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After Easter, Jesus-spent 40 days appearing to his followers at different times and places and speaking with them about the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). At the end of the 40 days, he was taken up into heaven while his followers watched (Acts 1:9). Jesus had told his followers to stay in Jerusalem until he sent them the Holy Spirit. On Pentecost, 50 days after Easter, Jesus' followers were together in one place. Suddenly, they were filled with the Holy Spirit and the fledgling church took its first steps into the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. This year we celebrate Pentecost on Sunday, May 11. The Holy Spirit, the third person of the Trinity, is symbolized in our stained glass window as a dove and reminds us of the Spirit of God descending upon Jesus at his Baptism. The Holy Spirit is the power of Christ woking to bring persons into a personal relationship with him. It is also the power of Christ at work in and through those who believe. The Holy Spirit gives each believer at least one Spiritual gift to be used "to serve others as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms." (1 Peter 4:10) In other words, by the Spirit of God, each of us has been given the gift(s) we need to serve God and people in the unique ministry God has planned for us. It is when we are serving God according to his plan and the gifts of the spirit that we find true joy. Paul encouraged the Roman Christians to put their God given gifts to use. "We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your faith; if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving then give generously; if it is to lead, do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully" (Romans 12:6-8). There are many gifts, each important to the whole. If you don't know your spiritual gifts. try going online to one of the following sites and do a spiritual gifts assessment. Then seek God's guidance as to where and how, God wants you to use that gift in joyful service to Christ. Talk it over with me and with others, and then get busy serving. You will not regret it. http://www.umc.org/site/c.lwL4KnN1LtH/b.1355371/k.9501/Spiritual_Gifts.htm http://archive.elca.org/evangelizingchurch/assessments/spiritgifts.html http://www.practechal.com/spiritualgifts/test.asp As we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost my prayer is that we will receive a fresh anointing of the Spirit that will empower us as individuals and as a church to move from "serve us" to service. In Christ's love, 
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