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Pentecost 2008
On June 6th brethren
from Chicago, Fort Wayne, Detroit, Toledo and many other towns across the region
began to arrive for the Pentecost weekend. We were all excited to see one
another, (mostly, for the first time since the Feast). It always feels wonderful
to walk into the lobby of a hotel for one of God’s holy days and see familiar
faces. On Friday we caught up on each other’s lives since the feast. We talked
about the usual things when we get together, politics, the economy, and the
price of gas. ($4.09 In Holland) and this time the price of food and gardening
were topics of conversation. We were all a bit older, some of us have a few more
gray hairs and are bit slower getting out of the comfortable chairs in the
lobby.
On the morning of the Sabbath
there was a contingent of brethren that headed for Tunnel Park on the western
shore of Lake Michigan. This has become an annual event for all newcomers to
Holland, to visit the park.
For Sabbath services David
Bramasco was our song leader for the day and we had a sermonett by Mr. Gary
Johnson on the resources that are given to us by God. Mr. Johnson and Tom Holtom
gave a split sermon. Mr. Johnson spoke about the deception of the trilogy. It
was an insightful explanation of how satan has slithered his way into mainstream
religion. Mr. Tom Holtom gave us a sermon and a history lesson on how the world
wide church used to celebrate Pentecost on Monday and not Sunday, Proving that
the church was not perfect then and that we should not think we are perfect now.
However this does give us something to strive for. Always learning, always
growing. After services some played basketball, some retired to the pool and
some went to lunch. In the evening we watched a movie about God’s creatures and
just how incredible his creation is. As a side note, that night we had a
tremendous thunder storm. The rain was coming down in sheets and sideways. There
was quite a bit of flooding in the area and some roads had to be closed.
On the morning of Pentecost we
gathered for service at 10am. Mr. Gary Johnson led us in song. We had a
sermonette by Mr. David Bramasco, reminding us of who we are. “The chosen
generation”. Also, to follow Jesus, and only Jesus. Not men.
Afterwards we were treated to special music. The children sang “God speaks to
us”. Mr. Stanley Roberts was next and he gave us the main message “what do you
think is the rarest thing”? Not precious metals or gems but the gift of the Holy
Spirit. How rare it is indeed. And we are all thankful for it. After wards were
all the goodbyes and hugs.
May God be with us all till we
meet again. |
