After the wonderful blended celebration of the royal wedding yesterday, today we observed Pentecost in the church calendar. "For Christians, Pentecost is a holiday on which we commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the early followers of Jesus. Before the events of the first Pentecost, which came a few weeks after Jesus’ death and resurrection, there were followers of Jesus, but no movement that could be meaningfully called “the church.” Thus, from an historical point of view, Pentecost is the day on which the church was started. This is also true from a spiritual perspective, since the Spirit brings the church into existence and enlivens it. Thus Pentecost is the church’s birthday."
It was celebrated at our church with a service of praise and songs from the different cultures represented by the African congregation that worships in our building along with hymns from our American songbook. The songs and costumes came from Kenya, Cameroon, Nigeria, and Ghana as well as a small team from India. It was an amazing experience, sharing music and faith with so many different people, along with a host of visitors. I think we all felt part of God's family.
