Pentecost on Sunday last, complete with red ribbons: What an important time for us to be thinking about spiritual energy! Because that’s surely what rushed through the apostles with such force that they were able to communicate with all those who were crowding around them. I’m not leaving God out of this; it is always the Holy Spirit that calls humanity into a Higher Power, that draws us into surprising goodness. Luke reports that the eleven men were literally able to speak languages they did not know. That would have been wonderful, but think of the many ways that we too can let others know that we really see and hear them. The Church refers to this as Grace and the many ways in which we can experience and share it as the Means of Grace. That is how the church was built so shortly after the death of Jesus. That is how community can still be built among us.
I spoke on Sunday of the other Pentecost of which we can be reminded, namely the Sunday Evening of Easter when Jesus appears to his grieving disciples, breathes on them, and invites them to “receive the Holy Spirit.” This is John’s understanding of Pentecost, a peace and a power that they will be able to carry beyond that room. It is good to remember that Pentecost can be intimate and personal; in fact, the more spectacular version in Acts must have seemed pretty personal to those who, far from home, heard words spoken in their own languages. For many of us, the Holy Spirit will come ways that are surprising, intimate, and personal. The point of Pentecost, it seems to me, is to bring the assurance of God’s steadfast presence into our lives—and then into the lives of those we encounter and into our world. I also reminded us, on Sunday, that the Holy Spirit is known as Wisdom or (in Greek) Sophia, clearly feminine. As such, she alerts us to the nurturing, generative aspects of God. (Not that men cannot be nurturing and generative.) Especially at this time, we need a nurturing corrective to a mobbed, aggressive world where power and force are the objects. We need to carry the blessings and the enduring intimacy of the Holy Spirit wherever we go.
Worship with us. The Sunday service begins at 11:30. All are welcome. You are also welcome to leave messages for me on the church phone: 412 431-0118. You will find someone in the church office every Wednesday from 2:30 to 4:30 and on Fridays from 10 to noon.
Grace all ways,
Pastor Dora
About Our Church
Our church has been part of the South Side community since 1833. The building was begun before the civil War with the main section completed in 1869. Our gym was the first gym for public use in the neighborhood. We have space for all kinds of community projects. A vital current ministry is our Open Mic, held the third Thursday of every month for poets and musicians, experienced and just starting out. There is a $5 cover, but we provide refreshments as well as a safe and nurturing space with terrific acoustics.
We worship every Sunday morning at 11:30. You can also join us via telephone conference call by calling (412)-307-7952 ten minutes before services start & hold on until we greet you. You can contact the church at 412 431-0118 or on our email, [email protected].
At South Side Presbyterian Church, we take Christ’s Social Justice seriously. We serve this community and the poets and actors who are drawn to it. We invite your presence and your contributions. Join us!