Day of Pentecost
INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY
Pentecost derives its name from the Jewish festival celebrating the harvest and the giving of the law on Mount Sinai 50 days after Passover. Fifty days after Easter, we celebrate the Holy Spirit as God’s presence within and among us. In Acts, the Spirit arrives in rushing wind and flame, bringing God’s presence to all people. Paul reminds us that though we each have different capacities, we are unified in the Spirit that equips us with these gifts. Jesus breathes the Holy Spirit on his disciples, empowering them to forgive sin. We celebrate that we too are given the breath of the Holy Spirit and sent out to proclaim God’s redeeming love to all the World.
A DAY TO BE THANKFUL
Today is the day before we celebrate Memorial Day, a day to remember those who have given their lives so that we may have the liberties that we enjoy. Thank you to all who have served in the Armed Forces and family members who have lost loved ones in that service.
FIRST READING: Acts 2: 1-21
Pentecost was a Jewish harvest festival that marked the 50th day after Passover. Luke portrays the Holy Spirit being poured out upon the disciples before the gathered and astonished people assembled in Jerusalem for the festival. Filled with the Spirit, the disciples were able to witness to the power of Christ’s resurrection.
PSALM: Psalm 104: 24-35
SECOND READING: 1st Corinthians 12: 3-13
Paul is helping the Corinthians understand the relationship between our God-given unity and Spirit-created diversity. The Spirit creates the unity of faith and gives all Christians diverse gifts for the common benefit of all. We need one another’s diverse spiritual gifts because the same Spirit has given them to each person for the common good.
GOSPEL: John 20: 19-23
Announcements!
CHURCH EVENTS
SUNDAY DISCUSSIONS BEFORE CHURCH – We meet at 9:45 on Sunday mornings to have discussions about important things. Please bring your Bible and your favorite morning beverage with you.
JUNE 4th we will celebrate The Holy Trinity.
JUNE 18th is Father's Day.
JULY 2nd We will honor the birthday of our country.
JULY 30th We visit First English to serve breakfast.
VILLAGE EVENTS
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays 9-10 a.m. at the Community Center. Instrucrtor-led workouts. Want some exercise? This is where to find it.
JUNE 16th, Cruisin’ with the Mayor. W. Jefferson Car Show, at 33 S. Center Street, 6 to 8:30 p.m. for Judging. Fleetwood Gold will be the entertainment from 7-10. There will be Mexican and Schmidt’s and sweets. And probably booths of one kind and another.
JULY 4th STREETFEST Come on down for the Streetfest to celebrate the Fourth of July. It is usually 3 days ending on the 4th. It is a mini-fair and it is a lot of fun with rides and games and lots of entertainment. They are still looking for volunteers.
A NOTE FROM BISHOP DILLAHUNT
Dear Southern Ohio Synod,
Over the past eight years, we have worked together under the vision "Stronger and Better Together ... Joining Jesus in the Restoration of the World." Within that vision, we have diligently followed God's call to Collaborate, Cultivate, and Clarify. We have been faithful in collaborating together and cultivating new opportunities for ministry within our Synod.
I'm excited to announce one way we are focusing on clarifying our Synod's role in the mission God has given us.
At the April 29, 2023 Southern Ohio Synod Council meeting, a call was extended for the position of Assistant to the Bishop for Discipleship, Leadership, Engagement. I am excited to announce that the Revs. Tim & Connie Mentzer have accepted this call, beginning July 1, 2023. They will be introduced at this year's Synod Assembly and installed at a later date.
Pastor Tim Mentzer will be working with congregations in the area of Discipleship Engagement. His call is a full-time call.
Pastor Connie Mentzer will be working with Leadership Engagement, Candidacy, and Recruitment of leaders, both lay and rostered. Her call is a part-time call.
The Assistant to the Bishop position is already funded through your generosity and Mission Support as reflected in the 2023-2024 Mission and Ministry Plan (revised) and the 2024-2025 Proposed Mission and Ministry Plan, which be voted on at this year's Synod Assembly.
I am excited for how this new Assistant to the Bishop position will help us clarify how we continue sharing the good news of Jesus, strengthen our lay and rostered leaders through new ways of collaborating, and cultivate new opportunities and avenues for ministry.
Please keep them, as well as our entire Southern Ohio Synod staff, in prayer during this time of transition.
In Christ,
Bishop Dillahunt
PRAYERS
Please keep these people in your prayers: Michael Koch, Wesley and JoAnn Porter, Nicole Biler Robinette, Margret Phillips' 1-year-old granddaughter Aurora Lander, and all of those who are still suffering from diseases and their families.
Please remember all of our shut ins and sick: Arlene Castor. (Also, pray for the families and caretakers of those on the prayer list.)
FUNDS FOR ZION
Please check the bulletin board behind the office door for all of the sign-up sheets for this year. Communion, birthday Sundays, and Worship Assistants/helpers. Thank you so much!
You can also remember special occasions or special people by contributing money that would normally be used for altar flowers. Instead the donation goes to our local food pantry.
