PENTECOST



I am wearing red today and there is a reason as to why I do.  I wonder how many are aware of what today, Sunday represents. If you are Catholic, Lutheran, Episcopalian, Presbyterian, American Baptist, Methodist, or African Methodist Episcopalian you might be familiar with the Church Calendar and know what today is - Pentecost Sunday.  Pentecost Sunday is a “memorial,” a significant reminder to the people of faith that on this day, over two thousand years ago the gift of the Holy Spirit descended like “tongues of fire” upon the disciples gathered in Jerusalem in an upper room and they began speaking in tongues (other languages).  The writer of the book of the Acts of the Apostles tells of this event in chapter 2: 1-12.  The writer, Luke describes this event and the reaction of the people present on that day.  The people of Jerusalem including Jews from other countries that made their pilgrim journey to Jerusalem for Pentecost heard the disciples speak of the wonders of God in their own specific languages, which to others sounded like “babel.”  The Church celebrates this day of Pentecost for it commemorates the “birth of Christianity.”  You may wonder why on the Feast of Pentecost, which the people of Israel were celebrating at the time was appropriate for God to send the Holy Spirit.  In the book of Deuteronomy and Numbers, the Israelites were to celebrate the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot) or Harvest Festival which was on the fiftieth day following the feast of Passover.  The Israelites were to dedicate the first fruits of their harvest to God.  Luke continues to say that when the people gathered wondered “What does all this mean,” Peter began to speak and, in the end, Luke says that three thousand people “were added to the Church” (Luke 2:41-45).  The results of Peter’s preaching the “Good News” brought for Peter the “first fruits” of harvest dedicated to God.



Pentecost is not just a memorial that the Church celebrates each year recognizing the Holy Spirit descending upon Christians and initiating the birth of the Church, Pentecost has a special significance for me.  It was on this day, June 10, 1984 that I was officially ordained as an Elder of the Norris Square Presbyterian Church, USA in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.  My pastor, The Reverend William H Gage and his wife approached me a few weeks prior to my ordination to ask my permission to be formally nominated presenting my name to the Session (the Church Board).  I was already an active member of Norris Square and involved in most of the youth.  In fact, it was through a local outreach ministry of the Beacon Presbyterian Church that I, at five years old, asked Jesus Christ to personally by my Lord and Savior.  The members of Norris Square Presbyterian Church fully supported my pastor’s nomination and the vote was unanimous.  June 10, 1984, Pentecost Sunday, I was ordained and served as an Elder until the day Norris Square Presbyterian Church officially closed in 2006.  There is a new ministry that occupies the building, West Kensington Ministries under the Presbyterian Church, USA.  The ministry at West Kensington is thriving, and I visited a few times.  There is one visit I will particularly remember.  The Rev. Adan Mairena dedicated the completed Music/Sound Studio to the memory of Rev. William H Gage.  Rev. Gage was not present that day for on June 10, 2009, Rev. William H Gage went home to be with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, the anniversary of my ordination, the Day of Pentecost.





First Photo – Me

Second Photo – Rev William H Gage

Third Photo – Members of the Norris Square Presbyterian Church





Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Image
  The Last Seven Words of Jesus on the Cross   1]          One of Seven   And when they were come to the place which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.   Then said Jesus , Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. (Luke 23:33-34).   Luke wrote this gospel to one name Theophilus to share with him what Theophilus was hearing about Jesus and his followers.   Luke tells of the compassion Jesus had for his people, compassion for the Jewish leaders who wanted Jesus crucified, envious and out of their way and who stood by watching relieved of the fear of losing control of the people and their position before Rome.   Jesus had compassion for those gathered around, the soldiers and Jews who had a week before singing songs of “Hosanna” mocking and criticizing him.   And the compassion Jesus had those in sorrow and ...
Read more
Image
  WHO ARE WE   The Gospel reading today was taken from John 8:1-11, the narrative of the woman caught in adultery and taken to Jesus by the religious leaders of Israel.   Most of you may be familiar with this event that took place, the religious leaders, men said to Jesus that the law of Moses stated that the woman before them was to be stoned to death.   This means that the woman was criminally accused.   The religious leaders, according to John’s gospel were putting Jesus to the test – hoping Jesus would agree with their views?   I wrote about the above event in John 8 earlier in my blog titled, Throwing Stones (kassiquan.blogspot.com).   Today, I am not looking at “throwing stones” but, maybe I am. I am sure you are familiar with the adage, “religion and politics do not mix.”   Looking back at Israel’s history from the time the people left a life of slavery in Egypt to their stop at Mt. Siani, the people had reunited in worship of God -...
Read more
Image
Make America Great!? In the past six months changes have taken place in our country.   Were the changes that took place in the best interest of all who live in the United States?   Yes and No.   Here are some of my thoughts that I will leave you to ponder. ·        In 1 Samuel chapter 8, the people of Israel asked Samuel to appoint a king to rule over them.   After seeking God’s advice, Samuel informed the people of the consequences in having a king over them.   But Israel wanted to be like all the other nations, they got their king.   The people of the United States voted, big time and got the president they wanted and now, the United States is facing the consequences.   Oh, and the president sees himself as a “king.” ·        The history of the United States has always been a country that has “pushed aside” the unwanted out by force.   For example, the Native Americans, were pushed ...
Read more