Romans 8:22-28; John 15: 26-27; 16:4-15    Pentecost's Power E/DC            June 4, 2006

1. Confirmation ? what an exciting day for you Darby (Greg, Landon, Diamond and Jennifer).  As well as for your families, godparents, friends and this church family that has watched you grow.  But like any day that marks a passage, as incredibly important as it is, it's not nearly as significant as the difference this commitment will make in your lives.  In the times of joy and sorrow, celebration and disappointment, choices you are proud of, and choices you are not, what difference might this faith commitment make?

2. Today's scriptures tell us about some of the people have dealt with the really difficult times.  The disciples in John are discouraged, down-hearted, and down-right grumpy.  Jesus has told them he's going away.  Jesus their incredible friend, the one they were sure was going to make life different for them.  The people in the church in Rome, are disheartened, dejected depressed.  They've done what they've been told would make the difference in their lives.  They've been baptized, and not even dried off, when they wonder, ?Hey, my life is still filled with struggle and pain.  Wasn?t this faith thing supposed to take care of that??

3. Something happens for those disciples, not only dejected, but terrified.  They're huddled in an upper room in our story from Acts.  They've given up.  Jesus has gone, and their lives are in danger.  With a rush of wind and flame, everything changes.  What happened?  The coming of the Spirit in power.  Pentecost.  A reminder of what God has promised them all through their history.  A reminder of what was available to them whenever they would open themselves to receive it.  Courage, energy, wisdom, love.  The connection spirit to spirit that gives us life. 

4. Paul wants to help the people in the Church at Rome, who are so discouraged that life's still so hard.  And it was!  These were the days of terror for those who dared to be Christian or Jewish or anything other than worshipping the current God of Caesar.  Bad things were happening to very good people.  Paul is desperate to help them see that God will get them through everything.  That God could work all things for good when we open ourselves in love for God.  No matter what horrible tragedies happened, and Paul's lived many.  Not asking why did this happen, but how do we go on with God's help.  God worked something good out of it ? if he was willing to let God work through him. 

5. Of course what God is able to work through us may not be exactly what we want!  An 11 year old boy was walking through the valley of the shadow of death with his grandmother.  The doctor had given her only a few weeks to live as the last chemo had not worked.  His mother who had been helping him to pray for her to recover was now preparing him for her immanent death.  He was very angry with his mother for what he saw as giving up.  Really he was very angry about his grandmother's dying.  His mom talked to him about the difference between curing and healing.  They had been praying for a cure.  But it seemed now that their prayer needed to be for healing.  Which is different.  Healing may come in life or death.  We may be healed in relationship before death.  We may be healed into death, new life with God, because our bodies cannot be cured.  This is the prayer that Paul is talking about.  The prayer when we don?t understand, but open ourselves for the Spirit to pray through us when it feels like all that comes out is anguished groans. 

6. This power of the Spirit is exactly what Jennifer, Diamond, Greg and Landon (Darby) are finding out, and will find out.  With their families.  With their friends.  When things are so tough it seems impossible.  And when they are so good we can?t believe it!  Daring to believe that the Spirit has come, and will make a difference in their lives.

7. This gift of the Spirit first came in the midst of the community.  And it's the power of the Spirit in and through the community that helps us see why we need each other.  Dow Edgerton the speaker at last week's Annual Meeting of Conference, told the story of an experience he had in the Philippines several years ago.  As honoured guests, each time they came to a community there would be a meal, and entertainment.  At this one village, the youth group put on a play.  It was evident it was well known and beloved for it's repeating.  Scene 1.  People are gathered around the village square.  A messenger comes, and speaks to a few, who become excited and bring in others to listen, pointing and sharing the Good News.  Soon there are many people filled with the Spirit, and living and sharing the Good News.  Scene 2.  A person obviously in a position of power is not excited about this.  When we fear for our puny power, anything can seem frightening, especially if the people seem less afraid.  Scene 3.  Soldiers come into the village, and begin to ask questions.  No one will co-operate.  Finally they seem to find the person they're looking for.  It is the Messenger.  Bound, he is dragged away.  Scene 4.  Soldiers are smoking, cigarettes become one of the instruments of torture for the Messenger.  Scene 5.  A man comes dragging himself back into the village, as if every bone of his body is broken.  Blood soaked rags cover him, some wound round his head.  Slowly, slowly, the community comes out of hiding and surrounds him, singing softly, holding to each other for dear life.  The messenger stands up in the midst of them, opening like a flower.  Arms outstretched.  Who knows how long they held him in his need.  And he begins to share the message again.  Their story is right in the midst of the Christ story.  It's an incredible example of the power of the spirit in community. The people could have despaired at the terror.  Instead they celebrated over and over again, their story as part of Christ's story.  They know it's their actual lives the Gospel wants to transform.

8. We come now to the table to celebrate Christ's story.  To celebrate that in the power of the Spirit, in the midst of this community, our actual lives are transformed.  When we surround each other in the times of terror and celebration with love and support.  To be reminded again that God is good.  No matter what has happened this week, or this year, we have confirmed this day we can bring our story, and make it part of Christ's story, as the Spirit breathes new life into us.