ROOTS is a partnership of denominations and other Christian organisations and has been publishing lectionary-based worship resources online and in print since 2002.
Go to: Resources for families; Resources for adults
Copyright
You are welcome to copy this material for use in your own resources e.g. printed sheets or web pages including audio/video recordings. If you do so, please include this acknowledgement to ROOTS:
© ROOTS for Churches Ltd (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2020.
Reproduced with permission.
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For families
Introduction
Pentecost is often referred to as the birthday of the Church. Try to create that atmosphere of celebration as you join together for worship, you could even have some birthday party items, e.g. a cake or balloons. We are also celebrating the unity which the Spirit brings so include other churches and communities in your prayers this week.
Gather
Use this prayer as you begin your time of worship together. Nominate a leader or all join in together.
Holy Spirit, you are welcome.
Come among us like a wind,
like a fire, like a dove.
Come gently or come boldly.
We are waiting for you.
Amen.
You could sing or listen to Together by Same Boat Music to prepare you for worship today.
Read
Share the Bible story using the idea below to help you explore it together.
Bible story
Open the Bible at Acts 2.1-21: The Church welcomes the Holy Spirit.
Picture the scene
Use the Pentecost pictures from Free Bible images to illustrate the story as you tell it. You might like to ask the children to find and hold up the pictures for the relevant parts of the Bible passage.
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Activity and colouring sheets
(Links to the PDFs for these can also be found at the end of the page.)
Activities for families - English |
Colouring sheet English |
Activities for families - Welsh |
Colouring sheet Welsh |
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See also: Prayer activities in the Seasonal section below.
For adults
PostScript - reflection for the week
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In conversation with the Scriptures: Resurrection living |
| Rachel Nicholls explores Easter readings and themes, in conversation with Arnold Browne | |
Live your faith
This week's Live your faith sheet for adults with Bible notes, prayers, a picture and questions for reflection, a live your faith action
Seasonal activities
For adults: Pentecost prayers
For families: Prayer activities
You may wish to use these additional resources to worship together and/or the activity sheets for children.
Reflection: Names for the Holy Spirit: A prayer-meditation for young people
Pray: Powerful Spirit
Find the courage to speak out
You will need: coloured pens, speech bubble shapes template; Optional: orange, yellow and red paper
- Cut out flame shapes from orange, yellow and red paper and write on them the names of different countries. Build up a fire picture using these flames. Alternatively, print, colour in and write on black and white image below (click on it to view a larger version).
- Look at the flames that you've made. The Holy Spirit can help all of us, whoever we are and wherever we are from. It can help us do things and give us the courage to speak out.
- Help everyone to think of situations they could speak out about e.g. at school, in the local area, in the news.
- Give everyone a pen and a speech bubble on which to write something they could speak out about.
- Sit in a circle together with everyone’s speech bubble in front of them. Say, ‘Holy Spirit, help us to speak out.’ Spend some time in quiet reflection.
- Finish by repeating, ‘Holy Spirit, help us to speak out.’
Noisy prayer
Using whatever materials are available, e.g. boxes, balls, pencils, encourage everyone to make a noise that represents the coming of the Holy Spirit, either to the disciples in Jerusalem, or now. Alternatively, play some music (Preview songs on YouTube then buy online and download):
Let The Heavens Open, Kari Jobe on Majestic Live
Spirit of the Living God, Vertical Church Band on Church Songs
For The Beauty Of The Earth, John Rutter on The Very Best of John Rutter
Conclude with this sending out prayer:
Holy Spirit:
wild wind, tongues of fire,
words of inspiration,
fill us with your confidence and energy,
and make us a blessing to the world.
Amen.