Skip to Main Content
Women of the ELCA
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
  • Ministry & Action
    • Discipleship
    • Justice
      • Human Trafficking
      • Racial Justice Advocacy
      • Racial Justice Advocacy Network resources
      • Domestic Violence
    • Membership
    • Stewardship
      • Thankofferings
      • Faithful Friends
      • Katie’s Fund
      • Gift Planning
    • Special Initiatives
      • Raising Up Healthy Women & Girls
      • Dear Friend in Christ
    • Scholarships
      • Lutheran laywomen
      • Lutheran Ordained Ministry
  • Resources
  • Blog
  • Events
  • About
    • History
    • Executive Board
    • Staff
    • Get Involved
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Daily Grace
  • Contact
« Back to WELCA Blog

When the Holy Spirit shows up
by Audrey Novak Riley

6.1.2017
|
Devotions

A friend of mine used to say, “You never know what’s going to happen when the Holy Spirit shows up.” Another friend, describing a worship service, said with a big smile, “The Holy Spirit showed up and we had church!”

That’s what Pentecost is all about – the Holy Spirit shows up, amazing things happen, and all of a sudden we have church. It’s right there in the Bible!

On Pentecost, we sing Psalm 104, a great hymn of praise to God. (You might read the whole psalm for your devotions today – it isn’t very long.) Verse 30 praises God for sending out the divine spirit and renewing the face of the earth.

That verse inspired the hymn for our Tenth Triennial Gathering, “Gracious Spirit, Hear Our Pleading.” It’s in Evangelical Lutheran Worship at #401. And that hymn also inspired the theme for our Triennial Gathering, “All Anew.”

The Holy Spirit makes all things new. The Holy Spirit was invited into our lives at our baptism and again at our confirmation. We call on the Holy Spirit yet again every time we pray in the name of our triune God: Father, Son and Spirit; Creator, Redeemer and Renewer.

I suspect the Holy Spirit, that surprising spirit of exuberant love, is delighted to show up whenever we call. How do we see the Spirit at work in our own lives and the lives of our communities? Let’s join in that joyful work with our own joyful generosity – and help renew our beloved community of women created in the image of God.

The monthly devotions are written by Audrey Riley, director for stewardship for Women of the ELCA.

How to Give

For congregational units

Download a copy of Form B, and make out your check to Women of the ELCA and mail it with Form B to:

Women of the ELCA
ELCA Gift Processing Center
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009

For Individuals

To give online with a credit card, please visit welca.org/give. Fill in the amount of your gift and then under “Designation,” click either “Katie’s Fund” or “Katie’s Fund Current.”

To give by mail, please make out your check to Women of the ELCA and write “Katie’s Fund” on the memo line. Mail it to:

Women of the ELCA
ELCA Gift Processing Center
P.O. Box 1809
Merrifield, VA 22116-8009

To give by phone with a credit card, please call 800-638-3522.

Thank you!

Share

Categories

  • Post (1,159)
  • News (283)
    • Gathering 2021 (9)
    • Triennial Convention 2021 (6)
  • Devotions (56)
Women of the ELCA
22 Feb
Women of the ELCA
@WomenoftheELCA

The pandemic has resulted in many sacrifices, says today's blogger Pastor Jennifer Michael. Yet, in the midst of uncertainty, we must believe that God will provide, just as God did for Abraham. We must reveal the depth of our faith, even in uncertainty. womenoftheelca.org/blog/post/… pic.twitter.com/QJrQ0fEjdz

Expand reply reply retweet retweet favorite favorite
Back to home

8765 W. Higgins Rd.

Chicago IL 60631

800-638-3522

[email protected]

Stay In Touch

Sign up for the WELCA Newsletter

Explore WELCA
  • Ministry & Action
  • Daily Grace
  • Resource Library
  • Events
  • Blog
  • News
  • About WELCA
  • Tools For Leaders
  • Publications
  • Donate
  • Shop
  • Photos
Explore Publications

Bold Cafe

A Lutheran perspective for women of Christian faith or any woman who is interested in how faith relates to the issues facing women today.

Gather Magazine

A mix of articles, theological reflections, devotions and stories of comfort and challenge that help readers grow in faith.

Cafe Podcast

Subscribe to our podcast:

Click to subscribe

© Copyright 2021 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
© Copyright 2021 Women of the ELCA. All Rights Reserved.