We gather for a Worship Service on this Sunday, May 28th, 2023, Pentecost Sunday, in person at the Chapel (2700 W 14th Street) and via the Zoom platform (online and by phone) at 11:00 A.M.

To join us at the Chapel, buzz Zion Church (Bob Bucklew) from the Directory at the front of the 2700 Building on the campus of San Sofia apartments or enter from the accessible ramp from the rear parking lot. When you arrive, call Bob at 216-375-5323 to open the parking lot gate.

The Sunday Bulletin is attached in PDF format. You may use it to follow along with the service on Zoom or you may use it as a devotional during the week.

Pentecost Sunday – May 28, 2023

The Christian holiday of Pentecost is celebration of the 50th day from Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem celebrating the Feast of Weeks, as described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1–31). Pentecost is one of the Great feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church, a Solemnity in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, a Festival in the Lutheran Churches and the United Church of Christ, and a Principal Feast in the Anglican Communion. Many Christian denominations provide a special liturgy for this holy celebration. The term Pentecost comes from the Greek Πεντηκοστή (Pentēkostē) meaning “fiftieth”. It refers to the Jewish harvest festival of Sha-vuot celebrated on the fiftieth day after Passover. It is also known as the “Feast of Weeks” and the “Feast of 50 days” rabbinic tradition.

The events of Acts Chapter 2 are set against the backdrop of the celebration of Pentecost in Jerusalem. The author begins by noting that the disciples of Jesus “all met in one place” on the “day of Pentecost” (ἡμέρα τῆς Πεντηκοστῆς).[Acts 2:1] The verb used in Acts 2:1 to indicate the ar-rival of the day of Pentecost carries a connotation of fulfillment.

There is a “violent, rushing wind” (wind is a common symbol for the Holy Spirit) and disciples were “all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as she enabled them” [Acts 2:4]. Some scholars have interpreted the passage as a reference to the multitude of languages spoken by the gathered disciples [Acts 2:6–11], while others have taken the reference to “tongues” (γλῶσσαι) to signify ecstatic speech [1 Corinthians 14]. In Christian tradition, this event represents fulfillment of the promise that Christ will baptize his followers with the Holy Spirit [Acts 1:5; John 14:16–17].

The main sign of Pentecost in the West is the color red. It symbolizes joy and the fire of the Holy Spirit.

Clergy and choirs wear red vestments, and in modern times, the custom has extended to the lay people of the congregation wearing red clothing in celebration as well. Red banners are often hung from walls or ceilings to symbolize the blowing of the “mighty wind” and the free movement of the Spirit. Other congregations have incorporated the use of red balloons, signifying the “Birthday of the Church”. These may be held by the congregants decorate the sanctuary, or released all at once.

Zion’s Administrative Assistant, Beverly Wurm

Beverly will be keeping some limited Office Hours at church/home. The days and hours are:
Monday – 9am – 1pm
Wednesday – 10am – 2pm
Thursday – 9am – 1pm
Beverly can be reached at: [email protected] or by phone at: 216-273-7561 (church) or 216-310-6810 (mobile).

Our new website address is: zionchurchtremont.org
Check out our website and Facebook for updates

The Scripture readings for Sunday, May 28th 2023 are:

First Reading: Act 2:1-21
On the day of Pentecost, when the Jewish people had gathered in Jerusalem fifty days after Passover, they gathered to celebrate the festival of the first fruits of the garden and the Torah being given to Moses at Sinai, the festival of Shavuot. The disciples were all together when they felt the rush of wind so powerful it shook the room they were in, and divided tongues, as of fire, appeared above them. Suddenly, the disciples could speak all the languages of the Jewish diaspora around the Mediterranean. Some of the crowds were perplexed, others said they were drunk, but Peter boldly declared that this was what God spoke through the prophet Joel, that the Holy Spirit was to be poured out on everyone. This was a sign of God’s faithfulness and God’s power upon the people, and there would be even more signs to come as prophesied of the day of the Lord.

Psalm Response: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
These verses are from a great psalm praising God for all of creation. In this portion, the writer speaks of God’s wisdom, often associated with the Holy Spirit, and how in wisdom God made all creatures and how God provides for everything in due season. When God’s Spirit is sent forth, life is renewed, especially plant life as it grows and provides oxygen for us to breathe. The word for spirit in Hebrew, ruach, also means wind and breath. Every living thing that has breath has the Holy Spirit. The psalmist praises God for all of God’s works in creation, for they are so awe-inspiring they cause the singer to tremble. The author blesses God and prays that their meditation will be acceptable and pleasing to God, the audience of this psalm.

Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
The apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12 about the gifts of the Spirit. There are a variety of gifts, but they are all from the same Spirit of God. They are all different—prophecy, healing, teaching, discernment, speaking in different tongues, interpretation of different tongues, wisdom, knowledge, miracles, etc.—all different gifts from the same Spirit. Just as the body has many members, so also the diversity of members and their gifts make up the one body of Christ, into which all believers are baptized. One body, one Spirit.

Gospel Reading: John 20:19-23
The Gospel reading today is John’s account of the arrival of the Holy Spirit. On the same night Jesus rose from the dead, when the disciples had gathered in a room and shut and locked all the doors for fear of some of the religious leaders, Jesus appeared before them, said, “Peace be with you,” breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” In a similar way of the elders of Israel receiving the same Spirit that was on Moses, so too did Jesus’s disciples receive the Spirit and the power and authority to forgive sins.

The Sermon/Reflection is “Filled with the Holy Spirit” by The Rev. Scott Rosenstein based on the Acts 2:1-21 reading.

Please join the Zion Church community to give thanks to God this Easter Sunday, in-person in the Chapel, or via Zoom!

Pastor Scott Rosenstein
216-273-7561 – church
216-577-1514 – mobile

Bulletin Cover Photo:
Pentecost Art: Pentecost Glory
By Stushie
A Scottish Pastor, ministering in East Tennessee
Stushie Art-Church bulletin covers. Unique crayon, markers and digital worship art
https://stushieart.com