wu5.9.08

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday. Every year at Pentecost the Church sets aside the day to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus ascended to the right hand of the Father, he sent the Holy Spirit to live with and in his people. You can read about the coming of the Holy Spirit in the book of Acts chapter 2. The presence of the Holy Spirit is the reason the Church is referred to in the Nicene Creed as the "One, "holy", catholic, and apostolic church."

The holiness of the Church is not our holiness but the holiness that comes by virtue of the fact that the Holy Spirit indwells the body of Christ, the Church, and works to sanctify her members.

The Holy Spirit is a "who", the third person of the Trinity, not a "what". He is not a ghost, at least not a "ghost" in the way that we think of ghosts, nor is he a sprite or a fairy. He is God, fully God, and he has come to dwell with the Church and in the heart of every believer.

The Holy Spirit cleanses us from sin by convicting us, leading us to repent, empowering us to overcome temptation, and ultimately conforming us to the image of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit comforts us, residing in our hearts, he gives us a peace, a Sabbath Rest, in Christ that no one and nothing else can give. The Holy Spirit quickens us for service in the church, giving us spiritual gifts that build up the body. The Holy Spirit, because he is fully God, makes every believer a holy Temple, dwelling in each of our hearts.

These blessings are given through your faith in Jesus Christ and your experience and reception of them is mediated and enahanced through the study of scripture, through the teaching of the church, through Communion, through other believers and through prayer. By all these and through all of these, he draws us closer to God; purifying, cleansing, and pouring divine love, the love of Christ, into our hearts, minds, and souls so that we begin to love God and, over time, to love and desire what God loves and desires.

The Holy Spirit also binds us to one another. He gives us the power to forgive, to let go of grudges, to recognize when we have wronged someone else, to have compassion for those who hurt and to rejoice with those who rejoice. He helps us not to envy or to be selfish. Because the Holy Spirit lives in every believer and binds us together as one spiritual body, it is true to say that the connection between believers is deeper, stronger, and more lasting than even family relationships.

Because the Holy Spirit is God, he never contradicts the Word of God. Sometimes Christians abuse the Holy Spirit by claiming that he gives them license to do things the scriptures clearly forbid. Dr. RC Sproul recounts an experience of a believing woman who was unhappily married to a non-Christian husband. She came to Dr. Sproul because she wanted a divorce. "I prayed about it and I just know the Holy Spirit is calling me out of this marriage." she said. Dr. Sproul showed her some of the many scriptural passages that forbid divorce apart from the extreme cases of abandonment or adultery and concluded that the voice that she heard in her heart could not be that of the Holy Spirit. The woman was upset. "But I prayed about it and the Lord gave me peace" she said. She may have, indeed, felt peace but it was not the peace of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit never guides us away from obedience to the Word of God but always toward greater obedience and faithfulness. This is why it is so important to test your desires and directions in light of the scriptures. The Holy Spirit gives us insight and guidance and wisdom through his illumination of the Word of God not apart from it.

Be sure to be there Sunday to praise and give thanks to God for sending his Holy Spirit to live with and in us and to indwell the Church.

SERMON & PODCASTING INFORMATION
THINGS TO PRAY FOR
SERMON STUDY INFO
BIBLE STUDY

1. Be prepared to stay. Be prepared to leave. It may be God's will that we leave this place. It may be his will that we stay. We do not know. Be prepared spiritually, mentally emotionally for all seasons. Remember especially that our rest and contentment and peace is not found in a place but in a Person. As St. Paul says in his letter to the Philippians: "I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me." (Phil 4:11-13)

2. The Lord is doing amazing things. God has blessed us in recent days in ways that we cannot share publicly other than to say that we have been overwhelmed with gratitude. And we believe these recent blessings serve to confirm the path we have taken. Regardless, the Lord who set his seal on our foreheads is soveriegn and we trust that he will provide for us in all circumstances so long as we remain faithful.

3. It is amazing that despite our circumstances, despite the stand we have taken, we continue to grow both numerically and spiritually. God has been overwhelmingly gracious to us.

4. Your support during this time is crucial: Your daily prayers, weekly presence at worship and bible study and Christian education, your continued service to the church and financial support is absolutely critical as a visible sign of trust in God and as an encouragement to your brothers and sisters. "And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24)

God blesses perseverance and perseverance itself is a sign of God's blessing. "He who stands firm to the end will be saved." (Matthew 10:22) Let us persevere together in Christ.

WEAR RED THIS SUNDAY: Its traditional, in the Anglican Church, to wear red on the Feast of Pentecost, symbolizing the coming of the Holy Spirit. If you have something red, Sunday is the day for it.

LIFE CHOICES BABY SHOWER: ACW with Father Matt and Father Anne's guidance and help has been planning a baby shower for the Life Choice Baby Boutique! The client's earn points to "purchase" items in the Boutique. Points are earned in various ways, such as, church attendance, be involved in a discussion of a Christian book, or attend classes sponsored by the Life Choices. How can you help? The half sheet in the pews has some suggested items that Center needs! There is a basket at the back of the Church to put new or slightly used baby items in! Everyone is invited to the party on May 11, THAT'S TODAY, where cake and punch will be served!

Carmen asked me to put this in the update weeks ago and I repeatedly forgot. A big apology to her. Here is her note:

A BIG THANK YOU!!!
First, to the Children's Chapel youth who performed so well on Good Shepherd Sunday!!
Madison Sullivan Emma Kennedy
Megan Sullivan Rita DeGroat
Morgan Sullivan Jenna Dean
Joseph Osgood Gabrielle Dean
Brad Finch Amanda Finch (great guitar!)

Secondly, to all who helped with the Good Shepherd brunch!! There were so many willing and able hands!!!
Carmen

LEGAL DEFENSE FUND: Some parishioners were asking how they might contribute specifically to the legal defense of the parish.

The Anglican Communion Network, of which we have been a member since 2004, has established a legal defense fund to help beleaguered parishes like ours pay legal costs that, in a protracted battle, can run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. The high price tag attached to litigation often means that smaller, poorer, parishes have no choice but to surrender their property even when they have a fighting chance of victory.

If you would like to donate money for the defense of Good Shepherd please follow this link

Be sure to indicate that your donation is specifically for Church of the Good Shepherd, Binghamton

You may donate through paypal at the link above or by credit card over the phone or by check through the mail. Here is that information:

Anglican Communion Network
535 Smithfield Street, Suite 910
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
412-325-8900

VOLUNTEERS: THANK YOU. I think we may be finally getting a handle on this. Jason Delancy and Ken Degroat have volunteered for a cleaning slot. Can't tell you how grateful we are.

CONFESSION & PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS : Some have asked about the absence of the confession and the prayer of humble access during the services for the last several Sundays and they have wondered why we stand for the Eucharistic prayer. These are all worship traditions observed during the season of Easter . Easter lasts for seven Sundays. The focus of worship is on the completed work of Christ. Our sins have been removed, eternal life granted, and our resurrection assured. So during Easter we stand during communion because we will rise with Christ. We don't say the confession, not because we no longer sin, we do, but because we observe the fact that our sins have been taken away and one day, at the resurrection, will be no more. Hope this helps. This Sunday, Pentecost , we return to kneeling and the confession and prayer of humble access will be back.

TWO COMMITTEES: I've almost finished assembling the Evangelism and Mission committees. If you are interested in serving on one of these please let me know.

CONGRATULATIONS: to Lorrie Vail for recieving an advanced Nursing degree last month. Well done Lorrie!

DID YOU KNOW...: The Chapel and House of the Good Shepherd was organized and incorporated on January 25, 1870.

DISCIPLESHIP: Anne is reworking and reinstating the Discipleship Program she put together last year. Her plan is to contact those of you who have been trained, personally, by this Sunday. But she needs your help. If you have been trained to disciple, or you would like to be, don't wait for her to call you, Call Her, Email Her, to get the ball rolling. If you would like to Be Discipled, or know more about the program, contact her as well. (773-4810, revakennedy@hotmail.com )

NO NOON EUCHARIST THIS WEDNESDAY: Anne will be going with Emma on an end of the year field trip this Wednesday, and I will be out of town. She will be back next week, the 21 st to pick it up. She is very sorry and hopes you will continue to make it part of your weekly plans.

FAREWELL LUNCH FOR CHRIS JONES: On May 18, 2008, we will have a Pot Luck Luncheon after the 10:30 am service to have the opportunity to say "bon voyage" to Chris and Terijo Jones. They will be leaving for England with Makenna on May 24th for a one year job assignment. This is a wonderful opportunity for them although we will miss them so very much.

SERMON & PODCASTING INFORMATION: I've been given the okay to purchase a new digital recorder. So podcasts will return this Sunday.

THINGS TO PRAY FOR: 1. God will protect and guide us. 2. That we as a body will be prepared to go wherever God leads. 3. That we will not compromise biblical principles for the sake of ease, convenience, or gain. 4. That we will not compromise the love of Christ for hatred, bitterness and anger. 5. That we will know what to do when the time comes to do it. 6. For the Lord to change the bishop's heart.

SERMON INFORMATION: This Sunday we are going to take a break from the sermon series on our present circumstances because it is Pentecost Sunday. This is a major feast day and we need to talk about what God accomplishe through the sending of his Holy Spirit. If you want to prepare for this Sunday, be sure to read Acts chapter 2.

BIBLE STUDY : ALL the Bible Studies are up and running as usual this week.

YOUTH INFORMATION FROM MICAH: Both youth groups will be starting a regular series for the next 10 weeks on the 10 Commandments. In it we will be looking at the ways they are understood by our friends, our schools, even the TV. We will be trying to see how they can affect and change our lives.

Please remember to always invite friends, and keep in touch with me if you need any help getting rides or with anything else that might come up.
Jr. High, 2-4; Sr. High, 6-8

ADULT EDUCATION SERIES: DOCTRINE AND DIVISIONS IN THE CHURCH : This week we turn to the beginning of the Reformation. The articles I linked last week, I'll continue to recommend for this week. If you did not get a chance to read them then, please do so this weekend before Sunday.

Here is an adequate (not excellent) article on the history of the Reformation and some of the primary theological disputes

And this is a Roman Catholic website that examines the history of the Church during the middle ages from a Catholic perspective:

HAVE YOU…. shared your faith with a friend? The vestry has challenged all of us to share our faith in Jesus Christ with at least one non-believer each month.

Good News for the Week:

1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4

Daily Schedule for the week of Sunday May 4th, 2008

Monday:
pastor's day off

Tuesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
9:00 a.m. Tuesday Morning Bible Study
10:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. Pastor's Open Door Hours
6:00 p.m. First Light Bible Study

Wednesday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
10:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. Pastor's Open Door Hours
12:00pm Holy Eucharist (side chapel)

Thursday
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer
10:00a.m.-1:00 p.m. Pastor's Open Door Hours
5:30p.m. Shepherd's Bowl
6:30p.m. New Beginner's Bible Study

Friday
6:30 a.m. Men's Breakfast/Bible Study
8:30 a.m. Morning Prayer

8:00a.m. Worship, Holy Communion and Sermon
9:15-10:15a.m. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION FOR ALL AGES
10:30a.m. Worship, Holy Communion, Music, Sermon
2:00pm-4:00pm Jr. High Meeting,
6:00pm - 8:00pm Sr. High Meeting

God Bless,
Matt+