Today, we look at a Day 3 text from this year’s summer curriculum, “Holy Trinity, Wholly Love.”

Reading: Acts 2:1-11

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 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.”

Reflection

The Holy Spirit is the spark of God’s love that shows up in surprising ways and brings us together. Acts 2:1-11 is the story of the coming of God’s Holy Spirit as wind, fire, and confidence to share God’s message of love with the world. Celebrate surprise with your family. Try the ideas that fit your life best.

Candle Talk: Light a candle or gather around a campfire and share stories about surprises that have changed you. How have these things shaped you and your family?

Activity: Red is the color for the church festival of Pentecost—the day the Holy Spirit came. Have a meal with all red foods: grapes, apples, pizza, spaghetti with marinara sauce, red velvet cake, and so on. How many red foods can you include?

Connect: When God’s Holy Spirit came, the disciples were celebrating the day of Pentecost. We celebrate Pentecost as the birthday of the church. Have a birthday party and invite friends, family, and neighbors. Collect gifts of food you can donate to your local food shelf.

Around the World: Pray for political and religious world leaders that they experience God’s Holy Spirit, try to understand each other deeply, and keep their leadership focused on what is good for people and for all creation.

–Arlene Flancher, LOM Curriculum

Prayer

Come, Holy Spirit.

Amen.