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Hello Reader!

Hello beloved one. Thanks for showing up.

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Announcements:

*Storytime! We will have preschool-aged storytime tomorrow, June 11th, as well as June 25th, at the building at 9:30. There will be coffee for adults, of course!

*Summer Planning: This summer, we'd like to have some whole church fun times. Commonplace would like to descend upon the following events, so please mark your calendars:

>>>June 25th, CSU Lagoon Concert Series ("That Eighties Band")

>>>July 15th, City Park Food Truck Rally

>>>August 7th, Windsor Lake Concert Series ("Ivory")

*Centering Prayer...summer could be just the perfect time to set a new rhythm around prayer. Begin your week with us at the building at 8:30 a.m. on Mondays for a short silent prayer time.

*Please drop by Office Hours (i.e. casual hangout time) on Thursday morning anytime between 10 to 12 at The Neighbor (144 S Mason)!

The Holy Chaotic Wondrous Spirit

We usually follow the Revised Common Lectionary. Click on the link if you want to see what we'll be exploring in the weeks to come.

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I N V O C A T I O N

God of wind and fire,

No matter where we come from or what language we speak, your love is for us all.

May we welcome, not exclude;

Make room, not shut out.

For we are all connected through You.

Amen.

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S O N G S

How Great Thou Art Page CXVI PREVIEW   ​

Bind Us Together The Porter's Gate, Leslie Jo... PREVIEW   ​

Fall Afresh Bethel Music, Jeremy Riddle PREVIEW   ​

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S C R I P T U R E & R E A D I N G S

Acts 2:1-13

When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."

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T A K E A W A Y S & Q U E S T I O N S

*We looked at two stories from Scripture focused around language: The Tower of Babel and Pentecost.

*The story of the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11) illustrates that diversity is actually part of God’s original intention for humanity. The scattering of people and languages wasn’t a punishment, but a divine interruption to prevent harmful consolidation of power. Diversity reflects God's glory and is meant to be embraced, not feared. What is your experience of diversity?

*Pentecost is Babel in Reverse. In Acts 2, the Holy Spirit brings people together not by erasing their differences, but by creating understanding within their diversity. At Babel, the direction is one that is upward and away and narrowing coupled with a grasping to make a name for themselves through their own work. At Pentecost, the direction is toward the people and then expanding outward. God is one doing the work. God is the one on the move, inviting people to join in.

*Just like learning a new language or trying to pronounce unfamiliar names, engaging in Spirit-led community requires humility and risk. God invites us to speak, to try, to show up even if we bumble through it.

*More important than words is presence. How can you show up for others this week? Even if it's risky or uncomfortable maybe...

*Above all, remember the Holy Spirit is always available to us. Allow yourself to become entangled in this holy fiery wind. It's okay if you don't have adequate words to describe it.

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A R T W O R K

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B E N E D I C T I O N

You are God’s Child

Gifted with dreams and visions.

Upon you rests the grace of God like flames of fire.

Love and serve the Lord in the wildness of your being.

Practice Resurrection.

And may the deep peace of Christ be with you,

The strong arms of God sustain you,

And the glory of the Holy Spirit shine upon your face.

Amen.

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Resource: Walter Brueggemann Last week, one of the premiere theological thinkers of our time passed away, Dr. Walter Brueggemann. His words have meant a great deal to many of us--always scholarly always poignant and poetic. Spend some time with his take on Pentecost. ​ click here to read his essay entitled The Peculiar Dialect of Faith

Practice: Praying the News There is so much going on in the world. Our job is not to turn away but to prayerfully ask, as St. Francis of Assisi, did: "What is mine to do?" I came across a really lovely contemplative guide for praying the news by Cameron Bellm. Please please please take some time to read and consider it. note: when you click the link, you'll have to scroll about halfway down the page and click the link on her page that says "A Contemplative Guide to Praying the News".

Grace and Peace,

Katrina

&

Darren

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