RCL: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:25-35, 37; Romans 8:14-17; John 14:8-17 (25-27) Acts 2:1-21 Pentecost has finally come. Personally, I consider this the birthday of the church. And why not? Upon each disciple, a tongue of fire, like the tongue of fire upon each birthday candle. But no one is here to blow the flame out…

Genesis 11:1–9 This passage in Genesis describes a time when all of humanity resided in one place and spoke one language, a vision of unity that sounds awfully appealing today. Imagine how our perception of the world’s economic and environmental challenges would change if we saw ourselves as part of one global community, with loyalties…

Genesis 11:1-9 In the story of Babel we hear that at one time the whole earth shared one language. As the story deepens we learn that God chooses to separate humankind giving them different languages. This story itself seems antithetical to our conception of a God who strives for unity of all people. Some may…

Acts 2:1-21 When we get to Pentecost, it’s tempting to just focus on the Spirit coming down and resting on the Apostles. This lengthy and meaty reading seems to beg for more than just a recitation of how the Spirit rested on the Apostles and how it rests on us in the church. There are…