Pentecost and the Gift of Spirit

Pentecost window, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Atlanta, GA designed by Br. Martin Erspamer and created by Emil Frei & Associates. (photo by Pastor Nancy, 2014)

READ: We’ve come to Pentecost, the day we’ve been waiting for since Easter. Pentecost is a very special day with a great mystery in its story. On the first Pentecost all the followers of Jesus were together in one place in an upper room. Suddenly, there was a sound, like the rush of a mighty wind. It filled the room, and fire was within each one. It was as if each one of them had received a tongue of fire, a sign of God’s presence in the world. A gift from the very heart of God. That’s why the color of Pentecost is red. It was the Holy Spirit. Their fear left them and they were all filled with joy. They were so excited they left the upper room and went out into the streets. There in the city were many people who spoke many different languages. The followers of Jesus began talking to everyone. People could see that they had come close to God, and that God was also close to them in a new and amazing way.
This was when they started becoming leaders, for now they began to know the Creator within each of them. Once they were called disciples, now they were known as apostles. From this moment on they went out into the world to tell the stories of Jesus. Ever since this first Pentecost, Christians have celebrated this special day and told this story. (Acts 2:1-21)
WONDER: I wonder how they felt when the sound of the mighty wind filled the room?
I wonder what it felt like to be that close to God?
I wonder what they will do now that they have the gift of the Holy Spirit?
I wonder if there are any other signs from God, from God’s heart, that we may find in the world?
I wonder if you have ever felt like something new is being created within you?
I wonder if there is anything in our church sanctuary that reminds you of this story?
SAY: In the Pentecost story we hear of a sign of God’s presence in the world, a flame of hope, tongues of fire. All of the signs of God’s presence in the world come from the very heart of God.
PRAY: Today’s prayer is a breath prayer. It’s a simple prayer we can repeat over and over as we breathe in and breathe out. Say, “Dear God,” silently as you breathe in slowly. As you slowly let your breath out say to yourself, “be with me.”
EXTEND

• What does a “mighty wind” look like? What do “tongues of fire” and flames look like? Using your favorite art materials create an image of what the Holy Spirit may be for you. 
  Read The Dark by Lemony Snicket, illustrated by Jon Klassen. A little boy Lazlo is afraid of the Dark which lives in the basement of Lazlo’s home. When the bulb goes out in his nightlight, the Dark leads Lazlo to the room where the extra bulbs are kept. After this, Lazlo comes to see the Dark as both helpful and still a little scary, too. I wonder if there are some places you are scared of? I wonder what helps you when you’re afraid of something?

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