Pentecost Sunday 2010

Pentecost 2010 will be unforgetable for those who gathered yesterday in the Grand Lobby of Ozinga Chapel, but it will not be unforgetable because of the outstanding performances of those who stood on the platform in front of the congregation. As Pastor Hamstra said afterward, "I don't feel like I delivered a very good sermon." And it will not be unforgetable because of the number of people who attended - only about fifty folk gathered. Rather, it will be unforgetable because of the testimonies by several individuals who shared with the congregation about the work of the Holy Spirit in their lives.

On the fourth Sunday of each month, the Living Hope liturgy includes an opportunity for testimonies. Typically, one person is asked to share how God has worked in his or her life, then the entire congregation is invited to testify in unison with the words of the Apostles' Creed. Yesterday, however, a new wrinkle was added. Dan Lugo began the testimony time, sharing a couple examples of how the Holy Spirit worked in his life, and a story of how he once resisted the clear leading of the Holy Spirit. Then, Dan invited any one in the congregation to testify to the work of the Holy Spirit in his or her life.  And the testimonies came by several individuals, each thanking the Lord for the perpetual presence of the Holy Spirit in their lives.  This time of testimony was then followed by a testimony of faith in our Triune God through the use of the Apostles' Creed.