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.
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Women of the ELCA
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Merrifield, VA 22116-8009
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