Pentecost Day A
May 11, 2008

With thanks to page sponsor,
Richard Schwedes,
North Tasmania Lutheran Parish,
Lutheran Mission blog.
(Dec 0708)

Click on Scripture Lessons below for study links and resources for each individual pericope:

Acts 2:1-21 or Numbers 11:24-30
Roman Catholic reading: Acts 2:1-21
United Methodist reading: Acts 2:1-21

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Roman Catholic reading: Psalm 104:1-34

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 or Acts 2:1-21
Roman Catholic reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3-7, 12-13
United Methodist reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

John 20:19-23 or John 7:37-39
Roman Catholic reading: John 20:19-23
United Methodist reading: John 20:19-23

Reading and Studying the Text This Week

• Texts:
  • Illustrated lectionary readings at Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
  • Roman Catholic Lectionary Readings (NCCB/USCC) from the New American Bible.
  • Lectionary readings from the Episcopal Lectionary: Traditional BCP - RCL.
  • The Roman Catholic Lectionary for Mass (1998 USA Edition). At Felix Just S.J.'s The Roman Catholic Lectionary For Mass - a site featuring comprehensive tables of editions of the Roman Catholic Lectionary.
  • Lutheran lectionary calendar, Year A, from the ELCA site.
  • United Methodist lectionary readings.
  • Biblical Passages for Mennonite Bulletins, Year A.
  • Free Church version for Baptist, Reformed, and Congregational use Revised Common Lectionary Readings.
  • ELCIC Worship Planning Calendar, lectionary citations with and without hymn suggestions, text and pdf formats.
  • Lutheran RCL CEV readings - .doc files. Lutheran Bible Ministries.
• Images and Movies:
  • Images Linked at The Text This Week's Art Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Pentecost/Holy Spirit
  • Movies/scenes listed at The Text This Week's Movie Concordance, with the following themes:
    • Holy Spirit
    • Unity
• Special Day Resources:
  • Pentecost, Wikipedia.
  • Pentecost, from the Catholic Encyclopedia.
  • Ways to Enliven Your Pentecost Celebration, Rev. Richard J. Fairchild, Kir-Shalom.
  • Pentecost and Our Baptism by the Holy Spirit, at Byzantines.Net (Byzantine Catholics on the Web)
  • "Wind, Wind," A Reflection on the Spirit by Dr. William R.G. Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "Pentecost and Babble/Babel," Marcus Borg, at BeliefNet.
  • "On the Person of the Holy Spirit," Henry Barclay Swete, The Official Report of the Church Congress held at Exeter On October 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th 1894.
  • Websites about Shauvot/Pentecost:
    • Shavuot on the Net (basic)
    • "Rehearsing God's Voice," Jonathan Wittenberg, BeliefNet.
• Special Day Resources (Mother's Day):
  • "Mother's Day on Pentecost?" Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Mother's Day Prayer: A 21st Century Worship Resource, Year A, 2008, the Rev. Jane Sommers, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • "Radical Mothers' Day," 2008. Worship Ways, United Church of Christ.
  • Resources for Mothers/Womens Day at Bass Mitchell's Special Days and Services site.
  • Mother's Day Resources, Christianity Today.
  • Mother's Day Features, BeliefNet.
  • Mother's Day PowerPoint Slides, CHURCH Powerpoint, Dorothy Okray.
• Commentary, Exegesis & Sermon Preparation (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page):
  • Comments (commentary) and Clippings (technical notes for in-depth study), Chris Haslam, Anglican Diocese of Montreal.
  • Commentary and Spiritual Perspectives, Pentecost, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Preaching This Week at WorkingPreacher.org, Luther Seminary. Commentaries on lectionary readings by David Bartlett, Matt Skinner, Karoline Lewis.
  • Girardian Reflections on the Lectionary, Pentecost, by Paul Nuechterlein & Friends.
  • Preaching Peace commentary, Pentecost, Jeff Krantz & Michael Hardin.
  • Preaching Helps (Pentecost / Mother's Day, 2008). United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Gathering, Pentecost, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • Process and Faith Lectionary Commentary, Pentecost Sunday / Pluralism Sunday, 2008, Bruce G. Epperly, "...bringing process-relational thought to people of faith."
  • Liberal Lectionary Analysis, Pentecost A, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "Still in Pharaoh's Field," Pentecost, 2008, Sea Raven, Liberal Christian Commentary.
  • "Life-Giving Spirit," Kate Huey, Weekly Seeds, iucc.
  • Jesus Now, Pentecost. Lectionary, study and worship resources from Faith Futures Jesus Then & Now.
  • Readings, Analysis of Text and Preaching Paths, Pentecost, Christian Resource Institute. (Church of the Nazarene.)
  • SAMUEL at ucc.org, Pentecost Sunday, 2008: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Sermon Nuggets, Pentecost, 2008, Lindy Black. Illustrations, humor, questions, quotations.
  • Lectionary Study, May 11, 2008, Dr. Robert Linthicum, Partners in Urban Transformation.
  • Pentecost - The Day of the Lord, Carl A. Volz, Texts in Context, Word & World, Luther Northwestern Theological Seminary, 1990.
  • Text Studies, Pentecost, Dan Nelson. (Lutheran)
  • "The Power of the Spirit," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • Starters for Sunday, 11 May 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
• Lists of recommended articles available with ATLAS subscription for these texts:
  • Acts 2:1-21 / Numbers 11:24-30
  • Psalm 104
  • 1 Corinthians 12:3-13
  • John 20:19-23 / John 7:37-39
• Lectionary Reflections, Discussions & Weblogs:
  • "Euphoric with Hope," Blogging toward Sunday, Nanette Sawyer, Theolog: The Blog of The Christian Century, 2008.
  • Tuesday Lectionary Leanings, "On Fire" Edition, RevGalBlogPals lectionary discussion, 2008.
  • "Pentecost: Fire and Breath," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008.
  • "Of Fools and Idiots," Daniel Deffenbaugh, Seeds of Shalom, 2008.
  • "From the Inspiration of the Spirit to the Institution of the Church," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation, 2008.
  • "Tongues of Fire," Laurel A. Dykstra, "The Creator of Life," Living the Word, Sojourners Online, 2008.
  • "The Time of Discipleship," lectionary reflections for May, Rev. Dr. William J. Sappenfield, The Living Pulpit, 2008.
  • Lectionary Haikus: Pentecost, Among the Hills.
  • The Saturday Night Theologian, Exegesis of Word and World, Tod O.L. Mundo, Progressive Theology Weblog, 2008.
  • "Empowerment Intended for Me, For Us!" Norman Kansfield, Valerie Bridgeman Davis, Mona West, Linda Thomas, Out In Scripture: An Honest Encounter Between Our Lives and the Bible, Human Rights Campaign, 2008. (LGBT perspective)
  • "The Curse Reversed: Pentecost 2005," The Journey with Jesus: Notes to Myself, Daniel B. Clendenin, Journey with Jesus Foundation.
  • Dylan's Lectionary Blog, Pentecost. Biblical Scholar Sarah Dylan Breuer looks at readings for the coming Sunday in the lectionary of the Episcopal Church, 2005.
  • Daily Reflection, Pentecost, Larry Gillick, S.J., Creighton University, 2008.
  • This Sunday's Readings, Pentecost (Whit Sunday), John Pridmore, Church Times, 2008.
  • "The Gospel Lesson Is All Wet," Larry Patten. And Yet: "Faithful & Foolish Reflections Served Weekly," 2008.
  • "The Breath of Life," Robert Two Bulls, Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality, The Witness, 2005.
  • "The Power of the Spirit," Emmett Jarrett, Proclaiming Gospel Justice: Reflections on the Scriptures and Progressive Spirituality, The Witness, 2005.
  • Living the Word by Jim and Shelley Douglass. Lectionary based scripture commentary from Sojourners OnLine, 1996
  • "The Church on Fire: Reflections on the Revised Common Lectionary, Cycle A, Acts," Living the Word by Katherine Grieb, Sojourners Online, May-June, 1999.
  • "Hitting the Road," Suzanne Guthrie, The Christian Century, 2001. Religion Online.
  • "Thirst Quencher," Maureen Dallison Kemeza, The Christian Century, 2002. Religion Online.
  • "God So Loves This World," by Kari Jo Verhulst. Living the Word lectionary-based scripture commentary from Sojourners Online, 2002.
  • "Wind, Wind," A Reflection on the Spirit by Dr. William R.G. Loader, Murdoch University, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Desperate Preacher's Site: sermons, discussions, liturgical material and other resources.
  • Sunday by Sunday, Reflections on Stewardship based on the RCL Gospels, Year A. Prepared by the Reverend Michael Pollesel, Stewardship Education Coordinator, Diocese of Ontario.
• Sermons (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • "Ladies and Gentlemen, Start Your Engines," the Rev. Dr. James B. Lemler, Day 1, 2008.
  • Selected Sermon, Day of Pentecost (RCL), the Rev. Terri C. Pilarski, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2008.
  • Pentecost Sermons, Pastor Edward F. Markquart, Grace Lutheran Church, Seattle, Washington.
  • "When Pentecost Ends Too Soon," the Rev. Barbara K. Lundblad, Day 1, 2005.
  • Selected sermon, Pentecost Day, the Rev. Dr. Frank Hegedus, in Worship that Works, ECUSA, 2005.
  • Pentecost Sermon, Dr. Susan Fleming McGuran. Sponsored by the Athenaeum, Mount St. Mary's Seminary, 2005.
  • "Why I Am a Christian," Day of Pentecost - 15 May 2005, David Zersen, Göttinger Predigten im Internet: Every Sunday Sermons based on the RCL by a team of Lutheran theologians/ pastors.
  • Pentecost, the Rev. Dr. A.K.M. Adam, Flesh and Bones, 2001. (Entire book of sermons is one long pdf file. Slow connections will require long download times.)
  • "Born of the Holy Spirit," John R Donahue, SJ, America: The National Catholic Weekly, 2002.
  • "A Birthday Wish for the Church," the Rev. Ronald T. Glusenkamp, Day 1, 2002.
• Group Studies & Discussion/Reflection Questions:
  • Lectionary Notes, Pentecost, Rev. Beth Quick and the Lectionary Chat Group Bible Study of St. Paul's UMC, Oneida, NY.
  • "Female Preaching in Early Nineteenth-Century America," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Women and the Church," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2009. Focus article: "Women in Ministry: Beyond the Impasse," Catherine A. Brekus. (Acts 2)
  • "Making Difficult Decisions," study guide for adults, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Cloning," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2005.
  • "Would That All Were Prophets," study guide, Robert B. Kruschwitz, (other resources at) "Prophetic Ethics," Christian Reflection, The Center for Christian Ethics at Baylor University, 2003.
  • "Flawed superheroes dominate summer movie season," Faith Lens, a weekly Bible study/discussion for youth, linking a current news story and lectionary texts. ELCA, 2008.
  • "Tips for Discipleship: Be Open to the Spirit," John and Robin McCullough-Bade, Daily Discipleship Bible Study, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, 2008.
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Adults, Pentecost, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Bible Study - Pentecost Sunday - verse by verse Roman Catholic lectionary commentary at St Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, Picayune, MS.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Pentecost Sunday, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
  • Light on the Lessons, Lutheran Bible Ministries. .doc file leaders guide and participant guide for group study of the weekly lectionary readings.

OnLine Worship and Liturgy Resources

• The Text This Week's Pentecost Resources Page contains resources and images.
• Complete Liturgies and General Worship Planning Resources:
  • Worship Planning Helps (Pentecost, 2008): Worship & Preaching Notes, Hymn Suggestions and Worship Resources from the United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • Pentecost Fire, A 21st Century Worship Resource for Pentecost, Year A, Safiyah Fosua, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • Gathering, Pentecost, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • LCA Worship Resources, Pentecost, includes liturgy, hymn suggestions, notes on the readings, visuals, drama, "Talking with Children," etc. Lutheran Church of Australia.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Enough for Everyone," Pentecost, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
  • Worship Resources, Pentecost, Free Resources, Cokesbury Worship Connection.
  • Order of Holy Communion for Pentecost: a service celebrating the life in the Spirit which moves among us, Worship Resources by Lisa Frenz, Mt. Carmel Lutheran Church, Portland, OR.
  • Liturgy for Pentecost Vigil, Liturgy for Day of Pentecost/Whitsunday, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Liturgy for the Day of Pentecost, and The Vigil of Pentecost, Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
  • Liturgy for the Celebration of Life, Pentecost A. Liturgies from a Progressive/Post-Liberal Theology, Revd Rex A.E. Hunt, The Uniting Church of St James Curtin, ACT.
  • The Day of Pentecost, Rev. Thomas L. Weitzel, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.
  • Lectionary Liturgies, Pentecost, Thom M. Shuman, Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
  • "Receive the Holy Spirit," Pentecost. A New Presentation for Sunday's Liturgy, Claretian Communications, Philippines. Includes Flash presentation.
  • Worship Ideas for Pentecost from The Billabong by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Worship and Liturgy Resources, Pentecost, by Rev David Beswick, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • A Communion Liturgy for Pentecost, Sacredise.
  • Liturgies Online, by Rev Moira Laidlaw, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • "Disciples Empowered," The Practice of Jesus, Bill Fletcher, Aotearoa-New Zealand, 2008.
  • Sermons and Liturgies for Year A, Richard J. Fairchild, United Church of Canada, including "God's Birthday Gift".
• Prayers, Prefaces, Litanies, etc:
  • Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources, by Nathan Nettleton, South Yarra Community Baptist Church, Melbourne, Australia. Prayers, blessings, Eucharistic prefaces and scripture paraphrases.
  • Resources: Based on the Revised Common Lectionary. Prayers, Collects and Litanies by Bruce Prewer, Uniting Church in Australia.
  • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, Vigil of Pentecost and Pentecost Day, CanticaNova Publications.
  • Prayers of the People, Day of Pentecost, General intercessions for Sundays and Feasts, by Ormonde Plater, Archdeacon of the [Anglican/Episcopal] Diocese of Louisiana.
  • Lector's Notes, Vigil of Pentecost, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Lector's Notes, Day of Pentecost, Gregory Warnusz, Saint Jerome Parish, Bellefontaine Neighbors, MO. Notes and commentary for those reading this week's lectionary texts to the congregation.
  • Outside the Box, Pentecost, litanies, poems and prayers written for the local church, by Katherine Hawker.
  • "For Gifts of the Spirit": Strengthen the Church Litany of Commitment, 2008. Worship Ways, United Church of Christ.
  • "Radical Mothers' Day," 2008. Worship Ways, United Church of Christ.
  • "God Calls, and We Respond," Weekly Invitations to the Offering, 2008. Worship Ways, United Church of Christ.
  • 21st Century Africana Liturgical Resources, Pentecost, 2008, Ciona Rouse, United Methodist Church General Board of Discipleship.
  • A Prayer for Pentecost, Stephen Brown, A Place for Prayer.
  • Starters for Sunday, 11 May 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
  • Prayers for Pentecost, Sacredise.
  • Offertory Prayers for May, 2008, David S. Bell, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • A Prayer-Poem for Earthquakes, Pentecost, Trinity Sunday and Other Extra-Ordinary Times, Taylor Burton-Edwards, United Methodist Church GBOD.
  • "Liturgy: prayer reflection", reflections on the collect at the Eucharist, Rev. Bosco Peters, New Zealand.
  • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Pentecost, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
  • Thematic, Intercessory and Scripture Prayers for the RCL, Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
• Graphics & Multimedia:
  • Art in the Christian Tradition, Jean and Alexander Heard, Vanderbilt Divinity Library. Creative Commons Attribution Noncommercial ShareAlike 3.0 License.
  • Clip Art Images: Pentecost, Misioneros Del Sagrado Corazón en el Perú.
  • Pentecost at Cerezo Barredo's weekly gospel illustration. Follows Latin American Roman Catholic gospel reading, though most gospels texts/themes are found in the index. Liberation emphasis.
  • Bulletin Covers, www.scholia.net. Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, Emmett, Idaho. Scroll down for Year A index.
  • Image of Fire, Sacredise.
  • Mother's Day PowerPoint Slides, Pentecost PowerPoint Slides, CHURCH Powerpoint, Dorothy Okray.
  • "Pentecost: Fire and Breath," The Painted Prayerbook, Word & Image & Faith. Jan Richardson, 2008.
  • Lectionary Haikus: Pentecost, Among the Hills.
  • Mustard Seeds, "Enough for Everyone," Pentecost, 2008. A lectionary-based ideas resource for leaders of contemporary worship, Ann Scull, Gippsland, Australia.
• Bulletin Inserts (see also Children's Bulletins, below):
  • SAMUEL at ucc.org, Pentecost Sunday, 2008: lectionary citations, weekly theme, lectionary texts, commentary and bulletin back page.
  • Scripture Introduction for Bulletin Insert, Pentecost A, Rev. John Shearman, Oakville, ON, Canada.
  • "For Gifts of the Spirit": Strengthen the Church Litany of Commitment, 2008. Worship Ways, United Church of Christ.
  • "Receive the Holy Spirit," reflection by Barbara Bernstengel, eBulletins reflections, prayer reminders, activity corner, American Bible Society Bible Resource Center.
• Hymns and Music:
  • Original Hymns, Settings, and Songs:
    • "What's This Fire?" John R. Kleinheksel, Sr. United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "Perfect Love," John R. Kleinheksel, Sr. United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • "Your Love in Every Tongue," Brenton Prigge, NewHymn.
    • "I Believe," original hymn for Pentecost/Confirmation Sunday by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. Tune:  AUSTRIAN HYMN 8.7.8.7D "Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken" 
    • Hymns of the Spirit Three, Pentecost A, Richard E. Hurst, Universalist National Memorial Church.
  • Hymn/Song/Choral Piece Lists:
    • Lectionary Hymns, Pentecost, 2008, United Methodist Church GBOD.
    • Hymn selections (United Methodist) and more from Hymnsite.com.
    • Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary (with lyrics and sound files) from the Oremus Hymnal. (Click "Hymn Suggestions for the Sunday Lectionary.")
    • The Billabong, by Rev Jeff Shrowder, Uniting Church in Australia: Hymn suggestions and paraphrases of lectionary Psalms.
    • Worship Resource Manual, The Moravian Church, Southern Province. Worksheets for planning music in worship: hymns, anthems, solos, organ repertoire suggestions for RCL texts.
    • Gathering, Pentecost, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
    • Liturgical Planning and Music Suggestions, Vigil of Pentecost and Pentecost Day, CanticaNova Publications.
    • Starters for Sunday, 11 May 2008. Thoughts on Readings, Prayers & Hymn Suggestions. Office for Worship, Doctrine and Artistic Matters, Church of Scotland.
    • Together to Celebrate, May 11, 2008, David MacGregor, Uniting Church in Australia. Contemporary Christian Music resources.
    • Prayers and Musical Ideas, Pentecost, 2008. Commentary, historical background, poems and readings. Center for Liturgy, St Louis University.
    • Hymn and Song Suggestions, Pentecost, 2008, Natalie Sims, Singing from the Lectionary.
    • Sing for Joy, Pentecost A, 2008. Choral reflections on this week's lectionary readings, St. Olaf College.
• Children's Bulletins (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Lectionary Puzzles, Pentecost. Word search puzzles in RTF or plain text, by Reg McMillan, St.Stephen's Presbyterian Church, Peterborough, Ontario.
• With Children (see also listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • Gathering, Pentecost, 2008, from the United Church of Canada. Includes sermon seeds, liturgical ideas, "with children," hymn suggestions, choral suggestions etc.
  • "The Birthday of the Church," Children's Time, in Sermons and Liturgies. Richard J. Fairchild. (Scroll down in liturgies to find Children's Time.)
  • Lesson Plans That Work, Younger Children & Older Children, Pentecost, Year A, The Episcopal Church, 2008.
  • Ideas and Talks for Pentecost, Talks to Children, Rev. Donald McCorkindale, Dalgety Parish Church, Fife, Scotland.
  • Story for Children's Worship and Family Activity, Pentecost, at word-sunday.com: A Catholic Resource for the Lectionary by Larry Broding.
  • Proclaiming Faith, Pentecost Sunday, 2008 - exploring the Sunday and Holy Day readings - reflections and young people's activities. Sadlier Publishing.
• Drama (see listings at individual scripture pages, linked in listings at top of page)
  • "God's Gift of Life," liturgical drama of praise for Pentecost - short, dramatic, designed to be led by children, Sacredise.
• A list of links to other lectionary-based preaching and worship resources.