How many of you remember Captain Planet? His kid sidekicks helped save planet earth from all kinds of environmental catastrophes using their special gifts. After they combined their efforts (to summon the special help of Captain Planet himself) to finish off some earth offensive Captain Planet would leave them saying, “The power is yours!”
Oh my! I remember my children raising up their clenched fists and shouting right along with Captain Planet – celebrating their inclusion in his empowering departure.
Television and the movies have given us such access to people’s imaginations as well as stunning actual pictures of people, places and events all around the world. We are spoiled by these images and then struggles when these same applications aren’t applied in contemporary ways to themes in scripture.
When we celebrated Pentecost at the end of May we ushered in the concept of community, empowered and blessed by God through the Holy Spirit. Jesus had ascended in the texts the week prior to “make room” for the coming of the Spirit sent to guide creation toward God’s power.
For most of June and July sermons are focusing in the Gospel of Mark as we look at Jesus’ power in his context and community and how it might speak to us today. Jesus is saying, “The power is yours, people of God!” Use it to cast out divisive attitudes and action that inhibit the unconditional love of God. Use it to bring peace.
Join me and Pastor Andy as this summer sermon series continues and we look ahead with prayerful hearts to the vision casting for our community as God’s Spirit empowers us!
Church, the power is yours!
Pastor Kelly