The worship service and fellowship on Sunday, June 8 fit in so many celebrations that it could only have happened on the anniversary of miraculous Pentecost — the official birthday of the church when the Holy Spirit is said to have descended from Heaven upon the heads of the assembled apostles.
Additions to the regular service started with the baptism of Lorenna Virginia Harrington, daughter of members Doug and Lindsey, bedecked in white satin and surrounded by 3 generations of her family and godparents and a congregation already in love with her.
This baptism was followed by a Time of Celebration and Recognition of Our Church School, Graduating Seniors, and Its Teachers. “You Make a Difference” award medals were issued to each Sunday School student and gifts of thanks were given to the many participating teachers. This was followed by a Time of Passage and Recognition for Our Graduating Seniors, when Lyla Birch and Cristina Marino were given large purple and lavender prayer shawls, hand-crocheted by our Prayer Shawl Ministry. Lyla and Cristina have served for several years as our two talented and committed audiovisual experts up in the booth each Sunday, making sure the live-stream worship service goes out to our many off-site viewers. There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.
Next, we gave thanks to Ann and Marty Roussel, who are moving West to be closer to family, for decades of loving fellowship and service. During a Sending Prayer, a few more tears fell, followed by many hugs of fond farewell. When worship had concluded, we all moved out to the church lawn to celebrate the Pentecost birthday of the church with the Annual Church Picnic. Lots of grilled burgers, salads and coleslaw, chips and, of course, cake!
Pentecost is described in the words of the Apostle Peter as told in the book of Acts. “In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Even upon all my servants…in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.” In celebration, the fellowship of First Congregational Church came together this past Sunday, from the very young to the very old, to celebrate the Holy Spirit that enables all of us to have visions and dreams of a better, more loving world, and the will to speak out and take action to bring it about.