Tuesday, July 15
Worship

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[Worship Bulletin | Sermon]

Bob Neff preached on the power of Pentecost, for the morning worship service. Photo by Regina Roberts

Stafford Frederick, pastor of Summerdean Church of the Brethren, served as worship leader. Photo by Regina Roberts

NEFF PREACHES THE POWER OF PENTECOST
“The power of Pentecost was that each family there heard the gospel in their own language. Their individuality, their special cultures were not destroyed by the gospel, but came alive,” said Bob Neff, preaching for the morning worship service.

When the second chapter of Acts was read in four different languages in worship, at one point simultaneously, each Conference-goer also heard the word of God in their own language.

The morning worship service and message, titled “The Story of Wind and Fire,” was built around Isaiah 61:1-4,11 and Acts 2:1-14, 14-24. Neff has in turn been professor of Old Testament at Bethany Theological Seminary, general secretary of the Church of the Brethren, president of Juniata College, and adjunct faculty at Penn State University. A popular author and speaker, he continues to serve the Church of the Brethren as coordinator of Chaplaincy Services at the Village at Morrisons Cove.

In his sermon, Neff cited both the Boston Celtics and South African theologian Desmond Tutu, who has referred to the African concept of “Ubuntu,” translated as “I cannot be without you.” Calling to mind the end of Apartheid, Neff said, “Africans believe a person is a person only through other persons. The truth is we need each other. We cannot survive and thrive without each other. In God’s family there are no outsiders. All are insiders.”

He continued, “At Pentecost we celebrate the coming of wind and fire because at that moment we are made the people of God.... The power of the Spirit is that it tears down walls.”

Referring to the baptism of the centurion Cornelius in Acts 10, Neff reminded the congregation how Peter had been raised to think that eating with gentiles would render him unclean, but the Spirit broke down those barriers.

Neff went on to say that another mark of the Spirit-filled church is emotional, physical, and spiritual healing, as well as reconciliation. Citing historical examples of Brethren working for reconciliation between warring parties as well as individuals who experienced transformation, he said, “The Anointing service is a way to present healing in our lives far larger than simply a serious illness. It is clearly a point at which the Spirit is present in our lives.”

Finally he insisted, citing Isaiah, Ruth, and the story of Ted Studebaker, that the teaching of peace and justice are the gift of the Spirit.

-- Frank Ramirez is pastor of Everett (Pa.) Church of the Brethren.

Children sat with their parents and grandparents in the Conference worship services. Photo by Glenn Riegel	The service included a time of laying on of hands and prayer. Photo by Glenn Riegel
The children's choir sang for worship. Photo by Glenn Riegel	The children's choir beat out the rhythm with sticks, and waved colorful flags to accompany one of their songs. Photo by Cheryl Brumbaugh-Cayford
A reading of Acts 2 in several languages at once brought a sense of what the first Pentecost must have been like, when the disciples heard the voice of the Spirit each in their own language. Photo by Regina Roberts	Music continues to be a highlight of worship. Photo by Regina Roberts