Pentecost is a Christian holiday, observed on the seventh Sunday after Easter, that celebrates the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1-31). The day of Pentecost is known in the Christian Church as the day on which the Spirit descended upon the apostles. Guided by Peter’s preaching, many thousands were converted in Jerusalem.
Why do Christians celebrate Pentecost?
According to Ray Pritchard from Christianity.com, “Modern Christians observe Pentecost as a holiday, not to celebrate a wheat harvest, but to remember when the Holy Spirit invaded the Church in Acts 2.”
The description in Act 2 states that, after Jesus ascended into heaven, Jesus’ followers were gathered together for the Feast of Harvest (aka Pentecost), and the Holy Spirit “filled the whole house where they were sitting” (Acts 2:2). “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:4). This unusual event drew a large crowd, and Peter stood up to speak to them about repentance and the gospel of Christ (Acts 2:14). By the end of the day that the Holy Spirit came, the Church grew by 3,000 people (Acts 2:41). This is why Christians still celebrate Pentecost.
John Gill expresses the significance in his commentary:
“Through this baptism of the Holy Ghost and fire, the apostles became more knowing and had a greater understanding of the mysteries of the Gospel, and were more qualified to preach it to people of all nations and languages.”
Worship Calendar
June 8 Pentecost: What Does it Mean? Joel 2:28-32 & Acts 2:1-21 Rev. Eric Lee
NEWS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Elaine’s Craft Club Spring Luncheon
When: Tuesday, June 10 @ 12:00 noon
Where: The Open Cork; 2101 Dundas St. E., Mississauga
Please sign up for this event on the sheet which is on the bulletin board in the entryway of our church.
You Have Voice Male – a review
Oh, what a night!!! Nothing prepared me for the initial sight of the curtain rising and the stage being filled to the brim with row upon row of men prepared to sing their hearts out. With the first notes of the first selection, I was wrapped in the warmth of those wonderful voices as they sang one of my all-time favourites, Homeward Bound. After performing 3 pieces “en masse”, we then got to hear each choir individually. They were not all of equal calibre, but the support each choir received from the audience was stellar. Our own Kento Stratford was the emcee, and he did a great job with his dry, hysterical sense of humour. Everyone in the audience loved every note of every choir. If you ever get a chance to go to an Ontario Sings event, I encourage you all to do so. You will not be disappointed.
Welcome Dr. Glen DeLine
This Sunday we will have a new organist/choir director. Dr. Glen DeLine will begin his leadership of the musical portion of our worship services. He comes to us with a wealth of experience and has many ideas on how to improve and expand our choir. Welcome, Glen and we all look forward to musical expertise which will, no doubt, enhance our worship every Sunday.
A Spring Devotional Update: (Updated May 28, 2025)
A new edition of Our Daily Bread (June/July/August) , as well as the current edition of These Days ( April/May/June ) are available on the table in the church vestibule and in the devotional box on the church porch.
Respond with Love
But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. – Luke 6:27-28 (NIV)
“Love your enemies” are words from Jesus that can be challenging to live out. However, responding with compassion instead of negativity is a powerful way to show God’s unconditional love. Let the hurtful words and actions of others become an opportunity to grow in grace and forgiveness.
Lord, help me to see difficult people with Your eyes and to pray for them, as You have instructed.
WEEKLY GIGGLE
“I’m a millionaire,” the boastful parishioner testified, “and I attribute it all to the rich blessings of God in my life. I can still remember the turning point in my faith, like it was yesterday:
I had just earned my first dollar and I went to a church meeting that night. The speaker was a missionary who told about his work. I knew that I had only a dollar bill and had to either give it all to God’s work or nothing at all. So at that moment I decided to give all I had to God. I believe that God blessed that decision, and that is why I am a rich man today.”
The congregation applauded, and as he took his seat a little old lady rose and said, “I dare you to do it again!”