In the name of Jesus Christ, who gives us the church.
Today is the church s birthday.
Today is Pentecost, a day that marks the establishment of the church as related in the Acts of the Apostles, the second half of Luke s gospel. Pentecost is an old Israelite religious festival, the Feast of Weeks. The Pentateuch, the first five books of the bible, the books of Moses, the Law, tell us that after the newly harvested corn sheaf had been waved before God at the feast of unleavened bread, a period of seven weeks followed, and then the next great festival, Pentecost was observed. Jesus has ascended into heaven, he s left the disciples alone, but that s okay. Before he left, he blessed them, and they ve been filled with joy and courage.