Minute for Mission: Pentecost Sunday/Pentecost Offering

I often wonder about the future of the Church. Who will come after us to show God’s love to the world? What will they speak into a fearful world? How will they do it? And what will future Presbyterians find compelling about our uniquely Reformed witness in the world? I never claim to have answers, but I don’t worry about the future of the Church; I wonder how the Church will be different in the future.

In that spirit, I often ponder how the first Christians, those we hear about in Acts chapter 2, consider the future. We know that that they are sure that Christ could return at any moment so they live their lives like every day could be their last before our Savior returns. But I wonder what they felt like — it could feel much like the present moment considering all that swirls around us in the Church and the world.

Pentecost celebrates the renewal of the relationship between God and the community of faith. We know that God continually comes to us and that we will never be forgotten by the God whom we know is here with us in the person of Jesus Christ, so Pentecost is like an invitation to take a deep Spirit-filled breath and thank God for the gift that is the Church, which will not cease.

In the future, the Church will certainly not look and sound like what we know today. The songs will be different, yet they will still praise God. The ministries will be different, but they will still show forth God’s justice, mercy and compassion. The people who make up the Church will be more representative of God’s holy diversity yet the heart of our life together — worship — will always remain central to our witness. I don’t know about you, but I can’t wait for that day even though I may not be on this side of heaven to witness it!

The Pentecost Offering helps us live into this Spirit-filled opportunity to embrace future now. Through our giving we tell the story of God, who is always there for us, coming to us. The Pentecost Offering supports children at risk through the Educate a Child, Transform the World initiative and high schoolers attending the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, which shows them the inescapable loving presence of God. It also enables young adults to share Christ’s light while living alongside those on the margins of society and preparing themselves for a life of service through the Young Adult Volunteers program.

This is a glimpse of what the Church can be, for if we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.

Rev. Wilson Kennedy, Associate Director, Special Offerings

Let us join in prayer for:

• Jenny Oldham, Mission Specialist I, Presbyterian Hunger Program, Interim Unified Agency 
• Dayna Oliver, Mission Associate III, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Interim Unified Agency  

Let us pray:

God of fire and Spirit, thank you for this holy day of Pentecost where we pray for your church. Help us be faithful in all we do and compassionate in the ministries we perform. Show us how we can be more faithful today and always. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Minute for Mission: Pentecost Sunday/Pentecost Offering

Take a minute to look back on your life. Who all have you lived with? In the earliest parts of our lives, we might live with parents or grandparents or other caring adults. Perhaps siblings. Over the years, we might live with friends and extended family, family of choice or even sometimes with strangers. And sometimes we might find ourselves living alone.

No matter whom we live with now, or whom we have lived with before, God’s vision for the world is that everyone finds a place within God’s kingdom — God’s house. What we celebrate at Pentecost is God’s pouring out of the Holy Spirit so that people of every identity and language can hear a word of welcome into God’s household. All belong in God’s household, and we get to live together, and learn together and celebrate together.

At Pentecost, we look especially to the children, youth and young adults with whom God has called us to live. The psalmist reminds us of the importance of faith being established during our earliest years, saying, “God from my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.” God’s youngest family members need support to build their full potential in both faith and life, and all of us have a role to play. These young ones also show and sometimes teach all of us more about faith in Jesus Christ and how the Holy Spirit is moving in our world.

The Pentecost Offering lets us support the development of children, youth and young adults in our community and throughout the country. Forty percent of this offering stays within our community because we want to build the household of God together, in this place. The remainder is sent on to our denomination so that young adults can lay a foundation for their lives through a year of service as part of the Young Adult Volunteer program. It is also used to support ministries with youth, through experiences of worship and formation like the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, which gathers nearly 5,000 young people every three years to learn and grow. There is also a portion of this Offering that supports the education of every child in this country, through the Educate a Child, Transform the World national initiative. Even when there are no children or young people in the places where we live, there are many, many with us in the household of God.

During this Pentecost season, I want us to celebrate the fact that we are building a life of faith and building the household of God with our children, youth and young adults. Through our gifts today, we join with them and with God in building that household together. And you know what we always say … if we all do a little, it adds up to a lot.

Bryce Wiebe, Director, Special Offerings and Appeals

Let us join in prayer for: 

PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Chad Dusatko, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Sandra Duverge, Presbyterian Mission Agency

Let us pray:

Holy Spirit, breathe on us. Inspire us to give and to grow your household. Thank you for the special place you offer to the youngest members of your family. May our efforts reflect the joy and delight that Jesus showed in welcoming children. Amen.