From the Pastor’s Pen
By Miki Vanderbilt

We are approaching one of my most favorite days of the church year after Christmas and Easter. On Sunday, May 11 we will celebrate Pentecost—the climax of the Great Fifty Days of Easter. For Christians, Pentecost is a day to celebrate hope, a hope evoked by the knowledge that God through the Holy Spirit is at work among God’s people. It is a celebration of newness, of re-creation, and of calling as God’s people. Pentecost empowers us to proclaim, in word and deed, God’s plan for reconciling all people in the name of Christ (Eph. 1:10).

The predominate color for Pentecost is red symbolizing the flames of fire and the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit on those first believers gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem following Jesus’ resurrection. In the “spirit” of the day, you are invited to wear red on Pentecost Sunday. We will once again have the opportunity to share in the church’s on-going ministry to children-at-risk, youth and young adults through the annual Pentecost offering.

May 11 is also Mother’s Day. Many of you will be spending time with your mother or your children this weekend in some fashion or another. Others may be giving thanks for women who have been like a mother to you. Still others may find this holiday to be especially difficult in light the fact that the experience you have had with your mother or as a mother has not been all that you have wished or needed it to be. For some this day is particularly painful because the hope of being a mother has not been realized. Whatever you situation, how ever you experience this day, please remember that “like a mother who will not forsake her nursing child,” (Isaiah 49:15) God loves you and is faithful still.

Peace and Blessings,
Miki