This Weeks Notes ~ 5-23-2021
The Christian holiday of Pentecost is celebrated on the 50th day from Easter Sunday. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus Christ while they were in Jerusalem. It is also known as the “Birthday of the Church”. Pentecost is still important to Christians today because it represents the beginning of the Christian Church. It reminds us how Jesus’ promise that God would send the Holy Spirit was fulfilled.
On Pentecost Sunday, we remember the day the disciples received the Holy Spirit in a special way. The story in Acts 2 describes a powerful wind and tongues of fire as the Holy Spirit was poured out on people from all over the world who came to Jerusalem to celebrate a Jewish feast. At the first Pentecost over 3000 people were baptized, creating the first church. This is why Pentecost is known as the birthday of the Christian church.
Pentecost for Christians culminates the celebration and work of the church begun on Easter Day. In early Christianity, Easter Day was the primary day for baptisms. The newly baptized were then trained in basic Christian doctrine, including the meaning of the sacraments they had now experienced, as they prepared to take up their ministries in the life of the church. On Pentecost, Christians celebrate the commissioning of new members into ministry.
Two colors are historically associated with Pentecost. Red is a visual reminder of the “tongues of fire” that empowered the apostles and others to proclaim the good news of Christ’s resurrection in many languages to the crowds of pilgrims from many lands (Acts 2:3). White is also used because Pentecost was also the major day of baptisms in the early church. Those baptized were given new white robes to wear as a sign they had taken off the world, died to sin, and were raised with the risen Christ to new life.
The Season after Pentecost is the time of the church year to support new disciples and the whole congregation in living out the gifts we have been given in the name of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.
Tune in on Sunday as we experience the Holy Spirit being poured onto us this Pentecost Sunday!
We thank God for all of you being a part of service and love to our community.
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You may also mail your Tithes and Offerings to the church. FUMC Kennedale – Post Office Box 146 – Kennedale, TX 76060
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“I don’t know how, but I know WHO!”
Grace and Peace, Pastor Nelda
