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The Citizen, 2019-06-13, Page 18PAGE 18. THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JUNE 13, 2019. By Rev. JoAnn Todd Trinity Anglican, Byth St. John’s Anglican, Brussels Sunday, June 9 was the day many churches celebrated Pentecost. Some say that Pentecost can be considered the birthday of the Christian Church, the day when the power of the Spirit infused the Disciples of Jesus, empowering them to preach the good news of Christ to those who had gathered to celebrate Pentecost. It caused the conversion and baptism of 3,000 people who then “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”(Acts 2. 41- 42) And, as they say, the rest is history, the Christian Church is born. Now Pentecost is an ancient Jewish festival, traditionally held 50 days - seven weeks plus a day - after Passover. It was also known as the Feast of Weeks. It was a celebration of the spring barley festival and Jewish tradition also held that the Law of Moses had been given on this day. What a very meaningful day for the Spirit of the Lord to come down upon the assembly of devout Jews from every nation who had gathered together. So, let’s think about this from the context of the people who were there that fateful day. Pentecost celebrates the day the Law came to the people of God, this is the very day the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, the Advocate Jesus promised to the disciples—decides to descend upon the gathering. Coincidence? I think not! It was like God was saying: “Ok folks, that was how you did things then – the Laws of Moses guided you, and this is now, the way of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter and Advocate promised by Christ, will guide you from now on.” This is a new way of following the Lord God Almighty. Most definitely a disturbance of the status quo! Jesus started this whole “change in the way of looking at the Laws of Moses” way of thinking and living and although Jesus is no longer with you in body, the Holy Spirit is alive and well and will be with you and she will be your guide. Did you notice that, I said she? Why she? Well, the word for spirit in Hebrew is ‘ruach’. And ‘ruach’ is a feminine noun—remember way back to your French classes in school – that some words are denoted as ‘feminine’ or ‘masculine’? The same applies to many other languages, including Hebrew. ‘Ruach’ is a feminine noun, and means wind or spirit or breath – the word is almost interchangeable. The Spirit of God, the creative Holy Spirit has been with us since the beginnings of time! Recall from Genesis, the creation story, the ‘ruach’, the wind, the Spirit of God blows across the waters; the ‘ruach’, the breath of God is breathed into Adam, animating the man God created from the dust of the ground. The creating, animating wind, the Spirit, the breath of God, even in very ancient times was seen as a feminine aspect of God. Indeed, in some theological circles, it is well accepted that the Holy Spirit is the feminine nature of God. And on this day of Pentecost, 50 days after Jesus rose from the dead, this Holy Spirit, the ‘ruach’ of God descended like a ton of bricks on the group of Jews who had gathered in that room! She could be seen like tongues of fire; felt like a rushing wind; then heard in the multitude of languages that spoke of God’s great deeds and powers and was understood by all, regardless of nationality or native language. What a testament to the one-ness of God! And the peoples’ response to this amazing display of Holy Spirit’s power? They were excited and scared all at the same time; “amazed and perplexed” is how it’s described. “What does it mean?” some asked. Others sneered and said Peter and his followers were drunk – even though it was only 9 a.m. (Acts 2.12- 14) The Holy Spirit can come upon people with the strength of a gale force wind, like in the Pentecost story. And when you do see it or experience it for the first time, it can be overwhelming. I have experienced some incredible examples of how the Holy Spirit has come upon people – people laughing uncontrollably, shaking uncontrollably or people almost comatose, internally overtaken by the Spirit’s presence, people speaking in tongues, and once I heard someone singing in tongues – that was amazing to hear, truly an ethereal, an-other worldly and beautiful sound. Can you imagine what would it have been like to be there? Or, let’s go one step farther in our imaginations: what would you do or say if Holy Spirit descended just like that upon your congregation, on a Sunday morning? I suspect that might give you pause! Would you stick around or would you walk out of church, figuring this is just crazy stuff, or maybe somehow the communion wine was spiked? And yes, the Holy Spirit can be much more subtle, more like a gentle breeze, than a roaring gale force wind. Not everyone’s experience is so visceral! How have you experienced the presence of the Holy Spirit? Is it like a comforter: a feeling of warmth, or reassurance, deep in the core of your being, or a reassuring or consoling hand on your shoulder? Or do you feel it more energetically, like a shot of electricity, or a shaking or trembling in your body, or a sudden inexplicable feeling of spiritual strength, or like a huge sense of relief, like a weight lifted off your shoulders? Some people experience the Spirit in visions or dreams. Sometimes we hear or feel the Spirit in music, or we see the Spirit in action when THE CATHOLIC PARISHES OF NORTH HURON AND NORTH PERTH CORDIALLY INVITE YOU TO ATTEND HOLY MASS. OUR SUNDAY LITURGIES ARE AS FOLLOWS: Brussels: St. Ambrose Saturday 6:00 p.m. 17 Flora Street Wingham: Sacred Heart Sunday 9:00 a.m. 220 Carling Terrace Listowel: St. Joseph’s Sunday 11:00 a.m. 1025 Wallace Avenue N. huronchapel.com huronchapelkids.com huronchapelyouth.com 519-526-1131 ~ 119 John’s Ave., Auburn Wednesdays 6:30-8:30 p.m. Jr. & Sr. YOUTH (Gr. 7-12) July 8-12 “ROAR” Vacation Bible School - register FREE online (huronchapelkids.com) Evangelical Missionary Church 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. Worship Youth & Family Minister ROB CAMPBELL preaching “Praising Him TOGETHER” (Rom.15:1-13) Sunday June 16 - GRADUATION SUNDAY Youre Invited to come worship with us Sunday, June 16 at 10:30 a.m. & 6:00 p.m. 650 Alexander St. (former Brussels Public School) Sunday School for children 4 to 12 years of age at 9:30 a.m. Childcare provided for infants and preschoolers during the sermon. Coffee & cookies after the morning service. For additional details please contact Steve Klumpenhower 519.292.0965 Rick Packer 519.527.0173 Coming Soon! VBS July 1-5 for ages 5-12 ~ 9:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.OFFICE: 519-523-4224 Office Hours: Tuesday & Thursday ~ 9:30 am - 2:00 pm blythunited@tcc.on.ca Guest Speaker: David Kai Accessible Sunday, June 16 Worship Service at 11:00 am Blyth United Church Facebook: Blyth and Brussels United Churches MELVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH BRUSSELS SUNDAY, JUNE 16 Nursery care available 519-887-6687 Fridays 11:30 am - 1:00 pm ~ Soup & More 2 - a free community meal held in Melville’s basement, and made possible by the Brussels churches working together. Worship & Sunday School - 9:30 am Coffee & Snacks following the service We invite you to join our church family in: Hwy. 4, Blyth www.blythcrc.ca 519-523-4743 Minister: Pastor Gary van Leeuwen BLYTH CHRISTIAN REFORMED CHURCH SUNDAY, JUNE 16 Morning Service 10:00 am No Evening Service You’re Invited To Join Us In Worship The Regional Ministry of Hope BLYTH BRUSSELS Trinity St. John’s 9:15 am 11:15 am COME WORSHIP WITH US! Rev. JoAnn Todd, Rector 519-357-7781 email: revjoann@hurontel.on.ca The­Regional­Ministry­of­ Hope St. Paul’s Trinity WINGHAM 11:15 am These Anglican Churches Welcome You BRUSSELS United Church Sunday, June 16 Worship Service at 9:30 am Worship leader, David Kai All are Welcome From the Minister’s Study A closer look at Pentecost, the birth of a church Continued on page 21