Pentecost
This Sunday is Pentecost. It is a big deal in church. It is not celebrated at the same level as Christmas and Easter, but we should probably revisit that. Some have said that Pentecost is the birthday of the church. I don’t know about your family traditions around birthdays, but they are significant days of celebration in my house.
Why is it important? I am glad you asked. It is kind of the difference between “have to” and “want to."
The Old Testament, among other things, is about the struggle and narrative of people trying to live their lives adhering to an extremely long list of rules. There were rules on top of rules. There were rules about how to understand the rules. And if you didn’t follow the rules, there was trouble. You could have stones thrown at you, you could be kicked off the island, you could lose your house, or worse.
People tried to follow the rules, but it was hard. You didn’t always know that you were breaking a rule. There were 10 main rules, but the book of Leviticus had page after page of additional rules.
By the end of the Old Testament people had grown tired of rule keeping, and worship had lost its awe and inspirational power.
Jesus’ life and ministry were about turning people back to a relationship with God. (The word repent has its roots in this act of turning.) Jesus wanted to help people “want” to be in relationship with God out of love and not fear, out of grace and not law.
Pentecost is the moment where this all comes together. The Holy Spirit is the Third Person of the Trinity, the one that Jesus promised would come and live in us. The Holy Spirit comes to live in us so that we “want” to be in relationship with God, and the Holy Spirit helps us feel that connection with God. It is a gift. And as a gift we can nurture it. We nurture it in the same way we affirm our faith when we join the church. We nurture the spirit through our: Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, and Witness.
Maybe this Pentecost we pick one of these (Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, Witness) and decide to focus on growing it during the next few months. Don’t make it a rule. You don’t “have to,” but maybe as a way of responding to the Holy Spirit, you find that you “want to.”
Blessings,
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Get a copy of our weekly Prayer Card HERE.
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The Commons Project Update
Progress continues this week on the site of The Commons Project. 👷🚧
You're invited to visit our campus to enjoy the updated visuals that highlight the vision and mission of this space. We cannot wait to welcome everyone to this place that will help to grow a place of community and faith.
To stay up to date and to make your gift to The Commons Project, visit our website.
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Charis Gallery
Sea and Sky is the exhibit currently on display in Charis Gallery. It features 42 works by 23 artists and will be on display through Sunday, July 9. Many of the works are available for purchase.
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Annual Roswell Patriotic Celebration Concerts
Join us on June 23 at 7:30 p.m. and June 25 at 3 p.m. for this inspiring musical tribute featuring the RUMC Sanctuary Choir and Atlanta Wind Symphony. Tickets are not needed; complimentary preschool childcare is available. For information, visit our website.
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Vacation Bible School
It’s going to be all fun and games this year at VBS-- June 12-15! We need volunteers. Pick your team and share the message of Jesus with the next generation. To volunteer, visit our website.
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RUMC Job Networking
Job Networking meets Monday, June 12 starting at 2 p.m. Join us for highly informative workshops in the afternoon, dinner, and job fair. Please visit our website for registration, complete agenda, and participating employers.
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Explore Story Hour
Parents, preschoolers, siblings, and friends are invited to join us for stories, a special craft, and a fun snack. Mondays at 9:30 a.m. on the lower level of the Sanctuary (A) building. Visit our website to learn more.
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Worship Arts Mission Camp
Register your rising 1st - 5th grader for a week of learning and fun at Worship Arts Missions Camp. Kids will enjoy art projects, rehearsing for a short musical or taking a ‘behind-the-scenes’ production class. A live performance will be given at Vickery Rose Senior Living Community. For more information or to register, visit our website or contact Crisla Paynter.
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MUST Neighborhood Pantry
MUST Neighborhood Pantry is in need of shoppers and volunteers to pack food and load food. This ministry is sponsored by RUMC provides food to 250 families every first Monday of the month. To be a part of this ministry, email Missions for more information and/or to be added to the monthly signup list.
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Toolbox
Toolbox is an after-school program being offered at Vickery Mill Elementary for the 2023-24 school year. RUMC is looking for 8 volunteers who are willing to be a part of the weekly rotation to help students learn woodworking. Email Missions for more information.
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The Giving Garden
The RUMC Giving Garden is ready for another great season of sharing bounty with our mission partners and the surrounding areas. Want to join the fun? Contact Lauren Murphy.
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D.A.R.E.
D.A.R.E. (Disaster Assistance and Recovery Effort) is RUMC’s mission team that responds to natural disasters across Georgia and neighboring states. If you are interested in joining one of our teams, contact Leonard Scarboro, 706.340.2221.
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Special Needs Sunday School Class: RUMC is looking at providing a safe and loving Sunday School class for elementary-age children with special needs. If you would like to be part of a creative team that would provide loving support and encouragement to these children, or if you know a child with special needs (K-5) who could benefit from this program, contact Bailey Farmer.
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