Ideas for Celebrating Pentecost

Well, I posted earlier that this Pentecost would be a unique celebration for us, but here is what we've done at home in the past and may have time to do either Saturday night or in the week to come.

The color for Pentecost is RED to "recalls the tongues of flame in which the Holy Spirit descended on the first Pentecost. The color red also reminds us of the blood of the martyrs. These are the believers of every generation who by the power of the Holy Spirit hold firm to the true faith even at the cost of their lives."

Celebrating at home:

• Decorate with roses and red candles! We will have a white table cloth the children will decorate with rose petals from a bush in our yard and votive candles to represent the tongues of flame.
• Hang a Dove cut out
• Serve a cake with vanilla icing and strawberries to represent the flames or even a 12 fruit salad, to represent the 12 Fruits of the Spirit

Family Prayers:
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

or this

O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

A Blessing to Share: “May God pour out his Spirit upon you, so that you live boldly as his child and do great things in his name. Amen.” (Acts 2:17; Romans 8:15; John 14:12)

For the Week: “Lord God, please send me your Spirit of truth to live in me and be with me. Amen.” (John 14:17)

For Throughout the Day: “Lord God, pour out your Spirit upon me this day,that I may declare your wonders. Amen.” (Acts 2:11,17).

Scripture to read together:

Acts 2:1-21
or Ezekiel 37:1-14
Psalm 104: 25-35,37
Romans 8:22-27
or Acts 2:1-21
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Discussion questions for families:
• On the day of Pentecost the first Christians received the Holy Spirit with signs of wind and fire (Acts 2:1-4). How is the Spirit like wind and fire?
• How, when and where have you received the Holy Spirit? What does the gift of the Holy Spirit mean to you?
• How is this day the birthday of the Church? Why is the Holy Spirit so necessary for the Church?
• How are we as a family living out the mission of the Church? What else could we do?

• Discuss this quote from Martin Luther’s Small Catechism:

I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him. But the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, and sanctified and kept me in true faith. In the same way He calls, gathers, enlightens and sanctifies the whole Christian church on earth, and keeps in united with Jesus Christ in the one true faith. In this Christian church day after day He fully forgives my sins and the sins of all believers. On the last day He will raise me and all the dead, and give me and all believers in Christ eternal life. This is most certainly true.



Activities:

• Cut out 12 small from a piece of construction paper or cardstock and write one of the following fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22): love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Place the doves in a nice dish and before each meal ask a family member to draw one out. Discuss its meaning, how you’ve seen it in each other’s lives, ask for the Holy Spirit to fill each of you with this fruit.

• Coloring Pages

• For little ones, play with bubbles or fly kites to remind you of the Holy Spirit presence.

• Take time to learn about and pray for your church’s missionaries and sister churches around the world.