Pentecost

Acts 2:  When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

What is the work of the Holy Spirit?  Lutherans believe that we come to faith, remain in the faith, and live our lives of faith by the power of the Holy Spirit.  In his explanation in the third article of the Apostles Creed, Martin Luther taught..."the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened me with his gifts, made me holy and kept me in the true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common true faith."  

Today is Pentecost.  Happy Birthday to all churches, today is a celebration.  Last night we had a Pentecost vigil at our church, a first.  We had a service and then walked around the neighborhood and blessed those businesses.  It was different and I rather enjoyed it.  So today we wear the colors of Pentecost; reds and red oranges.  Don and I decorated the church up for a party with balloons and streamers and candles.  Happy birthday!