This Sunday we’ll be focusing on two significant milestones in the life of our church – the day of Pentecost when, some 2000 years ago, the Holy Spirit descended on Christ’s early followers and gave them new purpose and energy – and the establishment of St. Mark’s United Church in 1859. Both are important occasions, and have more in common than one might assume. Even though countless changes occurred in the 1900 years between these two events, God was at work in both religious communities in ways that caused all kinds of creative and spirit-filled things to happen. And this work continues.

At the first Pentecost, the Holy Spirit gave the early church the energy and passion it needed to break free from its fears and risk sharing the Christian message with the world. In a similar way, in 1859 the Spirit descended on a small group of Canadian Methodists who’d had their hearts “strangely warmed” through a series of local revivals, and who were moved to establish a Wesleyan Methodist congregation in West Saint John that eventually became St. Mark’s. Of course, the Pentecost experience changed the entire world, while what happened here only changed one part of one city in southern New Brunswick. But both occasions remind us of the Holy Spirit’s power to transform and renew the life of Christian communities, wherever they may be.

So, on Sunday, we’ll have a chance to give thanks for the countless individuals, here and abroad, who have served God so faithfully and well. And we’ll also reflect on how that same Spirit may be at work today, and where it may be leading our congregation. So I’m looking forward to this special anniversary celebration, and very much hope to see you on Sunday morning.