Artwork Courtesy of Miss Taylor Shanks
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"Acceptable"
Acts 2: 1 - 21
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The Coming of the Holy Spirit
2
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.”
Peter Addresses the Crowd
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.’
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A Moment for Children
Parents, read over the lesson below and use it to stir conversation as a family!
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Today we celebrate Pentecost! Wait, what is Pentecost?
Pentecost is the day we celebrate God's spirit coming to live within us! You have probably been told at some point by your parents or Sunday school teachers that God lives within your heart and He does! His spirit lives within our hearts and opens our eyes and ears to hear and see in new ways. The Spirit allows us to see God at work in the world and the Spirit calls us to DO God's work in the world!
What do you see and hear?
Lately you have experienced a lot of change! School looks different, summer plans and weekends look different and maybe you have noticed lots of information that is hard to understand on the news and radio. Do you have any questions about the things you have seen and heard lately? Spend some time as a family answering that question and also talking about where you have seen or felt God during this time.
How is the Spirit opening your eyes and ears to those in need around you? How could you share God's love during this time with others?
Activity
Taylor Shanks made our beautiful Pentecost art for today (seen above)! Would you like to make one? Using painters tape, make a cross on your paper and then paint away using the colors red, orange and yellow. Once your paint dries, you may remove the tape and your painting is ready to display.
Please consider mailing your art work with an encouraging note to our friends at Sharon Towers! Sharon Towers is an assisted living facility where many of our faithful members live. They are currently experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 and your pictures and kind words would really lift their spirits!
Attn: Rev. Caroline East, Chaplain
Sharon Towers
5100 Sharon Road
Charlotte 28210
Prayer
Dear God. Thank you for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Help us to hear and see those around us who are in need and to share Your love with them. Amen.
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"Show You Care - Task of the week"
This week member care is asking you to show love, encouragement and community to our members living in senior living facilities. As a result of the necessary precautions taken to protect these communities from COVID-19, these members are experiencing greater isolation than most of us. Please use the link below to view a list of our members living in a senior living facility and the church directory link for contact information.
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If you know of any member concerns or needs, please
email Jim
or call the church office and leave a message.
Online Directory Password: 1944A
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Prayer Requests
Beth Cline; Paige Hamilton; Bordie McCloskey; Floyd Privette; The Family of Michael Morales.
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Special Offering - Pentecost
Each year on Pentecost Sunday, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church. The Holy Spirit remains with us still, connecting us with the church of the past, continuing to inspire the church of today, and pointing us to the church of the future. Each year, this celebration is marked by receiving the Pentecost Offering which nurtures the faith of those who are the church to come - children, youth, and young adults
A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people, and also address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pentecost offering can be retained by individual congregations wanting to make an impact in the lives of young people within their own community. The remaining 60% is used to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adults through ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
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Stewardship
A Moment of Grace!
When have you experienced
a moment of grace?
These are the moments that God lights you up, awakens your heart and touches you. These can be fleeting moments when you become intensely aware that Christ is working in the world, in you, through you and around you. These Moments of Grace can be a conversation, an act of sharing, an act of silence, a mere moment or a long story. Stewardship comes from the reality of awareness of our own moments of grace and highlights the responsibility to nurture our giving. We are called to share what is needed and to be conscious of the moments when we are called upon.
Enjoy this
Moment of Grace
, as told by Jennifer Patterson, sharing her experience serving with the Avondale Children's Center
in this time of crisis, change and uncertainty
.
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Your Avondale Pledge
Please see the mission corner, above for information about this weeks special offering!
For those of you who contribute to your pledge through the offering plate on Sunday, there are many opportunities to fulfill your commitment including, mailing a check,
PayPal
or a
one-time or reoccurring bank draft
. Drafts can be setup or changed at anytime. Please
contact Jacqueline
for more information.
Using the link below, you may contribute to your 2020 pledge or make a gift to the church.
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The Labyrinth is a sacred place set aside for you to reflect, pray, and worship God. The rhythm of walking empties the mind, relaxes the body and refreshes the spirit.
The Labyrinth can be walked in four stages, allowing you to walk with your body and rest your mind.
Remember:
Before walking the labyrinth take time in gratitude to be thankful for your life. Bless the people in your life. If there is a specific event or situation troubling you (like the coronavirus) bring it to mind and form a healing question if possible (such as why am I anxious about …).
Release:
Walking into the labyrinth quiet the mind, let go of the chatter and release any tension. Open your heart to feel whatever it might feel. Become aware of your breathing making sure you are taking slow deep breaths. Relax and move at your own pace.
Receive:
While standing or sitting in the center, use this space as a place of reflection. Pause and stay as long as you like. Open yourself to God. Listen to God’s small, inner voice. Use this time to pray and be honest with God about the things you need to say.
Return:
While walking out of the labyrinth, take the same path you followed to go in. Walking out experience the sense of well-being, healing, energy, and peace.
Prayers You Might Choose to Offer
"I place myself in your presence O God."
"Thank you God for ______. I praise your name because you _______."
"Lord search me and know me for you have created me. Give me the strength to serve you and to _____."
While exiting, offer words of praise and thanksgiving!
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