Pentecost is a Christian holiday, observed on the seventh Sunday after Easter, that celebrates the blessing of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ, as mentioned in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1-31). The day of Pentecost is known in the Christian Church as the day the Spirit descended upon the apostles. The Pentecost spirit lives through us in our everyday lives and faith communities.
 

New members at Riverview UMC in Huron, South Dakota. Screenshot from worship stream.

Pentecost Spirit on the move at Riverview UMC

Riverview United Methodist Church in Huron, South Dakota, recently experienced the Pentecost spirit by receiving 66 new members on one Sunday. Riverview is an Oasis Church in the Dakotas Conference.

"Riverview is committed to being an oasis church. First United Methodist in town is in the process of disaffiliation. Over the past year, some folks from that church have questioned where they fit. So some people started checking us out last summer," said Rev. Teresa Person, Riverview UMC. "I heard from people, 'Are you sure that Riverview is remaining United Methodist?' They did not want to put themselves through heartache again. Of our 66 new members, I would say that probably just under two-thirds are folks who have migrated over from First Church. It has been just a very wonderful thing that we can say: we are 100% committed to remaining United Methodist and ready for the cross and flame to shine brightly in our community."

Riverview UMC also received some professions of faith from connections made through community outreach, including funerals.

"I have done 30 or more funerals in the last couple of years. Being there for the families and ministering to the people is important. Several folks have come to be part of our church after they attended a funeral," said Pastor Teresa. "There were looking for a place where they would be cared for and could become part of a church family. A huge part of our culture here is being a church family. We want people to know and feel there is a place for them with us."

Some people become members because they connect with Riverview by watching church online. The motto of Riverview UMC is "connecting in faith and community." The congregation works to live out that motto every day. People in the community are seeing that by watching worship online.

Pastor Teresa says, "We are looking at online as our new welcome mat. We've got some new members that grew up in different faiths. We also have some people that don't have a church background that have come to us and joined us by profession of faith."

The next steps are to engage the new members more deeply in their faith and community. To do that, Riverview is setting up church chats. People will sign up to be part of a small group that comes to Pastor Teresa's home and be in conversation with one another.

"It is a chance for people to get to know each other. We will ask them: 'What are your hopes and dreams? Where do you see the needs in the community where we, as a church, can plug in? Where can we connect with our community?' It is about finding places for people to engage," said Pastor Teresa.

Worship attendance continues to grow at Riverview UMC. Last spring, Person estimates there was a high attendance of 75 people. This spring, the congregation sees 115-150 people in worship.

"I think people feel the excitement. I've had people tell me that they come back early from weekend plans so they could be in church," said Pastor Teresa. "They just don't want to miss anything, and there might be somebody new to meet. We have guests and visitors literally every Sunday. We have been training our folks in hospitality so that we are greeting each other with love."

Pastor Teresa shares that this is truly a Holy Spirit movement for her congregation and the Dakotas Conference.

"You hear stories of congregations leaving. The Spirit is definitely moving. It is alive and well. When Riverview was chartered as a church 50 years ago, it began with 62 members. On one Sunday, we received more members than were present during chartering. It is like we almost have a new church within the church.

Pastor Mike Flowers, left, baptizes twins at First UMC in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Photo from First UMC's Facebook page.

Pentecost Spirit is alive and well at First UMC in Devils Lake.

The Pentecost Spirit is alive and well at First United Methodist Church in Devils Lake, North Dakota. On one Sunday, the congregation baptized two believers, confirmed one new member, received seven other new members, and celebrated the high school graduation of two of its members. Three baptisms were held earlier in the month. 

"It is such a welcoming congregation," said Pastor Mike Flowers, who retired on May 31. "The new members are not new to the community. They all have been in the community and just found their church home."

Pastor Mike describes how the service was a celebration of promises. "I opened the worship service saying that today we are going to make a lot of promises to God and each other. We promise to care for each other, serve as mentors and role models to each other and throughout the community, and hold each other accountable to grow in our love for each other and God."

One of the people baptized at First UMC that Sunday was an adult who asked to be baptized. After Pastor Mike had delivered a sermon about the baptism of Jesus, this person asked him, "Do I have to be baptized to get to heaven?"

"I shared that nothing can keep God from loving you. Baptism is a sign of faith," said Pastor Mike. "Later, she asked if she could be baptized."

Two new members of the congregation are part of the Celebrate Recovery ministry that happens at First UMC. The congregation has committed to providing a space for the recovery ministry on a long-term basis after Celebrate Recovery experienced a request to move from other faith communities.

"We heard that they were struggling for a place to do ministry. I visited with our leadership, and we invited them to use our space," said Pastor Mike.

The promises made that Sunday in Devils Lake were celebrated with cake and fellowship. "We had cake and celebrated all that God is doing in the congregation and the community," said Pastor Mike. "It was truly special to be part of the Holy Spirit moving."