Pentecost 2007 New Paradigms

Acts 2:1-21{1} When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. {2} And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. {3} Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. {4} All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. {5} Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. {6} And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. {7} Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? {8} And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? {9} Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, {10} Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, {11} Cretans and Arabs--in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." {12} All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" {13} But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."

If people would have been asked in 1968 which nation would dominate the world in watch making during the 1990s and into the twenty-first century the answer would have been uniform: Switzerland. Why? Because by 1968, the Swiss made 65 percent of all watches sold in the world and laid claim to as much as 90 percent of the profits. By 1980, however, they had laid off thousands of watch-makers and controlled less than 10 percent of the world market. Why? The Swiss had refused to consider a new development—-the Quartz movement-—ironically, invented by a Swiss. Because it had no mainspring or knob, it was rejected. It was too much of a paradigm shift for them to embrace. The lesson of the Swiss watchmakers IS profound. A past that was so secure, so profitable, so dominant was destroyed by an unwillingness to consider the future. It was more than not being able to make predictions—it was an inability to re-think how they did business. (James Emery White)

In the next few weeks, the HTLC Council and I will continue to introduce some new paradigms for our worship life. Each change has been prayerfully and carefully considered. The changes will enhance our ministry. Worship life and Christian Education will be enhanced with the introduction of new worship times, a new location for the 11:00 worship, and in the acquisition of new audio/visual equipment for all worship services.

Yes, these changes may affect you, but each change comes with many valid reasons and has been carefully considered by our leadership and your pastor. Please plan to attend one of two informational meetings (Sunday, June 3 at 12:00 noon or Thursday, June 7 at 7:00 pm) to learn the facts.

Please support a congregational vote to purchase a new sound system and video projection capacity by attending the Sunday, June 17 meeting at 10:00am. This type of equipment connects to my letter of call and original conversations with the call committee and church council. I bring the gifts to properly use this type of equipment. I look forward to its use, especially in our 11:00 worship. I have no doubt that in combining this equipment with the incredible gifts our staff and members that our worship experience will continue to grow! These changes will empower us in so many ways as we continue to tell this amazing story of God’s love for the world. I am excited about our ministry and this is a key moment for its future.

Pastor Flater