Open The Gospel – 24 May – Day of Pentecost Whit Sunday, John 20.19-23

24 May – Day of Pentecost Whit Sunday, John 20.19-23

When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ ²⁰After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. ²¹Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ ²²When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit. ²³If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.’

Things to think about with the child at the centre:

Hymns & Songs

Come Down, O Love Divine
Hail Thee, Festival Day
Holy Spirit
Spirit Break Out
Breathe on Me, Breath of God
Build Your Kingdom Here
The Blessing

Activity

“Flames of the Spirit” Headbands or Mobiles

You’ll need:

Red, orange, yellow paper
Glue, scissors
Headband strips or string

Instructions:

Cut out flame shapes
Write or draw gifts of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, courage, kindness)
Attach to a headband (flames above heads!) or hang as a mobile

Reflection

Key points:

The disciples were waiting and unsure
Suddenly: wind, fire, and courage!
The Holy Spirit:
- fills us with God’s presence
- helps us be brave
- helps us share God’s love
Pentecost is like the birthday of the Church

Prayer

“Wind and Fire Prayer”

Use simple actions:

Blow gently (wind)
Raise hands/wiggle fingers (flames)

Leader: “Come like the wind…”
(All blow gently)
“Fill us, Holy Spirit.”

Leader: “Come like the fire…”
(All raise hands)
“Change us, Holy Spirit.”

Leader: “Give us courage to share your love…”
All: “Send us, Holy Spirit.”

Short silence, then:

“Help us to live as your people. Amen.”

Easter to Pentecost lectionary reflections from David Sherwin

Over the next few weeks, beginning with Easter Sunday, we are looking at the stories within the narrative of the lectionary Bible readings leading up to Pentecost. As we do this, may it help us consider where we fit into the story, how our encounter of faith, our meeting Jesus in our lives, has affected us and changed us? What would we write down as our story? Perhaps over the next few weeks, we might write down our journey of faith, our encounter with Jesus, and how our Lord impacts our lives day by day. We can also consider how we might share the Gospel story, the story of Jesus, with those around us and how it might impact their lives. Each week, we consider the principal readings for the day and what they might be saying to us. Allow the reading to speak to you throughout the week and let the story open up before you.

There are two readings for each day. If you only want to concentrate on one reading, that’s fine; maybe one reading speaks to you more than the other, that’s okay, let it do so.

Pentecost Sunday 24th May

May the Holy Spirit fill you with power and love to enable you to go into the world, you are a part of that world, and share the love of Christ in Christ Jesus our Lord. Come, Holy Spirit.