Pentecost Sunday, May 31

This Sunday, May 31, is 50 days after Easter, when we celebrate Pentecost. In my church, we hang large scarlet red cloth banners all around the entrance to the church, that blow beautifully in the wind, to signify the fire of the Holy Spirit that fell at Pentecost. We also all are encouraged to wear red! (That’s why this post is red.)

And we celebrate this Sunday as the birth of the church. Our music is centered on the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Great Commission, and the birth of the Church.

In addition to the hymns in the Holy Spirit section (#216-229) and The Church/Foundation & Nature (#316-322), and Renewal (#337-342), the Church Index for Pentecost Sunday (found on p. 661) includes:

Channels Only #498

Hail Thee, Festival Day #187 (Pentecost text)

His Way with Thee #313

O To Be Like Thee #470

Open the Wells of Salvation #494

Shine, Jesus, Shine #348

And, the Church section on the Topical Index (p. 663) includes:

Baruch Hashem Adonai #252

In Christ There Is No East or West #336

Lift High the Cross #203

Onward, Christian Soldiers #438

The Risen Christ #189 (especially note stanza 3)

When in Our Music God Is Glorified #56 (especially note stanza 3)

Pentecost is also a wonderful Sunday to sing and/or speak in different languages. The Psalm could be read by 4 readers in each corner of the sanctuary in 4 different languages alternately – and then at the end repeat the last verse, all together–a cacophony of sound to remind us that at Pentecost people of every nation heard the gospel in their own native language.

Another way would be to sing a common hymn or chorus in 2 languages. Another idea: Have the congregation sing the chorus of “O Come, Let Us Adore Him” (#47). After verse 4, repeat verse 1, with the original Latin sung by the choir (“Venite adoremus, venite adoramus, venite adoremus, Domine.”) simultaneously.

Please feel free to share what you’ve planned for Pentecost in the Comments section.

A prayer for Pentecost:

Father of light, from whom every good gift comes, send your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind, and by the flame of your wisdom open the horizons of our minds. Loosen our tongues to sing your praise in words beyond the power of speech, for without your Spirit man could never raise his voice in words of peace or announce the truth that Jesus is Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.