The festival of Pentecost, the third principal festival of the church year (the other two are Christmas and Easter) is on May 11 this year. That same day we confirm four of our young people and celebrate Mother's Day. Many people ask me why we hold confirmation on Pentecost. I will tell you why. First a little about Pentecost: On Pentecost Sunday, which happens 50 days after Easter, we remember how the Holy Spirit came powerfully upon Jesus' disciples who were gathered together in an upper room in Jerusalem with the doors locked. We read about Pentecost in Acts. ''When the feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning, there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force – no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking to each other in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them.'' (Acts 2:1-4 the Message)

At Pentecost God's life-giving Spirit poured out abundantly on the community of the disciples. Rich images of wind and fire frame the proclamation of God's power in words that all can understand. That day Peter preached the gospel message of Jesus and God's love to the crowds in Jerusalem. Over 3000 heard Peter, understood him, believed in Jesus Christ, and were baptized. This was the beginning of the growth of the Christian church and the spread of the gospel throughout the world.

Our confirmands join those throughout history who after hearing God's word and studying the gospel, will profess their belief in Jesus Christ and become a full member of God's community, the church. The vows they take on Confirmation Sunday are the same ones either they or their parents took at their baptism. The pastor will lay her hand on each of our confirmands and pray, ''O God, in the grace of Jesus Christ, you have accepted your servant through the water of baptism. Nourish in her or him the power of your Holy Spirit that he or she may serve you in the world.'' The laying on of hands is a blessing, a setting apart for service, a confirmation of faith in Jesus Christ, and a transmission of spiritual grace from one set apart (pastor) to the confirmands who now join those who joined the church from the beginning at Pentecost and will join in the future. Our confirmands are Hannah Allen, Lara Bluhm, Sarah Ringer, and Andrew Truman. They will be confirmed at the 10:00 worship service on May 11, Pentecost Sunday. Come support them and celebrate with them on this Pentecost day of wind, fire, spirit, and new beginnings.

Faithfully,
Alice Anderman