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<div style="font-family:arial,helvetica;font-size:10pt;color:black">-----Original Message-----<br>
From: Judy <judy_boli@ecunet.org><br>
To: propertalk.topic <propertalk.topic@ecunet.org><br>
Sent: Sat, Jun 7, 2014 2:11 pm<br>
Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Pentecost<br>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Dear Friends,</font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: 12pt;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000">This Sunday’s sermon is entitled “Happy Holy Spirit Day” and deals with
all the lessons.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span><font color="#000000">Here it is:</font></font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000" size="3">Happy Pentecost Sunday!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">As you know, Pentecost is one of the most misunderstood church holidays
and also the last Sunday of Easter.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">It’s
the second most important church holiday- just after Easter in importance, more
important than ChristMass.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">We just don’t
think much about it because it isn’t a huge money maker for the stores.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">It’s called the birthday of the church and
the feast of the Holy Spirit.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Let’s look
at what happened and what it means in our lives today.</font></font></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000" size="3">This is what happened.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">The disciples were in the Jerusalem upper room- probably the same upper
room they had been using all along to hide from the authorities, receive Holy
Communion, and meet with their risen Lord.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">This time was different, because Jesus had ascended, so he wasn’t going
to make a resurrection appearance.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">The
timing for what was about to happen was perfect. It was the Jewish holiday that
was almost like our Thanksgiving- a combination harvest festival and glorious
remembering of the giving of the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, so the
streets were packed with Jews from all over (we heard the list) speaking many
languages.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">All of a sudden, the Holy
Spirit filled the room.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Their mood
changed.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They were “on fire” for the
Lord.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They went from scared disciples-in-hiding
to charged-up apostles (witnesses- sent).</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They burst out of that room onto the street below- proclaiming Jesus as
Lord; telling people their sins were forgiven; and inviting people to learn
about Jesus and follow him.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">There was
only one problem- do you know what it was?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">(Take answers.)</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Most of the
pilgrims did not speak Aramaic, the language of the disciples.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">If you were God, what would you do?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">How could Jesus’ message be proclaimed to the
ends of the earth if the proclaimers only spoke one language?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Then an amazing miracle occurred.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Out of the disciples’ mouths came the
language of the people who were listening (so they could understand).</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Many of the listeners joined the disciples in
their worship (Bible readings and Holy Communion), and the Church was born.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">That’s what happened.</font></font></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000" size="3">Now, what’s it to us?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Good question!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Meditating on what
the Bible teaches us about Pentecost and the Holy Spirit, lets us check to see
if we are growing in the Holy Spirit.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">You know, it wasn’t just in the old days that the Holy Spirit was
active.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">The Holy Spirit didn’t just fill
those early Christians; the Holy Spirit fills us today IF we let him.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">The longer we walk with Jesus and follow in
his ways, the more the Holy Spirit will fill our lives- again- IF we let
him.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">God doesn’t force himself on
anyone.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">So-how do you know if you are
growing in the Holy Spirit?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Here’s the
wrong answer: you sway, you shout, you speak in tongues, you fall out- NO!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">All of these actions are OK, but they are not
marks of the Holy Spirit.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They are
simply signs of religious excitement, often full of sincerity and devotion, but
they do not show that someone has the Holy Spirit.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Every single religion has some people who do
these things if that is how their culture shows religious excitement- Moslems,
Hindus, Jews, people who practice witchcraft or voodoo, Satanists, and
Christians.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They don’t show WHAT the
person is excited about- and it’s the WHAT that’s important.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">And how many of these same people- when they
leave church or their place of worship, turn right around and misuse other
people.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">These actions only show someone
is excited.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Remember the story I’ve used
many times of the family driving home from church?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">As the mother looked out of the car window,
she exclaimed, “Just look!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">How disgusting!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Not even two blocks away from church and
already lighting up a cigarette!”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">The
next thing she heard was a childish voice from the back seat- you see, her son
had been listening to the sermon.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">“Just
listen!” he mimicked.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">“How
disgusting!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Not even two blocks away
from church and already talking about her neighbor!”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">So how DO you know- how does the Bible say
you can tell if you have the Holy Spirit, or more important- how do you know if
you are growing in the Holy Spirit?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">This
is how you can tell.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">First of all,
you’ve got fewer of the behaviors listed in Galatians 5: 19-21a (“People’s
desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful
deeds.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They worship idols, practice
witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">People become jealous, angry, and
selfish.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They not only argue and cause
trouble, but they are envious.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They get
drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things.”)</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Second, you’ve got fewer of those behaviors,
but you’re growing in the behaviors listed in Galatians 5: 22-23.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">(See Pentecost banner: love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.)</font></font></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000" size="3">Pentecost has another basic spiritual lesson for us.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Did you notice- the disciples didn’t pick and
choose- just telling people like them about the church.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">They told EVERYBODY about Jesus and invited
them to be part of the church. Jesus’ church is for everyone - all races, all
ages, male and female, fat and thin, college graduate and people who never
finished elementary school, rich and middle income and poor- everyone.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">The ground is level at the foot of the cross,
the ground should be level in every Bible-believing church, and the ground most
certainly is level here at St. Paul’s.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Our mission statement says it all: “St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, an
inclusive thinking person’s church where everybody is somebody and Jesus Christ
is Lord!”</font></font></div>
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<div style="margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font color="#000000" size="3">I’m going to conclude with a story.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">You’ve heard this one before, but I’m using
it again because it fits so well.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">A little
girl, dressed in her Sunday best, was running as fast as she could, trying not
to be late for Sunday school. As she ran she prayed, “Dear Lord, please don't
let me be late! Dear Lord, please don't let me be late!” As she was running and
praying, she tripped on a curb and fell, getting her clothes dirty and tearing
her pretty dress. She got up, brushed herself off, and started running again.
As she ran she once again began to pray, “Dear Lord, please don't let me be
late!</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">But don't push me either.”</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">So my question to you is: what is God pushing
you to do?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">What are you doing that makes
you your own worst enemy?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">What changes
is the Holy Spirit inviting you to make- for your own sake and for the sake of
those whom you love and who love you?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">You heard the list of the self-destructive behaviors.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">You can see the banner listing the fruits of
the Holy Spirit.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">You know who you talk
to, invite to church, avoid, maybe talk about.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3">
</font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Where do you fit in?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">More
important, though, is not where you’ve been but where you’re going?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">What life-affirming changes are you in
process of making this Pentecost 2014?</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">May
God bless us as we claim the power of His Spirit in our lives.</font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000" size="3"> </font></span><font color="#000000" size="3">Amen.</font></font></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">For anyone who is interested, this sermon and updated
African-American wisdom statements are posted on our parish’s NEW WEB SITE
under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: </font><a target="_blank" href="http://www.stpaulsepisag.org/"><u><font color="#0000ff" face="Times New Roman">http://www.stpaulsepisag.org</font></u></a><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> .</font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Blessed preaching,</font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Judy Boli</font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">St. Paul's Episcopal Church</font></span></div>
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<div style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Saginaw, Michigan</font></span></div>
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