Greetings brethren and Happy Pentecost weekend!  We didn't have a memory scripture last week, but two weeks ago it was 2 Corinthians 5:5 (NKJV), "Now He who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who also has given us the Spirit as a guarantee."  For the memory scripture this week, let's look forward to the days coming when we can be reunited!

Are we there yet?

It's the age old question asked by kids everywhere when on the way to the Feast or vacation: "Are we there yet?"  I think many of us are feeling the same way about the end of the COVID-19 pandemic: "Is it over yet? Can we go back to church now????"

Exciting news (maybe)

As you are no doubt aware, June 6th was set as the earliest possible date we could consider resuming services.  While it doesn't look like we will make that date, after receiving input from the congregational surveys and chatting with our leadership team, a plan has been formulated for re-instituting in-person services.  I'm still awaiting confirmation on a couple of details from the facilities we meet at, but it is possible we *could* resume in-person Sabbath services by the end of June in all three congregations!

While I'm sure that answer is more vague than you (or I) would like, there is another answer that is not vague.  It has to do with the Feast or Pentecost which will be this Sunday, May 31st, 2020.

Old vs. New

What makes the Feast of Pentecost so special?  In short, it is the receiving of the gift of God's Holy Spirit.  As discussed a few weeks ago, that is our down payment on eternal life.  If we have God's Spirit, we have the guarantee of eternal life.

That is of course an exciting future promise we all look forward to.  But having the Holy Spirit now means something else.  It means we are partakers of the New Covenant.  No longer do we practice the ceremonial law, which included the waive sheaf offering and animal sacrifices.  Instead, we live daily God's eternal, royal law, written in our hearts and on our minds!

A uniting promise

The days are coming, when the house of Israel and the house of Judah will once again be united.  For us, here on Earth today, the day will come when we are all once again united under one roof, able to worship together.  Until that day arrives, let us rejoice as partakers of the New Covenant, united by God's spirit, with His laws written in our hearts and on our minds!