In my former church, our pastor would end every worship service with the words, “Come Spirit Come!  Blow Spirit Blow”! Everyone called it out in unison and even the little children would join in with exuberance.  We had a banner that featured a dove and some flames to indicate the gifts of the Holy Spirit and it was left up all year, not just at Pentecost.  Our pastor passed away a few years before I left Wyoming, but that was a tradition we carried on. When I attended services there last summer, it was still a part of worship.

Tomorrow, we celebrate Pentecost Sunday and the coming of the Holy Spirit.  Historically, Pentecost is celebrated on the 50^th day after Easter (if we count both Easter Sunday and Pentecost Sunday). We find many readings in the Bible which feature this story.  They can be found in Acts, Psalm, Corinthians, Galatians, and John.

The Acts of the Apostles tells the story of the original Pentecost Sunday where Jews from every nation under heaven were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the Jewish feast of Pentecost.  On that day, the Apostles and Jesus’ mother Mary were gathered in the Upper Room, where ten days before they had seen Christ after His Resurrection.

And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong wind and it filled the entire house in which they were.  Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and come to rest on one of them.  And they were filled with the holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. (Acts 2:2-4)

Christ had promised His Apostles He would send His Holy Spirit and on Pentecost they were granted this gift. The Apostles were able to preach the Gospel in all of the languages the Jews who were gathered there spoke.  About 3000 people were converted and baptized that day.

Sometimes Pentecost is called “the birthday of the church.” On this special day, the descent of the Holy Spirit, Christ’s special mission was completed and the New Covenant was in place.

We will celebrate tomorrow with the church adorned in red and many parishioners wearing red to symbolizing the fire of the Spirit.  This is the same Spirit that assures us and shows us in all ways His unconditional love for us.  Thanks be to God and “Come Spirit Come!  Blow Spirit Blow”.

Patty