Scripture and Interpretation for Church School Chapel 6/11/06

Church School Chapel—June 11, 2006
Scripture and Interpretation
Acts 2:1-6, 12a, 37-39, 41 & 42

theme: Pentecost

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All 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. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. . . 12aAll were amazed and perplexed.

Peter then spoke to the people, reminding them about their history and Jesus’ life.

The chapter ends with these words, describing the people’s reaction to what they had heard and seen, and what Peter told them. . .
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’ 38Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.’ . . . 41So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 42They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

What a great story. It tells us of a time very early in the church’s life. It tells the story of the church really getting energized, and pulled together and excited for their next steps in spreading the amazing message of Jesus and all that he did, and all that had happened.

For us modern Christians, it is a story about lots of other things. It is a story that helps us to understand the Holy Spirit, and how the spirit works and moves in and around us—this unseen, but strongly felt presence. It is a story about the “birthday” of our church—the time when things really got going. It is a story about baptism, and how all of the exciting things that happened on that first Pentecost inspired thousands to get baptized, and commit themselves to their faith in the important way that baptism commits and connects us.

Many of you, I’m sure, were baptized as babies, some more of you were baptized more recently and probably remember the day well. Some of you may not have been baptized yet, and have that special day to look forward to when you are commissioned as a teen, or join the church as a grown-up. Whether you have been baptized or not, however, one thing is for sure—God has claimed you as God’s own—Jesus cares for you and has redeemed you and the Spirit is with you to give you energy and strength—you all are special children of God, and we want you to always remember that.

As we think about and remember that first Pentecost, we want to think about and remember the special celebration of baptism. In a few moments, I am going to invite you all to come forward and take a stone out of one of the bowls as a reminder that you are a special creation of God, chosen as God’s own. For our littlest ones, please take one of the larger stones.

As people are coming forward, you are invited to spend time in quiet prayer, or singing the hymn, “Spirit of the Living God” found in your hymnals--number 322.
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As the children come forward, Bill and Becky will be standing at the bowls, and will say, “You are a child of God” as they select a stone.