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Where's Jesus?

by Fr. Bill Van Oss

I hope to see you wearing RED at the services this weekend because we are celebrating Pentecost. Pentecost is the day the Holy Spirit came as wind and tongues of fire that rested on the disciples who were huddled together and wondering: where’s Jesus?


Jesus had been with them, but then he was crucified. Then He rose from the dead and appeared to them for 40 days before ascending back into heaven. The disciples must have been wondering what to do now. Had they been abandoned? Was God still with them?


Then God came as the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of love, the spirit that first moved over at waters at the beginning of creation, and pushed them out into the world to proclaim that Christ was still alive. Alive in love. Alive in God’s love for each and every person that God has made, alive in our love for each other as God’s children and alive in our love for the world God has made. 


A while ago I received a beautiful needlepoint of one of my favorite scripture verses (Galatians 5:22) “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.”  Filled with the breath and fire of the Holy Spirit this Pentecost, we go forth to bear fruit. We go forth to live lives of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control to set the world on fire with God’s love.


Where’s Jesus? You can find Him in our love for God and for each other.   


Let us pray:  God our creator, the resurrection of your Son offers life to all the peoples of the earth. By your Holy Spirit, kindle in us the fire of your love, empowering our lives for service and our tongues for praise, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen


Peace,

Bill+

Moving Forward Updates from Fr. Bill

Hope Rising Update #72

By Fr. Bill Van Oss • 20 Dec, 2023
Today's Excitement Dear Friends, Today was a day to celebrate! LCEC trucks arrived to install the new meter and energize it so the new HVAC system in the sanctuary can be started up! Then a couple hours later, we passed the City of Sanibel final inspection and we were given the Certificate of Completion; the final step in our permit process which started last May. We are very grateful to Councilwoman Holly Smith, City Manager Dana Souza and all the city and LCEC employees who assisted in these final steps and of course to all the FP workers and their subs for all their hard work these past several months and the Property Restoration Team; the working group was there to receive the good news today. We are very busy getting the spaces ready for opening weekend starting with our 4th Advent services this Saturday at 5pm and Sunday at 8am and 10:30am (livestreamed). Then we will have 3 Christmas Services at 4pm, 8pm (livestreamed) and 10:30am. Thanks to the volunteer teams who have been washing dishes in the kitchen, putting books on the bookshelf, hanging wreaths and a 100 other details. It is a stunningly beautiful space and we can't wait for all to experience it again for the first time in 15 months! Bill +

Hope Rising Update #71

By Fr. Bill Van Oss • 13 Dec, 2023
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