makes my heart and soul smile. The interaction of people from different places speaking different languages encourages me. The unity in diversity brings me hope. Recently I appreciated the way one author and scholar wrote about it. In The New Testament in Color, Jordan J. Cruz Ryan writes, “The very first thing the Holy Spirit empowers the apostles to do is ‘to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability’ (Acts 2:4).” She continues on to say, “This ensured the multiculturalism and multilingualism of the church from its outset.” How beautiful it is that the Spirit did not give everyone the ability to hear the message in the same language but instead to hear the same message in their native languages! How incredible it is that Perry Township Schools have over 70 different languages present and that Center Grove Schools have over 50 different languages present! Friends, my spirit and mind are bubbling over with so many thoughts that this note to you could become very long, so I am going to pause for now and simply invite us to ponder the story of Pentecost found in Acts 2. I’m excited that Pastor Marc’s sermons will take us on a journey through the book of Acts in the weeks to come. May we be open to all the Spirit is doing in the stories of Acts, in our lives and nearby communities, and in the world God so dearly loves and calls good. May you know you are a loved child of God.
With gratitude and wonder for the journey of God’s inclusive and expansive love where no matter who you are or where you are, you are welcome,
Sarah
