<html><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=UTF-8"></head><body ><div>Forwarded:</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><div style="font-size:8px;color:#575757">From my Android phone on T-Mobile. The first nationwide 4G network.</div></div><br><br>-------- Original message --------<br>From: Judy <judy_boli@ecunet.org> <br>Date:05/14/2016 11:10 PM (GMT-05:00) <br>To: Propertalk <propertalk.topic@ecunet.org> <br>Subject: [propertalk.topic] Sermon for Pentecost <br><br><div dir="ltr"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Dear Friends,</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><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 the Acts lesson (Acts 2:1- 11).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font><font color="#000000">Here it is: </font><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><font color="#000000"> </font></span></font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">Happy Pentecost
Sunday!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font></font><font color="#000000" size="3">As you probably 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></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">This is what
happened.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font></font><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 mostly proclaimed it in only 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></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">Now, what’s it to
us?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font></font><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, (in fact, at least one of the writers in </font><i><font color="#000000" size="3">Forward
Day by Day</font></i><font color="#000000" size="3"> speaks in tongues) 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></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">Pentecost has another
basic spiritual lesson for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font></font><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 nationalities, all ages, sexualities, 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 at 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></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3"> </font></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal;"><font face="Times New Roman"><font size="3"><font color="#000000">I’m going to conclude
with a story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></font></font><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 2016?</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></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; tab-stops: .25in;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes; 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 web site under “Sermons & Stuff”. The address is: </font><a 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></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman"> </font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Blessed preaching,</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Judy Boli</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">St. Paul's Episcopal Church</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font><p style="margin: 1em 0px; line-height: normal; mso-mirror-indents: yes;"><span style="font-size: 11pt;"><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman">Saginaw, Michigan</font></span></p><font color="#000000" face="Times New Roman" size="3">
</font></div>
<p></p>
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