I have participated in two "drive-by" birthdays (and one graduation) in the last few weeks, which under our physical distancing strictures seems to be the way we need to do birthday parties now. It's not nearly like all being together, singing "Happy Birthday" together, and watching the cake get cut together, after which all of us together eat it. Even as there have been a number of people are participating, and we can see each other driving by in our cars and trucks and vans, it's not "gathering together". This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday, the celebration of the birthday of the Church. And we won't get to do as happened that day; as the story in Acts 2 begins, "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place . . ." We usually do it that way. We gather together as "usual" for our corporate worship, many of us wearing red to commemorate the tongues of fire that descended on those gathered together on that day, as the Holy Spirit came upon them. All together in one place. We don't get to do that on Pentecost Sunday this year. But we believe in the power of the Holy Spirit, and that it continues to be at work in the world, and in the lives of those receptive to it. Actually, part of what our Wesleyan heritage states about the Holy Spirit is that it is even at work in us before we realize it, preparing our hearts to receive the gifts of God in Jesus--before we are "consciously" receptive to it happening. And the Holy Spirit works within us to help us grow to be better people, more the people God would have us be, as the guidance of the Ten Commandments, and Jesus' life and example and teaching and gift of new life transform us in the Spirit's power. So even though we are not gathered together in one place, we are each engaged with the Holy Spirit of God within us, and drawn together in heart and mind by the Holy Spirit that connects us. And let's face it, after this initial birthday, every celebration of the birthday of the Church has been NOT in one place. Between this birth and the "birthday" a year later, the Holy Spirit guided those gathered there that day, and plenty of others who engaged with them after that, such that a year later the Church is in many places. And the Church continues to be in many places. And for us, this Pentecost Sunday, this celebration of the birthday of the Church, as we are even in the same congregation gathered in many places, the Holy Spirit is present in all of those places where we are--and in all of us.
Acts 2:1-21
1 When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5 Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. 19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day. 21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’