Pentecost

[Kazimiera Fraley]

So I am thinking about our Pentecost service.
I am wondering what you all do in your churches to highlight or celebrate Pentecost?
What have you done in the past?

I am planning on having each of the lectionary readings read in a different language, read by people within our congregation who speak that language as their native language.

I am just looking for ideas.

[Ryan Scott]

My favorite part of Pentecost is decking out the sanctuary in as much red as we can find. It's a really moving experience to walk in and just be blown away by the color.

[Eric Frey]

We have an annual Pentecost Picnic. Worship is about the same as every other Sunday except it tells to story of Pentecost instead of Christmas, Easter, etc.

[Kazimiera Fraley]

Ryan I like the idea of red. I wonder if I can find red cloth on sale cheap and hang it from the walls.

[Jon Twitchell]

Ryan I like the idea of red. I wonder if I can find red cloth on sale cheap and hang it from the walls.

Red helium balloons can create a stunning effect too... just don't turn the ceiling fans on!

[John Reilly]

My favorite part of Pentecost is decking out the sanctuary in as much red as we can find. It's a really moving experience to walk in and just be blown away by the color.

Ryan, Does the white cloth come off the cross after Ascension Sunday? Does a Red cloth traditionally go on the cross for Pentecost? If so how long does it stay on the cross?

[John Reilly]

The Ashes to Fire devotional for Pentecost suggests "A Different Pentecost." For us on this side of Pentecost, the scripture or the application is Acts 2: 43-48. In the sermon, I think I will start with Acts 2: 1-4 and move towards Acts 2: 43-48. I am thinking that the message is, "our church reflects Acts 2: 1-4 by living like the great community in Acts 2: 43-48."

[Kazimiera Fraley]

Jon that is a great idea, 'cept our ceiling are tall think two stories + - I suspect the effect will be lost in the space. I also don't know how we would get them down - luckily the fans are on poles that take them down to about 10 feet above the ground so the balloons would be above the height of the fans

John - I believe the Red is only up for one Sunday, then back to white for Trinity Sunday and then Green until All Saints.

I have also been wondering about streamers - you know like you do for children's birthday parties, from the balconey rail to the front of the sanctuary, perhaps tape shorter streamers to those to hand perpendicular to the floor over everyone's heads

[Jon Twitchell]

Regarding balloons... You may be right... although my sanctuary is pretty tall too. As far as coming back down, they usually lose their helium within a day (or two at most), and you just go around with scissors and pop them and pick up the pieces. Of course, you have other groups in your sanctuary, which may not appreciate the falling balloons.

You could attach the balloons to ribbons and tie them to the pews, I suppose.

Yes... your color statement is correct... although we switch to red for our Homecoming Sunday... sort of connecting Red/Holy Spirit/Church together.

[Ryan Scott]

I'm not sure if we have a red cloth here, if so, it will be up for Pentecost.

[John Kennedy]

My favorite part of Pentecost is decking out the sanctuary in as much red as we can find. It's a really moving experience to walk in and just be blown away by the color.

The First Congregational Church of Redlands, CA, encourages all attendees to wear red on that day. The minister wears a white robe and red stole. In past years, looking from the choir loft, the congregation has been a sea of red (all are welcome to make whatever 'parting' jokes you can come up with).

[David Graham]

Regarding balloons... You may be right... although my sanctuary is pretty tall too. As far as coming back down, they usually lose their helium within a day (or two at most), and you just go around with scissors and pop them and pick up the pieces. Of course, you have other groups in your sanctuary, which may not appreciate the falling balloons.

You could attach the balloons to ribbons and tie them to the pews, I suppose.

Yes... your color statement is correct... although we switch to red for our Homecoming Sunday... sort of connecting Red/Holy Spirit/Church together.

Yes we've done this as well with both the balloons and the ribbons, but we also use yellow colours as well, as we try and create an effect of a lot of red and yellow "flames".

We also try and include people who can speak other languages to read portions of scripture in that language to symbolise the universality of the gospel message.

We then go after the service and celebrate the Church's birthday with a birthday cake and other yummy refreshments.

Actually, this coming week end we celebrate the Queen's birthday as well........ I wonder if the ladies will bake 2 cakes???

[Shea Zellweger]

I suggested we dangle strips of flash paper and get a couple of industrial fans, and have our own mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire... Kaza shot it down.

[David Graham]

I suggested we dangle strips of flash paper and get a couple of industrial fans, and have our own mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire... Kaza shot it down.

In our winter, judging by how our folk were all rugged up last week, I don't think that fans would be appreciated

[John Reilly]

So is Red the color for Pentecost to symbolize FIRE?

[Kazimiera Fraley]

John, Yes it is to bring to memory the tongues of fire

[Susan Unger]

I suggested we dangle strips of flash paper and get a couple of industrial fans, and have our own mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire... Kaza shot it down.

But that does sound very creative!

[Susan Unger]

Yes we've done this as well with both the balloons and the ribbons, but we also use yellow colours as well, as we try and create an effect of a lot of red and yellow "flames".

We also try and include people who can speak other languages to read portions of scripture in that language to symbolise the universality of the gospel message.

We then go after the service and celebrate the Church's birthday with a birthday cake and other yummy refreshments.

Actually, this coming week end we celebrate the Queen's birthday as well........ I wonder if the ladies will bake 2 cakes???

Love it!

[Melissa DeBono]

http://www.christchurchwinnetka.org/...Page-2011.html

The tradition of wearing red on Pencost for clergy and congregation is pretty common.

[Susan Unger]

http://www.christchurchwinnetka.org/...Page-2011.html

The tradition of wearing red on Pencost for clergy and congregation is pretty common.

Although, interestingly, this is the first I have heard of it.

[David Troxler]

About one-third of our people wore red today--enough to see the pattern. And we had Scripture read in 7 languages: German, Irish-Gaelic, Indonesian, Turkish, Korean, Spanish and English. The emphasis was on the thing that keeps us together--when we hear our language while away from home in a foreign culture, it will draw our attention, that language will not necessarily keep us. What keeps us even when our languages and cultural behaviors differ is the love found through the indwelling Holy Spirit. We emphasized what keeps us together and that God is not out to destroy cultural differences. The Church can celebrate those differences because of love for each person.

The emphasis on love came across and was well received. Our Indonesian reader emailed me afterwards and indicated that is why she is part of us.

[John Kennedy]

We celebrated Pentecost today. Red balloons, which the minister explained to the children in the children's sermon (The Spirit's presence in our lives lifts us), "We are one in the Spirit...they'll know we are Christians by our love" - sung as a response following the Passing of the Peace, the anthem was "Come down, Lord...send your Spirit" and the closing hymn included a second stanza for "Spirit of the living God....", one I'd never heard before:
"Spirit of the living God, move among us all;
Make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love:
Humble, caring, self-less, sharing.
Spirit of the living God, fill our lives with love."

[Dennis M. Scott]

I suggested we dangle strips of flash paper and get a couple of industrial fans, and have our own mighty rushing wind and tongues of fire... Kaza shot it down.

I am so grateful that the Lord led you to a church with a pastor sufficiently perceptive to bridle you occasionally. Hey, we all need it!

[Shea Zellweger]

I am so grateful that the Lord led you to a church with a pastor sufficiently perceptive to bridle you occasionally. Hey, we all need it!

True. Of course... Kaza's husband also thought it was a great idea, so maybe if we start working now, we can talk her into it by next Pentecost