Pent Up What? Or What is Pentecost?

As I write, the waters of the Mississippi and the Atchafalaya are still rising, but it seems as if the levees are doing what they were designed to do at least for the majority of people. They are designed to hold back the power of the flowing water. Pent Up Water Power- It is our prayer that these rising waters be channeled and controlled to go exactly where they will do the least amount of damage. Controlling and directing the power of anything is beneficial.

In the church, we need to be reminded of that. Sometimes, we have so many different activities with lots of different purposes going in so many different ways, that we wonder what power we do have. As we gear up to move forward in the building stages of our much needed Multi-purpose building, I am concerned we lose our focus as a church. After all, the church exists to build the Kingdom of God, not just to build a facility. Now hear me, I want our church to build a multi-purpose building. We need it now and we certainly will need it for the future, but it is only a tool. Therefore, we will continue to discuss our future growth and mission of the church; how we might do better at attracting and assimilating people into the family; how to do ministry with children and youth even better; and how might we encourage all of our flock to share our faith with others, which of course helps the church continue to grow. Be prepared to join in—as we grow the church.

On Sunday June 12, we will celebrate Pentecost Sunday, a day in which we recognize as the birthday of the church. A day in which God focused the Pent Up Power of His Love towards the people and the peo- ple directed it towards the world. Once the disciples received the power of the Holy Spirit, they were able to go be the church. Here at Covenant, we have Pent Up Power! On that Sunday, I want everyone to wear red, symbolic of the tongues of fire that swept over the disciples, symbolic of the “fire” that indwells but does not consume. We will have birthday cake and sing happy birthday to the church, and celebrate the gifts God has given us at Covenant and wishes us to share with the world. Come hear about a new focus on creating a healthier church and you.

Pent Up Power. Time for us to use it in “Growing the Covenant—for today and for tomorrow.”

See you each and every week in worship!

Rev. Chris Blanchard