Worship Tools #
Worship Outline #
Additional Scriptures
Numbers 11:24–30; Psalm 104:24–34, 35b; John 7:37–39; 1 Corinthians 12:3b–13
Preparation
Ask 2 people, an adult and a child, to prepare and present the skit for the Focus Moment.
Prelude
Welcome
Call to Worship
Responsive Reading: “Filled with the Spirit”
Leader: Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
Response: This God is the God we adore, our faithful unchangeable friend.
Leader: They saw what appeared to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
Response: Whose love is as large as his power and knows no beginning or end.
Leader: All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Response: ’Tis Jesus, the first and the last, whose Spirit will guide us safe home.
Leader: Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”
Response: We’ll praise him for all that is past, and trust him for all that’s to come.
–Based on Acts 2:2–4, 12 and “This God Is the God We Adore” by
Joseph Hart, Hymns of the Saints, 481
Hymn
“As the Wind Song through the Trees” CCS 42
OR “Come, Holy Spirit, Come” Sing four times CCS 154
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
Invocation
Sung Response
“Spirit Fill Us” CCS 160
OR instrumental Response
Hymn of Confession
“God Weeps” CCS 212
OR “Creator of Sunrises” CCS 207
Focus Moment Skit
Mom: How was school today?
Child: Great Mom! My teacher really likes my superhero project.
Mom: Glad to hear the news. How is it coming along?
Child: I learned that superheroes seek knowledge. The disciples wanted knowledge, too.
Mom: How did the disciples seek knowledge?
Child: They followed Christ, and he taught them that the Holy Spirit is with them always.
Mom: On Pentecost, tongues of fire, the Holy Spirit, descended on the disciples.
Child: Cool, my superheroes will have flames of fire shooting from their heads.
Mom: Shooting from the heads but not at people, I hope. laughter
We are called to spread the spirit of love to all.
Prayer for Peace
Light the peace candle
Prayer
Hey God!
How are you? We are fine, but some people out there aren’t. If you could, please help them. Bring them peace, the peace that will heal their wounds. Bring peace to those in war. Bring peace to those going through rough times, whose lives have been shaken to pieces. Bring peace to those whose war is within their own home and city. Also, we pray that you will give peace to those who do not know you, that they may discover you.
We have peace because we know you. In your son’s name, Amen.
–Youth Class, Maryville, Missouri, USA
Hymn of Challenge
“Let Your Heart Be Broken” CCS 353
OR “Of All the Spirit’s Gifts to Me” CCS 45
Disciples’ Generous Response
Statement
God has made us stewards of the rich resources that were given in Creation and are
given anew each day. On this day, we give our offerings and tithes for the
church’s mission and ministries throughout the earth. We give, knowing that all that we have has come from God who will continue to provide.
With much still to be done as witnesses to God’s goodness around the world, may we be generous with our offerings. Let us pray.
Blessing of Mission Tithes
Holy God, thank you for sending your Spirit, the Spirit of the risen Christ, from heaven. Help us to be like the early disciples, praying patiently as we wait for your guidance and power. Fill our hearts and minds with your gifts of faith, hope, and love. May our conversations with people of every language and culture around us witness to your grace and mercy. We dedicate ourselves and our offerings to your good purposes in the world through our church’s mission by the power of your Spirit. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Prayer/Oraciones para ofrendarSanto Dios, gracias por enviar tu Espíritu Santo. Ayúdanos a ser como los primeros discípulos que oraban pacientemente esperando que derramaras tu poder sobre sus vidas. Llena nuestros corazones y mentes de fe, esperanza y amor. Que nuestras conversaciones con personas de diferentes idiomas y culturas sean testigos de tu gracia y misericordia. Nos dedicamos a ti y dedicamos nuestras ofrendas a buenos propósitos en el mundo a través de la misión de nuestra iglesia por el poder de tu Espíritu Santo. Oramos en el nombre de Jesús. Amén.
–United Methodist Church, Discipleship Ministries
Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Message
Based on Acts 2:1–21
Hymn
“Healing River of the Spirit” CCS 232
OR “Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow” CCS 485
Scripture Meditation
Begin by encouraging participants to find comfortable positions, relax, take deep breaths, and close their eyes. Read the following meditation, allowing time between each scripture and prompt for meditation.
Collectively and individually, you are loved with an everlasting love that delights in each faithful step you take.
Reflect on God’s eternal love for you.
God yearns to draw you close—that wounds may be healed, emptiness filled, and hope strengthened.
Share your needs with God.
Do not turn away in pride, fear, or guilt from the One who seeks only the best for you and your loved ones.
What does God desire for you and your loved ones?
Come before your Eternal Creator with open minds and hearts and discover the blessings of the gospel anew.
Ask for spiritual growth in areas where you feel closed off from the divine Spirit.
Be vulnerable to divine grace.
Put your acceptance of God’s grace into words.
Continue your faith journey strengthened and refreshed.
Amen.
–based on Doctrine and Covenants 163:10
Hymn
“Now Sing to Our God” CCS 108
OR “Go, My Children, with My Blessing” CCS 650
OR “Now Let Our Hearts within Us Burn” CCS 658
Benediction
Postlude
Sacred Space: Small-Group Worship Outline #
Gathering
Welcome
Pentecost means 50th day. On the 50th day after Passover, Jews celebrated with a festival. For Christians, Pentecost marks the 50th and final day of the Easter season. At Pentecost the Spirit moves among the disciples and crowds of onlookers. It is on Pentecost that the disciples begin their Spirit-filled ministry. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit often is depicted as flames or a dove descending on the people.
Prayer for Peace
Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.
Gracious and loving God,
We have come to you today to be fed by your Spirit.
We have come to recognize that you are a God of:
Love—accepting us as we are;
Forgiveness—forgiving our shortcomings;
Mercy—carrying us when we can go no further.
And when we can go no further, we pray for:
Peace in our busy lives;
Understanding in our confusion;
Clarity when our eyes are dim to your abundant grace;
Strength to meet the challenges in life;
Comfort when we feel alone and healing of our spirit.
God, bless this community with peace. In the name of Jesus. Amen.
–Dick Hansen
Spiritual Practice
Breath Prayer
Read the following to the group:
Our spiritual practice today is a breath prayer. During the prayer we will use a word to breathe in and a word to breathe out. As you breathe in, name something you would like to receive. As you exhale, state something you would like to release. (For example: Breathe in peace, exhale fear).
For the breath prayer, you will sit with relaxed posture and close your eyes. We will spend five minutes in this practice. Take a moment to think of the word that names something you want to receive. (Pause in silence 15 seconds.) Now think of the word that states something you want to release. (Pause in silence 15 seconds.)
Lead the practice with these instructions:
Sit in a relaxed posture. If you are comfortable, close your eyes.
Become aware of your breath. Notice its regular, natural rhythm.
As you breathe, begin to focus on what you are inhaling and what you are exhaling.
Continue with your natural rhythm. Breathe in…receive. Breathe out…release.
Monitor the time. Occasionally give instructions, “Breathe in…receive. Breathe out…release.”
After five minutes share the following instructions:
Close your breath prayer by offering a silent prayer of thanks to God. When you are ready, take a deep breath and open your eyes.
Sharing Around the Table
Acts 2:1–21 NRSVue
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
‘In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit,
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
At Pentecost, the Spirit that descended on Jesus now descends on the disciples. Just as Jesus began his ministry filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples are beginning their ministry empowered by the Spirit.
The Jewish festival of Pentecost is a celebration of giving the Law on Mount Sinai. That encounter with God included dramatic signs—thunder, lightning, smoke, and fire. The writer of Acts uses similar imagery as the Spirit descends on the formation of the church.
In the Hebrew Scriptures, the words breath, wind, and spirit are all the same word. Fire was understood to purify or cleanse. The writer of Acts describes the Spirit descending on the gathered crowd at Pentecost as wind and flame. The Spirit purifies, cleanses, and breathes life into the formation of the church.
The people of Israel had hoped the Messiah would bring together Jews from all nations.
This passage connects Jewish expectation with God’s vision for an inclusive community that includes all nations. For the gospel to go to the entire world, to every ethnic group, culture, and tribe, it needs to be taught in all languages or tongues.
Some people have understood this Pentecostal passage to describe the charismatic spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. But the miracle of this story is that everyone could understand what the disciples were saying in their own language. The gift of the Spirit made the gospel message accessible to all people. This gift continues today as people are led by the Spirit to learn languages and share the message and ministry of Jesus around the world.
Questions
- How have you felt the Holy Spirit breathe new life into you?
- What imagery would you use to describe your experiences with the Holy Spirit?
- Through the presence of the Spirit, all the people could hear and understand. How has the presence of the Spirit brought new understanding to your life?
Sending
Generosity Statement
Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.
–Doctrine and Covenants 163:9
The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. This offering prayer is adapted from A Disciple’s Generous Response:
God of passion and purpose, May your Spirit guide our decisions as we make Responsible Choices with our resources. May we be wise in spending, prudent in saving, and generous in sharing, that your purposes of healing, wholeness, and well-being might be extended to all. Amen.
Invitation to Next Meeting
Closing Hymn
CCS 42, “As the Wind Song through the Trees”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
Communion Scripture
Choose one scripture to read from this selection: 1 Corinthians 11:23–26; Matthew 26:17–30; Mark 14:12–26; Luke 22:7–39.
Communion Statement
All are welcome at Christ’s table. The Lord’s Supper, or Communion, is a sacrament in which we remember the life, death, resurrection, and continuing presence of Jesus Christ. In Community of Christ, we also experience Communion as an opportunity to renew our baptismal covenant and to be formed as disciples who live Christ’s mission. Others may have different or added understandings within their faith traditions. We invite all who participate in the Lord’s Supper to do so in the love and peace of Jesus Christ.
On this day of Pentecost we celebrate the Holy Spirit’s presence with us in full. As we share Communion we experience new life through blessing, healing, peace, and community.
In preparation let’s sing Community of Christ Sings 532, “We Meet as Friends at Table.”
Blessings and serving bread and wine.
Thoughts for Children
Materials: picture of a dove, a lit candle (electric can be substituted), a blanket
God has promised that God’s Spirit always will be with us. We call this the Holy Spirit. In the Bible we learn about God’s Spirit. Lots of words have described the Holy Spirit.
Dove (show picture)—How might the Holy Spirit be like a dove? Listen to what the children share, and then say: When Jesus was baptized, the Spirit flew down like a dove and landed on Jesus.
Flame (light or turn on the candle)—How might the Spirit be like a flame? Give the children time to share their ideas, and then say: It flickered like a flame and touched everyone.
Comforter (let the children touch the blanket or wrap themselves in it)—How might the Spirit be like a comforter? Affirm any responses from the children, and then say: We feel as if we are wrapped in God’s love when we feel the Spirit with us.
Breath/wind (breathe out)—How is the Spirit like breath or wind? Give the children time to think of their answers, and then say: Sometimes the Spirit is like a mighty wind, and sometimes it is as quiet as Jesus breathing the Spirit upon the disciples. We can hear the Spirit in our breath, too. Cup your hands over your mouth and breathe into your hands. Listen…Can you hear the Spirit?
God promises the Holy Spirit always will be with us. Listen and watch for the Spirit in your life.
Sermon Helps #
Exploring the Scripture
Pentecost comes at the end of the Easter season. Christ had promised to return and promised his disciples would not be left alone. With the coming of the Holy Spirit those promises are fulfilled.
Today’s text is set in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was one of three most important festivals for the Jews (the others being Passover and the Feast of Tabernacles). They celebrated Pentecost seven weeks after Passover. The word Pentecost meant “fiftieth.” It was celebrated on the 50th day after the Sabbath on which Passover began. For Christians Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Easter.
Acts was written by the same author as the Gospel according to Luke. There are many parallels between the two books. If the Gospel is the story of Jesus, the book of Acts is the story of the Holy Spirit. Just as the Spirit is responsible for the birth of Jesus in Luke chapters 1 and 2, in today’s text the Spirit is responsible for the birth of the church. The promise of John the Baptist in Luke 3:16 that people would be baptized with the Holy Spirit and fire, is fulfilled in today’s text. The Spirit that descended on Jesus (Luke 3:22), now descends on the disciples giving power to the church. Just as Jesus began his ministry filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples are beginning their ministry filled with the Spirit.
The Jewish festival of Pentecost is a celebration of giving the Law on Mount Sinai. During that encounter with God there were dramatic signs—thunder, lightning, smoke, and fire (Exodus 19:16–24). Now, as God comes to the church in the Holy Spirit similar signs appear. In the Hebrew Scriptures, the words breath, wind, and spirit are all the same word. So it is not surprising the Spirit arrives as “a rush of a violent wind” (v. 2).
While fire might be feared, fire in the Hebrew Scriptures was understood to purify or cleanse. When Isaiah was called to be a prophet, hot coals from the fire were touched to his lips as a cleansing agent (Isaiah 6:5–8). Just as giving the law was a key founding event for the Jewish people, giving the Holy Spirit will start the church.
The noise of these events obviously draws a crowd. The text goes into some detail listing all the nations present. The people of Israel had hoped the Messiah would bring together Jews from all nations. Peter will connect this with prophecy suggesting they are in “the last days” (Acts 2:17). By the end of the book of Acts the Spirit will be leading the church not just to Jews of all nations but to all people of all nations. This passage connects Jewish expectation with God’s vision for an inclusive community that goes beyond Judaism.
For the gospel to go to the entire world, to every ethnic group, culture, and tribe, it will have to be taught in all languages. Some people have understood this passage to describe the speaking in tongues Paul talks about in his letter to the Corinthians. But the miracle of this story is that everyone could understand in their own languages. This is what continues to happen today as people are led by the Spirit to learn languages and share the gospel around the world.
Central Ideas
- The church is dependent on the Holy Spirit for its life.
- The Pentecost experience takes place among a diverse community, where all are invited to hear apostolic witness.
- The book of Acts is not so much the story of what the apostles did as it is the story of what the Holy Spirit came to do in and through the church.
- The same Peter who had denied Jesus three times, is now on fire with the Spirit and preaching the gospel so all the nations can understand. The Holy Spirit is prepared to do the same for us.
Questions for the Speaker
- What has the Holy Spirit done in your life and in the life of your congregation in the past? How has that Spirit led you beyond your human weaknesses?
- What is the Spirit doing in your life today and in the life of your congregation?
- How can you and your congregation be involved in bringing the gospel to all ethnic groups, cultures, and nations? What groups are present in your neighborhood or city?
- Have you sometimes felt despair in your life or in the life of the church, only to realize the Holy Spirit is breathing new life into you and the church?
Lessons #
Adult Lesson #
Focus Scripture Passage
Acts 2:1–21
Lesson Focus
The Holy Spirit strengthens the church for mission.
Objectives
The learners will…
- express personal understanding of the Holy Spirit through hymns.
- discuss the focus scripture passage and connections between Jesus Christ and the church through the Holy Spirit.
- explore Community of Christ understanding of the work of the Holy Spirit.
Supplies
- Bible
- Community of Christ Sings (CCS)
Notes to Teacher
In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Acts 2:1–21 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament (with focus on the Gospel according to Matthew), pp. 74–75, available through Herald House.
Gather
Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)
In the Jewish tradition, Pentecost is celebrated 50 days after Passover. In the Christian tradition, Endowment Sunday is celebrated 50 days after Easter. It signifies the Holy Spirit’s endowment of the church.
Form three small groups and assign each one of the following hymns. Read the verses and discuss the following questions. Share with the larger group.
“Breath of the Living God” CCS 43
“Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart” CCS 48
“Wind upon the Waters” CCS 49
- How does this hymn describe the Holy Spirit?
- What images or phrases in this hymn best express your understanding of the Holy Spirit? Explain.
- What images or phrases, if any, challenge your understanding of the Holy Spirit? Explain.
Engage
Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)
For the author of Luke and Acts, the Holy Spirit is present in the life and work of Jesus in Luke and the church in Acts. “The promise of John the Baptist in Luke 3:16 that people would be baptized by the Holy Spirit and by fire is fulfilled in today’s text. The Spirit that descended on Jesus (Luke 3:22) now descends on the disciples giving power to the church. Just as Jesus began his ministry filled with the Holy Spirit, the disciples are beginning their ministry filled with the Spirit.”
–Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament, p. 74
Read Acts 2:1–21 and discuss the following questions as a large group or in small groups of two or three.
- The Holy Spirit is described as a rush of wind (from the same word as spirit and breath) and tongues of fire (representing divine energy). How have you experienced the Holy Spirit as “breath” or “divine energy”? How would you describe the Holy Spirit?
- Describe a personal or community experience when you were filled with the Holy Spirit.
- In this passage, all who were present could understand the experience of the Holy Spirit in their own way. Some who were skeptical thought those speaking in different languages were drunk. When has the Holy Spirit disrupted your life? Your congregation or community? The church? What change, if any, occurred because of this disruption?
- Peter’s proclamation to the crowd in this passage was the first public Christian witness. When have you witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit through the ministry of another?
Respond
Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)
In the same three small groups formed in the Gather section, have each group discuss one of the following passages. Discuss the questions which follow and share insights with the larger group.
Community of Christ believes in the Holy Spirit. We experience the Spirit’s revealing, redeeming, restoring, renewing presence in our midst. The Spirit, who through the prophets called Israel to walk justly, is calling us to the same path today. The Spirit poured out on Jesus is calling us in his name to make real today the vision of life Jesus came to proclaim.
–Anthony J. Chvala-Smith, A Way of Life: Understanding Our Christian Faith, Herald House, 2019, pp. 61–62
Put thy trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good; yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously; and this is my Spirit.
–Doctrine and Covenants 10:6
Again you are reminded that this community was divinely called into being. The spirit of the Restoration is not locked in one moment of time, but is instead the call to every generation to witness to essential truths in its own language and form. Let the Spirit breathe. That Spirit is even now touching alive the souls of those who feel the passion of discipleship burning deeply within. Many others will respond if you are persistent in your witness and diligent in your mission to the world.
–Doctrine and Covenants 162:2e, 3b
Discuss:
- How is the Holy Spirit described in this passage?
- What does the passage reveal about Community of Christ identity and beliefs?
- What is the call to disciples and to the church in this passage?
Send
Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)
The Holy Spirit fulfills Jesus’s promise to his disciples that he will return, and they will not be abandoned. We are to hear the same promise of comfort and challenge today.
Prayerfully consider your response to the following statements. Make these prayer statements part of your daily spiritual practice throughout the coming week(s).
Like a rushing wind, the Holy Spirit is challenging me to live Christ’s mission by…
The Holy Spirit is breathing new life in me by…
I see the Holy Spirit at work in my congregation or community when…
Bless
Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)
Select a phrase or verse from the hymn discussed previously in this lesson that best expresses your understanding of the Holy Spirit. Close by inviting each person to share their selected phrase or verse.
Youth Lesson #
Focus Scripture Passage
Acts 2:1–21
Lesson Focus
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit for all people in all places.
Objectives
The learners will…
- hear the story of Pentecost.
- talk about ways we understand the Holy Spirit.
- learn that Community of Christ is a worldwide church.
Supplies
- Bible
- Sharing in Community of Christ, 4th Edition, Herald House, 2018
- Video: Let the Spirit Breathe, available on YouTube (optional)
- Internet access to research languages (optional)
- Copy of Languages of the Church handout for each student (end of lesson)
Note to Teacher
In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Acts 2:1–21 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year B: New Testament (with focus on the Gospel according to Matthew), pp. 74–75, available through Herald House.
Gather
Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)
As students arrive, hand them the Languages of the Church handout. Have them research where the individual languages are primarily spoken around the world. Have the students try to pronounce the name of the church in the different languages. Ask:
- What language(s) do you speak?
- When someone talks in a different language, can you understand what they are saying?
- Do you have friends whose first language is different from your own?
- Translating from one language to another is more about conveying similar meanings in both languages than translating one word for the same word in the other language. Can you infer how this may impact common understanding?
Engage
Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)
Earlier Jesus instructed the disciples to “stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” from Luke’s Gospel. This week we will read about the disciples receiving the “power from on high” on the day of Pentecost. Listen carefully to the images used to describe the Holy Spirit and the people’s responses to it.
Have several students share in reading Acts 2:1–21, stopping between each verse to note the action of the characters and hear students’ responses to the story.
- Have you ever been in a situation where the people around you were speaking different languages? How did you feel in that situation?
Invite students to find a comfortable position, even lying down, to hear the passage read again. Imagine they are part of the crowd. As they listen to the passage, imagine what they see, hear, smell, and feel as the events take place. Share with the larger group.
As the crowd begins to wonder what is happening, they assume the disciples are drunk on new wine. Peter raises his voice to defend what they are witnessing as an act of God, an outpouring of the Spirit.
- Imagine you are Peter. How would you respond to the crowd? How would you explain what was happening?
Respond
Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)
The scripture passage today describes the Holy Spirit as a violent wind and divided tongues of fire.
- How do these images of wind and fire describe the Holy Spirit?
- What other images can you think of to describe the Holy Spirit? (Dove, Breath, Comforter, Advocate)
- Why are there so many images for the Holy Spirit?
Have a student read the following description of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is the continuing presence of God in the world. The Spirit works in our minds and hearts through intelligence, comfort, guidance, love, and power to sustain, inspire, and remake us. God is with us and for us as revealed in Jesus Christ. God is also at work in us through the continuing presence of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit works within our community of faith to conform us to the image of Jesus, God’s Son.”
–Walking with Jesus, Revised Edition, Herald House, 2011, p. 83
Discuss:
- What word or phrase best describes your understanding of the Holy Spirit? Explain.
- How does this description compare with the passage from Acts?
Send
Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)
The video Let the Spirit Breathe, provides another image of the Holy Spirit. As you watch the video, consider your own response to the Spirit moving in your life.
Watch the video and respond to the following questions.
- Describe how the dancer represents the Holy Spirit.
- How does this video express or challenge your understanding of the Holy Spirit?
- What do you think of the actors’ responses to the Spirit’s action?
If it is not possible to show the video, form small groups or pairs and have each one act out a description of the Holy Spirit. You may choose to use words or phrases from a reading in this lesson, or use your own understanding of the Holy Spirit. Act for the rest of the class and have them guess what is being described.
Bless
Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)
Close with the Mission Prayer:
God, where will your Spirit lead today?
Help me to be fully awake and ready to respond.
Grant me the courage to risk something new
and become a blessing of your love and peace.
Amen.
Children’s Lesson #
Focus Scripture Passage
Acts 2:1–21
Lesson Focus
Jesus sent the Holy Spirit for all people in all places.
Objectives
The learners will…
- hear the story of Pentecost.
- talk about ways we can be the church.
- understand that Community of Christ is a worldwide church.
Supplies
- Copy of “Community of Christ around the World” handout for each child (end of lesson)
- Crayons or markers
- Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, by Ralph Wilton, illustrated by Margaret Kyle (Wood Lake Publishing, 2007, ISBN 9781551455471) OR Bible (NRSVue)
- White construction paper
- Washable paint (red, yellow, orange)
- Community of Christ country list (end of lesson)
- World map or globe
- Optional: Can You Say Peace? by Karen Katz, Henry Holt and Company LLC, 2006, ISBN 9780805078930, or the word peace in several languages
- Community of Christ Sings or audio recording, available from Herald House
Notes to Teacher
In preparation for this lesson, read “Exploring the Scripture” for Acts 2:1–21 in Sermon & Class Helps, Year A: New Testament, pp. 74–75, available through Herald House.
Gather
Activates background knowledge, prepares, and motivates for lesson (15% of total lesson time)
As children arrive, give them the Languages of the Church handout. Invite them to color the church seal. Help children pronounce the name of the church in different languages.
Ask:
- What language do you speak?
- When someone talks in a different language, can you understand what they are saying?
- Do you know any words in another language?
Engage
Invites exploration and interaction (35% of lesson time)
Read “The Birthday of the Church” in Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, pp. 116–117 or read the excerpts from Acts 2:1–21 that follow.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard in their own language. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt, and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh… Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”
Say: Jesus came to the disciples and gave them the Holy Spirit in the room where they were hiding. Do you know what Jesus did to give them the Holy Spirit? (He breathed on the disciples. He said “Peace be with you.” He said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”)
In this story in Acts, we learn that Jesus sends the Holy Spirit not just to the disciples but to everyone! People from many places who spoke different languages were gathered in one place. Because of the Holy Spirit, each person could understand what the disciples were saying about Jesus in their own language, even though the disciples didn’t speak those languages.
If you are not using the Lectionary Story Bible, tell the rest of the story from Acts 2.
The story from Acts 2 tells what happened after Peter spoke to all the people: (excerpted from Act 2:37–42)
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “What should we do?” Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
Respond
Takes the learners from hearing to doing (35% of lesson time)
Tongues of Fire Painting
Give each child a sheet of white construction paper. Ask them to fold the paper in half and make a crease. Open the paper and have children squirt a small amount of red, yellow, and orange paint in the crease. Refold paper and press lightly from the crease outward to the edges of the paper to make “flames.” Note: Try ahead of time to troubleshoot any issues students might have.
Say: The scripture passage today describes the Holy Spirit as fire and wind.
- Can you think of other ways people describe the Holy Spirit? (dove, breath, Comforter, Advocate)
After this experience at Pentecost, people got together to
- help each other,
- eat together,
- remember the things Jesus said, and
- talk about living God’s way.
They called it the church! (adapted from Lectionary Story Bible, Year A, p.117)
- Can you think of ways we help each other at church?
- Can you think of times we eat together at church?
- How do we learn about the things Jesus said at church?
- How do we talk about living God’s way at church?
Since the day of Pentecost, the good news about Jesus has spread throughout the world. Community of Christ is a worldwide church! Community of Christ has about 250,000 members in more than 60 nations.
Show children the list of countries where Community of Christ has members (end of lesson). Refer to the “Community of Christ around the World” handout. Find those countries on the world map or globe. See how many other countries from the list children can find on the world map or globe.
Send
Explores how the lesson might be lived (10% of lesson time)
Optional: Read Can You Say Peace? by Karen Katz. If the book is not available, look up the word peace in several languages.
Note to Teacher
If you need help finding the word peace in various languages, contact the Peace Pavilion: 816–521–3033 or e-mail kidpeace@kidpeace.org. Several websites also list words for peace including PlanetPals.com.
Help children pronounce the words in various languages. Remind children of the scripture passage from John 20 where Jesus said to his disciples, “Peace be with you” and “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Bless
Time of prayer, praise, blessing, and hope (5% of lesson time)
Teach children “Wa Wa Wa Emimimo (Come, O Holy Spirit, Come)” CCS 157 in all four languages as a call and response, or play audio recording and invite children to sing along.
Say a prayer that with the help of the Holy Spirit, we will help each other, eat together, remember the things Jesus said, and live God’s way.
Order in which Community of Christ was established in each country
As of 4 March 2025
Community of Christ has been formally established in
United States of America (1830)
Canada (1833)
United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland (1837)
Commonwealth of Australia (1840)
French Polynesia (1844)
Kingdom of the Netherlands (1869)
Kingdom of Norway (1874)
New Zealand (1890)
Federal Republic of Germany (1914)
Cayman Islands (1921)
Japan (1960)
Republic of South Korea (1960)
United Mexican States (1964)
Federative Republic of Brazil (1965)
Republic of Peru (1965)
Federal Republic of Nigeria (1966)
Republic of India (1966)
Republic of the Philippines (1966)
New Caledonia (1968)
Republic of Haiti (1968)
Republic of the Fiji Islands (1968)
Republic of Honduras (1972)
Republic of China (Taiwan) (1976)
Republic of Liberia (1976)
Republic of Kenya (1977)
Democratic Republic of Congo (1981)
Dominican Republic (1981)
Republic of Zambia (1987)
Republic of Côte d’Ivoire (1988)
Jamaica (1989)
Republic of El Salvador (1990)
Republic of Malawi (1992)
Federal Democratic Republic of Nepal (1999)
Plurinational State of Bolivia (2002)
Republic of South Africa (2002)
Republic of Chile (2007)
Republic of Zimbabwe (2007)
Russian Federation (2007)
Ukraine (2007)
Republic of the Congo (2007)
Republic of Nicaragua (2007)
Kingdom of Spain (2015)
Republic of Sierra Leone (2016)
Republic of Angola (2016)
Republic of Togo (2016)
French Republic (2025)
The Church has a recognized presence in
Argentine Republic
Aruba
Republic of Colombia
Republic of Guatemala
Republic of Hungary
The Church has initial contact in
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico
Georgia
Islamic Republic of Pakistan
Italian Republic
Kingdom of Belgium
Kingdom of Thailand
Republic of Botswana
Republic of Croatia
Republic of Mozambique
Republic of Uganda
United Republic of Tanzania