1855 Knollcrest Circle SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546-4402 USA
On the campus of Calvin University and Calvin Theological Seminary
© 2024 Calvin Institute of Christian Worship
On Pentecost, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples. Ten days after Christ’s ascension and fifty days after his resurrection, the disciples were together for a Jewish festival also known as the Feast of Weeks, which drew people from many nations back to Jerusalem (Lev. 23:15-21; Deut. 16:16).
Pentecost symbolizes a new beginning, with the unleashing of the Holy Spirit. In celebrating Pentecost, the church expresses gratitude for Christ fulfilling his promise to send “another counselor” (John 14:16); celebrates the work of the Spirit in renewing all of creation; professes confidence in the Spirit’s power for its mission; and grows in awareness of its calling to reach the world with the gospel.
The Sunday after Pentecost is Trinity Sunday. Unlike other special days tied to events, it focuses on the doctrine of God’s triune nature.
The “Season after Pentecost,” is sometimes called “Trinity Season,” “Ordinary Time,” or even the “Season of Growth,” with its focus on growing in the faith, Christian living, stewardship and service.
The traditional color for Pentecost is flame red; white and gold may be used for Trinity Sunday, and green is the color for the growing season of “Ordinary Time.”
Find more in The Worship Sourcebook
Read a story with Simon Chan about the Church and the Triune God
A simple suggestion for the day of Pentecost: invite various people to speak the Greeting, Apostles Creed and/or Blessing in multiple languages to demonstrate the diversity of languages when the Spirit came.
I Believe: The Nicene Creed, Pauline Baynes
Baynes transforms the creed "into a joyous hymn to God." She did the orginal line illustrations for C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia.
The Apostles' Creed, Joni Walker
