The Weekly Update page is extracted from a weekly e-mail sent out by
Assistant Pastor Donna Pollock
Pentecost is less than a fortnight away now! In Milton, the churches had been planning together a major evening worship meeting on Pentecost Sunday, May 31, at 6 o’clock in the evening to honor and invite the Holy Spirit to swoop in upon us. Pastors will meet this coming Tuesday (after Memorial Day) to make a final decision, but it’s not looking good for assembling together, unless we wish to consider the plausibility of meeting outdoors perhaps?? Some churches are moving more quickly than others to resume gathering in person on Sunday mornings, but everyone is trying to honor God and be a good neighbor. Regardless, there are is at least one national online Pentecost worship experiences that one can “join.”
Some voices around the world are suggesting that this Pentecost will be unlike any other since the Book of Acts. I hope so! They are intimating that, given the Covid-19 crisis and what has been stolen from God’s creation, we are about to enter an unprecedented season of divine favor. This will be bigger than the 1906 Asuza Street Revival because the whole planet has been affected. The internet has allowed us to remain connected and a Great(er) Awakening is overtaking us. Boldness, power, an outspoken witness to Jesus, and an unusual and enormous kingdom harvest born of God’s goodness toward us are coming, among other developments.
As Jesus put it, “The wind—or is that spirit—blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes.” (John 3.8) Meteorology has advanced to the point that we have a good idea how and where winds form, but let’s not miss the point Jesus makes. The windy presence of the Holy Spirit is not under our beck and call, but we experience the effects just the same when the spirit blows in our direction. Perhaps we don’t even need to gather in one place at the same time! God could certainly pull that off and I won’t dismiss the possibility. In fact, since it’s unlikely that we will be able to gather openly in an enclose upper room like the early church on the eve of the Feast of Pentecost, if the Lord is going to move, it will have to be upon individuals who are poised and waiting in expectancy.
So, what are we to do? My recommendation: If it’s not safe or feasible to fellowship with others, head for your own prayer closet on Sunday, May 31. In the name of Jesus, ask the Father to keep his Acts 1 promise to send forth the Holy Spirit. God wants this more than we do. AND, for goodness’ sake, raise your window! Let the Spirit enter. I want to hear the blow by blow account!
Pastor Jeff