Pentecost Sunday Resources For Consideration
We are in full swing of our centennial year as The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and Pentecost Sunday is just around the corner. As pastors and ministry leaders we lead in the midst of many exciting and also challenging seasons. Yet in it all we celebrate the wonder of God’s faithfulness and His power to continue advancing His kingdom through His people. As we make ourselves available to Him to use as He desires, we can be encouraged by abundant evidence of His Spirit at work in Canada and the world through our leaders, congregation members, volunteers and others in our Fellowship. And we look forward with great anticipation to all that God will continue to do through our PAOC family.In this centenary year, we continue to encourage you to set aside June 9, 2019, Pentecost Sunday, as a day to acknowledge and celebrate our 100th anniversary as the PAOC in your local church setting. We have a celebration video that was just released that you may use on Pentecost Sunday or whenever you determine is most appropriate.
In keeping with our centenary celebrations, we continue to encourage registration for the 25th Pentecostal World Conference in Calgary, Alberta, August 27-30, 2019. 25PWC is over 90% sold! We want to encourage Canadian participation by offering a PAOC promotional code for yourself and those you may wish to bring from your church.
Promo code: paocnow
Expires: June 30, 2019.
Learn more and register at 25pwc.org.
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
The following are some recommended resources to spark interest and interaction with the life and work of the Holy Spirit.
Sermon Transcripts
Click here to read some sermon vignettes provided PAOC Archives as delivered by Pentecostal preachers and teachers such as Calvin Ratz, H. H. Barber, James Craig, John Burrage, Ron Kydd and Ruth Pinkston.
Empowered21
Empowered21 continues to play an important role in shaping the future of the Spirit-empowered activity throughout the world by focusing on crucial issues facing the movement and connecting generations for greater impact. Visit www.empowered21.com for resources to stimulate ongoing reflection, study and conversation on the work of the Holy Spirit in our world today.
Books
365 Days with the Holy Spirit by William R. Gibson
Rev. Gibson has written this devotional book in a way that both takes the time to interpret Scriptures related to the Holy Spirit, and explains how to apply the Scriptures practically. Readers will have material for an enriched daily quiet time with God, and learn more about the Holy Spirit and how He works in the hearts and lives of those who are intentional about engaging Him.
The Evangelist – Is The Office of the Evangelist Viable in the 21st Century? by Marie Miller
Serving as an itinerant evangelist for just under two decades has given Rev. Marie Miller a meaningful perspective on what role the office of the evangelist means for the church today. This book is intended to spark reflection and dialogue on the offices mentioned in Ephesians 4:11 (apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers). It outlines application for today’s tough North American mission field where many contemporary ministries operate within a two-fold concept of pastor and teacher, or a one-fold concept of the pastor and teacher being one and the same. It also covers what is required to support those still called to be evangelists in the current and ensuing decades.
There are many everyday experiences which might seem insignificant to each of us, but which may in fact be the Holy Spirit’s way of speaking. Rev. Andrew Gabriel helps us explore what it means for a believer to hear God’s voice and recognize His activity in everyday life. Having experienced both a season of the distinct activity of the Holy Spirit in and around him and one of His quiet work in non-charismatic settings, Rev. Gabriel has come to appreciate the value of all of the Spirit’s work. He takes us through a number of long-held Pentecostal perspectives and Spirit-filled experiences and asks questions to prompt reflection and discussion, and ultimately, a deeper walk with Jesus.
Canadian Winds of the Spirit: Holiness, Pentecostal and Charismatic Currents by Ewen Butler
Learn more about our faith tradition as Rev. Butler explores interactions and overlap between The Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada and the Charismatic Renewal, along with other critical influences. He discusses Methodism and the Holiness movements in Canada with reference to Ralph C. Horner and Phoebe Palmer, among others.
Picture This! Celebrating 100 Years of the PAOC
This book captures some of the key moments and just a sample of the characters who sparked the birth of our Fellowship and contributed in some way to the shape it has taken today. Reading its pages, you can be encouraged by the faith and tenacity of those who have gone before us, and motivated to join in our Fellowship’s story of fruitfulness by fulfilling your part of the unfolding story. (Bulk discount rates are still available – this book makes great reading for church staff, boards, Bible college grads, new church members, and others.)
Our general superintendent shares his vision for our work together in our Fellowship in the book What I See. When you read it, you can hear his heart on our need to be a relationally based mission family—grounded in our relationship with God through prayer, and enjoying genuine community in our relationships with each other. As you turn its pages, sense and share his passion and anticipation for what God will do among and through us as we attune our hearts to His leading. (A special discounted rate is available.)
Sign up your church members, staff or a friend for a print subscription to the new, combined testimony/Enrich magazine and be refreshed and encouraged in your faith journey. Tag lined “Lifestyle and Leadership,” the magazine is intended to spark a deepened interest in what it means to live out a lifestyle of obedience to Christ in our time, and to gain perspective and encouragement on contemporary social and theological issues. Visit www.testimonyenrich.ca for sample content every quarter, and for additional articles that are made available online only.
Developed by the International Missions department, ONE magazine is a quarterly resource that will be produced over the next two years. The first issue for 2019 shared stories of Christ’s transformation and the Holy Spirit at work over the last 100 years. The current issue explores cultural intelligence and its importance in accomplishing God’s purpose wherever you are called to global missions. The third issue will be a celebration of 100 years of mission. Visit one.paoc.org to learn more or to order your copy.
Visit www.wordcom.ca to order each of these resources noted above and also to explore a wide range of material that can help in understanding and teaching on the work of the Holy Spirit. You can find content that is relevant for children, youth, young adults, congregations, and more.
May Pentecost Sunday 2019 be a time of refreshing wherever you are!
