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Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
In last month’s Disciple Express, I wrote about Pentecost Sunday and the gift of the Holy Spirit. We are so blessed by the active presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives. It is reassuring to know that as we go forward from this point in our lives we do not go alone. As you welcome a new pastor into the life of this church, as Jerry continues to serve the Woodbine UMC, and as I relocate to Philadelphia to be near my daughter and family the Spirit of God is with all of us. Whatever it is we need to navigate these changes in our lives, God will provide. Thanks be to God! I have been blessed in more ways than I can express since I came to serve this church five years ago. The friendships that have developed over time are priceless. The ministries we have been able to be involved in have been a blessing to many. I am confident that as you go forward you will do great works in the church and the community and the world through the Spirit of God who lives within each of you. I sincerely thank God for each and every one of you. Through the years, the love and support you have given to me have helped me to feel God’s love in an even deeper way. Thank you for sharing the love of God with me. You have enriched my life. I can’t pretend I won’t miss you, because I know I will. But as you have heard me say many times, love is eternal. The love fellow Christians have for each other does not end because we are no longer physically present to one another. The love of Christ we have shared with each other is part of us. We are bound together for always through the unity of the Spirit. I know as you share the love of God with your new pastor you will be a blessing to him and his family just as you have been a blessing to Jerry and me. I pray you will always believe in God’s unconditional love for you, I pray, through the power of the Spirit, you will continue to share the love of Christ and continue to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. And All God’s Children Said, “Amen.”
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Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to the Church, Happy Birthday to you! May 15 is Pentecost Sunday. For 40 days after Easter, Jesus appeared to his disciples. On the 40th day, Jesus instructed his disciples to return to Jerusalem and “wait for the promise of the Father.” Jesus then ascended into heaven. For the next 10 days, the disciples met together to worship and pray. On the 10th day, the Day of Pentecost, the sound of rushing wind filled the house where the disciples were gathered. The promise of the Father was fulfilled. The disciples were filled with the Holy Spirit. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, Peter preached about Jesus to anyone who would listen. Many people were moved by Peter’s words and they asked what they should do. Peter said, “Repent and be baptized.” Some 3,000 people were baptized that day, receiving the power of the Holy Spirit. The Church had begun! Happy Birthday to you! Today the Church continues on. Thanks be to God! “I am the Church. You are the Church. We are the Church together!” You are the Church and we need you to come and worship and be a part of the life of the Church. And God needs you to tell the Good News to the world to all who will hear it.
Happy Birthday! In Christ’s Love, Pastor Karen |
AuthorPastor Kim Dewey Archives
August 2022
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