I am grateful for many things in this life. I am grateful, still more, for the people God invites to share in this journey of faith and life through the community of Ascension. During the month of May, our Mutual Ministry team met for conversation and reflection. Ascensions’ Mutual Ministry team consists of Paul James (chair), Elaine Kilgore, Jodi Keene, and Mike Jahner. They are dedicated members of this congregation always ready to listen and to learn from members of the congregation. When we gathered in May – the following prayer was shared during our time of devotion:

Almighty God…
You who called the universe into being.
You who formed us, and called us to be your people.
We give you thanks for your constant presence.
Through seasons of constancy, and especially change, you are with us – 
      calling us into deeper waters,
      calling us together into your spirit of unity,
      calling us out of ourselves into the world to serve others.
Grant that we who are being called into new waters might hold fast to your unending love and mercy – a love that promises to hold onto us as we go where your Spirit leads us.
May Ascension, always knowing the movement of your Spirit, hold fast to the promise that your mission is beyond ourselves always.
Grant that such a promise would bring both comfort and discomfort –
     comfort in a season of change,
     and discomfort as it drive us all to love you and each other, even more.
Strengthen us to be your Church in all times and seasons of life –
     a place where all are truly welcomed and embraced in your love;
     a place where we find ways you are active among us and call us to join in your saving work;
     a place where the story of your love and grace and mercy are embodied. Amen.

I have taken to praying this prayer daily. There are days we are far more attune to the work of God’s Holy Spirit and then there are seasons where we cannot possibly imagine God to care very much at all. In my life, the movement of the Holy Spirit reveals himself in the most unexpected moments. In the life of our congregation, the Holy Spirit is far more active than most of us would believe. Far outside of my vision, and I am guessing most of yours, God is at work moving and shaping us in new ways to tell the story of God’s love through our words but more often than not through our actions. Some of my favorite scriptures about the work of the Holy Spirit include:

 Joel 2:28: Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.

 John 3:8 : The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.

Acts 10:44-48: ⁴⁴ While Peter was still speaking, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard the word. ⁴⁵ The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astounded that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles, ⁴⁶ for they heard them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter said, ⁴⁷ “Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” ⁴⁸ So he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they invited him to stay for several days.

1 Corinthians 3:16: Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

Jesus was very clear in the book of John, chapter 14:16 – And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever.

I give thanks for this mention of the Holy Spirit – in the original Greek – advocate translates as helper or encourager, literally it translates “one who walks alongside.” This is my favorite image of the Holy Spirit. God’s presence so close to us that we are can never be alone. A reminder that with every step, every breath God’s Spirit is by our side. As I have walked with confirmation students this spring, I have seen the work of the Spirit in their lives – heard the work of the Spirit in their words. I am comforted by God’s presence so close – tending each of them and all of us in ways far beyond our expectation or understanding. May these Pentecost days fill you with wonder and remind you of the presence of the One who promises to be with you forever. See you in church!

Pastor Chris

Reprinted from the June 2018 newsletter.