Bishop's Office Message for May, 2005

Dear Partners in Ministry,

This month marks both the Ascension of Jesus, and Pentecost. Coming out of the glow of Easter, the church now recalls that the good news of the resurrection could not be contained by the few who actually saw the risen Christ. Jesus left his disciples in bodily form to send the Holy Spirit into their lives to create the Body of Christ in his followers. The difference in the lives of the disciples was spectacular. Peter, who denied Jesus three times before his crucifixion, who hid with the others in fear after the crucifixion, who headed back to fishing after the resurrection, is now propelled with the other disciples out into the streets of Jerusalem proclaiming the Good News of the resurrection to everyone who would listen.

Two thousand years later, this same good news is still being proclaimed by followers of Jesus empowered by the Holy Spirit. Each of us has been given gifts to express our faith in Christ in words and deeds. As we celebrate Pentecost and look forward to the green season of growth throughout the season of Pentecost, may the Holy Spirit continue to inspire us to proclaim the good news of life in the midst of death, of hope in the midst of despair, of forgiveness and reconciliation in a world torn by conflict.

We soon gather as a church in convention. Please remember to keep our ELCIC and all the delegates to the convention in your prayers, both at home and at worship, that the Holy Spirit would lead and guide in all decisions that are made.

+Stephen P. Kristenson,
Bishop Synod of Alberta and the Territories
Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada
10014 - 81 Ave. Edmonton, AB
T6E 1W8
Phone 780-439-2636
Fax 780-433-6623
Email: SKristenson@elcic.ca
http://www.albertasynod.ca