Tag: Pentecost

Pastor’s Notes 5/24/2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.  — Acts 2:43

Inspiration.

What inspires you?

In our worship on Sunday, Acts 2:43-47 will guide us as we explore what inspires the Church and the individuals who give it life. Last Sunday, the conversation began as the Holy Spirit provided all the inspiration necessary as we celebrated the day of Pentecost. Jesus told his disciples that they would not be alone in their journey to love after Jesus left this earth. The Holy Spirit is the advocate that continues to breathe life into the followers of Jesus.

The day of Pentecost was newly behind the people but the crowd of followers has grown to 3000 baptized. The church is taking shape. Awe and wonder are filling not only the new disciples but the original group as well. The term apostle identifies those who walked with Jesus, following his resurrection and ascension. They continue to follow the way of Jesus but now are doing amazing things in his name. The apostles are the living witness and the promise of new life spreads.

The movement of the Holy Spirit was infectious, and the people were coming together for worship, service, study, and prayer. They were serving the “least of these” and were sharing all things in common with each other. They had found a vision, purpose, and plan for extending the love of God to others. More importantly, they were living out the faith.

I look forward to digging deeper into our inspirations and sharing our vision to love like Christ in Sun City! See you in person or online through You Tube or playback later through our website.

Pastor’s Notes: May 17, 2024

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

The premise that Jesus seemed to teach from was: Tell them, then tell them what you told them. Once you have told them, then explain it to them before showing and telling them again.

Well, the time for all of that is behind him. Last Sunday we read where Jesus revealed that the Holy Spirit has come upon his followers and that they will be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. He said this then ascended to the heavens. This was his final earthly encountered with his beloved.

In Acts 2:1-21, for Sunday, Luke gives us the story of Pentecost. Jesus’ disciples didn’t have to wait very long for this gift of the Holy Spirit to breathe upon them like a mighty wind with tongues of flame dancing about their heads.

They were able to express the good news of God in the languages of the foreigners who happened upon the house where they were. This truly miraculous and God inspired moment sets the stage for the birth of the church and the amazing ministry the followers of Jesus, throughout the ages, would embark upon.

The Holy Spirit is still with us as Sun City Christian Church continues to share the good news of the resurrection Promise to our neighborhood and beyond. I look forward to worshipping with you in person or over Facebook Live Sunday as we celebrate Christ with us. Wear red (orange and yellow works too) and come be moved by the Spirit!

Sermon 5/28/2023 Pentecost

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

This Sunday we celebrated the day of Pentecost. It signifies 50 days following Easter and it is also the occasion at which the gift of the Holy Spirit came upon the followers of Jesus.

For some churches, the significance of Pentecost as a holiday may be the least of all sacred holidays. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), however, embraces the understanding that because of the gift of the Spirit, the presence of Christ lives on through us.

There is still work to be done, and it is our role to carry it out. With that in mind, Pentecost is a big deal. Often it gets referred to as the birthday of the church. It was the day when the followers of Jesus could see and understand the needs of their foreign neighbor. They could now speak with them in a language of love that not only heard but understood.

Our text is Acts 2:1-21 as we welcome the Holy Spirit into our post-Easter journey!

Sermon 5/21/2023

Posted on by Wende Gonzales

On May 21st we celebrated Ascension Sunday, the occasion when Jesus physically leaves the earth for good and ascended into the heavens. Earlier in the season we focused upon Matthew’s telling of the final words and encounter with Jesus and this week will hear from Luke in Acts 1:6-11. After resurrecting from the now empty tomb, Jesus had been preparing his disciples one final time for the ministry that awaits them, and us still. 

Jesus speaks cryptically of not leaving us alone in serving as church. We will pay particular attention to Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.’ 

Jesus’ faithful ones need not wait long, as next Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost, the day when the gift of the Holy Spirit descends upon all who believe.

This gift is a pillar of who we are as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and this core verse underscores our denominational mission statement, “to be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ, witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth.”

In our act of worship, we will also tend to deep understanding of our vision as a denomination, “to be a faithful, growing church, that demonstrates true community, deep Christian spirituality and a passion for justice.”