First United Lutheran Church Online Community - A Creative Christian Community in the Heart of San Francisco

A Creative Christian Community in the Heart of San Francisco

Network for online fellowship of anyone interested in the people, ministries or mission of First United Lutheran Church in San Francisco, CA

Groups

Pluralism Sunday

1 member
FULC Parents

4 members

Worship Planning Team

4 members
Church Council

2 members

Members

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Lutheran (True) Confessions!

The Zen of No Action

Not So Friendly, Not So Cooperative

Friendlier, More Cooperative

More…

News from Christianity Today

A Whole Good World Outside

Readers Write

When the War Never Ends

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Documents for the First United Community

Want to see the photo album from "First" Communion Sunday?
Click right here!

Want to peruse the documents regarding the Call to Jay Wilson?
Click right here!

Want to read the recently-approved Compact between First United and Pastor Susan Strouse?
Click right here!

NEW! Hannah Montana Video! Christian version of Hannah's "Nobody's Perfect" for you to sing along with! Click the picture.

Pentecost by Irish artist Nora Kelly

Race, gender, age barriers smashed!
What a day of surprises that first Christian Pentecost must have been! We’re not used to them even yet.

Peter stands up amidst a throng of foreigners and is heard by each in their native language. He calls out the centuries-old prophecies of Joel. And he says, “This is it. Now.”

Shocking indeed, that barriers of communication among people of many nations were miraculously bridged (in amusing contrast to that which we today label Pentecostal). But look what other barriers are declared finis:

“I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your young … your old …
Your sons and your daughters will prophesy …
Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit … and they will prophesy.”

National/racial barriers removed. Age barriers removed. Gender barriers removed (as if knowing people will have a hard time believing it, he says that one twice). It’s a perfect summary of the example of Jesus. And this is the way it was to be from then on.

But how falteringly have we Christians taken up Peter’s cry! How unquestioningly we permit nation or race to cancel Jesus’ command to love all people. How pathetic that male privilege still trumps the equity Peter announced as the new norm (and prophesy here does not mean so much a telling of the future as it does speak for God). How tragic that old and young are segregated and mutually devalued in “communities” of faith.

Back to our roots, Church! Let all see that Jesus Christ means radically egalitarian love, radically egalitarian roles, radically egalitarian hope. And let no one imprison our faith in the rule-books of restriction and exclusion.