This Is Who We Are:
When the Holy Spirit Creates Belonging

Sermon Reflection Blog

Pentecost is often called the birthday of the church. This year for Pentecost we remembered that the Holy Spirit calls us to active ministry. Here at New Spirit we took time to intentionally say “This Is Who We Are” as we are shaped by the Holy Spirit.

(view the recorded Livestream for Pentecost Sunday by clicking here: This is Who We Are!

And while that is true, it is also incomplete.

Because Pentecost was never just about the church beginning. Pentecost was about the Holy Spirit refusing to let the church stay small, closed off, fearful, or controlled.

The Spirit showed up loudly. Wildly. Publicly.

So loudly, in fact, that people standing outside thought the disciples must be drunk.

The Holy Spirit did not arrive quietly to help people maintain the status quo. The Spirit came crashing into locked rooms, fearful hearts, and carefully controlled expectations.

And the very first thing the Holy Spirit did was create belonging.

Before people said the right words. Even before they understood doctrine. Before they proved themselves worthy. Before they had everything figured out.

The Spirit made sure people could hear the good news in their own language.

That matters because too often the church has reversed the order. Too often churches have demanded conformity before belonging. But Pentecost tells a different story.

Grace comes first.

That is the heartbeat of who we are becoming at New Spirit Lutheran Church.

Over the next several weeks, we will explore the values shaping our ministry together:

• Grace Comes First
• Belonging Matters
• Faith Changes Us
• Love Shows Up
• Mercy Is Practiced Here
• Courageous Love Leads Us Forward

Explore this Core Values more here: What We Value.

These values are not slogans. They are practices and commitments. They are how we follow Jesus together.

The Holy Spirit is still shaping us.

This is who we are.