Pentecost Year A

28 May 2023

Bible readings for today

Acts 2:1-21 or Number 11:24-30
Psalm 104:24-34,35b
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21
John 20:19-23, or John 7:37-39

Collect

Father,
you have filled your people with the Spirit
who rested first on your Son
and united us in your Church;
open the channels for your Spirit
that we may freely work together,
and your kingdom and your rule increase;
for the glory of your holy name.
Amen.

E te Matua,
kua whakakīia e koe tāu iwi ki te Wairua,
i tau tuatahi ai ki runga i tāu Tama,
ā, i whakakotahitia ai mātou ki roto i tāu Hāhi;
whakapuarengia mai ngā tatau ki tōu Wairua
kia wātea ai mātou ki te mahi tahi,
kia piki ake ai te rahi o tōu rangatiratanga me āu tikanga; mō te korōria o tōu ingoa tapu.
Āmine.

Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-21)

The Day the church was created, as God sends the Holy Spirit to encourage and empower the disciples.

Activities

Dove + Flame Prayers (Strandz)
Flying Flames (Strandz)
Tissue Paper Flame Craft (Ink and Glue)
Holy Spirit Pinwheel (Catholic Inspired)
Paint Blowing and other ideas (Flame Creative Kids)
Ribbon Wands (Building Faith)
Playdough Mat (Flame Creative Children's Ministry)

Gospel Conversations

We have a team of school chaplains for this Pentecost conversation, which means that the talk zeros in on the practical. Those who work daily among young people go straight past theoretical discussions of the being or coming of the Holy Spirit, to focus on the Spirit's work in us: both bringing us peace and justice, and urging us out into the world to bring them to others. Gillian (St Hilda's), John (King's Prep) and Mannie (Hadlow) join Michael for this sometimes surprising Pentecost discussion.

Last year's Gospel Conversation!
This week Michael hosts a discussion with Gillian Townsley (St Hilda's and Otago University); Jenny Dawson (a past ministry educator and present spiritual director from Wellington Diocese) and Alec Clark (previous Duendin Diocese Ministry Educator). Together they start to untangle some of the complexities of John's story of the coming of the Spirit. (From last year's reading)

Pentecost Sermon

A reflection on Pentecost from Rev. Scottie Reeve, shared in lockdown.

Popcorn

What you need:
Popcorn , Popcorn maker / microwave, Recipe for coloured popcorn

Talk about what happened at Pentecost. Then show them some popcorn, talk about how the disciples were like this popcorn before Pentecost. When God sent his Holy Spirit, like the warm air in this popper, look what happened to them! They exploded! We all have loads of exciting possibilities inside us, we just need God, Jesus and the Holy spirit to let it all burst out.

Prayer for Pentecost

Here’s an all-age prayer for Pentecost written by Joanna Harader, and posted on Practicing Families.

Holy One,
For all of the ways you speak to us –
in rushing wind,
in dancing flames,
in words we understand,
and in all that transcends language,
we give thanks.

Give us courage to speak your love,
everywhere we go,
to everyone we meet.
Amen.

Game: What country am I from?

You will need
White sticky labels and a pen.

Preparation
Write the names of a different country on each of the labels.

What to do

Get all the children to line up along a wall, facing the wall. Then put one label on each of their backs.
Get them to turn around and explain that each of them comes from a different country. The object of the game is for everyone to work out what country they are from.
However, they can ask other children questions to help them work out where they are from. But they can only be answered with 'yes' or 'no'.
Also, they can only ask a child one question, no more.
Time them to see how long it takes!

Visio Lectio

A couple of Pentecost images from Rev. Sarah West at Visio Lectio

PNG Download
Download w/ background
Terms of Use

Pentecost Candle

Make a Pentecost Candle, with hello written on it in twenty-one languages (Source: Sun Hats & Wellie Boots)

Quick Questions

What are some of the symbols of the Holy Spirit?
Why is Pentecost so important to us?
What do you think the Holy Spirit looks like?

Download: Dove + Flame Prayers and Flying Flames

Pentecost Flame Hats

You will need

1 A4 piece of red paper, orange paper and yellow paper (per child)
Pen, scissors and tape/stapler and glue

What to do

Fold the red piece in half long ways.
Next, fold it backwards and forwards like a fan.
Cut a flame shape along the fold edge as shown, making sure that you leave the paper joined at the sides.
Open in out, and you should have two long pieces.
Stick the pieces together at one end with tape.
Repeat all the above for the orange and yellow pieces.
Next, lay the yellow piece on the table and spread a line of glue across the bottom as shown.
Lay the orange piece on the yellow making sure that you can still see the yellow flames\
Spread a line of glue on the orange piece and then lay the red piece on top, again making sure you can still see the orange flames.
Fit for size on your head, and then staple together.

Variation
You could get the children to write as many ways of saying hello in different languages that they can.

Media

BibleProject

The BibleProject has some great resources to help unpack the whole story - particularly placing Pentecost within the context of Acts. They also have a podcast episode on this: Pentecost and the Expected Unexpected Spirit

BibleProject: Acts 1-7

BibleProject: The Holy Spirit

Jesus appears to his disciples (John 20:19-23)

After Jesus' death, his disciples were hiding in a locked room for fear of the Jewish leaders. Jesus appeared amongst them, and said "Peace be with you". He showed them his hands and his side, and they were overjoyed. He breathed on them, and said "Receive the Holy Spirit"