Pentecost
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle A Gospel Texts
Pentecost (formerly Kingdomtide [Trinity] -- Season of the Kingdom of God on Earth), meaning "fiftieth day," has its roots in the ancient Jewish Feast of Weeks, a celebration of the first harvest, seven weeks after the spring sowing of the grain. Later, the Jews associated Pentecost with the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. For Christians Pentecost has a twofold significance independent of Jewish tradition. It commemorates the event in Acts 2 when two things occurred: 1) Holy Spirit came in the fulfillment of Christ's promise to his disciples; 2) The Church of Christ launched upon its world mission.
Pentecost, sometimes called "Whitsunday," may refer either to the wearing of white robes by candidates for baptism, or to the old Anglo-Saxon word "wit," meaning "wisdom" -- an allusion to the outpouring of the Spirit of wisdom (Ephesians 1:17).
The color for the Pentecost season, which lasts seven days, is red. Red signifies divine fire, in addition to the fervor of the church's faith. The dove serves as the most common symbol of the Holy Spirit, and is found in the story of Jesus' baptism. The wind provides a third symbol.
The Season of the Holy Spirit, longest of the church year, begins on the Sunday following Pentecost, and continues until the season of Advent. Depending on the date of Easter, this season can contain 22 to 27 Sundays. This season serves as the instructional half of the church year and an attempt to keep God's commandments. Spiritual nourishment received from the observance of the first half of the church year now brings forth Christ-like living.
Four cycles divide the Pentecost Season:
I. Apostolic Age: Pentecost to the end of June (June 29, the Feast of Peter and Paul). Christians are taught how they are called to their new life in Christ.
II. Age of Persecution: (June 29 to August 10, the Feast of Saint Lawrence). Christians are instructed about how to live their life in Christ.
III. Church at Work Today: (August 10 to the end of September, the Feast of Saint Michael, September 29).
IV. Church Triumphant: (September 29 to Advent).
Generally, Pentecost has included two patterns or traditions:
I. Pentecost Sunday followed by 27 Sundays, designated "After Pentecost."
II. Pentecost Sunday, followed by Trinity Sunday, followed by 26 Sundays as "After Trinity." Some others labelled the whole season after Trinity Sunday as "Kingdomtide." Those who omitted any observance of Trinity Sunday claimed that "Trinity" was a doctrine, whereas "Pentecost" was an event. The emphases, originally during the Season of Pentecost, were designated, generally, as the Church, the Word, the Sacrament, and the Christian Hope.
Thanks to Donald Macleod, Francis Landey Patton Professor of Preaching and Worship, Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary Princeton, New Jersey.
Pentecost, sometimes called "Whitsunday," may refer either to the wearing of white robes by candidates for baptism, or to the old Anglo-Saxon word "wit," meaning "wisdom" -- an allusion to the outpouring of the Spirit of wisdom (Ephesians 1:17).
The color for the Pentecost season, which lasts seven days, is red. Red signifies divine fire, in addition to the fervor of the church's faith. The dove serves as the most common symbol of the Holy Spirit, and is found in the story of Jesus' baptism. The wind provides a third symbol.
The Season of the Holy Spirit, longest of the church year, begins on the Sunday following Pentecost, and continues until the season of Advent. Depending on the date of Easter, this season can contain 22 to 27 Sundays. This season serves as the instructional half of the church year and an attempt to keep God's commandments. Spiritual nourishment received from the observance of the first half of the church year now brings forth Christ-like living.
Four cycles divide the Pentecost Season:
I. Apostolic Age: Pentecost to the end of June (June 29, the Feast of Peter and Paul). Christians are taught how they are called to their new life in Christ.
II. Age of Persecution: (June 29 to August 10, the Feast of Saint Lawrence). Christians are instructed about how to live their life in Christ.
III. Church at Work Today: (August 10 to the end of September, the Feast of Saint Michael, September 29).
IV. Church Triumphant: (September 29 to Advent).
Generally, Pentecost has included two patterns or traditions:
I. Pentecost Sunday followed by 27 Sundays, designated "After Pentecost."
II. Pentecost Sunday, followed by Trinity Sunday, followed by 26 Sundays as "After Trinity." Some others labelled the whole season after Trinity Sunday as "Kingdomtide." Those who omitted any observance of Trinity Sunday claimed that "Trinity" was a doctrine, whereas "Pentecost" was an event. The emphases, originally during the Season of Pentecost, were designated, generally, as the Church, the Word, the Sacrament, and the Christian Hope.
Thanks to Donald Macleod, Francis Landey Patton Professor of Preaching and Worship, Emeritus, Princeton Theological Seminary Princeton, New Jersey.
