From Our Pastors                                                                                                       Pentecost is Coming 

Friends,

May carries us all the way to fire.

We begin the month in the quiet unfolding of Easter—buds opening, light lingering, life returning in gentle, almost unnoticed ways. But by the end of May, the story gathers energy. What begins as a whisper of resurrection becomes a rushing wind. What begins in stillness bursts into flame. 

Pentecost is coming—May 24.

It is one of the most dramatic moments in our story of faith: the Spirit descending, hearts ignited, voices unleashed, a scattered and uncertain group of disciples becoming a bold and connected community. But Pentecost is more than a spectacle—it is a reorientation of what it means to be the church. 

The Spirit does not come to make things comfortable. The Spirit comes to move us. 

• To push us beyond fear. 
• To loosen what has been locked tight. 
• To help us speak truth in ways that can actually be heard. 
• To remind us that the church was never meant to be static, but alive. 

And perhaps most importantly, Pentecost reminds us that God meets people where they are. In that first moment, the good news was heard in many different languages—not erased into sameness, but honored in diversity. The Spirit did not demand uniformity; it created connection. 

That matters for us. Because we are living in a time when it is easy to retreat into what is familiar, to draw lines, to speak only to those who already understand us. But the Spirit keeps nudging outward—toward relationship, toward courage, toward a wider vision of community. 

Here in our own congregation, we are continuing to grow into that kind of church—one that is rooted in love, open to change, and willing to follow where the Spirit leads, even when the path is not entirely clear. This takes trust. It takes patience. And it takes a willingness to listen—deeply—to one another and to God. 

So as we move through this month, I invite you to watch for the Spirit’s movement. 

• Where is there energy stirring? 
• Where are new ideas beginning to take shape? 
• Where is there a nudge you’ve been ignoring, or a possibility you’ve been hesitant to explore? 

Pentecost is not just something that happened long ago. It is something that continues to happen—whenever people open themselves to the presence and power of the Spirit.

Come, Holy Spirit. 

Set our hearts on fire—not for ourselves alone, but for the sake of a world that is longing for hope, justice, and love made real. 

Grace and peace, 

Rev. Phil Richards and Rev. Leigh McCaffrey

Join Us for Worship This May 🌿

May is a beautiful and meaningful season in the life of the church—a time of resurrection, reflection, celebration, and Spirit-filled renewal. Wherever you are on your journey, there is a place for you here.

✨ May 3 – Easter Season Continues
We continue to live into the promise of resurrection—exploring how new life shows up in ordinary moments and unexpected places.

💐 May 10 – Mother’s Day
A special service honoring the many expressions of love, care, and nurturing in our lives. We hold gratitude and tenderness together in this meaningful time.

☁️ May 17 – Ascension Sunday
A story of transition and trust—reminding us that even as things change, God’s presence continues in new and powerful ways.

🔥 May 24 – Pentecost & Memorial Day Weekend
Come celebrate the Spirit moving among us! A vibrant, hopeful service remembering both the fire of Pentecost and the sacred call to peace and justice.

🌈 May 31 – Trinity Sunday – Children’s Day
We celebrate the mystery of the Trinity—a God known in relationship—and the vibrant life of our church through our children and youth. In this special service, our young people will help lead worship, reminding us that faith is lived, shared, and growing across generations.

Each week, we gather to worship, to question, to grow, and to be reminded that we are not alone.

Renew - Restore - Rebuild:  Our Stewardship Vision for 2026/2027

The Annual Stewardship Campaign will begin on May 1st. In the coming days, you will receive a letter along with a support commitment card. We invite you to take a little time in prayer and reflection, considering how you might share your gifts in the year ahead. Your generosity, in whatever form it takes, helps nurture our ministries, care for one another, and extend God’s love into our community. 

Support cards should be returned on Sunday, May 17th when we will receive and dedicate the cards.  Soon after, the Stewardship Team will build a budget to bring to the Church Council.

Thank you for being such an important part of this shared work.

With blessings,

Amanda Corse, Cindi LaFountain, Rev. Leigh McCaffrey & Christina Mullen

 Help Us Build the Table – Volunteers Needed for Open Table! 

Open Table is growing, and we’d love your help in making this intergenerational gathering a welcoming, meaningful experience for everyone.  The gathering is the 2nd Sunday of every month from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

We’re looking for folks willing to help with:

🎨 Craft Preparation – simple, creative activities for all ages
🍲 Meal Preparation – cooking, baking, or helping serve
🪑 Set-Up & Hospitality – creating a warm, inviting space
🙏 Prayer & Welcome – helping guide the flow of the gathering

You don’t need special skills—just a willingness to be part of something rooted in community, creativity, and connection.

Open Table is about making space where everyone belongs. And it takes all of us to build that kind of table.

If you’re interested in helping, reach out or sign up—we’d love to have you be part of it.

There’s a place for you here, too.

Contact Pastor Phil, Pastor Leigh or Jon Ruff if you are interested in helping out!

Dreaming Together: The Future of Children’s & Youth Ministry

Peru Community Church is entering an exciting season of possibility, and we invite you to be part of it.

On Wednesday, June 3 at 6:30 p.m., we will gather for a time of open conversation and creative brainstorming as we begin to restart and reimagine our Children’s and Youth Ministry. This is an opportunity to reflect on what has been, consider the needs of today’s families, and dream about what could be in the future.

We are not starting with a fixed plan—instead, we are starting with a question: What kind of ministry are we being called to create for the children and youth in our community? Your ideas, experiences, and hopes will help shape that answer.

Whether you have been involved in children’s ministry before, are a parent or grandparent, or simply care about the next generation, your voice is important. This will be a relaxed and welcoming space to share ideas and imagine new possibilities together.

Come and be part of the conversation as we begin this new chapter.  Let us know if you are interested in attending this gathering.

Peace,

By gathering midweek, this rhythm allows you to enter your weekends with more freedom—making space for rest, travel, family time, and the beauty of the season, while still staying connected spiritually.

A Zoom link will be provided in mid-May.