On Sunday we are receiving a number of new members. This is a great opportunity for us to reflect on a “Challenge of Vitality” of our church. We are a different congregation than we were a year ago at this time. And it is important for all of us old timers and new comers and everyone in-between to recognize we need each other. We are not all in the same place in our journey of faith at EPUMC but we are all moving together at the direction of the Holy Spirit at this time at EPUMC.
This Sunday I’ll be preaching on a story in the Bible that is often over looked. It’s just a few verses in the book of Acts that describes what the combined effect of the actions of the Holy Spirit is on those who have opened themselves to it.
This is a new adventure in preaching for me. I’ve always been more of a storyteller than a teacher in my preaching. I’m changing a little because this year I’m convinced that in the book of Acts we have a model for how we at EPUMC can recognize our need for each other however long we’ve been around here.
The Holy Spirit is bringing us together. She is using those of you who have been here a while to give us roots and stability. She is using those of you who are newer to give us a fresh energy and different voices. The Holy Spirit is using those of us who have found our place to model for others for others how that can happen for them. The Holy Spirit is using all of us who are searching for a fingernail grasp of God in our life to remind those of us who think we have it all together that…. well… we are still searching.
When the Holy Spirit brings people together, the effect is exponential. It’s more than how it is that you and me can do twice as much good as we can individually… The model in the Bible says that when you and I are brought together by the Holy Spirit the world can be changed…or at least some part of it.
An important piece of our making room for the Holy Spirit this year will be as we continue to trust that each and every one of us is needed: Let’s strive this year to replace our common language of newcomers and old timers, of us and them, into US. As we practice this, I believe we will open ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit and who knows where that will take us.
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Dan
This Sunday I’ll be preaching on a story in the Bible that is often over looked. It’s just a few verses in the book of Acts that describes what the combined effect of the actions of the Holy Spirit is on those who have opened themselves to it.
This is a new adventure in preaching for me. I’ve always been more of a storyteller than a teacher in my preaching. I’m changing a little because this year I’m convinced that in the book of Acts we have a model for how we at EPUMC can recognize our need for each other however long we’ve been around here.
The Holy Spirit is bringing us together. She is using those of you who have been here a while to give us roots and stability. She is using those of you who are newer to give us a fresh energy and different voices. The Holy Spirit is using those of us who have found our place to model for others for others how that can happen for them. The Holy Spirit is using all of us who are searching for a fingernail grasp of God in our life to remind those of us who think we have it all together that…. well… we are still searching.
When the Holy Spirit brings people together, the effect is exponential. It’s more than how it is that you and me can do twice as much good as we can individually… The model in the Bible says that when you and I are brought together by the Holy Spirit the world can be changed…or at least some part of it.
An important piece of our making room for the Holy Spirit this year will be as we continue to trust that each and every one of us is needed: Let’s strive this year to replace our common language of newcomers and old timers, of us and them, into US. As we practice this, I believe we will open ourselves to the power of the Holy Spirit and who knows where that will take us.
Keep the Faith,
Pastor Dan
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