From the Pastor-June 2011

We are already approaching the end of the Easter season. We have heard about the Resurrection of our Lord Jesus and His many appearances to those who believed in Him during that time. Ascension Day, celebrating His ascending into heaven to return to God the Father, is June 2. But it is not over yet!

June 12 is the Day of Pentecost when the Christian Church celebrates the arrival of the Holy Spirit, prom-ised by Christ Himself, which would remain with the Church as the presence of God to strengthen and guide it. While we often tend to identify primarily with the second part of the Holy Trinity, that is Jesus Christ, the Son, we cannot forget the Holy Spirit, because it is that Holy Spirit which remains with the Church even today.

To diminish or dismiss the work of the Spirit, is to deny God working in the Church through history and until today. To do that is to say God has forgotten us, and that is surely not true.

So remember Pentecost, June 12! Wear something red to church, for red is the color of Pentecost. First Holy Communion will be at 8 a.m.; confirmation at 11 a.m. Come to celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit; read the story in Acts 2! Recall the presence of God the Holy Spirit in your own life, perhaps at a time when you least expected it. Delight in what God has done and continues to do today in His church, but also in your life and in the lives of those you love!

As an ancient hymn of the church for Pentecost puts it:

Come, Holy Ghost our souls inspire,

And lighten with celestial fire;

Thou the anointing Spirit art,

Who dost thy sev'n fold gifts impart.

Praise to thine eternal merit,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen

Peace in Christ through the Holy Spirit,

Pastor Gould

 

 

LOCAL ARTIST’s STORY OF LENT AND EASTER

The story of Lent and Easter has been rendered by any number of artists throughout history.  We are fortunate this year to have one such rendering among us this Lenten Season.

 Kay Lessig is a local artist who has graciously offered to share her work with us this year. You may not know Kay since she is not a member here at St. Marks, but her son-in-law, Mark Seidel is.

 Kay is a deeply spiritual person and was moved to produce a work of art that tries to depict the pathos, sacrifice and ultimate victory that exemplifies the season we are now in.

 Kay's painting will be displayed in the narthex until after Easter. It has adorned other churches in the past and we are grateful that Kay has chosen St. Mark’s to share her talent with this year.

 This work of art is of a contemporary nature so Kay has accompanied her work with a brief explanation of what each panel of the work represents.

 Please take the time to view this work, read the description and join in celebrating all that is Lent and Easter.

Thank you Kay.