The Day of Pentecost is May 31. On that Sunday, the Church around the world celebrates the divine gift of the Third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit, being poured out on the Church and in the world. For the next twenty-five Sundays and weeks, the Church's worship will continue to highlight the Holy Spirit, His power in the Church, and His work in the world.

To be sure, when the Spirit first came upon the Church in Jerusalem, there were signs of His presence. "[T]ongues as of fire" (Acts 2:3, RSV) appeared. The locals "began to speak in other tongues" (Acts 2:4). Therefore, the world travelers in Jerusalem declared, "we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God." (Acts 2:11) And Peter, the most blatant betrayer of Jesus, stood to preach the first Christian sermon (Acts 2:14-36). There were plenty of signs of the Holy Spirit, of Pentecost, on that memorable day.

What about our time and our place? Are there still signs of Pentecost to be encountered? Yes, there are plenty of them, but let us name only two in this little article.

First, consider the Community Renewal Services that will take place on June 1-3 here at St. Peter's Church. Lay witnesses, musicians, and ordained clergy from several congregations in Carteret County will participate in these services. Serving the "one Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5), they will demonstrate the Spirit's presence and power in bringing Christians together to worship the Triune God.

Second, consider The News & Observer, the regional newspaper in our part of the state. Many editions of this newspaper carry articles that contain investigative reporting. Such articles often report how state officials have conducted themselves in morally and/or legally problematic ways. Such articles involve searches for facts and for the truth. The chances are that some of the investigative reporters and many of the newspaper's other employees are Christians. The Spirit leads them to do their work and to do it well. Furthermore, the Spirit might even assist some who are not yet Christians to do their work, even though they are unaware of His assistance. Again, we have a sign of Pentecost -- truth-telling in a newspaper for the sake of the common good of North Carolina.

Each of us could add other signs of Pentecost that we sense, see, or speculate.

For the next six months, thank God for the gift of His Spirit to the Church and to the world.