© 2021 - 2025  Strandz

8 June 2025

Bible readings for today

  • Acts 2:1-21 or Genesis 11:1-9
  • ​Psalm 104:24-34,35b
  • Romans 8:14-17 or Acts 2:1-21
  • John 14:8-17, (25-27)
The reading from Acts must be used as either the 1st or 2nd reading 

Liturgical colour: RED

Collect

E te Atua ora,
e te Wairua Tapu ora tonu,
kia maringi iho mai
tōu ngao kanapa taunanawe
i whakakā ai i aua ākonga tuatahi
kia tahuri anō ai te ao.
Whakarongo ki tēnei īnoi i runga i tōu aroha.
Āmine.

Living God,
eternal Holy Spirit,
let your bright intoxicating energy
which fired those first disciples fall on us
to turn the world again.
Hear this prayer for your love’s sake.
Amen.

Pentecost (Acts 2: 1-21)

After 50 days of waiting and celebrating the Good News of Easter, we reach the mystery and beauty of Pentecost. We celebrate Pentecost as the day the church was created, as God sends the Holy Spirit to encourage and empower the disciples.

Leaders Input

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
Sermon
​A reflection on Pentecost from Rev. Scottie Reeve, shared in lockdown. 
Gospel Conversations 2022: Bishop Steve, Damon and Joel bring their insights and experiences to a discussion on who the Holy Spirit is, and what it means for the Advocate and Comforter to dwell with us. Watch here
Gospel conversations 2021
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​Visio Lectio 
​A beautiful image from the Visio Lectio project, created by the Anglican Diocese of Auckland. © Sarah West. All Rights reserved, shared with permission. ​
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All Age worship

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?

Activities

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.

Prayers

  • Dove + Flame Prayers (Strandz)
  • Flying flames prayers
    Use the flying flames activity to remember how God sent the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost. Pray that we would be filled with the Holy Spirit too, empowered to love and care for the world. ​
Lord's prayer in different languages
​You might like to replace the lines with some of the languages that are important to your family.
​
E tō mātou Matua i te rangi (Te reo Maori) 
Geheiligt werde Dein Name, (German)
Your kingdom come, (English)
Laat u wil geskied, (Afrikaans)
jako w niebie tak i na ziemi (Polish)
Hōmai ki a mātou āianei
he taro mā mātou mō tēnei rā. (Te reo) 
A maddau I ni ein dyledion, (Welsh)
assim como nós perdoamos a quem nos tem ofendido, (Portuguese)
En leid ons niet in bekoring, (Dutch)
ma liberaci dal male (Italian)
Thi dit er Riget og magten og æren, (Danish)
i evighet. (Norwegian)
Amin (Romanian)

Games

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. 

Instructions:
  • 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!

Parachute games
Talk about how the Holy Spirit is like the wind. It holds us up and fills us up and makes us float. The Holy Spirit first came to the disciples like a rushing wind.
  • “Spirit Says”  - like Simon says…Spirit says wave the parachute fast, wave it slow, make it still, put it over your head, turn around and hold it, etc.
  • “Tent Time” – everyone raises their arms up holding the parachute together, takes a few steps in toward the center, brings the parachute behind them, and sits down on the edge to make a mushroom, tent, dome, etc.
  • “Ball Bounce”  - use balloons and tennis balls on the parachute.  You can try to keep them all on, try to bounce them all off, split into two sides and try to get the balloon off the other team's side, etc.
  • “Switch Places” – number off the children, in 4's maybe?  Raise up the parachute, call out a number or two, and those kids run under the parachute and switch places or find a new place.

Snacks

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.
Recipe for coloured popcorn

Birthday cake! Pentecost marked the first birthday of the church, so when we celebrate Pentecost, we celebrate the birthday of the church.  Light trick candles, sing “Happy Birthday”, and talk about how the Holy Spirit is like a flame in our hearts that won't go out.  It keeps us burning with love for Jesus. Eat and enjoy!

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