There will be fire. One of the greatest blessings of reunited worship is the leadership of our children. During the strictest COVID-19 protocols, our sanctuary was filled with cameras, cables, microphones, and a handful of ministers…but no children. It has been wonderful, on recent Sundays, to see children in the pews, newborns presented for dedication, and of course, our young worship leaders—acolytes. They perform a faithful ministry in the life or our church and in the practice of our worship. This Sunday is Pentecost—the fiftieth day after Passover and the celebration of the gift of God’s Holy Spirit to the church. One of the symbols of Pentecost is fire. Our acolytes will bring the fire…
There will be wind. In Acts 2, the wind of God’s Spirit blew through the gathered Jerusalem congregation. Unlike the fire, wind could not be seen. Its effects could be seen, its rushing movement could be heard, and it could be felt. On any given Sunday, the wind blows in our sanctuary. Wind moves through the pipes of our organ. Wind bounces against our vocal cords to produce song and spoken liturgy. As always, we (you) pray the proclaimer will not be long-winded in the presentation of the sermon. This Sunday is Pentecost. One of the symbols of Pentecost is wind. There will be wind…
There will be red! The most common liturgical symbol of the Pentecost season is the color red. The paraments on our pulpit, Lord’s Supper table, and ministers’ robes will be changed to red. The beautiful red, Pentecost banner will be hung at the front center of the sanctuary. Best of all, we want you to be dressed in red. Go all out! Wear red clothing. Slip on red shoes—Chucks or heels. Top off your best dress with a red hat! Wear red blazers and red ties and red socks. If God has a wild side, it comes out at Pentecost. There will be lots of red…
There will be peace. When all the fire and wind and wildness die down, there will be peace. The benediction will be spoken, “Now may the peace of God’s Holy Spirit, keep your heart and mind, both now and forever. Amen.” I’ll see you this Sunday as we celebrate Pentecost together.
—Jim