Happy Birthday, Church!

Happy Birthday, Church! by Ed Mehlenbacher

"When the day of Pentecost had come, they (the disciples) were all together in one place. Suddenly from heaven, there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them." 
This is how Luke in Acts 2 describes the day of Pentecost and the birthday of the church. For almost 2000 years Christians have celebrated this special day. Inevitably things change. The church, however, is remarkably similar to the way it was on its first birthday. It still shares money with the poor and needy and still meets on the “eighth day of the week”, as the Lord's Day was sometimes referred to then.  And it still observes the Lord’s Supper as a central element of worship. The emblems of the loaf and the cup were among the few physical things that meant anything to Jesus. As we handle and partake of them, they bring back the old feelings and treasured memories of him. As we remember Him, we forget ourselves. This remembrance is the best gift we can bring him on the birthday of his church.  This is why Jesus said, “Do this in remembrance of me.”
Let us pray...
Father, it is difficult to give something to someone who already has everything, but we also know that all you have ever wanted from us is our love and devotion. Help us, then, to give you that which does not make us poorer but makes us richer indeed. Help us to give up our foolish preoccupation with ourselves and give you the best gift we can give---our trust, our obedience, and our gratitude.
Amen