Pastor’s column for June 2019 Trinity Epistle

Dear Friends in Christ,
June kicks off with Graduate-Recognition Sunday on the 2nd and it will end with the baptisms of the three Radke children on June 30. And in the middle we will celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, June 9. We will hear the scripture read in many languages, a remembrance of that first Pentecost in Jerusalem and we will hear about ways the Holy Spirit has been moving through our lives and the life of our congregation. Reflecting in his Small Catechism on the Third Article of the Apostle’s Creed, Martin Luther wrote: “I believe that by my own understanding or strength I cannot believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to him, but instead the Holy Spirit has called me through the gospel, enlightened we with his gifts, made me holy, and kept me in the true faith, just as he calls, gathers, enlightens, and makes holy the whole Christian church on earth and keeps it with Jesus Christ in the one common, true faith.” These words of Luther’s never cease to comfort me. Nowhere else is it made so clear that it is God who has made us holy and still makes us holy. In his Large Catechism Luther writes: “Creation is now behind us, and redemption has also taken place, but the Holy spirit continues his work without ceasing…and for this purpose he has appointed a community on earth, through which he speaks and does all his work.” As we live into the Season of Pentecost might we look for ways the Holy Spirit is gifting Trinity Lutheran Church and calling us into faith and action. Peace, Pastor Meggan