Pentecost - Holy at Home - May 2023

PENTECOST

CHRISTIAN MISSIONS & THE HOLY SPIRIT HOLYATHOME

FAMILY DISCIPLESHIP

Here at Holy at Home we ' ve been revising our mission and vision for the year ahead We've loved the feedback from parents, youth and churches around the country, and think it's the time to take a step further We believe that Christian education begins at home, and in that spirit we want to become a hub for Family Discipleship

While we ' ve been offering content for families with young children reach the liturgy, we want to equip more parents to be able to continue Christian education at home

What is Family Discipleship?

Family Discipleship is making a clear effort to form our children in such a way that they love God, love people, and wish to serve those around them This is an intentional effort to educate kids in their knowledge of God, the Bible, the Catechism, and see it worked out in their daily lives through prayer (The Daily Office), service, and growth in Christ.

Jesus called us to make disciples, and this should above all start at home with our families Instead of founding a school, Jesus spent time with His disciples so that they could know and understand the way he was laying out for their lives Family discipleship seeks to lay out this same framework for our own children We spend time with Jesus so that He can continue to work in their lives.

How to use Holy at Home to explore Family Discipleship?

Every month we will continue to provide families with Bible readings and studies, soundtracks for the season, family liturgies, prayers, togetherness activities and recipes to bring families around the table We will also be adding a Family Discipleship section to the monthly magazine to give your family opportunities and ideas to start in this process

What's Next for Holy at Home?

Next year we ' re going to start back to basics as we begin a two year journey through the Bible Our first year will be the Old Testament and the second year will focus on the New Testament

If you'd like to help write for Holy at Home, we welcome submissions!

PENTECOST

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem Godfearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a

crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine ”

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say These people are not drunk, as you suppose It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:

“‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams

Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy

I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke

The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord

And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved ’

“Fellow Israelites, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know This man was handed over to you by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him

David said about him:

“

PENTECOST

‘I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;

my body also will rest in hope, because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,

you will not let your holy one see decay. You have made known to me the paths of life;

you will fill me with joy in your presence.’

“Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it. Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,

“

‘The Lord said to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.”’

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lordand Messiah.”

When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Let's Talk About It

Why did the people not believe the disciples? What did Peter do in response?

What do you think people were hearing, seeing, smelling during this?

Who is the Holy Spirit?

Where do you see the Holy Spirit acting here?

How do you think you would have reacted to the sound of a rushing wind and the tongues of fire?

What did the Holy Spirit do?

What would you pray that the Holy Spirit give you the courage to do?

How does God's Spirit work within us today?

And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with youalways, to the very end of the age. ”

Let's Talk About It

What is a disciple?

Who are all the nations?

What is Jesus telling his followers to do?

How would you feel if you were told this? Do you think this commandment was only made to Jesus' disciples or to all believers?

Jesus tells us this right after his Resurrection. Why do you think this is the first thing He tells his followers to do?

O, DIOS DE MI ALMA

¡Oh, Dios de mi alma, sé tú mi visión! nada te aparte de mi corazón Día y noche pienso en ti, y tu presencia es luz para mí Sabiduría sé tú de mi ser, quiero a tu lado mi senda correr, del alma amparo, mi torreón; a las alturas condúceme, Dios

Riquezas vanas no anhelo, mi Dios, ni el hueco halago de la adulación; tú eres mi herencia, tú mi porción, Rey de los cielos, tesoro mejor

Be thou my vision, O God of my heart; naught be all else to me save that thou art Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping thy presence my light

Be thou my wisdom, and thou my true word; I ever with thee and thou with me, God; thou my soul's shelter, thou my high tower, raise thou me heavenword, O Power of my power

Riches I heed not, nor world's empty praise thou my inheritance, now and always thou and thou only, first in my heart, Sov'reign of heaven, my treasure thou art.

OTHER

PENTECOST ACTIVITIES

Fire Sticks

Gather some some red, yellow and orange ribbon and a small dowel

Glue your "fire" to the end of the stick and shake it around to simulate fire Do you see how it dances?

What do you think it means to be on fire for God? What

Tongues of Fire

Grab a hoola hoop and some crepe paper to create your own tongues of fire Hang it from the ceiling or have kids tunnel through it to feel the "tongues

Ask kids how they would have felt seeing this coming towards them? Would they have been afraid? Think about every time you run through it that the Holy Spiirt

HOLY SPIRIT KITES

During Pentecost we talk about the mighty wind that descended from the Holy Spirit. To remember this wind, we are going to create our own kites to feel the wind ourselves However you'd like to make your kites is fine, but this is my daughters' favorite:

Necessary ingredients:

Paper plate Ribbon

Stick (or string if it's a windy day)

Gifts of the Spirit

Grab a paper plate, some yellow construction paper and a little bit of string for this simple lesson

Cut two wings on the sides of the paper plate for the wings Cut the center circle for the body and the edges for the head and tail Draw on a dove face and feet Cut out 9 "tongues" from the construction paper On each piece, write one of the fruits of the spirit Attach them to the dove and watch the fruits of the spirit descend with the dove as it flies

1. 2. 3

Cut a circle into the center of the paper plate

Decorate your paper plate however you'd like Glue on your ribbon to flow behind

CHRISTIANS AROUND THE WORLD

This story is included in the book with the title of “The Young King and Other Stories”.

In the United States we're very fortunate We have something called religious freedom, which allows us to practice our faith without fear.

In some countries, people who follow Jesus can't worship freely or talk about their faith without fear of being hurt. They might have to meet secretly, or even risk going to jail or being killed for their beliefs

What is persecution?

This is called persecution, and it's not fair or kind People should be allowed to believe in what they want without being punished for it. Christians who are persecuted need our love, support, and prayers. We can also learn from their bravery and faith in the face of danger

Praying for Christian Communities around the World

It's important to remember that even though people may have different beliefs, we should treat everyone with kindness and respect We can all be friends and live together peacefully, no matter what we believe

What can we do?

We can pray for our fellow believers. In the following pages, are prayer cards for some of the threatened Christian communities around the world.

Choose one community per day to pray for, remember their plight, write to our representatives to fight for human rights and religious freedom for all persons, and treat one another with kindness.

Number of Christians: 100 million

Type of persecution: State sponsored violence, imprisonment of pastors

Prayer: Pray for the leaders of home churches, to protect believers from violence and to support the people in prison

Number of Christians: 8,000

Type of persecution: Violence from the Taliban

Prayer: Prayers for all people since the Islamic takeover by the Taliban

CHINA AFGHANISTAN NIGERIA SOMALIA

Number of Christians: 80,000,000

Type of persecution: Islamic militant groups

Prayer: Pray for the protection of the Christians throughout the country who are facing brutal attacks by Islamic militias

Number of Christians: 100s

Type of persecution: Clan oppression

Prayer: Pray for those who are targeted by Islamic groups and give them protection

Number of Christians: 400,000

Type of persecution: State violence

Prayer: Prayers for people during the famine and oppression

NORTH KOREA INDIA IRAN YEMEN

Number of Christians: 68,000,000

Type of persecution: Religious Nationalism

Prayer: Pray for the victims of religious violence and protection for them, their families and their churches

Number of Christians: 800,000

Type of persecution: State violence

Prayer: Pray that the leaders of Iran would have their hearts softened and the safety of all believers

Number of Christians: 1000s

Type of persecution: Clan oppression

Prayer: Prayers for protection during the Civil War and famine conditions

Number of Christians: 880,000

Type of persecution: State violence towards clergy

Prayer: Pray for clergy who are advocating for the people and for the human rights of all people

NICARAGUA SUDAN MYANMAR MALI

Number of Christians: 880,000

Type of persecution: Clan oppression

Prayer: Pray for protection during the Civil War and to soften the hearts of the leaders to bring the conflict to a close

Number of Christians: 3,000,000

Type of persecution: State violence

Prayer: Pray for protection since the military takeover and the ability to meet daily needs without fear

Number of Christians: 490,000

Type of persecution: Islamic militant groups

Prayer: Pray for protection from violent attacks and to find a safe home

EUCHARISTIC BREAD

Ingredients:

2 cups of flour

2/3 cup vegetable oil

1/4 tsp salt

2/3 cup water

Mix flour and salt together in a large bowl

Add in the oil

Slowly add in the water until it's just sticky

Mix well until the dough is soft

Separate into 6 balls Flatten onto baking sheets

Bake at 425F degrees for 8-10 minutes

Allow to cool on a wire rack

Cut into small pieces for distribution for communion.