“Go in Peace—Serve the Lord!”

Jesus said, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
 
This verse from the book of Acts comes at the time of Jesus’ ascension into heaven. Jesus is giving instruction to his disciples about their continuing work in the world after he departs from them. In these instructions, Jesus gives the disciples a promise – they will receive the power of the Holy Spirit and with that power, they will witness to their own city, their own country and across the whole earth. It is a promise that these disciples will carry on and carry out the message of Jesus Christ. That is who they are, that is what they do – they witness to Jesus.
 
As we enjoy the summer months, I have been thinking about this passage and this promise to those long ago disciples. How do we witness to Jesus’ love and mercy? How do we use that power of the Holy Spirit in our lives as we teach others about the grace that God pours into their lives? Where are we called to go with this life-changing message?
 
As a community of believers, we have been called to live our faith out loud. At the end of each worship service we are powerfully reminded that our faith gets lived out when we leave the church building—“Go in peace. Serve the Lord”--and engage in our everyday vocations. During the summer the pastors are gathering different groups of people each week for a special prayer and blessing to take into the world. In early July our congregation made its presence known at a Trenton Thunder baseball game and by participating in the Ewing 4th of July parade. In early August we will hold Vacation Bible School for people of all ages to learn about and experience the stories of Jesus’ life.
 
Every day as you go to work or school or hang out at the pool, you have the power of the Holy Spirit to witness to those around you. You have the ability and the promise that your life will witness to the love of Jesus. Your words and your deeds may be the only time someone else hears the name of Jesus or sees the love of God at work in a real way!
 
How wonderful it is that we receive that same promise as those first disciples.
 
Thank you, God, for the power of the Holy Spirit that you give to each of us. Help us to use that power to proclaim your name, live out your word and serve our neighbors. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

Contributed by Tracie
Monday July 11, 2011
Liturgical Year A: Week 33
Liturgical Color: Green
Sunday Gospel reading: Lectionary 14 (Proper 9)
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost