Christ with the Holy Spirit!

This past month we have been unpacking the 50 days after Jesus’ resurrection, walking with the disciples from their disbelief to shock and awe to delight in the miracle. While exploring this in our Gospel readings we have also seen the bold movements of the disciples sharing the good news of this risen messiah and savior. Yet our season of Easter is rapidly coming to an end and the season of Pentecost will soon be upon us as the Holy Spirit is upon us now.

For many the season after Pentecost is “the season where nothing happens”, everything in the sanctuary turns green. School lets out, vacations start and that’s the end of the Church story until we reconvene in the autumn for a good old fashioned reformation party. Yet the season after Pentecost is not the end of the story but in many ways the beginning. There is so much of not only the Jesus story but Israel’s story, the Church’s story and of course our own story which will take place in the “Season of green”. The reason we put up green after Pentecost is to represent the growing and thriving, we undergo in this season. Because the Church is about, if nothing else, growth in Christ with the Holy Spirit. Most of Jesus’ teachings and miracles, we will learn about in this season. Likewise, we will hear more from Israel’s prophets, hear the voice of God and of course, continue to grow as a Church ourselves.

But first, we need to approach Pentecost. I encourage the entirety of our Church to still center themselves on the resurrection of Christ, understanding this is the pillar upon which our faith rests. Yet our faith is only made possible by the gift of the Holy Spirit which is the great helper. In preparing to celebrate the gift of God’s Spirit I ask everybody to consider. Where do you need help from the Holy Spirit? Where do you need a friend in your spiritual walk? A companion in your journey. Ask yourself and then ask God, because all good parents know what their child needs before they even ask. I know I never know what I need the first time I consider it. Figuring out what you need help with is half the battle. So I encourage you all, in this season bridging Easter and the season of Pentecost.

Think of the liberation of the Resurrection and also ask yourself how “the Helper” can be there for you. What is God drawing you to this season? And as always, ask your neighbor how you can help them with a Christlike Love.

May God bless you all.

Yours in Christ,
Pr Garth Olsen

Sunday School meets on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month beginning at 9am.  We currently have 3 classrooms:
Pre-K-1st grade: Christine Agrippino,
Grades 2-3: Amy & Glenn Riemenschneider
Grades 5-7: Gretchen Sutcliffe

Any children in these age groups are invited to join a class on any given Sunday.

All children in grades K-6 are welcome!

]]> 3028 https://www.goodshepcny.org/from-the-council-president/ Sat, 25 Nov 2023 16:58:09 +0000 https://www.goodshepcny.org/?p=3561