You might not be able to tell, but I am a bit tanner this week – at least from where my t-shirt ended – from the mid bicep down! That Miami sun was hot and I think I lost ten pounds from sweating, but there were so many wonderful experiences that were had on the Miami Mission Trip with the college group. I loved scoring that dry wall and then hearing it snap and seeing the straight edge it made in one bend of the board. Move over Dave Ralston, I now do a mean drywall! And of course the digital camera got some great "action" shots as the group placed drywall and hammered away – Let’s just say I got the "bending down and hammering between the legs" shot (Erin and Sarah mastered that one!) and the "I can’t hold this dry wall with my head cocked like this any longer" shot – (See Paul Michanczyk for that one) and "This nail is going to go in!" shot (Emily and Dave were experts on this!), and the thrilling "Yes, caulking is fun" shot (Kristen and Robin were so enthusiastic in those shots!) and finally, well, you will have to ask Moe what kind of shots I got of her!

Besides working with Habitat on four houses, we worshipped with the First Spanish Presbyterian Church, sang lively songs in Spanish, led a children’s and youth’s program on Friday night, and met a wonderful young adult couple, Maite and Raul, who helped us organize Friday night’s program.

And then, of course, we had the wonderful experience of sharing one shower among nine people – it took us three hours to get ready for dinner!

If last week wasn’t momentous enough, here we are today celebrating Pentecost Sunday with banners and fanfare and we have the excitement of confirming nine youth as they affirm their faith and enter into active membership in this church. These times are certainly memory makers – times when friendships are deepened and connections with God are fresh and intense. It is a time for the whole church to rejoice as we see young people engaging in ministry and mission in this church. We can see and feel the excitement and passion here as if it were that first Pentecost Sunday when a whole new role for Christians was formed and everyone was as young people would say, "diggin’ it". Some at that First Pentecost gathering were puzzled, most were surprised by the Spirit’s movement, but they were "diggin it" none the less. This was, back then, a monumental experience that left lots of memories. Can you imagine the oldest person there trying to explain to his grandchild how a tongue of fire danced on his head? Can you imagine how and eighth grader standing in the crowd felt when the rush of the mighty wind blew her hair out of place – m a mortal sin by any eight graders standards – and then trying to explain the warm peaceful feeling that shot through her being? Just like last week and today, lots of memories were made on that first Pentecost Sunday.

Helen Musick and Duffy Robbins, two veteran youth leaders said this about the Christian faith:
You can think about the Christian life in two ways:

1) Always pointing back to some monumental experience – last summer at camp . . . this approach to Christian life is best symbolized by a monument. Or . . .

2) We can think about Christian life by looking at it as a journey, an adventure to unfold. Instead of looking back to experiences that happened last year or last summer or thirty years ago when I first joined the church, it’s an attitude that enjoys what God is doing in my life now and looks ahead toward where God is leading me – an attitude best symbolized by a footprint. (Everyday object lessons for youth groups, p. 32 –33).

Monumental experiences are to be enjoyed! Confirmands should "dig" this worship service. We as a congregation might be teary eyed as we sing "Here I Am" and we do feel today the energy and excitement of young people wanting to be a part of church! But as Musick and Robbins caution, . . . "just make sure (this monumental experience) is a milestone or marker, not a tombstone." As they put it, "there are already too many Christians who are justified, sanctified, AND PETRIFIED!"

In other words, Confirmands, enjoy today, but don’t make this your last visit to church! And congregation, revel in the Spirit’s movement, but make sure you continue to make church relevant for these young people and those yet be confirmed! And college age, hold all the mission memories in your heart, but don’t wait a whole nother year to be of service to people!

Today, we have already experienced "dancing" tongues of fire in our worship – who knows, maybe we will feel the rush of the mighty wind as we lay hands and pray for the confirmands in a few minutes. However the Spirit moves, I hope we can savor the experience as it comes as well as anticipate what God might do through these young people and how God might transform us so that we may inspire generations to come to be a part of this church! Alleluia! Amen!