Pentecost activities for families

Pentecost is often referred to as "the birthday of the Church" because we recognize it as the day when the Holy Spirit descended from Heaven and breathed life into the apostles. The apostles now had the authority to baptize and began to spread the Good News about Jesus!

Celebrate Pentecost at home by throwing the church an awesome birthday party! Careful, the red food dye can stain -- and you may just feel the Holy Spirit's presence while you eat this awesome treat! (For those who are sensitive to red food dye, pomegranate juice or beet juice can be used as an alternative!) The Holy Spirit is often associated with fire, so don't forget to put some candles on the cupcakes when they're done.

Other family activities to make Pentecost meaningful:

• Fly a kite or make a windsock. Capture the unseen and forceful wind of the Holy Spirit!
• Breathe and pray using the ancient spiritual practice of the Breath Prayer. Channel the Holy Spirit through your own wind and fire.
• Look up at the sky, the clouds, the trees, the birds. The Holy Spirit sometimes appears in the form of a dove. Ask your families what the Holy Spirit looks like to them.
• Wear RED!

Our friends at BuildingFaith have compiled some resources for Pentecost, including this great article for Pentecost at Home.

Collect for Pentecost: O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. (BCP, pg. 227)