May 27, 2012
Morning Service

Today we want to recognize two very important days in our calendar year.  Pentecost, and Memorial Day.

 

Pentecost, which is today.  The birthday of the church, AD 33.  1979 yrs. Old.

Pentecost was originally an Old Testament festival, since the time of Josephus calculated as beginning on the fiftieth day after the beginning of Passover. In the Christian calendar, it falls on the seventh Sunday after Easter. It was called the Feast of Weeks (Shavuot), and in the Old Testament was originally an agricultural festival celebrating and giving thanks for the "first fruits" of the early spring harvest (Lev 23, Exod 23, 34).  These instructions concerning these feasts are given in great detail. 

While there are other references to Pentecost in the New Testament, it is most significant in Acts 2 and the familiar scene of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on those in the "upper room." The New Testament writers associate the events of Acts 2 with Pentecost, and relate it to the prophecies of Joel 2 and promises of Jesus (Acts 1:8). In both, the emphasis is on an empowerment through the Holy Spirit to enable the people of God to witness to Jesus the Christ.

The word “pentecost” means “fiftieth day.”  In most Christian traditions, Pentecost Sunday occurs 50 days following Easter Sunday.  Those 50 days span seven Sundays after Easter, so Pentecost is the seventh Sunday after Easter.   It can occur as early as May 10 and as late as June 13.  Some Christian traditions, Eastern Orthodox for example, use a different religious calendar and so have different dates for much of the Christian Year.

For Christians, Pentecost Sunday is a day to celebrate hope, a hope evoked by the knowledge that Almighty God is still at work among His people. It is a celebration of newness, of recreation, of renewal of purpose, mission, and calling as God’s people. It is a celebration of God’s ongoing work in the world. Yet, it is also a recognition that His work is done through His people as He pours out His presence upon them. 

• This is not a one day a year happening, but should be for every day in the life of a Christian.  A renewal, and fresh experience every time we pray.

Many of the older denominations will have special readings for today.  The Old Testament Lectionary reading for Pentecost Sunday from Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones (Ezek 37:1-14) dramatically illustrates this sense of newness and renewal of mission. The reading from Isaiah 44:1-8 also connects renewal with the "breathing" of God in beautiful imagery of "streams in the desert" and the recreation of His exiled people. The reading from Genesis 11:1-9 emphasizes the restoration of community and unity of purpose that had been disrupted by sin and selfish ambition. The Psalm reading (104:24-34) is also in creation language that speaks of newness and renewal.

The New Testament readings include Acts 2, as well as John 14:8-17, 16:5-15, 20:19-23, all of which carry through this theme of God enabled mission in the world. The Epistle reading from 1 Corinthians ( the gift chapter)12:3-13 emphasizes the gifts of the Spirit that enable God’s work in the world.

Tomorrow is Memorial Day;

Memorial Day is a federal holiday observed annually in the United States on the last Monday of May.^[1] Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War. (Southern ladies organizations and southern schoolchildren had decorated Confederate graves in Richmond and other cities during the Civil War, but each region had its own date. Most dates were in May.) By the 20th century Memorial Day had been extended to honor all Americans who have died in all wars. Memorial Day is a day of remembering the men and women who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.^[2] As a marker it typically marks the start of the summer vacation season, while Labor Day marks its end.     One tradition stands out, the red poppies; 

Bible Memorials

God places a great emphasis on memory. He has throughout history established certain memorials for the purpose of recalling important lessons and events.

The Sabbath testified to the creation (Genesis 2:3). God commanded the children of Israel to observe this day in Exodus 20:8,9. The Sabbath and first day of the week are two different days (Matthew 28:1). The Christian observes the first day of the week in commemorating the resurrection of Christ (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2).

The Rainbow in the Clouds is a memorial to the covenant God made with all flesh (Genesis 9:8-17). According to this covenant the world will never again be destroyed by water, but will be destroyed by fire (2 Peter 3:10-12). Every time man sees the bow in the sky he is to remember God's faithful promise.

The Passover was a memorial between God and Israel commemorating the time when God went through the land of Egypt executing his judgment (Exodus 12:12-14). It was only after the Passover and the death of the Egyptians' firstborn that Israel was released from 400 years of slavery.

The Omer Full of Manna was commanded by God to be kept in memory of the Lord's daily provisions during Israel's journey to Canaan, the promised land (Exodus 16:32-34).

The Lord's Supper is the only memorial in which the New Testament Christian is to observe.  It is in memory of Christ's death (1 Corinthians 11:24, 25). Early Christians assembled every first day of the week (Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2) to commemorate this feast.