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Dearly Beloved,

Happy New Year to you! On our last Sunday gathering of 2025 I was blessed to share a message with you that I felt God put on my heart for our church family. It was called “5 Reasons Why We need the Holy Spirit in 2026 (and always)”. If you missed it, you are welcome to watch it [here] or listen to it [here]..and here is a short recap for you now:

In Acts 1 we read about when Jesus ascends. I imagine the apostles may have felt a little bit like we do in between Christmas/New Year during the period after Jesus ascended and before the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. Not quite sure what the heck is going on, what day it is,, what’s next and who are those two guys that just appeared out of nowhere? 

Jesus came. He performed miracles and signs and wonders, then He died, rose again and then ascended to be with the Father once again. He made a promise of the Holy Spirit whom the Father would send… but like, what does that even mean? When would this happen? Even though they were unsure, however, they quickly turned and continued on their way to Jerusalem where they all joined together in prayer. Not fulllllly understanding what was really about to come, they continued fervently with what they knew they could do. Gather together, pray, worship. And then He came. Holy Spirit came upon them in a new way in Acts 2 and is still with us today. Let’s look at the 5 reasons we still need Him as we begin 2026!

1. Jesus promised the Spirit because we cannot follow Him on our own

In John 14, Jesus says twice that loving Him means obeying His teaching — and both times He immediately promises the Holy Spirit.

That matters. Jesus doesn’t give us the command without also giving help.

The Holy Spirit is:

  • The Helper
  • The Advocate
  • The Spirit of Truth

He is God’s own presence with us, sent so we are not left trying to live the Jesus way in our own strength.

2. The Spirit’s primary work: pointing us to Jesus

In John 15, Jesus says the Spirit will testify about Him, and that we, empowered by the Spirit, will also testify.

In John 16, Jesus explains that the Spirit:

  • Reveals truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment
  • Guides us into all truth


At the core of everything the Spirit does is this: He helps us understand who Jesus is — and helps us become more like Him. He reminds us of Jesus’ words, forms Jesus’ character in us, and empowers us to live Jesus’ life in the world.

3. Acts is not the “Acts of the Apostles” — it’s the continuing work of Jesus

At the beginning of Acts, Luke says:

“In my former book, I wrote about all that Jesus began to do and teach.”

That word began is key. Acts is not a sequel where Jesus steps back.
It’s Jesus continuing His work through Spirit-filled people. The victory over sin and death has already been won through the cross and resurrection — but the story is not finished.
Jesus gives His Spirit because He invites His people to participate in what He is still doing.

4. Pentecost: harvest, Spirit, and a new way of living

We are part of the Pentecostal Assemblies of Canada — but Pentecost does not belong to one denomination. It’s for everyone. Pentecost was originally a harvest festival. Farmers brought the first sheaf as a sign that the harvest had begun. It was their offering of praise and a time to pray for the rest of the harvest to come.

In Israel’s story:

  • Passover remembered liberation from Egypt
  • Fifty days later, at Sinai, God gave the Law — instructions for how to live as free people

In the Gospels and then at Pentecost in Acts 2:

  • Jesus is revealed as the final Passover Lamb
  • The Spirit is given as the new instructor
  • The harvest is no longer grain — it’s people

This is a new way of living, empowered from the inside out by the Spirit — not just for Sundays, but for everyday life.

5. The work isn’t finished yet.

At Pentecost, the Spirit:

  • Empowers us
  • Reminds us of the ways of Jesus
  • Transforms us
  • Sends us into God’s great harvest

This breaks the idea that ministry belongs only to leaders in a church. The Spirit is given to all so that all can be empowered to participate in Christ’s work. 

What you do every day matters:

  • Your job
  • Your friendships
  • Your parenting
  • Your presence in the community

I’m not great at reflecting on the year past and looking to the year ahead. I’m more of a ‘live in the moment’, act now think later sorta gal. I learn most lessons by way of error the first time, get it right the next time, or hopefully so. However, I can’t help but look back on this past year and see that, while filled with many challenges and hard times, Jesus has done a mighty work in the Comox Valley and at CPC:

  • 50 people baptized in water. 

  • Hundreds of youth filling our auditorium, hungry for Jesus, 

  • small groups bursting at the seams, 

  • people coming through the doors of our church building with no invitation, simply looking for something more to life and finding JESUS

  • friends inviting friends and their friends saying YES

  • Well over 700 people coming to our Christmas Eve services - many of those were the invited guests of YOU, the 500 missionaries we all believed and prayed for this year. 


Friends, as we look to next year, I can’t also help but think with much fear and trembling, that 2025 was only a foretaste of what is to come, perhaps a first sheaf sort of symbol of the harvest that is to come. We need the power, help, advocacy of the Holy Spirit!

Will you join us in leaning in to the Holy Spirit in 2026? At home, on your own, and there will be many opportunities here throughout the year too like Encounter weekend, prayer and worship nights, and more. God has even greater things in store for you and at CPC this year!

Many happy blessings,

Pastor Laura