Dear Friends,

‘When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place… All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.’ (Acts 2)

The Day of Pentecost may have dawned like any other day, but from that day the disciples were never quite the same again. However God does it, whether quietly or spectacularly, He never leaves us as we were before. In true Pentecost spirit He may appear to be blowing us into new avenues of service. Perhaps our mantra should be, ‘Fired up for mission after unmistakable sign.’ Have the demands of the control of this Coronavirus breathed new spiritual life into us, and blown us into our world, our country and our immediate neighbourhood with a new sense of Christian witness?

My personal experience has been one which has given me an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Grateful for the many kindnesses that I have received; phone calls, doorstep visits - albeit observing the two metre distance rule, letters and cards, but above all I have felt a deep awareness of being in the thoughts and prayers of many. And looking forward, I have a longing for the time when we have the opportunity to worship together again ‘in the same place’. And especially in that place, to give thanks for, and celebrate, the lives of those, who during this time of ‘self isolation’ have been called to be with their God. May they rest in peace.

Once again, I would like to thank the Elders and Group Leaders for their magnificent efforts in meeting the needs of those who are confined to their homes.

Paul said in his Letter to the Ephesians, ‘I pray that, according to the riches of His glory, He may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through His Spirit’ (3:16).

Whoever we are, however weak and powerless we may feel, God through His Holy Spirit, is able to take and use us in ways beyond any we can ever imagine. That is the promise Pentecost reminds us of year by year; God’s gift of power for living!

I wish you all every blessing in the days ahead.

Yours in Christ,
Ann

(Some thoughts were gathered from ‘Getting it across’ by Nick Fawcett & ‘Bible Application’ by J.I.Parker)

Image source: Wonderings of a Sacred Rebel