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Dear Friends,

Dear Friends,
 
Last Sunday St. Mark’s celebrated Pentecost, which is considered the birthday of the Church.  Pentecost is described in the Book of Acts as an event in which all the people who were gathered together in one place were filled with the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2). There was doubt about what was going on, but Peter spoke to the crowd the prophetic words of the prophet, Joel: 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. Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. (Joel 2:17-18)   With one mighty act, God freed all people to understand and share God’s revelation.  All flesh, men and women, sons and daughters, young and old, slave and free, all are able to hear and speak of God’s great love.  Sometimes we forget how revolutionary these words were and how liberating they still are. 

This past Sunday while some of us were gathered in church, some of the women of St. Mark’s were at Pine Valley Bible Camp hearing about and sharing the good news of God’s love at Women’s Retreat.  Reverend Virginia Brown led this annual event and spoke about how all believers can shine God’s light into dark places. Over 30 women, young and old, married and single, reflected on and gave voice to God’s mighty act of love as it has been reflected in Scripture and within their own lives.

Meanwhile, here at St. Mark’s, five youth affirmed their faith in Jesus and joined the Church.  Three of the youth were baptized, while the other two confirmed their childhood baptisms.  Young men and women, through study and conversations responded to the work of the Holy Spirit’s guidance into a new life – not a perfect life but a life moving on to perfection, as John Wesley would preach.   Our work, as the church is to speak and exhibit God’s great love to these new members and all the world, so everyone can see the continuing work of God on earth as it is in heaven.

And if this wasn’t enough good news, we also acknowledged the work of Ed Deitzler and Karen Scanlon receiving the title, Certified Lay Minister. According to the United Methodist Church Book of Discipline 268.1, A certified lay minister is a certified lay servant, certified lay missioner, or equivalent as defined by his or her central conference, who is called and equipped to conduct public worship, care for the congregation, assist in program leadership, develop new and existing faith communities, preach the Word, lead small groups, or establish community outreach ministries as part of a ministry team with the supervision and support of a clergyperson. A certified lay minister is assigned by a district superintendent in accordance with [Book of Discipline] 419.2.     

I invite you to join us in church this Sunday when we take a closer look at the ongoing work of God as we celebrate Peace and Justice Sunday.  There will be a special offering to help support God’s continued work through men and women, young and old on behalf of the United Methodist Church. 
 
See you in church,
Jeri

Sermon - May 20, 2018

Copyright © 2018 St. Mark's United Methodist Church, San Diego, All rights reserved.


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