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I bring you greetings in the name of the Ascended Christ and covered in the presence of the Holy Spirit.
I pray this newsletter finds you well and happy.
Pentecost reminds us that God is still doing unbelievable things. In Acts 2, the disciples experienced rushing wind, tongues of fire, and the power to speak across every barrier. What seemed impossible became the birth of the Church. Just before this moment, Jesus had already begun preparing them. Scripture tells us, “He opened their minds to understand.” That same promise is still true today—when we don’t understand, God is still at work.
Pentecost is not just a moment in history—it is a living reality. Through the Holy Spirit, God continues to guide, equip, and transform us. In the Wesleyan tradition, we call this sanctifying grace: God shaping us into who we are created to be. This is not our work; it is God’s work. God is working through us by using the gifts God has given us. Do you know what your spiritual gifts are? Would you like to know and to learn about those gifts? Even in moments of uncertainty, fear, or change, we are not alone. The same Spirit that empowered the early church is eternally active in our lives—through worship, community, and acts of love.
So when faith feels surprising or even impossible, remember this: God is still moving. And we are invited to respond with a simple, powerful word— Yes.
- May 31, 2026 – Worship through Song Sunday
Join us as our service will be focused on singing favorite hymns, praise, and worship songs! - May 31-June 3rd – Horizon Texas Annual Conference
Wichita Falls, Texas - June 2, 2026 – Service of Commissioning and Ordination
(Mary’s commissioning service)
Live stream June 2nd, 7 pm, at https://www.htcumc.org/ac26
For those attending in person, the event will be held at the Ray Clymer Exhibit Hall in the Wichita Falls Multi-Purpose Event Center.
The address is 1000 5th St., Wichita Falls, TX 76301. (ADA Parking is located between the Convention Center and the Ray Climer Exhibit Hall).
Remember, this is my commissioning service. Official ordination will happen (God willing) at Annual Conference 2028. Location TBD. - June 7, 2026 – Cookout and Bring a Friend to Church Sunday
We will have pulled pork sandwiches and hot dogs. Please bring desserts if you are able.
Looking forward to singing with you this Sunday!
Blessings, Mary
- May 31, 2026 – Worship through Song Sunday
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Have you ever been in a room where everyone was talking, but nobody seemed to understand each other? Maybe it happened at school, during a game, or even at home when everyone was excited at once. It can feel confusing when people cannot connect or understand what someone else is trying to say.
After Jesus returned to heaven, his followers gathered together in Jerusalem, waiting and praying. Jesus had told them to stay there and wait for the Holy Spirit. Then something amazing happened. A sound like a rushing wind filled the house, and flames like fire appeared above their heads (Acts 2:1-4). The Holy Spirit came to them, giving them courage and helping them speak in many different languages.
People from all over the world were gathered in Jerusalem that day, and each person could hear the message about God’s love in their own language. Some people were amazed, while others joked that the disciples must be drunk because they were acting so boldly and joyfully. Peter stood up and preached to the crowd about Jesus, and his message touched many hearts. About three thousand people were baptized that day. Pentecost became known as the birthday of the church.
Today, the Holy Spirit still helps us share God’s love with others. We may not speak different languages as the disciples did, but we can still listen, encourage, forgive, and care for people around us. When we show kindness and love, we help others hear the message of Jesus through our actions.
No matter who we are or where we come from, God’s Spirit reminds us that we belong together.
What We Learned
- The Holy Spirit gave the disciples courage and helped them share God’s love
- Pentecost is known as the birthday of the church
- Peter preached boldly about Jesus
- God helps people from different places understand one another
- We can share Jesus through kindness, listening, and love
After our lesson, the kids celebrated Memorial Day by making inflatable American flags to take home. It was a fun reminder to be thankful for those who have served and sacrificed for others.
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Thank you to everyone who helped make Pentecost Sunday such a meaningful morning of worship and fellowship together.
We are grateful to Blake for his beautiful solo of “Holy Spirit” by Bryan and Katie Torwalt, to Julian for faithfully leading our hymns, and to Kristi for the moving organ prelude, “The Quest of the Spirit” by David Paxton. Your gifts helped create a spirit of reverence, joy, and reflection throughout the service.
We also celebrate our children’s ministry as the kids learned about Pentecost and created inflatable American flags in recognition of Memorial Day. Thank you to all who continue to invest their time, care, and energy into the life of our church family.
A special moment came at the close of worship when the congregation gathered together for a group photo beneath the stained glass windows. It is beautiful that God continues to bring us together, across generations, as one church family rooted in Christ’s love.
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