FPSP: The Messenger - June 6, 2011

On Sunday morning, June 12, we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday here at First Presbyterian Church. According to the Acts of the Apostles, Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit first "fell" upon Christ's followers with "power," resulting in a brief but miraculous ability to communicate in foreign languages. Luke tells us that the original observers of this miracle were thoroughly "perplexed," so Peter explains it to them using the words of the prophet Joel:

"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams.
Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy."

This text proclaims that God will speak to ALL types of believers: men and women, young and old, privileged and enslaved. The question is: how does God speak to you?

Most Christians will say that God speaks to them through Scripture, but the interpretation of that Scripture is crucial. Most will also say that God speaks to them through prayer or personal experience, but each experience must be interpreted as well.

How do you know whether a "vision" has come to you from God or some other source?
How do you know when God is trying to speak to you through some dream?
How do you determine what God is saying in good times and hard ones?
And how do you know when God is calling you to speak?

I couldn't possibly answer all those questions on any given Sunday, but Pentecost invites us to consider some new possibilities. Joel's prophecy assures us that God IS speaking to us through a whole variety of experiences, and Scripture gives us some means of evaluating them. The key is to be listening with a spirit of expectation so that God's word may come through you.

P.S. In commemoration of this very special day, we hope you will wear some Pentecost colors (either yellow or red) to church.

Come and get your HOT DOGS! Tomorrow, right after church!!!

The Family Camp Committee is having a HOT DOG sale! Come on down to the MacCormick Room and join us! A HOT DOG Lunch is $6.00 and includes a HOT DOG with all the toppings you’d like, fruit, chips and a drink (soda or coffee). Extra HOT DOGS are $2.00 each.

Erik Larson is the interim editor of the Messenger.
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©2011 - First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro

The Messenger - June 6, 2011 - A Call to All