Wear Red!

Nearly 2000 years ago a group of Jesus followers gathered in Jerusalem to wait for the help that Jesus promised to send their way.  Suddenly, without warning, the room was filled with a violent wind and something that looked like flaming tongues fell all over the men and women gathered.  This weird but fascinating spiritual experience happened on the Jewish festival of Pentecost.  As Christians, we celebrate this occasion as the birth of the church, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the event that ignited God’s kingdom movement on earth.  And it’s the one time of the year that the church wears red.  Now for those of you who are unfamiliar with liturgical colors-there are colors for every season in the church.  White for Easter, blue (purple) for Advent, purple for Lent, green for Ordinary Time, and red for Pentecost.  It’s a great opportunity to wear red!  We wear red to celebrate the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives and the lives of others.  

At Shiloh, it’s also the Sunday that we celebrate our confirmands.  The confirmands are young men and women who have spent the last 6 months preparing themselves to say yes to Jesus and yes to the Church.  On Sunday, during the 9:30am service, we will celebrate with 10 confirmands their commitment to following Jesus.  Discipleship is no simple decision; not only have these confirmands spent time learning with Pastor Brent, but they have been lead by mentors, attended various worship experiences, and served in the church.  They have spent this season of their lives getting ready to say yes to following Jesus!  At the 11:00am services at Delhi and Price Hill, we will be experiencing baptism.  Baptism is also a sign of commitment to following Jesus Christ.  These are incredible ways to celebrate Pentecost!  That’s what is happening in our local church, but our Annual Conference begins Sunday as well. 

58 of the 88 counties in Ohio make up The West Ohio Conference of The United Methodist Church.  Starting on Sunday, lay people and pastors from nearly 1100 churches will gather for what we call Holy Conferencing.  It’s an opportunity for us to worship together, conduct the business of the church, celebrate those who are retiring, those who have gone on to glory and the pastors who are being ordained.  Did you know that former Senior Pastor, Rev. Bill Patterson, is retiring this year?  Not only is Pastor Bill retiring, but Pastor Danny will be speaking at the Youth Big Event and our worship band will be leading the youth of the Annual Conference in worship.  I ask that you be in prayer for the conversations and decisions that will be made at this year’s Annual Conference!  

The fresh wind of the Holy Spirit continues to move and this week we have the honor of celebrating some of the most significant spiritual moments in people’s lives.  So I encourage you to wear red and come celebrate with us!     


Pastor Rachel