This week we celebrate Pentecost Sunday, the end of the first half of the Church Year. It is the last of the three major church holidays, the others being Christmas (the Incarnation of Christ) and Easter (The Resurrection of Christ). The world around us celebrates Christmas with cards and gifts and music that has nothing to do with Jesus. The world celebrates Easter with bunnies and baskets and Easter eggs and candy and the beginning of Spring (or the hope of the beginning of Spring). But society has no hero like Santa for Pentecost, and no mascot like the Easter bunny, or special candy or gifts or cards, either. Pentecost is purely a holiday of the Christian Church.
A lot of times, Pentecost is kind of forgotten since it usually falls around the Memorial Day holiday and the end of the academic year. But it is a big deal. After Jesus ascended into heaven, his disciples and followers were gathered together for the Feast of Harvest (which was also known as “pentecost”) when a huge wind from heaven blew into their gathering with a loud noise and flames like fire rested upon their heads. Even though many who were gathered that day were from faraway lands, they all heard the good news of God’s love and Jesus’ death and resurrection in their own native language. It’s a dramatic, wonderful story. But the really big deal is what came afterword.
The Holy Spirit filled those followers of Jesus and gave them the courage and inspiration and strength and determination to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ to all the earth. Many of them were martyred doing it. We sometimes say that Pentecost is the birthday of the Church, because this courage, inspiration, strength and determination continues in the Church to this day. The same Spirit of God who sent the followers of Jesus to spread the good news also comes to us, directing, goading and encouraging us to continue the mission.
So this Sunday, as we celebrate Pentecost, we’ll also sing Happy Birthday to God’s Church. We ask God to send the Spirit among us now and in the weeks, months and years ahead as Joy faces changes and new ministries as a congregation. Come celebrate – there might even be cake!