Saint Mikes Middle School Pentecost
Pentecost
Readings this week: Acts 2:1-21, John 14:8-17, (25-27), BCP 308
Notes:
Opening Prayer:
Question 1Whatdoesfriendshipmeantoyou?
Question 2Whatrolesdoloveandaffectionplayinyourlife?
Introduction:
Who is wearing red today? Respect to you for remembering. Why are many people wearing red today?
The story of The Holy Spirit being given to the first disciples is a big deal to the church. When you look around upstairs you will likely see plenty of red. It is to remind us of the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Something to think about. There is a story in the Old Testament called the Tower of Babel. In brief, humans thought that God was awesome and wanted to be like God, so they planned to build a tower that would reach heaven so they could join God. God was unimpressed and broke the tower and scattered the people - who up until this point all spoke the same language. When God scattered the people he gave them all different languages. This is another great story that hopes to give a reason why we have so many languages among other things. When we all have different languages, things are confusing. How can this confusion be fixed? Check out this story…
Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Discussion:
What do you hear in this story besides lots of weird names? How is this the reverse of the story of Babel?
Do you think God wants us all to get along? Why do you think that?
We have talked a bit about the Holy Spirit in this room. Do you think you have the Holy Spirit in you? If you have been baptized, then you do! Check out the BCP and some of the prayers we pray at baptism. Look at page 308. Read the prayer the priest prays right after baptizing someone:
Heavenly Father, we thank you that by water and the Holy
Spirit you have bestowed upon this your servant the
forgiveness of sin, and have raised him/her to the new life of
grace. Sustain him/her, O Lord, in your Holy Spirit. Give him/her
an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to
persevere, a spirit to know and to love you, and the gift of joy
and wonder in all your works. Amen.
Then they called you by name and said: you are sealed by the Holy Spirit in Baptism and marked as Christ's own forever. Amen.
You get to spend all the rest of your life learning what that means for you. But you can be certain, you have the Holy Spirit and God will never, ever give up on you.
Announcements:Water World and Elitches this summer!Fliers upstairs and friends are welcome!
Closing prayer
Invite the youth to share what they need prayer for and pray for that.