Dear Caldwell,
On Sunday, we at Caldwell opened the unofficial liturgical season of the Advent of the Holy Spirit. We declared that we would take two weeks leading up to Pentecost Sunday on June 8 to reflect on the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives and in the world around us.
In worship Sunday, we sang the hymn “Spirit of the Living God,” which beckons God in the Spirit to work through us in four ways – melting us, molding us, filling us and using us. As the session discussed last night in its devotional, we may feel as though God is doing all four of those things to us in any one given day. Or, we may feel as if we are in a more protracted period of being melted for reuse, molded for a new purpose, filled with capacity for a new use or actually being used in that new way.
How about you? Which of these “phases” or “seasons” of discipleship do you feel God has put you in these days?
Another thing we considered Sunday was Jesus’ promise in John 14 to send the Holy Spirit to “abide” with us always. What a comfort and assurance we find in this promise.
This coming Sunday, we will take up another aspect of what Jesus said to his followers in John 14, that the Spirit dwells within is. Imagine, withIN us!
I don’t know about you, but I wrestle a bit with the idea that any aspect of the divine dwells within me. It’s just too big an idea for me to swallow. Surely there are better places for the Holy Spirit to hang out. Yet, scripture assures us that we are made in God’s image.
Once again, what do you think? What do you make of this part of Jesus’ promise in John 14? How does it shape your sense of identity as a child of God? How does it equip you to do God’s will?
Go ahead and chime in, using the comment box below for others to see or send me an email at pastor@caldwellpresby.org
Planning for Pride: Last summer, a highlight for many was our first participation in the Pride Weekend, staffing a booth and walking in the parade. Many were touched by this powerful and visible witness to God’s inclusive love. This year should be bigger and even better. If you want to be involved this year’s events (early to mid August), planning begins this Thursday at Caldwell at 6 p.m. in the Shelby Room.
ALSO: Mark your calendar for a special five-congregation Pentecost Celebration at 4 pm on Sunday, June 8 here at Caldwell. More to follow.
Look for more news this Friday in Caldwell This Week.
In Christ,
John