Immanuel Lutheran Church
Sioux City, Iowa
"Christ, In,With and Through Us!"
Services: Saturday 5:30 p.m. Sunday 10:30 a.m.
Pentecost Day ( May 31 2009 )
The Day of Pentecost closes the Easter season and opens the door to the liturgical Season of Pentecost, also called Ordinary Time in some church bodies, dozens of weeks that carry us from Pentecost Sunday to the First Sunday in Advent.
The day of Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian Church. On this day the ascended Jesus poured the Holy Spirit on his Disciples, fulfilling his promise to send another counselor who would teach them ( John 14:26; 16:7 ) With a lively wind like the creative breath of God in Genesis 1, the spirit energized the disciples,showing them the meaning of the Old Testament and how Jesus' Life and Death fulfilled it. And the Spirit baptized them with power to bring this Truth to the people of the world. In early centuries, Pentecost was another opportunity for those who were not able to be baptized on Easter.
In the Middle Ages, roses were dropped from the rafters to simulate the tounges of fire. Trumpets were sounded to recall the sound of the mighty rushing wind. Most widespread was the use of a Dove or pigeon to represent the Holy Spirit. A live dove was set free inside the church to fly or a carved one was let down by a rope from the roof.
The day of Pentecost is the birthday of the Christian Church. On this day the ascended Jesus poured the Holy Spirit on his Disciples, fulfilling his promise to send another counselor who would teach them ( John 14:26; 16:7 ) With a lively wind like the creative breath of God in Genesis 1, the spirit energized the disciples,showing them the meaning of the Old Testament and how Jesus' Life and Death fulfilled it. And the Spirit baptized them with power to bring this Truth to the people of the world. In early centuries, Pentecost was another opportunity for those who were not able to be baptized on Easter.
In the Middle Ages, roses were dropped from the rafters to simulate the tounges of fire. Trumpets were sounded to recall the sound of the mighty rushing wind. Most widespread was the use of a Dove or pigeon to represent the Holy Spirit. A live dove was set free inside the church to fly or a carved one was let down by a rope from the roof.
Images and Words for Pentecost Day
Pentecost: meaning the 50th day (after Easter),was taken over for Christian use from the Jews. For them Pentecost was the feast of weeks, celebrating the end of the grain harvest, the giving of the Law and the founding of the Jewish faith community. Early Christians found in their Pentecost a thanksgiving for the fruits of the Spirit, as well as the founding of the Christian Church, the successor to the old Testament community.
Pentecost: meaning the 50th day (after Easter),was taken over for Christian use from the Jews. For them Pentecost was the feast of weeks, celebrating the end of the grain harvest, the giving of the Law and the founding of the Jewish faith community. Early Christians found in their Pentecost a thanksgiving for the fruits of the Spirit, as well as the founding of the Christian Church, the successor to the old Testament community.
"Grace Happens Here"
"Tounges" of fire:appeared to hover over the disciples on Pentecost as a sign of the Lord's presence and power. In Old Testament times fire was often the sign of God's presence and holiness, which might purify or punish. John the Baptizer talked about a baptisim with the Holy Spirit and with fire which Jesus would bring.
A dove: is the form in which the Spirit of the Lord was seen at Jesus' baptisim, and for centuries artists have shown the Holy Spirit in that form.
Holy Spirit: is the gift of the Lord--indeed, the Lord himself. The Spirit is given not just to the disciples but to "you and your children and to all that are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him" (Acts 2:39)
Baptisim: and acceptance of new members or confirmands is sometimes part of Pentecost Sunday. In the New Testament, baptisim is related to receiving the Holy Spirit.
Paraclete, Comforter or Counselor: Paraclete is Greek for someone called to aid or plead for, and advocate or couselor who encourages, strengthens and comforts. This is the work of the Spirit of God.
Wind or Breath: The mighty wind of Pentecost Day also reminds us of the powerful, creative breath of God blown into Adam in creation.
Red: the liturgical color for Pentecost Day, traditionally reminds us of the offering of life--lives of Christian martyrs gone before us and our own lives-- in the service of our Lord.
A dove: is the form in which the Spirit of the Lord was seen at Jesus' baptisim, and for centuries artists have shown the Holy Spirit in that form.
Holy Spirit: is the gift of the Lord--indeed, the Lord himself. The Spirit is given not just to the disciples but to "you and your children and to all that are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him" (Acts 2:39)
Baptisim: and acceptance of new members or confirmands is sometimes part of Pentecost Sunday. In the New Testament, baptisim is related to receiving the Holy Spirit.
Paraclete, Comforter or Counselor: Paraclete is Greek for someone called to aid or plead for, and advocate or couselor who encourages, strengthens and comforts. This is the work of the Spirit of God.
Wind or Breath: The mighty wind of Pentecost Day also reminds us of the powerful, creative breath of God blown into Adam in creation.
Red: the liturgical color for Pentecost Day, traditionally reminds us of the offering of life--lives of Christian martyrs gone before us and our own lives-- in the service of our Lord.
