Expectant waiting

Most of us do not wait well. Waiting is hard. But it is one of the things we as a church do. Today is Ascension Sunday  and marks the beginning of a period of time when the church waits. We wait for Pentecost. Pastor Barbara Moyer Lehman reminded us that in Acts 1:1-14 the disciples of Jesus see Christ ascend to heaven and then wait for the Spirit to come to empower them in the ministry of witnessing to others. Pastor Barbara pointed out that while they waited for the Holy Spirit they gathered together and they prayed. They were expectantly waiting. Today the work of the church is about more than being busy and doing things. We are also to be waiting and praying, constantly seeking anew the gift of the Holy Spirit to empower us.