Gifts of the Spirit

In our Epistle for this Pentecost Sunday, Paul writes that there are a variety of gifts, a variety of activities, a variety of services, all given by the same Spirit. Paul says:

“To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.”

Well, on Friday evening, May 15, the manifestations of the Spirit were bright and shining as you all prepared the Celebration Party for my ministry with you all.

So many gifts shone: Culinary gifts, floral arranging gifts, musical gifts, organizing and planning gifts, gifts of communication, artistic gifts with the stunning dogwood pottery vase, gifts of hospitality and welcome, gifts of just plain hard work of set-up and tear-down of a special event, gifts of cleaning and sharing of the delicious canapés, hors-d’oeuvres, and desserts.

St. James, thank you for such a warm and loving Celebration. As so many of you know, I find it very hard to receive such attention and kindness. It’s so much easier to give than to receive. But this event was for all of us. It was a fabulous time for fun and fellowship, sharing gifts of friendship and care for one another, shining the light of Christ for all to see. Thank you to all who made the Celebration so meaningful. Thank you to all who were able to come and enjoy the evening. And thank you to so many of you who wrote to say you couldn’t make it – you were there in spirit!

St. James is a Spirit-filled congregation with abundant and varied gifts to share for the common good. For this, I shall always hold you close in my heart.

I hope to see some of you on Sunday, where we will celebrate fully the power of the Holy Spirit which God gave us all on Pentecost.

Wear RED. Be alive in the Spirit.

Judy Q+