A Sermon on the Day of Pentecost

Mosaic from Baptistery 

Pentecost is the celebration of the coming in a new way of the Spirit of God on the Christian community as recorded in the Acts of the Apostles.  It is a retelling of the divine manifestation of the life changing power of God when tongues of fire appeared on the apostles and the sound of a mighty rushing wind filled the place where they were, and they went and boldly proclaimed the good news of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Pentecost announces and invites us into a new way of living brought about by the power of God through the Holy Spirit in our lives.  The Spirit of God is the Spirit of Christ, and in a day where there is much confusion about exactly what constitutes the Spirit of God it is important for us to reflect on how the Spirit calls us and introduces us to this new way of living and empowers us to live it. 

This sermon comes from the Gospel lectionary text for Pentecost Sunday.  John 14:8-17

click to here sermon "Pentecost: The Work of the Spirit"

General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church PC(U.S.A) Portland Oregon June 18-25, 2016

General Assembly of the PC(USA)

The General Assembly if the PC(USA) will convene in Portland on June 18-25, 2016.  

The General Assembly consists of commissioners elected by presbyteries.  Half of the commissioners will be ruling elders, half teaching elders.  The GA is slated with resolving controversies in the church, seeing to matters of common concern for the Presbyterian church and serves as a symbol of unity. 

One of the first order of business will be the election of a moderator, followed by a time of work in assembly committees tending to the particular business for the week.  

Although there are a number of items that will be considered, some highlights this year will include...  

• Report submitted to the assembly on a year long study and conversation on the future identity and purpose of the PC(USA)
• Adding "Care of God's Creation" to the ministry of members
• The strengthening of Cuban-American relations and apology for killing of Korean civilians in 1950
• New Directory of Worship- A revised and shortened directory of worship will be presented for approval
• Overture to endorse the clergy letter project
• Granting permission for theological institutions to celebrate the Lord's Supper
• Belhar Confession - this confession will be enacted in the same city as the last confession (Confession of 1967)
• An overture approving new language that if approved will restore the traditional definition of marriage
• Divestment issues regarding Caterpillar and HP in regard to business practices in Israel and divestment from fossil fuels
• A new stated clerk will be elected
• LGBT apology

These are just a few of many overtures, meetings, reports and business that will be conducted, this selection reflects more of my interests than anything else.  To keep track of GA work log on to pcusa website and follow the proceedings. 

GA 2016

Newton Presbytery pdf list of overtures

Documentary film published by Fuller Theological Seminary Studios features Bono and Eugene Peterson.

This short film documents the friendship between Bono (of the band U2) and Eugene Peterson (author of contemporary-language Bible translation The Message) revolving around their common interest in the Psalms. Based on interviews conducted by Fuller Seminary faculty member David Taylor and produced in association with Fourth Line Films, the film highlights in particular a conversation on the Psalms that took place between Bono, Peterson, and Taylor at Peterson’s Montana home.

© Fuller Theological Seminary / Fuller Studio

a Fourth Line Films production, in association with Fuller's Brehm Center Texas and W. David O. Taylor

The Psalms are a song book for worship. For centuries, the Western church used the chant tradition to sing the Psalms, during the Reformation, Calvin turned to melody and poetry to put the psalms to words and music that could be sung by congregations. The Genevan Psalter is a collection of metrical psalms created by John Calvin for worship. Recovering the singing of the Psalms in congregational worship was one of the legacies of the reformation. Today, singing the psalms is a way to keep worship fresh yet grounded. This link to a number of resources for worship teams to use in growing in our understanding of the Psalms in worship


This link to Fuller Seminary includes a number of resources including worship, arts, and music and a free download with sign up of a portion of the book of Psalms by Eugene Peterson.  

Exploring the Psalms Link

Free download of Psalms 1-40 by Eugene Peterson

Caesarea (Marítima)

Caesarea (Marítima)

We have been reading through the lectionary passages in the Acts of the Apostles.  One city that features prominently is the Mediterranean seaport of Caesarea Maritima, where the apostle Peter baptized the first recorded gentile convert to Christianity, Cornelius.

It was in Acts 10 that we have recorded the conversion of Cornelius and his household to Christianity after receiving the gift of faith through the Holy Spirit.  This was the headquarters of Pontius Pilate and the site where the famous "Pilate stone" was discovered. Paul was also imprisoned for two years here and preached to King Agrippa II.  After the destruction of Jerusalem Caesarea became a significant center for Christianity holding a church council 196 to settle the Easter date controversy.

Caesarea (there is another Caesarea Philippi in Galilee) was founded by Herod the Great, who constructed a massive breakwater for the harbor, a stadium which seated thousands of people featured chariot races and gladiator fights.

Some events from the Acts of the Apostles include:

Philip arrives in Caesarea:  Acts 8

Peter visits Cornelius:  Acts 10

Paul is imprisoned in Caesarea:  Acts 23-26

Pilate Stone with Inscription: 

"To the Divine Augusti [this] Tiberieum

...Pontius Pilate

...prefect of Judea

...has dedicated [this]

[DIS AUGUSTI]S TIBERIÉUM

[...PO]NTIUS PILATUS

[...PRAEF]ECTUS IUDA[EA]E

[...FECIT D]E[DICAVIT]

The Theater

Ariel view of the Harbor