A New Beginning Welcome to Pentecost There's nothing "New" here. If you caught the Facebook advertisement for this week's sermon, you will note that I hinted at the idea that we would be covering something new this week. Sadly, there really is nothing new to present. Most of us have been through Pentecost many times in the course of our church lives and we have read and re-read this scripture. I would challenge you in this area as we move into the book of Acts. What is new for many of us is the fact that we have never experienced anything like this before. "This" as in, what we are reading on these pages in scriptures. Acts 2 is a historical moment. It happened. The whole thing went down exactly as you are reading it on the page. I'm wondering if you would like to experience something new. 🤔 Yes, just like the thinking emoji here, the mere question hopefully causes you to stop and ponder. Have I ever experienced anything like what these twelve men or...

  A Look Back A few weeks ago I used this sermon for my Ordination work that I turned into the conference.  This same passage is also a perfect place to spend Mother's Day for this week.  As the disciples are preparing for Pentecost, they are more than likely taking some time to remember the events that led to where they are now. For many of them, this was the first time Jesus performed a miracle in Cana of Galilee which was where his ministry truly kicked into gear.  There is nothing better in this world than for a boy to do than to spend some time with his mama. I know this personally. As a young child, my earliest memory is that of being at my little plastic school desk with the flip top lid and a board full of magnetic letters. It must have been early in the morning. I look over and my mom is half asleep on the couch. We were living in the basement of my grandparents house at the time. I did not have a father in the picture. That's a messier story for anothe...

  These last few weeks we have been covering people that Jesus appeared to after His resurrection. As we move into each one, we also step closer to Pentecost. At the end of the passage today, Jesus officially gives them instructions to prepare. We see a pattern emerging from these interactions with the disciples. A couple weeks ago, we were on the Emmaus road walking with these two men, Cleopas and an unnamed friend. They go seven miles of walking without realizing that it is Jesus they have been talking to the whole time. They break bread together. Then their eyes are opened to who it is they are had been entertaining that afternoon. And just like that... He is gone. Immediately they head back to Jerusalem to let the other disciples know. One last "run" at Luke 24 and one more moment where Jesus appears to the disciples. Presence - Power - Promise Presence "Surely the presence of the Lord is in this place. I can feel his mighty power and his grace. I can hear the brush ...