Season After Pentecost
The Conversion of St. Paul, 1866, Gustave Dore, Private Collection / Peter Save Yourselves, 1642, Charles Poërson, Notre-Dame, Paris, France / Jesus Baptism San Marco Monastery Fra Angelico 1436-1445, Florence, Italy / Marriage at Cana, 1303-5, Giotto, Scrovegni Chapel, Prado, Italy / Three Angels visit Abraham, Marc Chagall, Paris, France, 1931, Genesis 18
June 21st Worship Service
In the Book of Acts in Chapter Two the Father God descends upon the Disciples, and they become Apostles, with the gift which Jesus had promised them at his accession into Heaven. They received the gift of the Holy Spirit. It was as if they had become inflated. Inflated to the point where they could not stand the confines of the house where they were staying and they burst outside into the streets of Jerusalem.
And the streets were filled with people from all over the Roman Empire who had pilgrimaged to Jerusalem to celebrate Shavuot, remembering the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai and the Festival of Fist Fruits. And these travelers from Parthians, Medes and Elamites, Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, Libya and Rome, Cretans and Arabs hear the message of the Risen Christ being told in their native language. “They have had too much wine,” is the common response, until Peter addresses the crowd.
Quoting the Prophet Joel about how God will pour His Spirit upon the people, and King David about how God was always before him guiding him, Peter explained that God had finally come. The Messiah had arrived. Peter told them the story of Jesus, his miracles, his teaching, his death and his resurrection over the power of death.
Peter encouraged those listening to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus the Christ for the forgiveness of their sins, and they too would received God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. God the Father would be there to guide them through their lives, and the lives of their children, and their children’s children for all generations.
As we celebrate this Father’s Day it is good that we remember and appreciate our parents. For many of us our fathers were instrumental parts of our lives. They were there to provide a roof over our heads and food on the table. In a multitude of ways they were inspirations in our lives, positive, or perhaps not so positive, but either way from them we learned social standards such as integrity, honesty, respect and love. Our fathers were an interesting mixture of life training, family relationship, and support. For those who’s fathers are still with us, appreciate them whole heartedly. For those of us who’s fathers are no longer, remember them fondly, for they will always be with us.
Each of us has another Father. Our spiritual Father who will never leave us. Our Father, who has given us the Holy Spirit, will be with us every moment of every hour of every day. No matter where we are, no matter our circumstances God will always be there to guide us through life’s events.
This Father’s Day join us for our June 21st Worship Service.
Upper Right: Peter Preaching After the Spirit, 1426-27 Cappella Brancacci, Santa Maria del Carmine, Florence, Italy / Lower Left: Peter Save Yourselves, 1642, Charles Poërson, Notre-Dame, Paris France
June 21st Worship Service
Gathering Music: Praise Team
“Leaning on the Everlasting Arms”
Announcements: Chris Buchanan
Call to Worship: Pastor Bob Ramos
Hymns: Praise Team
“Great is Thy Faithfulness”
“Trust in God”
Congregational Prayers: Pastor Ron
Scripture: Gordon Whitcomb
Luke 14:25-35
Message: Pastor Ron
“The Agony and the Ecstasy of Being a Disciple”
Communion: Pastor Ron / Pastor Bob / Rod Thompson
Dedication of our Tithes and Offerings: Diana Leon
Doxology: Praise Team
Closing Hymn: Praise Team
“Send Me”
Blessing: Pastor Ron
Ron Urzua, Pastor
Bob Ramos and Rob Schleef, Commissioned Lay Pastors
Music Director: Aleeya Flores
Accompanist: Donna Nelson / James Gomez / Lucinda Anderson / Deane Terry