"Let’s Get Together" - Acts 2:1-21 - May 19, 2002

There was a special on the PBS channel recently about three families who lived on the prairie. It was an experiment to see whether or not 21st century families could live the way people lived in the 19th century. Their mission was to plant crops, raise animals and prepare themselves for the upcoming winter. At that point they were evaluated and then returned to their normal lives.

Following the experiment they were interviewed and everyone commented on how much time they spent together. Since there was no television, radio, telephone, cars and all the modern conveniences, everyone said that they were together constantly. That created a need for them to learn how to really live in their togetherness. It was a real challenge for them and for some it actually caused them stress, since being together was not something they were used to.

In today’s world it is almost impossible for families to get together. We are extremely mobile, living great distances apart and our busy schedules give us little quality time when we gather together. The windows are small and frequently someone or something has to be sacrificed. People are in a hurry, going in a hundred different directions. They’re trying to make ends meet, often living in a state of chaos and confusion. Consequently people feel empty, lost or bored and for some, life has no purpose or joy.

What happened at Pentecost was the result of the faithful being "together in one place." About 120 people, including the eleven disciples, were all gathered in a single location. Their lives had been changed by Jesus who had recently ascended into heaven. Now they were on their own. But, their lives had been greatly influenced by his ministry and love for them. They had reached a point where his mission would continue, but without him as their leader.

By being together the stage was set for the birth of the Church. First, their togetherness set the stage for the movement of the Spirit. "And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind." Seemingly out of nowhere came a power that moved among them and brought them closer together along with many others.

Perhaps the Spirit of God doesn’t move in our lives since we are never together. Our constant coming and going denies us the opportunity of the Spirit moving in our midst. If we are never together, how can the Spirit have a chance to work?

Secondly, simply being together isn’t enough. There has to be a genuine attitude of appreciation for the others we are with. That means being inclusive and loving one another unconditionally. Remember, the women were included in the gathering. This was not a men’s club, nor was it restrictive to people like themselves. There were both Gentiles and Jews gathered together.

They were also together because they understood one another. They spoke a common language by which they could communicate. Many visitors have told me that when they come to St. Paul’s they experience a warm, friendly attitude. That works when folks are able to reach our inner circle and be recognized. Unfortunately, some never succeed in overcoming that barrier.

Last Sunday we had a problem with the door on the parking lot entrance. It mysteriously locked a few minutes before worship. While I was passing by the outer narthex I heard someone pounding at the door. It was locked and they couldn’t get in. Fortunately it was one of our members. But I thought to myself, "What if that was a visitor?" Is it possible that others have been turned away and we don’t know it? What message are we giving outsiders who are trying to join the gathering?

I also noticed that a number of our folks were huddled in the narthex, visiting. Good; that is part of what needs to happen to be together. But on the other hand, when people are huddled that means that their backs face outward. Think of it as a huddle in football or basketball. People are all talking in a language that is foreign to outsiders. We don’t know the plays, let alone the players. What is it they are saying? Are they talking about me? How difficult it is to break into the middle of a huddle and be part of the group.

You can have a family picnic but not really be together. You can attend some function where hundreds of people are present and not truly be together. Unfortunately, we usually sit with a few of our close friends and don’t interact with people we don’t know. There is a misnomer about large gatherings like concerts or sports events. It is really not a large gathering. It is an assembly of small units of people who all happen to be in the same place. Sporting events are like that. Perhaps worship services are too. There may be large amounts of people gathered, but are they truly together? Are they receptive to strangers? Are they speaking a language that outsiders can understand?

Togetherness means there is acceptance, interaction and connection. A bonding occurs when people share an experience and in that experience they look out for one another. They share their inner selves, help one another and love each other expecting nothing in return.

Togetherness also means that God is in our midst. Jesus once said, "Where two or three are gathered, there am I in the midst of you." (Matt. 18:20) Whenever believers gather, God is present. It could be a church council meeting, a woman’s circle, the youth group on an outing, or just a few of the faithful gathered informally. For some mysterious reason, there is the potential for people of faith to be stirred by the Spirit.

Not everyone present at Pentecost accepted what happened. Some thought they were just drunk. That is one way of rationalizing what took place. Peter, however challenged that misconception by reminding his listeners that the Prophet Joel proclaimed that an outpouring of God’s Spirit would eventually happen. Since the early church was stuck they needed God’s spirit to empower them.

Perhaps you are stuck, trapped in a quagmire of problems, feeling isolated and powerless to overcome the obstacles in your life. Yet, God does not leave us powerless. There is a power in our midst, a Spirit, which can stir us up, motivate us, and thrust us into the future. The best way to make that happen is to be together, not in a huddle, nor with our doors locked shut.

There can be no doubt that Pentecost was an emotional scene. It is certain that there must have been a lot of hugging going on. Frequently, movement of the Spirit is associated with feelings of ecstasy and warmth. But, before the Spirit moved there was a rather routine, administrative event that occurred. Peter, stood up and basically called the group to order. There was a need to replace the fallen disciple, Judas. Lots were cast and Matthias was chosen as the new member of the group. They actually selected him from a list of two candidates.

In other words, a political, democratic process helped to set the stage for the Spirit to empower them. Togetherness is not limited to an emotional high. It includes order and discipline. And this particular process included good leadership given through none other than Peter, the "Rock" of the church. "Life is a strange mixture of rapture and routine, and we cannot have one without the other." (The Interpreter’s Bible, Volume 9, page 34) The Spirit of God comes but not without structure and framework. That is why we have systems, committees and things like maintenance schedules to keep everything in working order.

I believe there are times when we truly want the Spirit of God to move in our lives. We long for those emotional highs and feelings that bring us joy. Togetherness includes order and leadership. On the one hand we need to be sensitive and allow God to stir our emotions. On the other hand, we have to be organized and attend to details. A detail, like keeping a door unlocked is one that can’t be overlooked.

Finally, following the Pentecost event, the faithful moved from that place and entered the public arena. They didn’t stay there. They had to separate and "go into all the world," as they had been commissioned. The Spirit empowered them to teach, preach and help others like they never had before. Being together enabled them to be filled with the Spirit, thus stimulating them to share, worship, pray and even heal the lame and the sick.

Since we are human we don’t always get it right. But sometimes we do. Several years ago, St. Paul’s Church had a retreat where all the leaders of the church gathered at the Holiday Inn. We were focusing on our mission for the future. I was relatively new to the church at that time and it was an opportunity for us to have some quality planning and fellowship time. The meeting culminated with a time when we all shared our common vision. At one point the group became very quiet. One of the leaders asked me if there was anything that I wanted to include since I was the new pastor. I hadn’t really given it a lot of thought, but I got caught up in the spirit of the meeting and something just came out. I said, "I would like St. Paul’s to be a credible voice in the community."

That was it, nothing concrete, no plan, and no hidden agenda. But, the combination of fellowship and planning that took place set the stage for a vision which we now all share. Six months following the retreat we started our weekly radio program, "The Church on the Hill." Three years later we installed an internal television monitoring system in the building which enables volunteers throughout the church to be included in the worship service. We also installed a desk-top publishing system with computers that improved the quality of our monthly newsletter. Seven years later we established our web site. Today the St. Paul’s sermon site is reaching an average of 600 congregations on any given Sunday. We have truly become a voice on the hill.

Togetherness can lead to mission beyond our wildest dreams To be "spirit filled" followers of Jesus is to be persons who leave the cozy, comfortable, friendly family of God and attend to the needs of others. It means our lives have purpose as we share in the mission and ministry of Jesus Christ, giving our love as he loved us. It means speaking in a language that outsiders understand. It also means to be faithful and trust that the Spirit of God will move among us.

I don’t know about you, but I’m not interested in going back to the days when people lived on the prairie. I couldn’t live without modern technology and all our life-enhancing machines. Times have changed, but the necessity of being together is vitally essential to be a "spirit-filled" church of Jesus Christ. As the people of God may we truly be together and may God bless us and fill us with God’s Spirit.

Dr. Keith Wagner, St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Sidney, Ohio