Why Does Pentecost Matter? – St. Nick’s News June 6, 2025

Full St. Nick’s News for June 6, 2025

Dear Friends,

Have you ever wondered why people wear red, why we decorate with flames and doves, or why we proclaim, “Come, Holy Spirit!” on Pentecost Sunday?

Pentecost is one of the most important days in the Christian calendar, right up there with Christmas and Easter. It falls 50 days after Easter and marks the day when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples in Jerusalem, empowering them to proclaim the Gospel in every language. It’s often called the birthday of the Church—because it’s the moment the Church moved from waiting to witnessing.

Before Pentecost, Jesus’ followers were a bit like us in the in-between times: faithful, but unsure of what was next. They had seen the risen Christ and received his peace, but still needed the power to live it out. Then, in Acts 2, the wind roared, the fire danced, and the Spirit filled each one of them. And suddenly, a frightened group of believers became bold preachers of God’s love for everyone—regardless of nationality, language, or background.

Why does all of that matter for us at St. Nick’s?

We, too, are called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to be Christ’s Body in the world. Pentecost reminds us that the Church isn’t a building or a service—it’s a Spirit-filled community, called to live with courage, creativity, and compassion. It reminds us that the Gospel is meant for every tongue, every heart, every neighborhood. And it reminds us that God is still speaking, still breathing new life into us, and still calling us to go.

This Sunday, we wear red—the color of fire and boldness. We sing with joy. We pray, “Come, Holy Spirit,” not because the Spirit has been absent, but because we are opening ourselves to move with God’s wind and flame once more.

This Sunday we will celebrate Pentecost with great joy as a church family! At 8:45am join us for breakfast tacos in between our 8am and 9:30am worship services. The tacos are being made by our friends Megan and Cameron at Maggie Mae’s Fresh Eats.

I commend this prayer as you look towards Pentecost and this new season of the church year.

A Prayer for Pentecost
Gracious and Holy Spirit,
You moved over the waters at creation,
You inspired the prophets and filled your Son with power,
You came like fire upon the disciples.
Come now upon your Church.
Ignite in us the flame of your love.
Speak through us in ways that bring peace and truth.
Breathe through us so we may live boldly in your name.
Make of us one body, united in Christ and sent for the sake of the world.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Father,
one God, now and forever. Amen.

As always, I can’t wait to see you on Sunday!

God’s Peace, Love, and Blessings,
Beth+