Sermon podcast from the Pentecost Sunday, 6-5-22 worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Acts 2:1-21
Showing posts with label Acts 2:1-21. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Acts 2:1-21. Show all posts
5/24/2021
Spirit - Acts 2:1-21 - Pentecost - 5-23-21
Sermon podcast from the Pentecost Sunday, 5-23-21 online worship service - St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Acts 2:1-21
6/01/2020
Amazed - Acts 2 1-21 - Pentecost - 5-31-20
Video sermon preview
5/21/2018
Spirit
Pentecost and Mental Health Sunday 2018 sermon from St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Acts 2:1-21. The church has remained silent for too long about mental health.
Sermon preview video
"Spirit" podcast
Sermon preview video
"Spirit" podcast
6/05/2017
Amazed
Pentecost sermon podcast from St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL. Acts 2:1-21. Includes the original song, "My Soul Thirsts for You" (Psalm 63)
"Amazed" podcast
"Amazed" podcast
5/15/2016
Gathered and Scattered
Pentecost and Mental Health Sunday sermon podcast from St. Paul's UCC in Downers Grove, IL
"Gathered and Scattered" podcast
"Gathered and Scattered" podcast
5/18/2015
Emotions
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit arrived in dramatic fashion. This week’s Bible reading from Acts 2:1-21 describes a violent wind, divided tongues as of fire, spontaneous language, amazement and questions.
This artwork from Jesus Mafa expresses a wide range of emtions. I see joy, concern, amazement, surprise, fear, awe, confusion, curiousity, glee and even indifference.
What emotions do you see? What emotions do you experience?
This artwork from Jesus Mafa expresses a wide range of emtions. I see joy, concern, amazement, surprise, fear, awe, confusion, curiousity, glee and even indifference.
What emotions do you see? What emotions do you experience?
6/03/2014
Questions
When the day of Pentecost had come . . . there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house.
The description of the arrival of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-21 is vivid, dramatic, and powerful. The rush of a violent wind, tongues of fire, bewilderment and astonishment dominate the narrative.
Artists have been seeking ways to depict the vivid, dramatic, and powerful narrative for more than 1000 years. I’ve seen many that bring about astonished emotions in me. Estella Lousia M Canziani’s Pentecost is captivating.
What questions does the art bring to you?
The description of the arrival of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-21 is vivid, dramatic, and powerful. The rush of a violent wind, tongues of fire, bewilderment and astonishment dominate the narrative.
Artists have been seeking ways to depict the vivid, dramatic, and powerful narrative for more than 1000 years. I’ve seen many that bring about astonished emotions in me. Estella Lousia M Canziani’s Pentecost is captivating.
- How is the swirling wind affecting the people?
- I see fear, worry, pain, serenity, and awe. What other emotions to do you see?
- How does the fire and wind woven together change your image of Pentecost?
- What does this painting feel like?
What questions does the art bring to you?
5/13/2013
Wind
Violent wind, divided tongues as of fire, spontaneous language, amazement and questions, joy, concern, amazement, surprise, fear, awe, confusion, curiosity, glee, and even indifference.
What else do you see?
5/25/2012
What Does This Mean?
This week's Bible reflection (Church-ese) provides some of the language for the Pentecost Sunday 2012 Sermon at St. Paul's United Church of Christ in Downers Grove, IL.
"What Does This Mean?" text
"What Does This Mean?" podcast
"What Does This Mean?" text
"What Does This Mean?" podcast
5/21/2012
Church-ese
This Sunday the church celebrates Pentecost. Pentecost is a church-ese word. It means 50 days. Pentecost is 50 days after Easter. Pentecost also marks the birth of the Church. (I think that's a church-ese phrase. It means - "When the Christian church began" - or something close to that.)
“The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways” is a church-ese phrase. It means, “I have no idea what is going on.”
“I was convicted to say something” means “I thought I should say something”
“The Lord told me to . . .“ usually means “I thought I should . . .“
“Well bless your heart.” Means, “You don’t have a clue.” Or “There’s no way I approve of you.”
What are some church-ese words or phrases you know? What do they mean?
And why do we continue to use church-ese when it is such a conversation ender?
“The Lord Works in Mysterious Ways” is a church-ese phrase. It means, “I have no idea what is going on.”
“I was convicted to say something” means “I thought I should say something”
“The Lord told me to . . .“ usually means “I thought I should . . .“
“Well bless your heart.” Means, “You don’t have a clue.” Or “There’s no way I approve of you.”
What are some church-ese words or phrases you know? What do they mean?
And why do we continue to use church-ese when it is such a conversation ender?
6/10/2011
Amazed
This week's Bible reflection (Rush) is about the same subject, but that post is barely visible in what is now Sunday's Pentecost sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL.
"Amazed" text
"Amazed" podcast
"Amazed" text
"Amazed" podcast
6/06/2011
Rush
Here's this week's Bible reflection:
When the day of Pentecost had come . . . there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house.
The description of the arrival of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-21 is vivid, dramatic, and powerful. The rush of a violent wind, tongues of fire, bewilderment and astonishment dominate the narrative.
Artists have been seeking ways to depict the vivid, dramatic, and powerful narrative for more than 1000 years. I’ve seen many that bring about astonished emotions in me. A relatively recent painting has my attention lately. Estella Lousia M Canziani’s Pentecost is captivating. I view and ponder the art and several questions come to mind.
What questions does the art bring to you?
When the day of Pentecost had come . . . there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house.
The description of the arrival of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:1-21 is vivid, dramatic, and powerful. The rush of a violent wind, tongues of fire, bewilderment and astonishment dominate the narrative.
Artists have been seeking ways to depict the vivid, dramatic, and powerful narrative for more than 1000 years. I’ve seen many that bring about astonished emotions in me. A relatively recent painting has my attention lately. Estella Lousia M Canziani’s Pentecost is captivating. I view and ponder the art and several questions come to mind.
- How is the swirling wind affecting the people?
- I see fear, worry, pain, serenity, and awe. What other emotions to do you see?
- How does the fire and wind woven together change your image of Pentecost?
- What does this painting feel like?
What questions does the art bring to you?
5/22/2010
Amazed and Astonished
It's Pentecost! This week's (only a tiny-bit Elvis-y) Bible study blog post for i.ucc.org (A little more conversation- a little less argument, please.) provides inspiration for what is Sunday's rambunctious sermon at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, IL
"Amazed and Astonished" text
"Amazed and Astonished" podcast
"Amazed and Astonished" text
"Amazed and Astonished" podcast
5/17/2010
A little more conversation- a little less argument, please.
Here's this week's i.ucc.org Bible study blog post:
This week’s Bible readings team up the story of the story of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) and the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-21) One describes confused languages and scattering while the other looks to renewed understanding and gathering.
Why can’t we have more, and better, conversations?
In church we may gather with what folks call a common language, but why speak so exclusively that no one else can understand? And why do we argue so much among ourselves?
Outside the church walls folks talk at each other so much that it all becomes unintelligible banter that seeks domination instead of understanding.
It seems everyone knows the truth and no one is willing to listen to anything that may be different from their version of it.
Can we rediscover the life-changing art of conversation?
Come, Holy Spirit.
This week’s Bible readings team up the story of the story of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9) and the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-21) One describes confused languages and scattering while the other looks to renewed understanding and gathering.
Why can’t we have more, and better, conversations?
In church we may gather with what folks call a common language, but why speak so exclusively that no one else can understand? And why do we argue so much among ourselves?
Outside the church walls folks talk at each other so much that it all becomes unintelligible banter that seeks domination instead of understanding.
It seems everyone knows the truth and no one is willing to listen to anything that may be different from their version of it.
Can we rediscover the life-changing art of conversation?
Come, Holy Spirit.
5/30/2009
Speaking in Tongues
This week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc (Miracles) provides the beginning for what has turned out to be a pretty involved sermon for Pentecost tomorrow at Union Congregational United Church of Christ in Somonauk, Illinois.
5/26/2009
Miracles
Here's this week's Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:
This week I’ve been reading the book: Signs and Wonders: Why Pentecostalism is the World’s Fastest Growing Faith. It wasn’t the first book on my “I really have to read this” list. But how does one not notice 1) The UCC’s Greg Brekke just reviewed the book. 2) The link to the review has prominent placement on the UCC website and 3) Much loved theologian Martin Marty wrote the introduction and 4) This Sunday is Pentecost and I’m wondering how this week’s sermon will take shape.
Some would say, “All this happening at the same time is evidence of one of God’s miracles.” Others would say “The marketing people have done their job well. You bought the book right?”
Yes. I bought the book. But I haven’t yet finished it.
So far I see an author, from the inside of Pentecostalism – and who is both a believer and a skeptic, exploring the appeal of this Christian movement. It’s a movement that has it’s roots right in this week’s Pentecost Bible reading from Acts 2:1-21.
Miracles, and the telling the story of miracles that have happened, are important in Pentecostalism. They are part of, it not the main source of, the attraction of the movement. (I can’t speak with certainty about what the author, Paul Alexander, will say, since I haven’t finished the book.)
But I would like to pose a couple of questions as they relate to the book and to this week’s reading.
This week I’ve been reading the book: Signs and Wonders: Why Pentecostalism is the World’s Fastest Growing Faith. It wasn’t the first book on my “I really have to read this” list. But how does one not notice 1) The UCC’s Greg Brekke just reviewed the book. 2) The link to the review has prominent placement on the UCC website and 3) Much loved theologian Martin Marty wrote the introduction and 4) This Sunday is Pentecost and I’m wondering how this week’s sermon will take shape.
Some would say, “All this happening at the same time is evidence of one of God’s miracles.” Others would say “The marketing people have done their job well. You bought the book right?”
Yes. I bought the book. But I haven’t yet finished it.
So far I see an author, from the inside of Pentecostalism – and who is both a believer and a skeptic, exploring the appeal of this Christian movement. It’s a movement that has it’s roots right in this week’s Pentecost Bible reading from Acts 2:1-21.
Miracles, and the telling the story of miracles that have happened, are important in Pentecostalism. They are part of, it not the main source of, the attraction of the movement. (I can’t speak with certainty about what the author, Paul Alexander, will say, since I haven’t finished the book.)
But I would like to pose a couple of questions as they relate to the book and to this week’s reading.
- What stories do you share about miracles?
- What emotions does the term, “Pentecostal” bring up in you?
- What’s your experience of Pentecost?
5/05/2008
Spirited emotions
Here's this week's Pentecost Bible study blog entry for i.ucc:
On the day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit arrived in dramatic fashion. This week’s Bible reading from Acts 2:1-21 describes a violent wind, divided tongues as of fire, spontaneous language, amazement and questions. Take a look at this artwork from Jesus Mafa. What emotions do you see expressed in the artist’s rendition of Pentecost?
I see joy, concern, amazement, surprise, fear, awe, confusion, curiousity, glee and even indifference. What emotions do you see? What emotions do you experience when thinking about the Holy Spirit’s dramatic arrival. What about emotions you feel with the thought of the spirit’s presence?
5/26/2007
Much more than a gentle breeze
The blog post from Tuesday (Wind, breath, spirit) was a beginning, but I'm not sure how much of it has remained as I finished this Sunday's sermon at Union Congregational Church. It's a reworking, retooling and revisioning (lots of the same or similar elements, but not simply a copy) of a sermon I delivered in 2005 in Wheaton.
"Much More than a Gentle Breeze" text
"Much More than a Gentle Breeze" podcast
"Much More than a Gentle Breeze" text
"Much More than a Gentle Breeze" podcast
5/22/2007
Wind, breath, spirit
Here's this week's "Opening the Bible" blog entry for i.ucc. Pentecost is this Sunday!
+++++++++++++
This week’s blog entry is designed to provoke. It's intention is to make the reader uncomfortable. It desires to make it impossible for you to ignore it.
Here's a gross-out beginning:
In Ezekiel 37:1-14, God showed Ezekiel something incredible:"I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin.
"Eeeew!" (or “Cool!” depending on your taste.)
But then the spirit -- the wind, the breath of God *(all the same thing here) went to work. The bones --that were once dry, then covered with ligaments and muscles and skin -- came to life. There was a huge army of them.
The Ezekiel passage about the dry bones coming to life is explained as a prophecy about the rebirth of Israel -- a nation that was then in exile. The scene is weird and vivid. It’s also dreamlike.
This week’s Pentecost reading from Acts 2:1-21 is another Bible passage featuring the spirit. This time, however, the wind -- the breath of God -- isn't so "dreamy."
The believers were all gathered in a house -- and all of a sudden there was a violent and rushing wind that filled the place where they were. It was intense -- thrilling -- moving -- troubling . . . Just when some were getting comfortable with the way things were, everything changed. People talked differently. Strange things seemed to be flying all over the room. It was unsettling! And after the wind came, things would never be the same. Some were excited by the change. Others were angered and just wanted things to get back to normal.
But it didn't.
I hope that i.ucc (and this blog) is part of the uneasy, thrilling, moving, troubling wind of the Holy Spirit showing up and moving us to new places. I hope it is part of the Holy Spirit moving us to previously unheard of ideas and hard questions. I hope that it is part of the Holy Spirit moving us through major skepticism and toward life to the fullest.
May God reach us in the places we keep hidden. May God reach us where we are fearful. May God reach us where we are uncomfortable. Let the wind blow!
+++++++++++++
This week’s blog entry is designed to provoke. It's intention is to make the reader uncomfortable. It desires to make it impossible for you to ignore it.
Here's a gross-out beginning:
In Ezekiel 37:1-14, God showed Ezekiel something incredible:"I will lay sinews on you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin.
"Eeeew!" (or “Cool!” depending on your taste.)
But then the spirit -- the wind, the breath of God *(all the same thing here) went to work. The bones --that were once dry, then covered with ligaments and muscles and skin -- came to life. There was a huge army of them.
The Ezekiel passage about the dry bones coming to life is explained as a prophecy about the rebirth of Israel -- a nation that was then in exile. The scene is weird and vivid. It’s also dreamlike.
This week’s Pentecost reading from Acts 2:1-21 is another Bible passage featuring the spirit. This time, however, the wind -- the breath of God -- isn't so "dreamy."
The believers were all gathered in a house -- and all of a sudden there was a violent and rushing wind that filled the place where they were. It was intense -- thrilling -- moving -- troubling . . . Just when some were getting comfortable with the way things were, everything changed. People talked differently. Strange things seemed to be flying all over the room. It was unsettling! And after the wind came, things would never be the same. Some were excited by the change. Others were angered and just wanted things to get back to normal.
But it didn't.
I hope that i.ucc (and this blog) is part of the uneasy, thrilling, moving, troubling wind of the Holy Spirit showing up and moving us to new places. I hope it is part of the Holy Spirit moving us to previously unheard of ideas and hard questions. I hope that it is part of the Holy Spirit moving us through major skepticism and toward life to the fullest.
May God reach us in the places we keep hidden. May God reach us where we are fearful. May God reach us where we are uncomfortable. Let the wind blow!
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