Pentecost Sunday

Opening Prayer

Come Holy Spirit!

Shine your divine light upon me!

Wash away the stains of guilt

        and wrap me with your mercy!

Start a fire within me for you!

Ignite the flames in me

        so I can bring light to all I meet!

Spirit, dwell in me forever!

Amen

Journal/Reflection Questions

Acts 2:1-11

• Identify how the disciples are before and after the Holy Spirit descends upon them. What is significant about this change?
• Describe what it might have been like to experience the strong winds and house shaking? How did those gathered know it was okay?
• Why was it so important for everyone to understand? What is the significance of this?

1 Corinthians 12:3b-7, 12-13

• Are gifts of the Holy Spirit limited to one per person or can you have all of them? Are they always there or can you summon them like a super-power of a superhero?
• Consider how each part of your body, each organ, etc. has a specific purpose. Draw a picture identifying different gifts people have in the shape of a body/person. How does this relate to the world today?

John 20:19-23

• What do sins have to do with Pentecost? Can you experience Pentecost if you are unable to forgive? Why or why not?
• Where else in the scriptures do we read, God breathed on them? What is the significance of this? How do these readings correlate?
• What were the first words Jesus said to his disciples when he returned to them? Why do you think He chose those words? And why do you think He said them twice?

General Questions for Journaling

• Have you ever gone to an event, dinner or party and was surprised you had a good time? Share the experience.
• Have you ever met someone, who at first glance you thought would be boring or uninteresting and you were wrong?
• On a scale of 1-10, how often do you call on the Holy Spirit in a day?
• When you call on the Holy Spirit, what do you ask for or need?
• How is your life changed by the presence of the Holy Spirit?
• How does the power of the Holy Spirit work? Have you been a witness to what it can do? Explain.
• What happens when you cannot understand another person? How does this keep you from communicating?
• What is the common language of today? Is it verbal?
• What exactly is celebrated on Pentecost? How is it relevant today?
• Name 10 gifts you have and how they benefit others.
• No gift is insignificant because it was given by God for a purpose.  What is something you feel is insignificant about you? How can you change your negative thinking thing into something positive?
• When you act out of faith, what characteristics do you show? How do you know a person of faith by their actions? Share examples.

Closing Prayer

Leader:  Holy Spirit, come…

ALL:  make faith like a blazing fire!

Leader:  Holy Spirit, come…

ALL:  make joy overflow like a raging waterfall!

Leader:  Holy Spirit, come…

ALL:  make love spread like fierce wind!

Leader:  Holy Spirit, come…

ALL:  make peace cover us like a dense fog!

Leader:  Come, Holy Spirit, come…

ALL:  ignite the fire of your love throughout the world!

Challenge for the Week:  How do you hear God’s voice?  How do you Jesus is calling out to you?  What role does the Holy Spirit have in following faith?  This week, determine if you are really hearing God’s voice and following God’s call.  Perhaps, you need to reach out to the Holy Spirit for affirmation you are on the right path.  Listen for the Holy Spirit in the wind, in a whisper or in a stranger’s smile.  Consider writing down each day where you heard, saw or felt the Holy Spirit communicate with you.  Come Holy Spirit!