Pentecost is the story of the new world— of the inbreaking of God’s kingdom by means of the Holy Spirit: the “unseen-ness of God” working among us.

We too are given power by the Spirit to tell the truth about what we have seen and heard from Jesus Christ — how he teaches us to love our neighbor and feed the hungry and welcome the stranger and bring healing to broken places — and to set the record straight when we see that truth obscured by lies.

If we truly believe in the universal nature of God’s love and grace, then we are compelled, like Paul, to reach across aisles towards greater love and empathy toward the people we experience as different. To find common ground on which to stand — and talk.

Stephen shows us that speaking from our hearts — speaking the truth of our convictions and experiences — is part of our call as people of God.

What would the world look like if we were all a little more ready to share the gifts we have — gifts of time, talent, and treasure — to draw people to life together and life itself and away from death and despair?

Third Sunday of Easter April 19, 2026 Bulletin Featured image: St. George’s Church, Eisenach, Germany

This is a story about breakfast. And it is no surprise that Jesus, too, enjoyed breakfast on the beach.

For can’t you see that the love of God is still at work defeating death?