CCC Gainesville | Blog
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4
Dear heavenly Father, on this Pentecost Sunday, we praise you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, whose ministries are as multiple as they are magnificent. Though invisible, the evidence of his work is everywhere.
It is only by your Spirit that we even believe the gospel. He convicted us of our sins, gave us eyes to see Jesus and faith to trust him. Indeed, by the Spirit, we’ve been born again, and are no longer dead in our sins and trespasses. Father, we praise you for the new birth and new life in Jesus. And yet there’s so much more for which to be grateful.
By the Spirit, you sealed us forever as your beloved people. He’s the firstfruits of our final redemption—the guarantee that one Day we’ll live with the whole family of God, in the new heaven and new earth. He’s the wedding ring wrapped around our hearts—the sign and security of our betrothal to Jesus—our loving Bridegroom.
It’s by the Spirit we hear you telling us we’re your beloved children—guiltless and condemnation free. Through the Spirit we learn more of the glory and grace of Jesus, for he is constantly drawing attention to our Savior. And by the Spirit’s power, we’re enabled to put to death everything in us that contradicts the gospel. Oh, the peace we have knowing the Spirit is making us more and more like Jesus—for it wouldn’t happen otherwise.
We can pray and worship you acceptably, Father, only through the Spirit; and we’re comforted to know he ceaselessly prays inside of us—even when we’re too distracted, or too broken, to pray. And through the Spirit, you’ve gifted for service and empowered for mission. Hallelujah, many times over.
Father, on this Pentecost Sunday, we hear afresh your command that we be filled with the Spirit. So may it be, to your glory and our growth. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and loving name. — Scotty Smith
NOTE THE CHANGE PLEASE:
This month the monthly men’s gathering for b’fast will take place on Thursday June 12. More info next week.
If you are looking to connect for a men’s connection tomorrow, we have dos:
— Church Office at 0630 (Studying the Screwtape Letters 7 and 8, and associated scripture)
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— Study Center at noon. (contact Justin Richardson with questions richardson.hcs AT gmail DOT com)
Seeds Family Worship is a wonderful resource for memorizing scripture as a family. Summer is a great time to take on a little memory work as a family. Seeds Family Worship is a way to experience God’s Word through music. We wanted to share with you how to use the music and free website resources to make the most of scripture memory.
Start by going to www.seedsfamilyworship.com/
Once you are at the site choose a theme; The Character of God, The Power of Encouragement, Seeds of Character, Seeds of Purpose, Seeds of Praise, Seeds of Faith, Seeds of Courage and Purity.
Last summer my family chose The Power of Encouragement, and this summer we are listening to Seeds of Courage.
Take the next step. You can do more than just listen to the music, download the Memory Cards! Under Resources you will find every song has a memory card. You can print these off with the check list. 
This picture is of our work station above the children’s art table.
I hope this information is helpful for your family as you discover ways to experience God’s Word together.
Growing in Grace, Holli
Today we wrapped up “A Taste of Secret Church”; 4 weeks of using material from past year’s gatherings during our 9am spiritual formation class for adults. There is a ton of good material archived at the Secret Church website.
–John Calvin
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“To embrace the ascension is to heave a sigh of relief, to give up the struggle to be God (and with it the inevitable despair at our constant failure), and to enjoy our status as creatures: image-bearing creatures, but creatures nonetheless.”
—N.T. Wright, Surprised by Hope
