Lectionary Preaching Workbook
Pentecost is a day, a season, and a cycle. It was observed, first, as a day, one of the major festivals that was observed early in the history of the church and, quickly, found a place in the church year. It was the natural conclusion for the Great Fifty Days of Easter and, in due time, became the beginning of a season and a cycle of the church year that took its name. Pentecost marks the end of the first half of the year and the beginning of the second - non-festival - portion of the church year. Pentecost gives its name to both season and cycle. This was not always so.
