Looking into the lectionary - Hands and Feet initiative scrapped for #GA226

May 19, 2024 Pentecost Sunday Acts 2:1-21 Power-hungry people seeking to make a name for themselves, building a tower to heaven, acting as if they are God. Chaos. Confusion. Division. This Sunday’s lectionary calendar doesn’t include the tower of Babel in Genesis 11:1-11. But considering today’s divisions and disagreements, violent power grabs, the willful siloing behind lack of understanding or desire to understand, the borders and barbed wire, I think Babel should be juxtaposed with Acts 2:1-21 this Sunday. We are a scattered and increasingly disconnected people. We are living in a state of confusion and chaos. The Pentecost story in Acts is often called the Tower of Babel story reversed, bringing diverse people together. The Holy Spirit bestows the gift of understanding. The community of faith that we call the church is born. What a gift to celebrate! In Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, Surgeon General Vivek H. Murthy emphasizes the importance of building a more socially connected future to stem the rise of loneliness, division, anger and resentment. Social connection stands out to Murthy as a largely unrecognized and underappreciated force for facing the critical problems with which individuals, our society and our world are currently dealing. Murthy cites research revealing the physical harm of social disconnection. Lonely, disconnected people are at a higher risk for coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke, dementia, depression, and anxiety. They are more likely to have lower-quality sleep, immune system dysfunction, impulsive behavior, and impaired judgment. This social disconnection grows into a larger problem when, as Murthy warns, severely lonely people are so preoccupied with their own emotions that they have little energy for empathy. Loneliness begets more loneliness, disconnection to deliberate detachment, further isolation and conclusions that “other people” just don’t understand. In severe cases, loneliness and disconnection lead to reactivity and even trigger violence. The miracle of Pentecost is the cure for the curse of Babel. Acts 2:1-21 is a beautiful reminder of God’s desire for us to be a people connected, to strengthen our sense of community, to understand and empathize with one another. My favorite part of the Pentecost narrative is how the people were given the ability to both speak and listen to those of different languages, cultures and customs. Conflict and disconnection often boil down to a lack of communication, or misunderstanding. Pentecost is the church’s annual reminder that the Holy Spirit not only calls us together but equips us to listen and learn from one another, to grow in understanding and empathy, to be God’s people and Christ’s church together. ... Read the rest of the commentary on the website. Order of worship for May 19, 2024. These liturgies are free to use. Hands and Feet initiative scrapped for #GA226 by Greg Allen-Pickett “There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo” (May 19, 2024) by Brendan McLean Can you hear me now? — Weekly Christian ed lesson by Joelle Brummit-Yale Want the worship resources for May 12, 2024? You can find them here. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT... Presbyterian campus ministries share kindness and compassion with Israel-Hamas war protestors As college protests against the Israel-Hamas war spread around the country, local Presbyterian ministries seek to offer refuge and care to all students. — Gregg Brekke Taylor Swift’s ‘TTPD’: A tapestry of connection, healing and resurrection If the Eras Tour is a festival of friendship, then Taylor’s new album is a gateway to restorative community, writes Hannah Lovaglio. PC(USA), A Corporation recommends a budget based on ministry priorities ‘Unifying budget’ proposed for 2025-26 as OGA and PMA are combined. — Gregg Brekke Grace in Croatia Scott Barton writes about worshiping in a different context: "Everything understood,/Though no words known to me." Continuing education for gun violence prevention Join the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship at the James Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage on Aug. 22-25, 2024, at Ghost Ranch. United Methodists strike down ban on ordination of gay clergy With a simple vote call and without debate, delegates to the General Conference removed the ban on the ordination of ‘self-avowed practicing homosexuals’ — a prohibition that dates to 1984. — Yonat Shimron Creating connection through innovative worship 8 unique ministries offer insights into the future of the ever-evolving church. — Eric Nolin The challenges of “innovation" Theologians and writers Andrew Root and Kenda Creasy Dean have different takes on innovation. They join Wes Ellis to share their perspectives on the future of the church. Meet CeCe Armstrong and Tony Larson: #GA226 co-moderator candidates Get to know two of the candidates standing for co-moderator, CeCe Armstrong and Tony Larson, in an Outlook-exclusive video.