Rev. Missy Turbeville *Excerpt from June 2023 FUMC Newsletter
“...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
We are entering a new season. Yes, summer will officially be here June 21st and most of us probably feel that summer has arrived weeks ago, but I am talking about a different season… Pentecost. This is the time in the church year that we sometimes call Kingdomtide or Common Time. The liturgical color in our churches changes from Red on Pentecost to White on Trinity Sunday to Green for Common Time. Green is a color symbolizing growth and the creative work of God.
You may have noticed that we have been focusing for some time now on both of those things… the creative movement of God in our lives and the growth, the transformation possible, when we accept the love of Christ into our lives. Remember how we talked about the freedom and power we have through God in Christ to identify our need for change and to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? That is also part of what we are talking about in this Pentecost season.
When we ask for and receive the forgiveness Christ offers us, we are opened to growth and transformation with the help of the Holy Sprit in ways we just weren’t able to access before. Like much growth, there is a lot that is happening in places we can’t see easily. Just like roots are busy stretching and seeking new space and nutrients underground, in Christ the love in our hearts is unfurling and being led into new places emotionally, spiritually, and physically. We find ourselves caring for others in ways we never have before. We discover a willingness to try experiences or speak to people we never thought we would.
Before the first step is taken or word is uttered, before anything that can be seen, heard, touched, or tasted happens, there is much happening in our hearts. And what is coming to life is not just in our hearts, but in the heart of the church as Christ’s body as well. This growth and transformation is happening both personally and corporately. We are reminded that the gifts the Holy Spirit gives are for the common good and the upbuilding of the church so that the church will act, and live, and be the loving action of God’s will in the world. That means each of us is being transformed into the image of Christ to be Christ’s body in our community and world. Each of us. You. Me. Together, all of us.
What starts deep within each of us is also a corporate experience. This church is experiencing a Pentecost season. And right now we are allowing the time and space for our roots to go deep. We are allowing for prayer, listening, and discernment. The Holy Spirit is stirring in so many ways in the individual lives and corporate heart of this church family.
Recently, I asked the congregation to be in prayer as to where each person was feeling the Holy Spirit affirm or nudge them and this church. I am still asking that. During June, please be in prayer as we look at how the early church readied itself for their mission to share and be the embodiment of the good news of Christ in the world. Please be in prayer as we experience how God’s loving will was made manifest in Jesus’ calling of the disciples and healing of two very different females. Please be in prayer as Icel brings us a message of the good news of Christ from the ends of the earth.
Please take some time to rest in God and make time and space for your roots to go deep. Allow the Holy Spirit to be at work in you and us because we are being prepared and we want to be ready to go where the Holy Spirit is leading us.
With love in Christ,
-Pastor Missy
“...you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8
We are entering a new season. Yes, summer will officially be here June 21st and most of us probably feel that summer has arrived weeks ago, but I am talking about a different season… Pentecost. This is the time in the church year that we sometimes call Kingdomtide or Common Time. The liturgical color in our churches changes from Red on Pentecost to White on Trinity Sunday to Green for Common Time. Green is a color symbolizing growth and the creative work of God.
You may have noticed that we have been focusing for some time now on both of those things… the creative movement of God in our lives and the growth, the transformation possible, when we accept the love of Christ into our lives. Remember how we talked about the freedom and power we have through God in Christ to identify our need for change and to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves? That is also part of what we are talking about in this Pentecost season.
When we ask for and receive the forgiveness Christ offers us, we are opened to growth and transformation with the help of the Holy Sprit in ways we just weren’t able to access before. Like much growth, there is a lot that is happening in places we can’t see easily. Just like roots are busy stretching and seeking new space and nutrients underground, in Christ the love in our hearts is unfurling and being led into new places emotionally, spiritually, and physically. We find ourselves caring for others in ways we never have before. We discover a willingness to try experiences or speak to people we never thought we would.
Before the first step is taken or word is uttered, before anything that can be seen, heard, touched, or tasted happens, there is much happening in our hearts. And what is coming to life is not just in our hearts, but in the heart of the church as Christ’s body as well. This growth and transformation is happening both personally and corporately. We are reminded that the gifts the Holy Spirit gives are for the common good and the upbuilding of the church so that the church will act, and live, and be the loving action of God’s will in the world. That means each of us is being transformed into the image of Christ to be Christ’s body in our community and world. Each of us. You. Me. Together, all of us.
What starts deep within each of us is also a corporate experience. This church is experiencing a Pentecost season. And right now we are allowing the time and space for our roots to go deep. We are allowing for prayer, listening, and discernment. The Holy Spirit is stirring in so many ways in the individual lives and corporate heart of this church family.
Recently, I asked the congregation to be in prayer as to where each person was feeling the Holy Spirit affirm or nudge them and this church. I am still asking that. During June, please be in prayer as we look at how the early church readied itself for their mission to share and be the embodiment of the good news of Christ in the world. Please be in prayer as we experience how God’s loving will was made manifest in Jesus’ calling of the disciples and healing of two very different females. Please be in prayer as Icel brings us a message of the good news of Christ from the ends of the earth.
Please take some time to rest in God and make time and space for your roots to go deep. Allow the Holy Spirit to be at work in you and us because we are being prepared and we want to be ready to go where the Holy Spirit is leading us.
With love in Christ,
-Pastor Missy
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Worship on Sundays at 10:30AM both at the sanctuary and streamed online on our Facebook page.
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