The Giving Gift
Dear Friends,
During this month – on Sunday 8th June – the Church celebrates a festival which marks the coming of the energy of God’s presence to the first followers of Jesus. The Day of Pentecost has sometimes been called the birthday of the Church. Whenever we celebrate birthdays, we often have cakes with candles on them. After lighting the candles, the birthday person then takes a big breath and blows them out (or tries to!). On the Day of Pentecost, it was the other way round. The Holy Spirit – the breath of God - came not to blow out, but instead to ignite a flame - the powerful transforming flame of God’s love. Then, in the light and energy of the Spirit, the Good News of Jesus Christ began to spread all over the world.
The message of Pentecost is for everyone, everywhere. The Holy Spirit – The Giving Gift and The Go-Between God, as two books describe the Holy Spirit - is a gift there for the asking, and for the receiving - and not just once. There is the story of the famous evangelist DL Moody who, when asked whether he was filled with the Spirit, replied 'Yes, but I leak'! We repeatedly and continually need the help of God’s Spirit, if we are to shine with the light of Jesus Christ, and be channels of His blessing in the world around us.
Later this year – on Sunday October 26th at 10.00am in St Mary’s Melton - we shall be holding a service of Confirmation for churches in our area. After those coming to be confirmed – adults and young people – have made a commitment to live out the Christian faith into which they have been baptized, Bishop Saju will then pray that the Holy Spirit would “rest upon them: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding; the Spirit of counsel and inward strength; the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness..” Then, after addressing each person by name, Bishop Saju will lay his hands on them and pray: “Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit.”
If you would like to explore the possibility of preparing for confirmation (and baptism, if you haven’t already been baptized), do get in touch with either Mike and Chris Alexander, Sue Bradley, or myself.
With all good wishes,
John Barr, Rector
Dear Friends,
During this month – on Sunday 8th June – the Church celebrates a festival which marks the coming of the energy of God’s presence to the first followers of Jesus. The Day of Pentecost has sometimes been called the birthday of the Church. Whenever we celebrate birthdays, we often have cakes with candles on them. After lighting the candles, the birthday person then takes a big breath and blows them out (or tries to!). On the Day of Pentecost, it was the other way round. The Holy Spirit – the breath of God - came not to blow out, but instead to ignite a flame - the powerful transforming flame of God’s love. Then, in the light and energy of the Spirit, the Good News of Jesus Christ began to spread all over the world.
The message of Pentecost is for everyone, everywhere. The Holy Spirit – The Giving Gift and The Go-Between God, as two books describe the Holy Spirit - is a gift there for the asking, and for the receiving - and not just once. There is the story of the famous evangelist DL Moody who, when asked whether he was filled with the Spirit, replied 'Yes, but I leak'! We repeatedly and continually need the help of God’s Spirit, if we are to shine with the light of Jesus Christ, and be channels of His blessing in the world around us.
Later this year – on Sunday October 26th at 10.00am in St Mary’s Melton - we shall be holding a service of Confirmation for churches in our area. After those coming to be confirmed – adults and young people – have made a commitment to live out the Christian faith into which they have been baptized, Bishop Saju will then pray that the Holy Spirit would “rest upon them: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding; the Spirit of counsel and inward strength; the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness..” Then, after addressing each person by name, Bishop Saju will lay his hands on them and pray: “Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit.”
If you would like to explore the possibility of preparing for confirmation (and baptism, if you haven’t already been baptized), do get in touch with either Mike and Chris Alexander, Sue Bradley, or myself.
With all good wishes,
John Barr, Rector