The Feast of Pentecost is often celebrated as the birthday of the Church, when the Holy Spirit descended upon the apostles. All are encouraged to wear red and join us for a church birthday celebration in the Calvary Commons after the 10:30 a.m. worship service.
Christians have come to understand the meaning of Pentecost in terms of the gift of the Spirit. The Pentecost event was the fulfillment of a promise that Jesus gave concerning the return of the Holy Spirit.
Speaking in tongues, a significant effect of receiving the Spirit, is interpreted by some as symbolizing the church’s worldwide preaching. In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is now the seventh Sunday after Easter. It emphasizes that the church is understood as the body of Christ, which is drawn together and given life by the Holy Spirit. Some understand Pentecost to be the origin and sending out of the church into the world.
The Day of Pentecost is one of the seven principal feasts of the church year in the Episcopal Church (BCP, p. 15). The Day of Pentecost is identified by the BCP as one of the feasts that is “especially appropriate” for baptism (p. 312).
