He is not here.  He is risen!

  Luke 24:6

Welcome

to the

Church of the Holy Spirit

Current Sunday Scriptures below!

Archived Scriptures in The Family Room!

 Who We Are 

The Church of the Holy Spirit is a Christian church.

We believe in God the Father, Jesus the Son

and

Holy Spirit the Comforter, Teacher and Healer.

We believe that God made the heavens and the earth,

 and gave all creatures His son, Jesus,

who died on the cross to forgive our sins

 and

to give us eternal life.

We believe Jesus went to heaven, he is now seated at God’s right hand,

 and

that God gave us Holy Spirit to comfort and guide us.

 

We believe the Bible is the inspired word of God.

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Who are God, Jesus and Holy Spirit?

God is our heavenly Father who created heaven and earth.  He gave us His Son, who died on a cross to allow our sins to be forgiven and give us eternal life becoming our Lord and Savior.  When Jesus died, Holy Spirit was made available to us to comfort, teach and guide us.

God in the beginning:  Genesis 1:1

Jesus:  Matthew 1, 2 & 3

Holy Spirit:  John 15:26

Are you one with God, Jesus and Holy Spirit?

 If you have not accepted the Trinity into your life and you would like to, pray this prayer or use your own words from your heart:

“Dear Heavenly Father God, Jesus, and Holy Spirit, please forgive me of my sins known and unknown.  Please come into my life, heal me and make me whole.  Give me a new life in and with you.  I wish to receive all that you have to give.  Baptize me in the fullness of your Holy Spirit, so that I can learn all I can about you to love you, and others, as you love me.  So I can love myself.  Thank you for giving me this new life.  Please send other Christians to surround me to help me grow and be strong to defeat Satan and the things of the world.  Help me to be worthy of your love.  Thank you God, Jesus and Holy Spirit.  In Jesus name I pray by and with the power of the Holy Spirit to dear Heavenly Father God.  Amen.” 

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If you have prayed this prayer, please email us at TrinityMissions@msn.com, so we can agree with you in prayer, praise God, and uplift you with prayer support.  We are thrilled to welcome you into the family of believers and encourage you to find a church home nearby where you can study, grow and fellowship with others.  Someone may need your support as much as you need them.  We are commanded to come together in fellowship to worship His majesty.

If you choose to fellowship with us via the web, we are honored to welcome you to the Church of the Holy Spirit.  We pray you will be enriched and uplifted in the fullness of the Trinity to their glory.  Stay in touch and let us know how you are doing from time to time.  As the website grows, we will have a special page for this purpose, and, you will be able to list prayers for all to see, so that we may come together as a body of believers, for ‘wherever two or more shall gather, there will I be.’   Don’t forget to send prayers of thanksgiving, as well as petitions of tears.  

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You are who I call ‘The Promise Children’, as in Romans 9:25-26 NLT:

“Those who were not my people, I will now call my people.  And I will love those whom I did not love before.  And, once they were told, ‘You are not my people.’  But now he will say, ‘You are children of the living God.”

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“The Kingdom of God is near you now.”

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The Apostle Paul gave us a “Prayer for Spiritual Empowerment” in Ephesians 3:14-21 NLT.  It reads

“When I think of the wisdom and scope of God’s plan, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth.  I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will give you mighty inner strength through his Holy Spirit.  And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts as you trust in him.  May your roots go down deep into the soil of God’s marvelous love.  And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is.  May you experience the love of Christ, though it is so great you will never fully understand it.  Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

Now glory be to God!  By his mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish infinitely more than we would ever dare to ask or hope.  May he be given glory in the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through endless ages.  Amen.”  

Jesus told us to remain in his love in John 15:9-13 NLT:

“I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.  Remain in my love.  When you obey me, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father and remain in his love.  I have told you this so that you will be filled with my joy.  Yes, your joy will overflow!  I command you to love each other in the same way that I love you.  And here is how to measure it - the greatest love is shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.” 

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May 24, 2009

 Acts 1:1-26 

Holy Spirit Baptism

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Acts

Dear Theophilus:

In my first book I told you about everything Jesus began to do and teach until the day he ascended to heaven after giving his chosen apostles further instructions from the Holy Spirit.  During the forty days after his crucifixion, he appeared to the apostles from time to time and proved to them in many ways that he was actually alive.  On these occasions he talked to them about the Kingdom of God.

In one of these meetings as he was eating a meal with them, he told them, "Do not leave Jerusalem until the Father sends you what he promised.  Remember, I have told you about this before.  John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.  

When the apostles were with Jesus, they kept asking him, "Lord, are you going to free Israel now and restore our kingdom?"

"The Father sets those dates," he replied, "and they are not for you to know.  But when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, you will receive power and will tell people about me everywhere--in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

It was not long after he said this that he was taken up into the sky while they were watching, and he disappeared into a cloud.  As they were straining their eyes to see him, two white-robed men suddenly stood there among them.  They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing here staring at the sky?  Jesus has been taken away from you into heaven.  And someday, just as you saw him go, he will return!"

The apostles were at the Mount of Olives when this happened, so they walked the half mile back to Jerusalem.  Then they went to the upstairs room of the house where they were staying.  Here is the list of those who were present:  Peter, John, James, Andrew, Philip, Thomas, Bartholomew, Matthew, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (the Zealot), and Judas (son of James).  They all met together continually for prayer, along with Mary, the mother of Jesus, several other women, and the brothers of Jesus.

During this time, on a day when about 120 believers were present, Peter stood up and addressed them as follows:

"Brothers, it was necessary for the Scriptures to be fulfilled concerning Judas, who guided the Temple police to arrest Jesus.  This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David.  Judas was one of us, chosen to share in the ministry with us."

(Judas bought a field with the money he received fo rhis treachery, and falling there, he burst open, spilling out his intestines.  The news of his death spread rapidly among all the people of Jerusalem, and they gave the place the Aramaic name Akeldama, which means "Field of Blood.")

Peter continued, "This was predicted in the book of Psalms, where it says, 'Let his home become desolate, with no one living in it.'  And again, 'Let his position be given to someone else.'

So now we must choose another man to take Judas's place.  It must be someone who has been with us all the time that we were with the Lord Jesus--from the time he was baptized by John until the day he was taken from us into heaven.  Whoever is chosen will join us as a witness of Jesus' resurrection."

So they nominated two men:  Joseph called Barsabbas (also known as Justus) and Matthias.  Then they all prayed for the right man to be chosen.   "O Lord," they said, "you know every heart.  Show us which of these men you have chosen as an apostle to replace Judas the traitor in this ministry, for he has deserted us and gone where he belongs."  Then they cast lots, and this way Matthias was chosen and became an apostle with the other eleven.    

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Thoughts...

I find the word of God just remarkable.  It amazes me how many people think they have the asnwers, including me, and yet, with Holy Spirit's guidance and utterance, we all do.  At any time you can open the Bible and find an answer for what ever is perplexing or perplexing you specifically.  

It has long been an upheld statement of fact that there is only one baptism in the Bible.  This is not now, nor has it ever been true.  There is one baptism for the 'remission of sins' or forgiveness of sins or repentance...an act also that joins one to the church of God on earth...regardless of religious affiliation.  'An outward expression of an inward confession.'  And there is another baptism.  The baptism of the Holy Spirit as mentioned here. We will learn more about it next week on 'Pentecost Sunday', but let's start at the beginning of the New Testament to learn a bit of the basics.  

In Matthew 3:11-12 he states, "I baptize with water those who turn from their sins and turn to God.  But someone is coming soon who is far greater than I am--so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave."  He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire."  He is ready to separate the chaff from the grain with his winnowing fork.  Then he will clean up the threshing area, storing the grain in his barn but burning the chaff with never-ending fire."  (This last refers to Christians versus non-Christians.)  It goes on to say,"Then Jesus went from Galilee to the Jordan River to be baptized by John.  But John didn't want to baptize him.  "I am the one who needs to be baptized by you," he said,"so why are you coming to me?"

But Jesus said, "It must be done, because we must do everything right."  So then John baptized him.  

After his baptism, as Jesus came up out of the water, the heavens were opened and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and settling on him.  And a voice from heaven said, "This is my beloved Son, and I am fully pleased with him."

All of the other Apostle's books, Mark, Luke and John, attest to the water baptism and the baptism of the Holy Spirit also.  I chose Matthew so no one could say, "Ya, Luke's books have to say that to continue the story."  This is not a story.  These are factual events as told by different people from different memories and perspectives over different times.  I believe God chose this way to have the story told, so that people could not say later, "Ya, they corroborated to pull this off."  Just like when an accident occurs, everyone remembers something different in the event, the 4 Apostles have told the facts as they recall having experienced them.   

Let's get back to my point of Holy Spirit's baptism.  Here are 4 guys, all having experienced the understanding that you must be baptized with the Holy Spirit to go forth in the Kingdom of God.

Luke gives us an example of what can happen if we do not obey God.  Look what happened to Judas.  It's interesting to note that Matthias was chosen and yet we don't hear alot about all the disciples that were with the Apostles and Jesus as they journeyed.  It is relevent because many religions teach that it was only the Apostles to which Jesus spoke and bestowed powers.  This is clearly not true as shown here and elsewhere numerous times.  I don't think Matthew and others refer to the Apostles as exclusively being taught, but they are referred to so as to insure you, the reader and follower, understand that there are people in authority, as well as others who have learned at the Master's feet, are growing, and, also called to go forth sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ.  These were not necessarily men who were leaders in the Jewish church, or in the community.  They were people chosen from the community to represent the community.  Hence a tax collector, a doctor, etc.  

So we have learned we must be baptized with water.  We have now also learned that we must be baptized in the name of Jesus to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit.  We need to do this to receive his power to obey him, and, to go forth for and with him telling people about him everywhere.  Next week your eyes will be more opened.  I hope your hearts will spill forth.

I want to comment on the importance of there being 12 apostles.  There were 12 tribes of Israel and it was important that all were equally represented.  I liken it to the different churches today, of which there are many, but most are represented.  I also tell people, that although Peter is considered the head of the Catholic church, John was probably the leader of the Methodist movement and Luke probably lead the Episcopals and the Lutherans, with Matthew heading the Baptists and the Pentecosts.  Who knows of course, who's thoughts or experiences most influenced the actual leaders of reformation in the world.  

I also want to note that although Peter stood up and addressed the 'Brothers',  it was a sign of the times.  Clearly it notes women present, but back then men were addressed, tho' women could listen.  They had no vote, so it was appropriate to speak to the men in reference to the vote of a new Apostle. 

Where is your heart today?  Is it wanting to be a part of Jesus' life in a way that only confession, baptism of water and of Spirit can heal, transform, lead and direct?  Are you tired of living a life of sorrow, regret, emptiness?  Are you already a Christian and experiencing closed doors for some reason?  Take time today to renew with Christ or call on him to come into your heart today.  All you have to do is call on the name above all other names....Jesus.  Ask him to forgive you and give you a new life now.    

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Let Us Pray

God, Jesus, Holy Spirit, I am assured that if I just call your name you will come.  God, Jesus, Holy Spirit come now into my heart and my soul.  Forgive me of my sins.  Make me whole.  Please place your Holy Spirit into me.  Remove all traces of Satan in my life.  Fill all those areas left void by Satan leaving with your Holy Spirit, so that Satan can never enter those areas again.  Give me a sign that I am yours and you are mine.   Baptise me with the fullness of your Holy Spirit.  Reign over me.  Uplift me to new heights of love and glory with you.  Enrapture me with your love for me.  Help me to be equal in loving you.  And do things for you as thanksgiving.  Call on me to serve you and show me the way.  There is a new dawn coming...it is here in my life now...today.  Let the sun only set on your glory.  I praise you Almighty  God, Jesus and Holy Spirit and say thank you.  Thank you again and again and again.  Now, give me utterance for your glory, that I may go forth praising your name and telling others about you.  Let my life be a testimony of your love for me.  Let me share as Paul did....for your glory, Lord.   Amen and alleluia!  

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Scroll down to read Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving...'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'.

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Definition of a Christian:  Anyone who believes in God, Jesus and Holy Spirit, and accepts Jesus as Lord and Savior.  Regardless of church name or religious affiliation.  

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If you feel that the Church of the Holy Spirit has inspired or helped you, we'd like you to prayerfully consider tithing regulary to us or gifting us, so that we can further the work and carry out the will of the Father as proclaimed in Matthew 28:16 NLT

 to

 "Go and make disciples out of all the nations

baptising them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you.  And be sure of this:

I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

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  Our NEW Current Cause

My family and I, and the church are in crisis and could desperately use your prayers and financial support.  Due to medical concerns, employment crisis, and economic devastation,  I do not have funding to meet everyday expenses right now for the church, or home, nor those necessary to keep this website afloat for those shut-in or needing spiritual support, nor the ability to help others along the way.  But I am confident that, with your help, balance can be achieved.  If God touches your heart, I hope you will pray earnestly for the church, my family and me, and send any amount of money you can to help.  Please note 'Church and Family' on your check and I will see that all funds get divided appropriately.  The church, I and my family, as well as to those to whom we reach out, will be sincerely grateful for anything you can do to help.  

Please accept my sincerest thanks....and may God bless you!

 Melinda Norstad, Minister

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 Checks can be made out to

Church of the Holy Spirit

and sent to

Church of the Holy Spirit

P.O. Box 86076

Tucson, Arizona

85754-6076

If you have any questions, we can be reached at:

1-866-402-GIFT

10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Mountain Time

As we grow, you will have options for allocating your gifts.

In the meantime, we hope you will trust us to direct them to where the need is the greatest.

We hope to be integrating Pay Pal soon for your convenience.

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    One last thing....

 Jesus' Prayer of Thanksgiving

'The Unforced Rythms of Grace'

 "Abruptly Jesus broke into prayer:  "Thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth.  You've concealed your ways from sophisticates and know-it-alls, but spelled them out clearly to ordinary people.  Yes, Father, that's the way you like to work."

Jesus resumed talking to the people, but now tenderly.  "The Father has given me all these things to do and say.  This is a unique Father - Son operation, coming out of Father and Son intimacies and knowledge.  No one knows the Son the way the Father does, nor the Father the way the Son does.  But I'm not keeping it to myself; I'm ready to go over it line by line with anyone willing to listen."

"Are you tired?  Worn out?  Burned out on religion?  Come to me.  Get away with me and you'll recover your life.  I'll show you how to take a real rest.  Walk with me and work with me - watch how I do it.  Learn the unforced rhythms of grace.  I won't lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you'll learn how to live freely and lightly.

  Matthew 11:  25-30

  The Message

And the people said,

"Amen."

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I now write most prayers in the position of ' I ' (first person) because most people are sitting at their computer alone, not in groups, and it allows those reading and praying to personalize the prayer as coming from them going to God.  Variations may appear on holidays when families may wish to use the prayer provided.

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 Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996.  Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, Illinois 60189.  All rights reserved.

Scriptures may be taken from the New Living Translations website.

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