Dear Siblings in Christ,
Today’s service is available online as we continue our series Tales of Peter’s Discipleship Journey and celebrate Pentecost. After the disciples, now called apostles, have received the Holy Spirit, it is Peter who has the boldness and courage and prophetic spirit to get up and respond to what has just happened. With the Holy Spirit flowing through him, Peter gives a passionate speech, putting the events into context. Today, we would call it preaching! From Disciple to Apostle & Church Planter is our theme today. There will be a final sermon in this series next week. Thank you to those who sent in Pentecost photos.
To round off Thy Kingdom Come 2020, His Holiness Pope Francis will take part in an online church service today alongside the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and a number of other UK church leaders, including Methodist Youth President Thelma Commey who wrote this year’s TKC Prayer Journal. Watch the service here, available from 9 a.m. onwards. The Pope will deliver a special message for Pentecost. The Pope’s heartfelt message calls on all Christians to seek a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit in order that they might be bearers of Christ’s love, light and hope, in a world “experiencing a tragic famine of hope” but also urges a turning away from the “selfish pursuit of success without caring for those left behind’ and to be united in facing the “pandemics of the virus and of hunger, war, contempt for life and indifference to others.” The service includes a number of prayers from children, with music by internationally renowned worship leader Matt Redman and the choirs of St Martin-in-the-Fields. A special version of the well-known hymn Amazing Grace, bringing together a diverse range of singers from across the UK, will also premiere, concluding the service. The service will be interpreted into British Sign Language throughout and subtitles are also available.
Here are a few Pentecost jokes.
I am keeping you in my prayers. May God’s peace be with you all,
In Christ
–Pastor Joan
Joan’s Jottings are written to the churches at Museum Street, Landseer Road and Chantry where Joan is the minister, and shared here for all to read.