It seemed fitting that we baptized people on Pentecost Sunday. Rachel, who arrived in NZ that morning from Kansas City, with an inkling about getting baptised in southern waters, stumbled (jet-lagged) into church to hear a message about Pentecost - the arrival of Holy Spirit, including an invitation to be baptised that afternoon. Some would call it random. We think it was a divine collision. God is like that. But certainly not random.
So, into a full tide under a grey autumn sky three beautiful young women pledged their allegiance to Jesus and embarked on a new stage on their faith journey. We commend you Rachel, Maranda and Sarah!
Jesus comforted his friends by telling them,
It is for your own good that I am going, because unless I go the Paraclete (Spirit) will not come to you; but if I do go, I will send Him to you. He will lead you to the complete truth.
And he told them…
not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait for the gift the Father promised. John baptised with water but in a few days you will be baptised with the
Holy Spirit.
10 days later, they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and the Church was born!
Holy Spirit Welcome….You are welcome here. Guide us Holy Spirit…Speak to us again.