Sunday 31st May – Pentecost
Scripture: Act 2: v 1-4
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
How many of you know what this is?
It is a windsock.
A windsock is a type of kite. The windsock was invented many years ago in Japan and was flown on “Boys Day.” The family would hang one windsock for each son in the family on the end of a pole outside of their house and let it blow in the wind.
Where else would you possibly see a windsock?
You may have seen a windsock at an airport. Windsocks are used at airports to show which way the wind is blowing to help pilots to take off and land safely. Windsocks are also used to help predict the weather and they are also used to help guide to Space Shuttle pilots to a safe landing upon their return from space.
No one can see the wind, but we know the wind is there because the windsock shows us that it is there. The wind is very important to us. What are some of the ways that the wind helps us?
- It helps to cool us off when we get too hot.
- It helps to clean the air we breathe of smoke and smog.
- It can be converted to electrical power to light our homes.
Today, many churches celebrate a special day called Pentecost. It was on the day of Pentecost that God sent his Holy Spirit to the church. The Bible tells us that the apostles were all gathered together in one place when suddenly there was a sound like a mighty, rushing wind. They saw what looked like tongues of fire that came to rest on each of them and all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit.
God’s Holy Spirit is somewhat like the wind. We can’t see him, but we know that he is there because we can see the effects of his power in our lives. The Holy Spirit is very important to us. What are some of the ways that the Holy Spirit helps us?
- He comforts us when we are sad and alone. (John 15:26)
- He guides us in the way of truth. (John 16:13)
- He helps us when we don’t know how to pray. (Romans 8:27)
- He lives inside us and gives us life. (Ezekiel 37:14)
- He shows us the good things God has for us. (1 Corinthians 2:9-11)
We are thankful for all of the ways that the wind helps us, but we are even more thankful for all of the ways the Holy Spirit helps us every day. You might say, “He is the wind in your socks!”
Prayer
Dear Father, we thank you for sending your Holy Spirit to comfort, guide us, and live within us.
Amen.
.
Activity 1
The Power of Breath!
Find some objects that weigh different amounts – such as a ping pong ball, a teaspoon, a ball of cotton wool, a pencil. Put them on a flat surface such as a table or the floor and have a competition with the rest of your household as to who can blow each object the furthest. You can’t touch the object with your fingers or any other part of your body. Just your breath.