I wonder what it was like for the disciples to sit and wait, from the moment Jesus ascended, until the coming of the Holy Spirit, uncertain of what would actually happen, and when? Jesus had told them to 'wait for the promise of the Father... you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.' We know the timing and the outcome - they just had to wait and trust, until that first Pentecost when God did indeed pour out his power through the Spirit, as he continues to do today, and as we'll remember this Sunday.
There's plenty of uncertainty at the moment, isn't there? It's so great to be able to visit and even go into each other's houses and to pubs and cafés! But of course we also hear concerns about the Indian variant, putting the date for lifting of all restrictions in some doubt. And even then, as a church, we may be asked to keep some restrictions in place as we seek to keep each other safe. Who knew church attendance could be so risky - all that singing and sitting close?! We'll just need to wait and see how things unfold.
The disciples coped with uncertainty by praying and trusting in God, whose promises are certain even in a changing world. So let's continue to look to him, waiting and trusting in God's power.
In the meantime, two (relative) certainties (more details next page):
(1) Our weekly Sunday communion service will now be at 0830, and
(2) you can join Joe in a prayer walk in Valley park this Saturday - meet at church at 10am!
You can find the rest of the newsletter here: Newsletter 200521
