Shannon Kelly

Pentecost, Year B, Intergenerational Lesson Plan

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

The focal scripture for Pentecost is The Book of Acts 2:1-21. Jesus had told them to wait. Wait until the “advocate” appeared. They had no clue who this advocate would be, but they trusted Jesus.

They were probably together to celebrate Shavu’ot, which was also called Pentecost because it occurred 50 days after Passover. Passover has brought physical freedom. At Shavu’ot people gratefully celebrated the “giving” of the Torah (the first five books found in our Bible), which brought freedom from idolatry.

On the Feast of Pentecost, “it” happened. The only account we have is provided by the writer Luke in this Acts passage. We can probably identify with Luke’s reaching for the right words to describe what happened: “It was like …” Yes. Wind. Fire. Now the disciples are not just speaking – they are communicating. Each person there understands. Now the disciples are ready to do the work Jesus gave them to do.

Download the Intergenerational Lesson Plan for Pentecost

LPTW Pentecost, Year B, Intergenerational

Pentecost Sunday, Year B

Scripture: Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

The church is born at Pentecost. The promised Advocate comes and those who cowered in fear now burst forth from their prisons with a message that can be understood in any language. The message: God is for everyone and anyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. We are still unpacking this message today as we peek out from the prisons we find ourselves hiding within.

Download the Lesson Plans for Pentecost Sunday

LPTW Pentecost, Year B, Younger Children
LPTW Pentecost, Year B, Older Children
LPTW Pentecost, Year B, Adults
LPTW Pentecost, Year B, All

Today, let us pray for faithful stewardship of God’s creation. Caring for the environment is a dutiful endeavor, and we often need support as we work daily to protect and sustain the earth.

For Stewardship of Creation

O merciful Creator, thy hand is open wide to satisfy the needs of every living creature: Make us, we beseech thee, ever thankful for thy loving providence; and grant that we, remembering the account that we must one day give, may be faithful stewards of thy good gifts; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Read Psalm 84

Reflection Questions:

• Where do you feel most at home in creation?
• In what ways are you stewarding the good gifts God has given you?

Today, join us in prayer for the fruitful earth.

For Agriculture

Almighty God, we thank you for making the earth fruitful, so that it might produce what is needed for life: Bless those who work in the fields; give us seasonable weather; and grant that we may all share the fruits for the earth, rejoicing in your goodness; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Read Psalm 121

Reflection Questions:

• How can you work with the earth, helping it to bear its natural fruits?
• Where do you see God in the bounty of the earth?

Today, join us in prayer for the conservation of natural resources.

For the Conservation of Natural Resources

Almighty God, in giving us dominion over things on earth, you made us fellow workers in your creation: Give us wisdom and reverence so to use the resources of nature, that no one may suffer from our abuse of them, and that generations yet to come may continue to praise you for your bounty; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Read Psalm 111

Reflection Questions:

• I wonder how you participate in conserving our natural resources?
• How do you give thanks for the resources God has blessed us with?

Prayerful consideration of this earth can bring us closer to God’s creation and is an integral part of how we care for the environment. Each Sunday of 30 Days of Action, we will suggest a prayer for God’s creation. During these 30 Days, as we work together to address climate change, may we also be reminded of the glory and splendor that is God’s green earth. Today, join us in a prayer for the creation.

Collect written by The Episcopal Church’s Season of Creation Liturgical Committee

(http://eenonline.org/reflect/liturgy.htm)

God, maker of marvels, you weave the planet and all its creatures together in kinship: Your unifying love is revealed in the interdependence of relationships in the complex world that you have made. Save us from the illusion that humankind is separate and alone, and join us in communion with all inhabitants of the universe, through Jesus Christ, our Liberator, who topples the dividing walls, and by the power of your Holy Spirit; who live and reign with you for ever and ever. Amen.

Read Psalm 96

Reflection Questions:

• I wonder how God is calling you to be in relationship with this complex world.
• How might you sing the praise of God’s creation?

Play tag, run like a kid, take a walk just for the joy of being outside.

Spending time in nature helps us relax and find ourselves in a place where God might speak to us in our hearts.  Time spent in joyful recreation allows us to truly be the people God made us to be.

Reflect on your experience:

• Journal or draw a picture about your playtime or time in nature.
• I wonder how this time in nature brought you closer to creation?
• I wonder where you saw, heard, or felt God?
• Share your experience on Social Media using #Episcopal #30Days

Take a close look at a flower, a tree, or a bug.  Marvel at God’s creation.

Awe and wonder are at the crux of spirituality.  Appreciating and caring for our environment is a way we can respond to God’s care of us.

Reflect on your experience:

• Journal or draw a picture about what you saw.
• I wonder what you noticed that you hadn’t before?
• I wonder how stopping to take a close look at something you might see everyday gave you a different appreciation for the object?
• I wonder where you saw, heard, or felt God?
• Share your experience on Social Media using #Episcopal #30Days

Unplug: take a break from the digital world for just one hour and enjoy the peace of the natural world. On this Holy Saturday, the day before Easter, notice where you see the stories of Holy Week in nature.

• Where do you see death and resurrection?
• Where do you notice new life?
• What do those signs of resurrection and new life mean to you?

Sabbath is an important part of our spiritual heritage.  Spending time in nature leads us into a place where we can become closer to God.

Reflect on your experience:

• Journal or draw a picture about your “unplugged” time
• I wonder how being intentionally unplugged help you notice other things?
• I wonder where you saw, heard, or felt God?
• Share your experience on Social Media using #Episcopal #30Days

Find a special place in nature to do something you enjoy: read a book, play a musical instrument, play a game, draw a picture.

Spending time in nature fosters awareness of environmental issues.  Falling in love with one spot in nature often leads to care of all creation.

Reflect on your experience:

• Journal or draw a picture about your time in nature
• I wonder how this time in nature brought you closer to creation?
• I wonder where you saw, heard, or felt God?
• Share your experience on Social Media using #Episcopal #30Days