Wednesday, May 15, 2024

Good day everyone – hope you are all well.

It seems as though the Easter season has flown by – this Sunday is already Pentecost – affectionately known as the Sunday that the ‘church is on fire’.  Recently I read an article that talked about the book of Acts in the New Testament as being the greatest church growth book ever written.  And it all begins on Pentecost – that day when there was still uncertainty about what to do next and how to live as a people who experienced the life, death and resurrection of Jesus.  Those who knew Jesus, and were trying to live out Jesus’ teachings, were still an insecure group, huddled together.  They were the butt of jokes in mainstream society, they were dismissed as crazy.

But then came Pentecost – an experience of the power of God’s presence with them right there in that moment.  It can be argued that from that moment on, perceptions of God changed.  God was no longer a far away figure out there in the heavens somewhere.  No, through the risen Christ and the power of the Spirit he came down like ‘tongues of fire’ and settled on each and every one gathered.  It is the language of symbolism and imagery but it is safe to say that the church was on fire that day.

What does it mean for us today here at St. Andrew’s?

In our recent anniversary celebrations we recognized that St. Andrew’s has always been a church that has intentionally reached into the community to express the love of God in tangible ways.  That is to say we have been known as a church that tries to put our faith into practice.  I know of no greater Pentecostal act than that.  Our faith is not a personal individual experience.  It is not just me and God.  Our faith is a communal experience – when we say ‘God loves us’ or that ‘we are God’s beloved children’, we don’t mean there is an us and them – those loved by God and those not loved by God.  No, we mean God loves all people everywhere just the same.  God’s love is universal.  And our faith must reflect that universality.  That’s why when we express our faith we do so in tangible ways.  Yes there are arguments about the meaning of different verses in the Bible, yes there are theological differences within the church, yes even within St. Andrew’s we don’t all agree theologically with each other.  But a Pentecostal faith moves beyond those differences to live as Christ lived.  And the Spirit of God gives us the strength to do so.  Someone put it this way:  “Let’s make sure the hungry have enough to eat.  Let’s make sure the thirsty have what they need to drink.  Let’s make sure the unhoused have a roof over their heads.  Let’s make sure those who are oppressed, forgotten and excluded have a deep sense of freedom and belonging.  Then, when we have completed all of that, we can take time to argue about theology.”

Now that is a Pentecostal faith – when we do that as a congregation, we are on fire!!!

Blessings on all of you for, in this season, you are all Pentecostals.

As a note of interest.  My grandchildren love the KW Titans. They watch and attend their games as much as possible.  They met some of the KW Titans at the Basketball Camp we had here last summer.  It was a joint project between the KW Titans, Sheena Merling from Gizaagi’in Healing and St. Andrew’s.  Financially it would not have been possible without the support of the KW Titans.  Sheena Merling contacted me this week, asking if we could now return the favour and support the KW Titans.  They are heading into the second round of playoffs and attendance at their games has been very light.  If you have an interest in basketball and want to take your family or grandkids out for a game, please support the Titans.

Take good care

Rev. Marty Molengraaf (he, him)

Minister, St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church