As you may know, John Wesley is credited with starting the Methodist faith tradition. You might not know that early in his ministry he visited the colony of Georgia. At the time he considered the trip to be a horrible disaster. Upon his return to England, he questioned everything… whether he could be a missionary, a pastor, and even questioned his faith in God. During a small group study, he had an amazing experience. Methodists refer to this incident as his Aldersgate experience, and we celebrate it each year on May 24. ”In the evening I went very unwillingly to a society in Aldersgate Street, where one was reading Luther's preface to the Epistle to the Romans. About a quarter before nine, while the leader was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ alone for salvation; and an assurance was given me that He had taken away my sins, even mine, and saved me from the law of sin and death. “ May 24, 1738.
It is hard to imagine that John Wesley, the circuit rider preacher who launched the mighty faith
movement that transformed England and North America could have ever been frightened or shaken in his faith. After all he was a spiritual giant! How could it be that he was ever discouraged, or questioned his faith?! It is only simple people like me that sometimes find themselves shaken right?
Something happened in that small group meeting that night. He found God’s Spirit in study. He experienced his own personal Pentecost. From that experience Wesley found the drive and power to proclaim that “the World is my Parish.” He created a vision for the church that led to dealing with alcoholism and illiteracy. He started a community credit union to help neighbors launch new businesses, fought against slavery, and turned the industrial England business upside down.
Pentecost is coming! We can experience God’s power in many ways. It can be a quiet thought that slips through our head, a kick in the seat of our pants to get us motivated, a stirring sermon (I hope), or a sensation in our heart that is ‘strangely warm’. Pentecost is when we celebrate the life and power of God’s Spirit moving in our church.
In the upcoming weeks, we will host several small group meetings we will meet on four Mondays, beginning on April 27th here at Lafayette Park. On May 4th we will meet at Centenary. On May 11th and May 18th we will meet at Lafayette Park. Each week we will begin with a fellowship time from 6 – 6:30, followed by a short devotional time. We will then break into three small groups; one will study basic Bible information, another will study how to pray, and the third group will work on planning our Pentecost worship and picnic celebration. Who knows, maybe in this small group you too will encounter the power of the Holy Spirit and find that your heart is also ‘strangely warmed.”
Happy Pentecost,
Pastor Kathleen
It is hard to imagine that John Wesley, the circuit rider preacher who launched the mighty faith
movement that transformed England and North America could have ever been frightened or shaken in his faith. After all he was a spiritual giant! How could it be that he was ever discouraged, or questioned his faith?! It is only simple people like me that sometimes find themselves shaken right?
Something happened in that small group meeting that night. He found God’s Spirit in study. He experienced his own personal Pentecost. From that experience Wesley found the drive and power to proclaim that “the World is my Parish.” He created a vision for the church that led to dealing with alcoholism and illiteracy. He started a community credit union to help neighbors launch new businesses, fought against slavery, and turned the industrial England business upside down.
Pentecost is coming! We can experience God’s power in many ways. It can be a quiet thought that slips through our head, a kick in the seat of our pants to get us motivated, a stirring sermon (I hope), or a sensation in our heart that is ‘strangely warm’. Pentecost is when we celebrate the life and power of God’s Spirit moving in our church.
In the upcoming weeks, we will host several small group meetings we will meet on four Mondays, beginning on April 27th here at Lafayette Park. On May 4th we will meet at Centenary. On May 11th and May 18th we will meet at Lafayette Park. Each week we will begin with a fellowship time from 6 – 6:30, followed by a short devotional time. We will then break into three small groups; one will study basic Bible information, another will study how to pray, and the third group will work on planning our Pentecost worship and picnic celebration. Who knows, maybe in this small group you too will encounter the power of the Holy Spirit and find that your heart is also ‘strangely warmed.”
Happy Pentecost,
Pastor Kathleen