These are days of great anticipation!

Students eagerly await their last day of classes.

Teachers even more eagerly await their release from students.

Families look forward to travel and vacation together.

This is a season of anticipation for the church - and has been since the days following Jesus’ resurrection from the dead. Dr. Luke tells us that for forty days after He was raised, Jesus kept showing up, proving that He is alive, and speaking to His disciples about the Kingdom of God. As He ascended into the heavens, He commanded the citizens of His Kingdom to wait and pray for the power of the Holy Spirit. Their ten days of waiting ended on the day of Pentecost - the Spirit was poured out in fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy and the church of Jesus came into being.

Many of us have already begun praying the Lord’s Prayer in response to the Lord’s Word in Joel 2 - turning toward God, seeking His Spirit’s power in our church and in our lives. Let’s keep praying until Pentecost - next Sunday!

What happens next Sunday? We’ll gather for worship to hear God’s Good News in our own language. We’ll see the effects of the Holy Spirit’s power as witness is shared, salvation is offered, and believers are baptized. It will be a great day as we find our thirst for righteousness satisfied!

There’s more to anticipate that day! At 6 p.m., we’ll gather for a long-awaited business meeting to consider the recommendations of the Bylaws Revision Committee. We need at least 100 members present to vote their sense of God’s leadership in this matter. Your committee has worked since March, 2008, to bring this proposal - show up and be counted! Check www.fbcplano.org/bylaws-revision for details.

We’ll also hear an exciting proposal to create a Community Outreach Garden to meet the needs of our neighborhood in Jesus’ name. Finally, the culmination to a great day of worship and service - ICE CREAM for everyone!

Jerry