All Age Service - Pentecost | Blog

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Prayer / Worship Activity

Option 1

5 mins Prepare in advance some large sheets of paper with the outline of a person on and spread these out around the room. Read Psalm 103:1-4 aloud (the NCV translation talks of praise with ‘my whole being’) before encouraging everyone to write words of praise to God inside the outlines. When everyone is finished, ask them to move and gather round a different poster. Lead a time of praise and prayer from the front, asking people to shout out words and phrases written on the posters, with everyone saying ‘Amen!’ together after each is read.

Option 2

5 mins Give each person a piece of paper and a pen and ask them to write the name of someone they would like God to bless this week. They might like to include some detail on the person or their situation, eg ‘Pauline, who is going for a job interview this week’, but this is not compulsory. Once done, ask everyone to scrunch up their paper into a ball and on cue throw them (gently!) into the air. Everyone should then catch another one, open it up and pray for the person on the paper.

Story - Acts 2:1-42

15 mins

Start by explaining that the followers of Jesus were trying to work out what they were supposed to do now that Jesus had died, risen again and gone to heaven. Their entire ministry so far had been with Jesus – he could teach them what to do, but now he wasn’t there to help them! They had gathered together in a room in Jerusalem, and it was during the festival of Pentecost.

Have some helpers primed to create a strong wind – you might have placed electric fans around the room, or have large pieces of cardboard to flap, or even just a few hand held ones. Alternatively you could hand out a stack of old magazines as ask the congregation to make the wind themselves by flapping them.

Explain that as the believers were gathered, a strong wind filled the room. Discuss how strange this would have been - wind inside the house?! Next, tell them that something even stranger happened. (I recommend you practice this a few times before performing it!)

Take a glass jar (not plastic!) and pour in a small amount of lighter fluid, just enough to coat the inside of the jar. Cap the jar and swirl it. If there is any fluid on the lip of the jar once you remove the lid, wipe away. Dim the lights slightly and explain that something incredible appeared over the heads of each of the disciples.

Carefully light the fluid at the top of the jar using either a long match, long lighter or a candle, keeping your fingers well away as the flame will come out of the top of the jar! Watch as the flame flickers in the jar. (If possible, have something dark behind the jar – even if you just wear a black t shirt and stand behind it!). The flame will go out by itself. Tell the congregation that flames of fire appeared and stood over the heads of the disciples. Make sure you take the appropriate safety precautions: do not place on a flammable surface, keep any long hair tied back, do not sit the bottle of lighter fluid next to the jar, and remember that the jar will be hot!

If you prefer, you could dim the lights and stand on a chair or sturdy table to get to a higher position. As you tell the congregation that flames appeared above the heads of each of the believers gathered, flames that the wind did not blow out, shine a torch over the heads of various members of the congregation (careful not to shine it in their eyes). Let the beam of light touch onto their heads as you move it around the room.

Describe the atmosphere in the room as they realised that this was the Holy Spirit arriving and filling each of them, giving them God’s power. The believers began to speak in different languages – ones they have never even heard before! Talk about how amazing this was - they could now tell so many more people about Jesus!

If any members of your congregation speak another language, invite them to the front and ask them to all speak at once in a foreign language to illustrate. It must have been an amazing sight, and very loud! Move on to talk about how many people were in Jerusalem from all over the area, from lots of different countries. You might like to show a map of the countries represented (easily found on the internet). They heard the noise which had begun in the house of the believers – what was going on?

‘What is happening?’ they asked. ‘I can hear people talking about God in my own language, how is this possible?’ Some of the people laughed at them, thinking the believers were crazy or drunk. No one knew what was going on! Go on to explain that Peter stood up in front of the crowd which had gathered and began to speak. He spoke with passion and authority. The people listened to him. He reminded the people that the prophets had told them that this would happen, that God was going to send his spirit to help them. He told them about Jesus, and about how he had been sent as a gift from God for the people, but the people had rejected him and put him to death.

Comment on the people reactions when they heard this, perhaps ask for ideas on how the people might have responded.

Those that were listening felt terrible about what they had done to Jesus, and they asked Peter what they should do. He told them that they should change their lives, turn to Jesus who has the power to forgive all people, and be baptised. Explain that what happened next is why Pentecost is often called the Birthday of the Church. Hand out party poppers, party hats etc and ask people to get ready to celebrate.

The Bible tells us that about 3000 people turned to Jesus that day – what a joyful occasion that must have been! Ask the congregation to help celebrate by letting off the party poppers and cheering loudly. You might have a few people prepped ready to bounce some balloons in the air. Say how amazing it was for over 3000 people to be added to the group of Christians. The church was beginning!

Reflective response to the story

Option 1

5 mins Lead the group in a game of musical statues. Instead of watching out for people who are moving when the music stops and them being out, ask people to use the moment in silence to think about the story, and about what God is saying to them. Make sure you leave an appropriate pause between each section of music. Encourage energetic dancing to the music to celebrate the forgiveness that we have in Jesus.

Option 2

10 mins Hand out some paper and pens and ask people to design a party invitation. You might like to have some templates ready for smaller children. Spend a moment in silence asking God to remind you of someone who doesn’t know Jesus yet. Get them to write that person’s name on the invitation. You might like to have a post box or basket at the front and ask people to come and put them in as a worship song is playing. End by praying and asking God to help us remember this story and to understand why it is a celebration.