The Pentecost Season
Preaching
Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Series IV
Pentecost As A Festival
In the church year Pentecost is a major festival, a high day. It is one of a cluster of three great festivals: Ascension, Pentecost and Trinity. As a major festival, Pentecost takes precedence over all other sacred or secular events on the calendar.
It is a high day in the church's life because:
1. Pentecost is the anniversary of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
2. Pentecost marks the completion of Christ's redemptive work and the fulfillment of his promise to send the Spirit.
3. On Pentecost the church celebrates her birthday.
4. It is a traditional day for the reception of new members, particularly youth, by baptism or confirmation.
5. Holy communion may be celebrated on this festival day.
6. Pentecost initiates the second half of the church year. The first half began with Advent and closed with Ascension. Pentecost begins the longest season of the church year with as many as 27 Sundays. While the first half of the year observes the life of Christ, the second half deals with the life of the church through the work, gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost As A Season
Pentecost is observed both as a festival and as a season. Before the appearance of the unified lectionary in 1970, most Protestants observed Pentecost as a festival only. The season following Pentecost was named Trinity.
Up to the seventh century no provision was made for the period from Pentecost to Ad-vent. The second half of the church year consisted only of a reservoir of common masses, ordinary Sundays without any special significance. In northern Europe, the doctrine of the Trinity became increasingly popular. Sundays after Pentecost began to be known as Sundays after Trinity. However, in 1570, the Roman Church adopted the name, "Sunday after Pentecost." Protestants continued to use "Sunday after Trinity." The eastern church followed the Roman custom. Since the new lectionary, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics are using the term, "Sunday after Pentecost."
Names Of The Day
1. Pentecost is the official name of the day. The word comes from the Greek pentekoste, meaning 50 - 50 days after Easter.
2. Whitsunday. This is an English contraction of "White Sunday," so called because candidates for baptism and confirmation wore white robes on this day to symbolize the joy of the occasion and to indicate that they were cleansed by the Spirit.
Observance Of Pentecost
The Christian's Pentecost is related to the Jewish Pentecost. The Jews had a Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10; Leviticus 23) seven weeks from the Passover. It marked the giving of the Law and the founding of Israel. In like manner, Christians celebrated Pentecost as the day of receiving the Spirit and the founding of the New Israel.
For the Jews Pentecost was also the feast of first fruits (Exodus 23:10). It was a harvest festival, a time to give thanks for the harvest. On Pentecost Christians also are grateful for the gift of the Spirit and the gifts brought by the Spirit.
Multitudes of Jews came to Jerusalem from all parts of the world for these feasts. Thus, when the disciples on Pentecost spoke in tongues, Jews from various parts of the world were amazed that they could hear the gospel in their own tongues.
On Pentecost a Jewish boy had his Bar Mitzvah at which time he became an adult Jew and assumed full responsibility for obedience to the Law. Likewise, Christian youth are often confirmed on Pentecost and enter into full membership with the church in terms of adult responsibilities and privileges.
Symbols Of Pentecost
The color for the Day of Pentecost is red. it is the color of fire, for the Spirit came in tongues of fire. The fire represents God, "the consuming fire." God the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples. The fire represents, moreover, warm hearts, fiery zeal, dedication and devotion. Also, red is the color of blood and represents the blood of the martyrs which is the seed of the church. The color for the Sundays after Pentecost is green, a color of growth. It is during this season that Christians are to grow in the Spirit.
A dove is associated with Pentecost as a symbol of the Spirit. When Jesus was baptized the Spirit came upon him in the form of a dove.
The number seven is identified with Pentecost, because the Spirit brings the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit. In church symbolism, these sevenfold gifts are portrayed as seven lamps, seven doves, seven tongues and a seven-branch candlestick.
Customs Of Pentecost
In the Medieval period it was the custom in some churches to let a disc with a dove painted on it fall from the ceiling upon the congregation. This symbolized the coming of the Spirit upon the people. Often this was followed by throwing red roses upon the people to symbolize the water of baptism falling on them. In 13th century France, white pigeons were released during church services. Some families followed the custom of suspending a dove over their dining tables.
Trumpets were used during the worship services to indicate the Spirit's coming as a rushing, mighty wind as happened on Pentecost.
In England on the day after Pentecost, religious plays were produced and "Whitsunale" was sold. Churches and universities made and sold ale to raise funds for the poor or to repair buildings.
In the northeastern part of America "Pinkster" was celebrated on Pentecost. The word came from the German, Pfingsten, meaning "spirit." It was an occasion for frolic, fun and much drinking.
The Mood Of Pentecost
1. Celebration. Pentecost has the mood of joy because the promise of Jesus to send the Spirit was fulfilled and the gift was received. Thus, the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 banned kneeling and fasting on Pentecost. Pentecost has the joy of new members received and sinners coming to repentance. It is the joy of a birthday party, for it is the birthday of the church.
2. Gratitude. Christians are grateful on Pentecost for the Spirit and his sevenfold gifts. The Spirit brings life; he calls, enlightens and gathers believers into the church. Since the church is the product of the Spirit, Christians are grateful on Pentecost for the church as the mother of their faith.
3. Hope. Hope results from the Spirit's making all things new. Pentecost is renewal and revival day in the church. The Spirit is renewed in the faithful. Pentecost is more than an observance of a great event in the past but is a repeatable experience here and now. With the Spirit comes new life and hope.
OVERVIEW OF THE PENTECOST SEASON (A)
The Revised Common Lectionary
Semi In-course Readings
The lectionary for the first half of the church year usually deals with thematic readings. The thematic arrangement means that there is a common theme that ties together the three Lessons, Psalm, Prayer and Hymn Of The Day. In-course readings begin with verse 1 of chapter 1 of a book and Sunday after Sunday continues until the last verse of the book. Semi in-course readings come from one book but not all verses are read.
Three-track Season
In the Pentecost season the lectionary provides three independent tracks or routes, each independent of the other two. Lesson 1 has a track of Old Testament readings. Lesson 2 deals with letters of the New Testament. The gospels are on a third track that goes through the gospel of Matthew.
Variety Of Preaching Possibilities And Sermon Series
The Revised Common Lectionary offers a bonanza of preaching possibilities:
1. Book sermons: Matthew, Romans, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians
2. Doctrinal sermons: Romans, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians
3. Biographical sermons: Noah, the Patriarchs, Moses, Joshua
4. Narrative sermons:
The flood
Abraham's call
The sacrifice of Isaac
Jacob's wrestling with an angel
Joseph's forgiveness
Deliverance from Egypt
Wilderness experiences
Entrance to the Promised Land
The Pentecost Season
In the church year Pentecost is a major festival, a high day. It is one of a cluster of three great festivals: Ascension, Pentecost and Trinity. As a major festival, Pentecost takes precedence over all other sacred or secular events on the calendar.
It is a high day in the church's life because:
1. Pentecost is the anniversary of the coming of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples.
2. Pentecost marks the completion of Christ's redemptive work and the fulfillment of his promise to send the Spirit.
3. On Pentecost the church celebrates her birthday.
4. It is a traditional day for the reception of new members, particularly youth, by baptism or confirmation.
5. Holy communion may be celebrated on this festival day.
6. Pentecost initiates the second half of the church year. The first half began with Advent and closed with Ascension. Pentecost begins the longest season of the church year with as many as 27 Sundays. While the first half of the year observes the life of Christ, the second half deals with the life of the church through the work, gifts and fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Pentecost As A Season
Pentecost is observed both as a festival and as a season. Before the appearance of the unified lectionary in 1970, most Protestants observed Pentecost as a festival only. The season following Pentecost was named Trinity.
Up to the seventh century no provision was made for the period from Pentecost to Ad-vent. The second half of the church year consisted only of a reservoir of common masses, ordinary Sundays without any special significance. In northern Europe, the doctrine of the Trinity became increasingly popular. Sundays after Pentecost began to be known as Sundays after Trinity. However, in 1570, the Roman Church adopted the name, "Sunday after Pentecost." Protestants continued to use "Sunday after Trinity." The eastern church followed the Roman custom. Since the new lectionary, Protestants, Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholics are using the term, "Sunday after Pentecost."
Names Of The Day
1. Pentecost is the official name of the day. The word comes from the Greek pentekoste, meaning 50 - 50 days after Easter.
2. Whitsunday. This is an English contraction of "White Sunday," so called because candidates for baptism and confirmation wore white robes on this day to symbolize the joy of the occasion and to indicate that they were cleansed by the Spirit.
Observance Of Pentecost
The Christian's Pentecost is related to the Jewish Pentecost. The Jews had a Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10; Leviticus 23) seven weeks from the Passover. It marked the giving of the Law and the founding of Israel. In like manner, Christians celebrated Pentecost as the day of receiving the Spirit and the founding of the New Israel.
For the Jews Pentecost was also the feast of first fruits (Exodus 23:10). It was a harvest festival, a time to give thanks for the harvest. On Pentecost Christians also are grateful for the gift of the Spirit and the gifts brought by the Spirit.
Multitudes of Jews came to Jerusalem from all parts of the world for these feasts. Thus, when the disciples on Pentecost spoke in tongues, Jews from various parts of the world were amazed that they could hear the gospel in their own tongues.
On Pentecost a Jewish boy had his Bar Mitzvah at which time he became an adult Jew and assumed full responsibility for obedience to the Law. Likewise, Christian youth are often confirmed on Pentecost and enter into full membership with the church in terms of adult responsibilities and privileges.
Symbols Of Pentecost
The color for the Day of Pentecost is red. it is the color of fire, for the Spirit came in tongues of fire. The fire represents God, "the consuming fire." God the Holy Spirit comes to the disciples. The fire represents, moreover, warm hearts, fiery zeal, dedication and devotion. Also, red is the color of blood and represents the blood of the martyrs which is the seed of the church. The color for the Sundays after Pentecost is green, a color of growth. It is during this season that Christians are to grow in the Spirit.
A dove is associated with Pentecost as a symbol of the Spirit. When Jesus was baptized the Spirit came upon him in the form of a dove.
The number seven is identified with Pentecost, because the Spirit brings the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit. In church symbolism, these sevenfold gifts are portrayed as seven lamps, seven doves, seven tongues and a seven-branch candlestick.
Customs Of Pentecost
In the Medieval period it was the custom in some churches to let a disc with a dove painted on it fall from the ceiling upon the congregation. This symbolized the coming of the Spirit upon the people. Often this was followed by throwing red roses upon the people to symbolize the water of baptism falling on them. In 13th century France, white pigeons were released during church services. Some families followed the custom of suspending a dove over their dining tables.
Trumpets were used during the worship services to indicate the Spirit's coming as a rushing, mighty wind as happened on Pentecost.
In England on the day after Pentecost, religious plays were produced and "Whitsunale" was sold. Churches and universities made and sold ale to raise funds for the poor or to repair buildings.
In the northeastern part of America "Pinkster" was celebrated on Pentecost. The word came from the German, Pfingsten, meaning "spirit." It was an occasion for frolic, fun and much drinking.
The Mood Of Pentecost
1. Celebration. Pentecost has the mood of joy because the promise of Jesus to send the Spirit was fulfilled and the gift was received. Thus, the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325 banned kneeling and fasting on Pentecost. Pentecost has the joy of new members received and sinners coming to repentance. It is the joy of a birthday party, for it is the birthday of the church.
2. Gratitude. Christians are grateful on Pentecost for the Spirit and his sevenfold gifts. The Spirit brings life; he calls, enlightens and gathers believers into the church. Since the church is the product of the Spirit, Christians are grateful on Pentecost for the church as the mother of their faith.
3. Hope. Hope results from the Spirit's making all things new. Pentecost is renewal and revival day in the church. The Spirit is renewed in the faithful. Pentecost is more than an observance of a great event in the past but is a repeatable experience here and now. With the Spirit comes new life and hope.
OVERVIEW OF THE PENTECOST SEASON (A)
The Revised Common Lectionary
Semi In-course Readings
The lectionary for the first half of the church year usually deals with thematic readings. The thematic arrangement means that there is a common theme that ties together the three Lessons, Psalm, Prayer and Hymn Of The Day. In-course readings begin with verse 1 of chapter 1 of a book and Sunday after Sunday continues until the last verse of the book. Semi in-course readings come from one book but not all verses are read.
Three-track Season
In the Pentecost season the lectionary provides three independent tracks or routes, each independent of the other two. Lesson 1 has a track of Old Testament readings. Lesson 2 deals with letters of the New Testament. The gospels are on a third track that goes through the gospel of Matthew.
Variety Of Preaching Possibilities And Sermon Series
The Revised Common Lectionary offers a bonanza of preaching possibilities:
1. Book sermons: Matthew, Romans, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians
2. Doctrinal sermons: Romans, Philippians, 1 Thessalonians
3. Biographical sermons: Noah, the Patriarchs, Moses, Joshua
4. Narrative sermons:
The flood
Abraham's call
The sacrifice of Isaac
Jacob's wrestling with an angel
Joseph's forgiveness
Deliverance from Egypt
Wilderness experiences
Entrance to the Promised Land
The Pentecost Season
