Have you ever tried to hold your breath longer than anyone else can, just to show you can do it? We used to have contests to see who would have to exhale, and then gasp for air first. It was just a fun little harmless game and no one passed out from it, so we were all good. There’s another way to breathe and I love doing it. Just breathe. That’s all, just breathe. In and out, in and out, feeling each breath of life as it enters your body and fuels your soul. Once you start mastering breathing (not like we don’t breathe everyday) and can control each breath, in and out, in the release of each breath, there’s freedom in knowing you can do it! That’s called meditation: breath meditation. I meditate and pray like this multiple times a day. Sometimes it’s a quick breath or two to calm myself. Other times it’s 20 minutes or more of focusing on my breath, praying to God and speaking to the Universe. Mighty things happen when we focus, breath and pray!
That’s what happened on the day of Pentecost. The disciples had been primed that the Holy Spirit would come to them, empowering them, and they weren’t disappointed! Flames, a dove, and the breath of the Spirit engulfed them! They were doing things they never dreamed possible, speaking in all the languages represented there and people understood them!
As we worship this Sunday, I invite you to reflect on how the breath of life has reached your heart. I’ll be sharing my own perspective.
Blessings, Peggy Good Hoyle
Rev. Peggy Good Hoyle will be leading us in worship this Sunday, and will share the sermon. The Chancel Choir will lead us in music, accompanied by the Wind Ensemble. Rev. Mary Beth Morgan will share a Children’s Moment and the Pastoral Prayer. Stephanie Conklin will read our first scripture passage (based on Acts 2:1-21). Eric Metzler will read our second scripture passage (based on 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13). The sermon is titled “Breathe, Just Breathe: because you’re free now”.
If you have been part of the St. Mark’s community for a long time, a short time, or will be joining us for the first time, we look forward to connecting with those of you here in-person or joining on the livestream.
To connect to our livestream worship Sunday morning, click the link on our website www.smumc.church.