On Sunday, May 28, we celebrate the Feast of Pentecost. At St. Michael’s, that means that we gather in the Nave under beautiful, colorful hangings and descending doves. We listen to traditional Pentecost readings and dress in red, orange and yellow clothing. After the 9:00 and 11:00 am services, we gather in the Parish Hall for strawberry shortcake and an opportunity to spend time in community.

From the New Prayer Book Guide to Christian Education:
The Feast of Pentecost celebrates the day that the Holy Spirit came to the disciples as they were gathered together in Jerusalem. The Book of Acts tells us that the Holy Spirit was like the rush of a mighty wind, with tongues of flame like fire that rested on each person. After Easter, Pentecost is the second most important feast of the church.

“Pentecost” is from the Greek, meaning “fiftieth day.” It was the Greek name for the Hebrew Feast of Weeks, which fell on the fiftieth day after Passover. Christians took this name because this was the same day that the Spirit descended upon the apostles. The Feast of Weeks celebrated the calling of the Hebrews into a covenant relationship with God at Mt. Sinai. With the coming of the Holy Spirit, the church realized a new covenant proclaimed by the prophet Jeremiah years before: “I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts” (Jer. 31:33).