Happy Birthday, Church!

On May 19 The Church of the Good Shepherd (and many other churches) will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. I love this feast because it’s not yet commercialized, as Easter and Christmas are, and because I get to fly a bird kite in the procession, children twirl “Spirit Wands” (ribbons on a dowel that flutter beautifully), people wear red, the liturgical symbol of the Holy Spirit, and we thank God for the gift of the Holy Spirit.

After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the gospels say that he appeared to disciples in some sort of resurrected body. This strains 21st century credulity (it probably strained credulity when it happened and ever since!). I believe it's true. For me, the resurrection shows that God, not humans, have the last word. Jesus was killed by political and religious authorities for preaching love and justice. The resurrection says that God’s will of abundant life, love, healing and justice for all, is more powerful than any human plan or action. Sin and evil are real; goodness and forgiveness and new life can transform the worst of what humans can do.

Still, the stories are odd. If the church was ever to become more than a small group of Jewish believers convinced that God had revealed Godself in Jesus, the message would have to be spread another way, by humans loving, forgiving, serving each other and demonstrating the power of the Holy Spirit in their lives. 

Fifty days after Easter (Jews will recognize Pentecost, or the Feast of Booths, as 50 days after Passover), the disciples were together in Jerusalem, the risen Christ was seen no more, and “suddenly a sound, like the rush of a violent wind . . . and divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them.”  On that day tradition says the church was born. The New Testament is full of stories of healings, teachings, loving and caring communities of Jews and Gentiles, slaves and free people, women and men, all knowing and sharing the transforming power of God in their lives, known in a new way. The picture shows many members of our congregation on May 5, as we gave away plants and blessed all crops being planted and all farmers in Bergen County, New Jersey, and the planet. 

Come celebrate the church's birthday with us on May 19th. At 8 am we offer a simple, quiet Eucharist (Lord’s Supper). At 10 am the choir sings, children process and rejoice and learn, and the language is contemporary and inclusive. We’ll talk about the gifts God still gives us to love, heal, reconcile, and serve others joyfully, and to find strength for the hard times.