Ascension Day this year is May 9. Ascension Day is the fortieth day after Easter and falls on a Thursday.

During the period of Christ’s appearance to the apostles and prior to his disappearance from their sight, Jesus ordered the apostles to remain in Jerusalem and await the gift of the Holy Spirit which would enable and empower them to carry out their divine commission. The collect for this day is filled with expectation because in it we ask God to send us the Holy Spirit as a strengthener

THE DAY OF PENTECOST OR WHITSUNDAY

The Day of Pentecost this year is May 19. In Jewish custom Passover was brought to completion at the Feast of Weeks (the grain harvest some seven weeks after Passover. This was called Pentecost, meaning “fiftieth day” in Greek. In earliest Christian custom a christianized Passover remembered the Last Supper, the crucifixion, the resurrection, the ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit as a single story over fifty days, celebrating the mystery of our salvation through Jesus Christ.

The Day of Pentecost sometimes is also called “Whitsunday” (white Sunday) in English-speaking countries, the name derived from the white garments worn by those to be baptized at Pentecost.

On the Day of Pentecost we celebrate the fact that our Lord sent the Holy Spirit- the strengthener- to reinforce the faith of the Apostles. Upon receiving this gift the Apostles went out into the world to preach, teach and baptize in Christ’s name. At Pentecost we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit as the birth of the church. The color for this day is red symbolizing the tongues of fire.

THE SEASON OF PENTECOST

The first Sunday after the Day of Pentecost is Trinity Sunday. Subsequent Sundays are numbered “after Pentecost” until the first Sunday in Advent, when the cycle begins anew.

Trinity Sunday is the day on which the doctrine of the Trinity as been celebrated since the late Middle Ages. It is the only day of the liturgical cycle which does not call to mind one of the mighty acts of God. It stresses a balanced understanding of the mystery of God’s self-revelation.

With Trinity Sunday we see the culmination of our Lord’s teachings as set forth in the creed. Now it is up to us to grow and mature as a result of these teachings. The word ‘growth’ seems to sum up best the purpose of the six-month long season of Pentecost. We must grow and develop in the love of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The color for Trinity Sunday is white. The color is green for the remainder of the Sundays after Pentecost.

INQUIRER’S CLASSES

COME ONE AND COME ALL TO LEARN THE HISTORY AND TRADITIONS OF THE CHURCH. REFRESH YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF OUR WAYS AND BELIEFS.

REQUIRED FOR THOSE REQUESTING CONFIRMATION.

May 15 – 11:15am – Rev. J. Russell Snapp

May 19 – 11:15am – Rev. J. Russell Snapp

Celebrant - The Rev. J. Russell Snapp

Lector – Brock Cline

May 12

Layreader - Jessie Blevens

Lector – Carolyn Newman

May 19

Celebrant – The Rev. J. Russell Snapp

Lector - Hap Hazzard

May 26

Layreader - Rebecca Hoskins

Lector - Hap Hazzard

Altar Guild

Pauletta Hollis

May 16 – Katy McDowell

May 20 – Gwen Sutowski

ANNIVERSARIES

May 14 – Angie & Steve Routon