htr-magazine-may21-web - Flipbook - Page 3
A Letter from John
Dear friends,
THE SURPRISES OF PENTECOST
On May 23rd we celebrate Pentecost, also known as Whit Sunday, and the
surprising coming of the Holy Spirit - to the disciples 2000 years ago and into our
lives now. ‘Suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a mighty
wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of
fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each one of them. All of them
were filled with the Holy Spirit...’ (Acts 2.2-4)
God’s Spirit took Jesus’ disciples by surprise, yet they quickly responded positively!
If we read the rest of the Acts of the Apostles we see how the Spirit energised the
Church’s Mission and led them to unlock their doors and witness creatively and
joyfully.
Are we open to the empowering and inspiration of the Spirit?
Let’s hear the wind of God speaking our names and shaking us up.
Let’s feel the fire of God bringing warmth to our embers and setting us on fire with
love.
Let’s sense the now of God coming to us each moment and creating new
opportunities, especially as things continue to open up with the lockdown being
eased further.
Gathering together, in church and on-line, expecting our God, are we prepared for
what we will find? What will we know of our God – the majesty, the sweeping
glory, the still, small voice, the wind of change? God of the unexpected, break open
our defences, turn us away from ourselves and face us out to the world that may yet
surprise us with what we find. For you are already there, calling us on. Amen.
Blessings and prayers
John
John Westwood, Vicar