We are a small Episcopal Church on the banks of the Rappahannock in Port Royal, Virginia. We acknowledge that we gather on the traditional land of the first people of Port Royal, the Nandtaughtacund, and we respect and honor with gratitude the land itself, the legacy of the ancestors, and the life of the Rappahannock Tribe. Our mission statement is to do God’s Will in all that we do.

Voices of Pentecost

1. “The Church – a Power House ” – Diocese of Atlanta

“What is the church? The answer is right there in the story of Pentecost! God intends for the church- the people and where we gather- to be a Power-House! In the Power-House people are released to worship in spirit and truth: to heal, create, forgive, fend off selfishness and conquer fears. God’s intervening power turned a traditional religious observance into a spirit-filled gathering by recentering the community on “God’s deeds of power.” The power was in the promise God gave to Joel long ago, that God’s spirit would birth dreams and visions for the young and old and rewrite all the limiting ways we relate to one another. Is where you go to church a Power-House?”

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Pentecost, an Ancient Festival

Pentecost meaning

Pentecost was the second of the three great annual festivals of Israel, the others being Passover and the feast of Tabernacles. The festival was often called the feast of Weeks  because it took place seven complete weeks, or 50 days, after the Passover. Jews from all   over the world came to Jerusalem for this festival, more than for any other. The day  was one of solemn convocation when no work was to be done. The people offered the first loaves of fine flour made from the justharvested late grain crops. Other sacrifices were offered in the temple and a meal was prepared with freewill offerings from the people. To this meal the widows, orphans, the poor and the stranger were invited.   

On this festive day, in the year of Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Holy Spirit was bestowed upon the apostles. In Acts, Luke describes the sound of a mighty rushing wind and the sight of tongues of flame resting on the head of each apostle. What a transformation took place in these men and women! They were truly “clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:29). Out into the crowd they went, boldly proclaiming the “mighty works of God”  (Acts 2:11). One of the gifts of the Spirit— the gift of tongues—enabled the polyglot crowd to hear the apostles speaking, each in his or her own language.  

Peter, no longer afraid, boldly proclaimed the event to be a fulfillment of the promise of God made through the prophet Joel: “I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh… whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall  be saved.” Acts 2:17a, 21). Then he preached the first Christian sermon, witnessing to the resurrection of the Messiah “this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). From the crowd of Jews and converts, three thousand heard his message, were baptized, and became followers of Jesus.

Acts, which is often called the gospel of the Holy Spirit, is full of stories that show the power of the Holy Spirit working in the early Church. It was the Spirit who gave life to the early Church; that same Spirit gives life to us in these latter days.

Pentecost is a time of renewal for Christian believers. Through studying the story of Pentecost, many seek and pray for spiritual gifts for the church during this time of holy celebration. There is a renewed focus on evangelism, empowerment from the Holy Spirit, deeper intimacy with God, and fellowship. For Christians, the celebration of Pentecost imparts faith, hope, a sharing of community, and an awareness of a purpose much greater than ourselves.


 

The Holy Spirit came down at Pentecost

We know what did the Holy Spirit did in Jesus time at Pentecost. It energized them, bound them together gave them a mission to extend the Gospel into foreign lands

Pentecost is a season, not just one day. We have a long time in the church year to work with it ( Pentecost is the longest season until Advent. The celebration should be and is a  part of Pentecost Sunday.

And after that?

We have to know who we are. Based on that what is our mission?

Who are we ?

Luke casts the church as a spirited community of bridge-builders, visionaries, and dreamers, male and female, slave and free (Acts 2:17)

Hopefully, our churches have “visionaries and dreamers” but also those that  can organize to implement the change, work for funding if necessary and report back what we done. (Thank goodness we have no slaves.)

What is our mission? 

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Considering the Holy Spirit

SanctifiedArt does Pentecost

…just imagine the chaotic, whirlwind, crazy kind of day with wind, fire, thousands of people, and unfamiliar sounds when Jesus called the Spirit of Truth to come alongside his followers, as helper, advocate, and guide.

This was created by a group of artists called A Sanctified Art, This team of four artists in ministry, work collaboratively to bring scripture and theological themes to life through film, visual art, curriculum, coloring pages, liturgy, graphic designs, and more. This really is a unique resource worth exploring.

3 Pentecost Prayers from Build Faith

#1

God of power,
may the boldness of your Spirit transform us,
may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us,
may the gifts of your Spirit
be our goal and our strength,
now and always. Amen.

(As printed in the Presbyterian Book of Common Worship)

#2 Come, O Holy Spirit by John Henry Newman

Come, O Holy Spirit.
Come as Holy Fire and burn in us,
come as Holy Wind and cleanse us within,
come as Holy Light and lead us in the darkness,
come as Holy Truth and dispel our ignorance,
come as Holy Power and enable our weakness,
come as Holy Life and dwell in us.
Convict us, convert us, consecrate us,
until we are set free from the service of ourselves,
to be your servants to the world. Amen.

#3 Pentecost Prayer by Joan Chittister, OSB

The Holy Spirit embodies the life force of the universe, the power of God, the animating energy present in all things and captured by none. On this great feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Spirit of God, I invite you to pray with me:
May the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
bring fire to the earth
so that the presence of God
may be seen
in a new light,
in new places,
in new ways.
May our own hearts
burst into flame
so that no obstacle,
no matter how great,
ever obstructs the message
of the God within each of us.
May we come to trust
the Word of God in our heart,
to speak it with courage,
to follow it faithfully
and to fan it to flame in others.
May the Jesus
who filled women
with his Holy Spirit
fill the world and the church
with new respect
for women’s power and presence.
Give me, Great God,
a sense of the Breath of Spirit
within me as I…
(State the intention in your own life at this time for which you are praying.)
Amen.

Pentecost Poetry

1. "Celestial fire" – Eleazar Ben Kaller

From Poetry for the Spirit, Poems of Universal Wisdom and Beauty Edited by Alan Jacobs Translated by T. Carmi

Now an angel of the Lord appeared to Moses in a blazing fire –
 

a fire that devours fire;
a fire that burns in things dry and moist;
a fire that glows amid snow and ice;
a fire that is like a crouching lion;
a fire that reveals itself in many forms;
a fire that is, and never expires;
a fire that shines and roars; a fire that blazes and sparkles;
a fire that flies in a storm wind;
a fire that burns without wood;
a fire that renews itself every day;
a fire that is not fanned by fire;
a fire that billows like palm branches;
a fire whose sparks are flashes of lightning;
a fire black as a raven;
a fire, curled, like the colours of the rainbows!
 

2. David Adams

They were all filled with the Holy Spirit
Fill us, Holy Spirit
 

When the doors are closed and we are afraid to move,
Fill us, Holy Spirit.
 

When we are weak and unable to act,
Fill us, Holy Spirit.
 

When we are hesitant and unable to speak,
Fill us, Holy Spirit.
 

When we lack energy and are unable to cope,
Fill us, Holy Spirit.
 

That we may go out in your power,
Fill us, Holy Spirit.
 

That we may live and work for you,
Fill us, Holy Spirit.
 

That we may be part of your mission,
Fill us, Holy Spirit.
 

The God of hope fill you with all joy and peace In believing,

That you may abound in hope through the power Of the Holy Spirit.
 

Amen 

3. "Come, Holy Spirit" – Sister Joan Chittister  

May the Gifts of the Holy Spirit
bring fire to the earth
so that the presence of God
may be seen
in a new light,
in new places,
in new ways.

May our own hearts
burst into flame
so that no obstacle,
no matter how great,
ever obstructs the message
of the God within each of us.

May we come to trust
the Word of God in our heart,
to speak it with courage,
to follow it faithfully
and to fan it to flame in others.

May the Jesus
who filled women
with his Holy Spirit
fill the world and the church
with new respect
for women’s power and presence.

Give me, Great God,
a sense of the Breath of Spirit
within me as I…
(State the intention
in your own life at this time
for which you are praying.)

Amen.

 4. Effortlessly,

Love flows from God into man,
Like a bird
Who rivers the air
Without moving her wings.
Thus we move in His world,
One in body and soul,
Though outwardly separate in form.
As the Source strikes the note,
Humanity sings–
The Holy Spirit is our harpist,
And all strings
Which are touched in Love
Must sound.

– Mechtild of Magdeburg 1207-1297
trans. Jane Hirshfield

Special Pentecost videos

Pentecost represents the end of the Easter Season and a time of transition. Besides being the “Birthday of the church” and the arrival of the Holy Spirit, it is a feast day. Yes a day to have fun!

Over the years we have had special events on Pentecost such as Prayer Walks, picnics, receptions and special music. Some guests have appeared as well. We have also had some pictures and videos. Some videos just take stock of who are while others record part of the Pentecost services

Here are 5 videos through the years beginning in 2016

1. 2016 Church with with front piece replacement and 3 priests! A wild gathering at Pentecost!

2. Prayer Walk 2018

3. “Sweet, Sweet, Spirit”, 2019

4. Pentecost People 2011-2015 created in 2021

5. 2022 Day of Radiant Gladness

Sunday Links, Easter 7- Ascension, June 1, 2025

  • Web site
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  • Location – 823 Water Street, P. O. Box 399, Port Royal, Virginia 22535
  • Staff and Vestry

  • Wed., May 28, Ecumenical Bible Study, Parish House, 10am-12pm  Reading Lectionary for Easter 7

  • Thurs., May 29, The Ascension
  • Thy Kingdom Come, May 29-June 8
  • Sunday, June 1, 11:00am, Easter 7
  • All articles for Sunday, June 1, 2025

    • The Ascension

    Ascension Mantegna

    The New Testament treats the Ascension as an integral part of the Easter event. 

    It is the final appearance Jesus’ physical and resurrected presence on earth. It is the final component of the paschal mystery, which consists also of Jesus’ Passion, Crucifixion, Death, Burial, Descent Among the Dead, and Resurrection.

    Along with the resurrection, the ascension functioned as a proof of Jesus’ claim that he was the Messiah. The Ascension is also the event whereby humanity was taken into heaven.   There is a promise he will come back again.

    So when is it ? The Ascension in Luke 24 is on Easter Sunday evening or, at the latest, the next day; in John 20, sometime between the appearance to Mary Magdalene (who is told not to touch the risen One because he has not yet ascended) and the appearance to Thomas (who is invited to touch him); in Acts 1, after the forty days (which, however, are symbolic of the time of revelation; there may be no intention to suggest that the ascension actually “occurred” on the fortieth day).  We celebrate Ascension on the 40th day.

    The main scriptural references to the Ascension are Mark:16:19, Luke:24:51, and Acts:1:2 and vvs. 8-10. Luke 24 says  "While he was blessing them, he withdrew from them and was carried up into heaven". In Acts " he was taken up to heaven, after giving instructions through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen." Jesus commissions his followers, rather than simply blessing them; and we have an appearance from two men in white robes.

    Mount Olivet, near Bethany, is designated as the place where Christ left the earth. The feast falls on this Thursday, May 9 and it is one of the most solemn in the calendar, ranking with the feasts of the Passion, Easter and Pentecost.

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    Ascension – Start of the Mission of the Church

    The Ascension is the beginning of the church’s mission.

      1. It is powered by the Spirit 

      2. It is a call to be witnesses 

      3. It is worldwide is scope  

    The Ascension holds the promise of Christ’s return.

    WHAT? What Happened to Jesus.

    A. He ascended to a place invisible to the mortal eye

    1. Acts 1:9 “A cloud received him out of their sight”

    2. He did not go up into some mountain that was covered with clouds as some men have speculated.

    B. Luke 24:51 “And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven.”

    1. He is on the right hand of God

    2. I Peter 3:22 “Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him.”

    Where is heaven ? When the early church confessed that Jesus had ascended into heaven, the emphasis was not so much on a place – the emphasis was on God’s immediate presence. The church was confessing that Jesus had entered into the divine glory – that the risen Jesus now dwelt in the immediate presence of God. This may explain the meaning of the phrase, "a cloud took him out of their sight" (Acts 1:9). Oftentimes in scripture, a cloud represents the shekinah glory of God, the sign of God’s presence (cf. Exo. 33:7-11; Mark 9:7).

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