Churches

Good day dear hearts, I love you. Pentecost celebrates the Spirit who empowers us to live beyond ourselves and Memorial Day honors those who gave themselves for others. Together, they invite us to remember, to give thanks and to live lives worthy of both the freedoms we enjoy and the Spirit who guides us. Pentecost is the moment the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples (Acts 2), transforming fearful followers into courageous witnesses. It is the birthday of the Church, the moment God empowered ordinary people to live extraordinary lives. Memorial Day is the moment our nation pauses to honor those who laid down their lives so others can live in freedom. The bridge between them is sacrifice that leads to life. Pentecost, God giving His Spirit so His people can live with courage, conviction, and compassion. Memorial Day, remembering those who gave their lives so others could flourish. Both call us to gratitude. Both call us to responsibility. Both call us to live in a way that honors the gift we’ve been given.

We have two days to honor in one weekend. We have tongues of fire and the rushing wind of the Holy Spirit on Sunday and red poppies and the American flag on Monday. Pentecost; the Spirit who empowers. Read Acts chapter two and you will find the disciples were gathered, uncertain, waiting and then God breathed courage into them. The Spirit empowered them to step into the world with purpose. Memorial Day is the cost of Freedom. That cost is the loss of someone’s son or daughter, husband or wife, dear hearts of our community. All of them stepped forward, not knowing they would be the price, but willing to be the price if need be. Their courage made possible the freedom we enjoy. Pentecost shows us divine sacrifice of Christ giving His life, God’s Spirit giving us power. Memorial Day shows us human sacrifice, lives laid down for others. Both remind us that freedom is never free and purpose is never accidental.

What do Pentecost and Memorial Day mean for us today? Before Jesus left us, He promised God the Father would send a counselor, His Spirit to dwell in us and guide us and comfort us until Jesus returns. The Holy Spirit gave freedom and courage to those believers to spread the Good News of Jesus. To the extent they sacrificed their lives for Christ and contributed to billions of believers and will live eternally with God.

From the beginning of our nation until today, 250 years later, millions of American men and women gave their lives so that we may be here doing what we can do today. The freedom to speak our minds, to vote for our leaders, to be able to write a column on the ways of God every week. We must always remember and be grateful for those people who sacrificed themselves for us. Nathan Hale, a great patriot of our country said these words while having a rope around his neck, “I regret that I have only one life to give to my country.”

As we move from Pentecost Sunday into Memorial Day Monday, may we remember the gifts we’ve been given by the Spirit who empowers us and the heroes who protected us and may we live in a way that honors both. This year, Pentecost and Memorial Day stand shoulder to shoulder, one reminding us of the Spirit who empowers us to live with courage, and the other reminding us of those who showed courage unto death. Pentecost tells us that God breathes life into His people so they can serve the world. Memorial Day tells us that some have given their lives so that others may live in freedom. Together, they whisper the same truth: the greatest gifts we receive are the ones someone else paid for. God Bless.

Dear Lord, we give you thanks for your holy Spirit and His power. Let your Spirit continue to guide us and the leaders of our town. We ask a blessing on the many families whose loved ones sacrificed their lives so we can continue with freedom in our lives. Bless our community. Amen.

We are grateful to all those who attended and participated in Biker Sunday. Three kiddos from Susky won bikes from our free raffle. Pastor Vince, 570-853-3988.