celebrating Pentecost

This morning, I got up and rifled through my box of streamers and balloons to find all the red ones I could. I taped them up on our kitchen doorpost to greet the day. 

When Jason and Taylor came down the stairs, they asked, "What are these for?" 

I reminded them that it was Pentecost (and also that it was Balloon Sunday that we celebrated back in Tennessee at several Episcopal churches that made the day extra festive with balloons all over the church.)  

I saw this boy walking out of the Lutheran church down the street from us and I am pretty sure these balloons were for their Pentecost service. I loved following him down the block on this gray rainy morning. 

  

In many liturgical settings, the color red is designated for Pentecost to signify the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The banners above are hung at our church every year on this day and are so vibrant. 

passages we read in our small group today about the Holy Spirit: 

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 2: 1-4 

14 For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. 15 The Spirityou received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship.[f] And by him we cry, “Abba,[g] Father.” Romans 8: 14- 15 

15 “If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be[c] in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.

John 14: 15- 18 

18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Matthew 28: 18-20 

I am thankful for simple things like balloons and streamers that help us set apart certain days and serve as reminders to us to celebrate seasons of the year. 

It was also a great opportunity when our small group came over tonight

 to let the kids know it was a day worth celebrating... 

Holy Spirit come- 

Make my eyes to see

Make my ears to hear

Make my mouth to speak 

Make my hands to reach out 

and touch the world with your love.