Category Archives: Pentecost

Liturgy Letter Year B, Pentecost

Pentecost Resources 2021

Stained glass window from St Aloysius’ Church in Somers Town, London
(Photo by Lawrence OP – Flickr)

“He loves Himself and every creature by the Holy Ghost, inasmuch as the Holy Ghost proceeds as the love of the primal goodness whereby the Father loves Himself and every creature.”

-Thomas Aquinas

Pentecost Lectionary Readings (Year B)

Day of Pentecost (May 23): Acts 2:1-21; Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Romans 8:22-27; Acts 2:1-21; John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15

Poetry

“O Comforting Fire of Spirit“ by Hildegard of Bingen

“A Sonnet for Pentecost” by Malcolm Guite

“A Prayer to the Holy Spirit” by Christina Rossetti

Resource Links

Historic Prayers for Pentecost

The Descent of the Dove by Charles Williams

Archived Posts for Pentecost from The Liturgy Letter

Music

“O’er the Waters” A Spotify Playlist for Pentecost 2021

Detail from the east window of St Etheldreda’s in London, Photo by Lawrence OP (Flickr)

Liturgy Letter Year A, Pentecost

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Pentecost 2020 (Year A)

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Pentecost 2020 (Year A)

Fire Descends

On Pentecost the fierce love of the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples of Jesus (Acts 2:1-21). Jesus also talked about the Holy Spirit as the living water poured out for those who thirst for him (John 7:37-39). Those who declare that Jesus is Lord have received a manifestation of this Spirit given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:3b-13). Jesus’ original disciples received the Holy Spirit after his resurrection and were sent out to continue Jesus’ mission (John 20:19-23). The glory of God is revealed as all of creation is renewed and purified through the power of the Holy Spirit (Psalm 104:24-34, 35b).

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Liturgy Letter Year C, Pentecost

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Day of Pentecost 2019

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Day of Pentecost 2019 (Year C)

Come Holy Spirit
“It is not our achievements that matter (Genesis 11:1-9) but the breath-taking works of the Lord (Psalm 104:24-34,35b). Because we are his children and fellow heirs with Christ (Romans 8:14-17), empowered by God, we are able to achieve more than we could ever accomplish by ourselves. Christ has left his peace with us, so we need not be troubled or afraid (John 14:8-17,25-27).”

 –Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional

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Liturgy Letter Year B, Pentecost

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Pentecost Sunday 2018

Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Pentecost Sunday (Year B) 2018

Counselor, Comforter
God raises the dead and offers us the promise of resurrection (Ezekiel 37:1-14). The Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness, interceding for us (Romans 8:22-27). He is our counselor, our comforter (John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15). May the glory of the Lord, who made all things, endure forever (Psalm 104:24-34, 35b!)”
-Thomas Oden, Ancient Christian Devotional
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Pentecost - Descent of the Dove
Feast Day, Liturgy Letter Year A, Pentecost

The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Pentecost Sunday 2017 (Year A)

The Liturgy Letter Newsletter – Pentecost Sunday 2017 (Year A)

 

Pentecost and the Gift of the Holy Spirit

“On Pentecost, we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-21). Through Christ, we are given the living water of the Holy Spirit, poured out on believers on Pentecost, so that we might “thirst” no more (John 7:37-39) and that we might use the spiritual gifts we are given to his glory (1 Corinthians 12:3b-13). We look at the wonders of creation and cannot help but praise God for his wisdom, originality and the beauty of the world around us (Psalm 104:24-34, 35b).”

-Thomas Oden in Ancient Christian Devotional: A Year of Weekly Readings

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Pentecost, Video

Abbeville (Come Holy Spirit)

Video

A classic Sacred Harp tune for Pentecost:

Listen to a folk version by Liz Jayne

Lyrics:

Come, Holy Spirit, Come
With energy divine,
And on this poor, benighted soul
With beams of mercy shine

Melt, melt this frozen heart;
This stubborn will subdue;
Each evil passion overcome,
And form me all anew

Mine will the profit be,
But Thine shall be the praise;
And unto Thee will I devote
the remnant of my days

Praise Father, Spirit, Son
The Mighty Three in One
Creator, Saviour, Fiery Breeze
Sustainer be our peace

Words: Benjamin Beddome, 1900
Addition Words: Philip Majorins
Music: ABBEVILLE, by E.J. King, 1844

Pentecost, Poetry

“A Prayer to the Holy Spirit” by Christina Rossetti

Aside

A Prayer to the Holy Spirit

By Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

O God the Holy Ghost
Who art light unto thine elect
Evermore enlighten us.
Thou who art fire of love
Evermore enkindle us.
Thou who art Lord and Giver of Life,
Evermore live in us.
Thou who bestowest sevenfold grace,
Evermore replenish us.
As the wind is thy symbol,
So forward our goings.
As the dove, so launch us heavenwards.
As water, so purify our spirits.
As a cloud, so abate our temptations.
As dew, so revive our languor.
As fire, so purge our dross