Holy Trinity Sunday

Today we celebrate the Feast of the Holy Trinity; Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier.

This Sunday is a good day to teach children about the Trinity of course but also, more about Baptism and making the sign of the cross.

Other Acitivities:

Trinity Coloring Sheets HERE
Trinity Craft for children HERE
Sign of the Cross Worksheets HERE
Wear White
Light Baptismal candles at meal time or on family altar

Food ideas for Trinity Sunday:
Many HERE
A Three Berry Pie see above. You can be creative by decorating this pie with whichever Trinitarian symbol you choose.

Commemoration of Esther

May 24th, the Commemoration of Esther, originally named Haddasah meaning "myrtle".

I thought it would be fun to have these Chocolate-Filled Donut Holes for dessert, the chocolate being "hidden" as Esther hid her identity as a Hebrew.

The story of Esther "is an example of how God intervenes on behalf of His people to deliver them from evil, as here through Esther He preserved the Old Testament people through whom the Messiah would come." from Treasury of Daily Prayer

 

Crafts for kids:

Queen Esther Paper Dolls

 Queen Esther paper plate masks or color printables.

Coloring Pages: 1, 2, 3, 4 

Hymn option for this day: Have No Fear Little Flock LSB #735

Pentecost

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.   Acts 2:1-6

No one can say Jesus is Lord but by the Holy Spirit.  1 Corinthians 12:3

 

Pentecost, meaning "fiftieth," marks the completion of Easter.  Fifty days after His Resurrection, Christ sends his Holy Spirit, as He promised, and the Church is born.  

Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord!
Let all your graces be outpoured
On each believer’s mind and heart;
Your fervent love to us impart.

Lord, by the brightness of Your light,
You in the faith do men unite
Of every land and every tongue;
This to Your praise, O Lord, be sung.

From every error keep us free;
Let none but Christ our Master be,
That we in living faith abide,
In Him with all our might confide.

Lord, by Your power prepare each heart
And to the weakness strength impart,
That bravely here we may contend,
Through life and death to You ascend.

Traditions and Activities

Basic themes include the Holy Spirit, the Church, and Baptism 

• The color of Pentecost is red, suggesting the fire of the Spirit.  Wear red to church or all day!
• "When the Lion shakes his main, then it is Spring" (from Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia).  Christ sends the Holy Spirit, and Pentecost in the West coincides with Spring and fresh greenery.  Many churches used to decorate their altars profusely with greenery and flowers.  
• The Feast of Pentecost is often uniquely associated with water.  In Mediterranean countries people hold "water festivals" on Pentecost.  It would appropriate to have a water-side picnic or walk on Pentecost, since we receive the Holy Spirit at our Baptism (Acts 2:41).  Pentecost in England is called Whitsunday "white Sunday," reminiscent of the white garments catechumens wore to their Baptism on Pentecost.  
• Scatter rose petals on the table to represent tongues of fire.
• Some churches use trumpets in their service to represent to mighty wind.
• Decorate with symbols of the church (pomegranates, arks). In medieval times, families in many parts of Europe would suspend a carved and painted wooden dove over their dining table.

Pentecost Crafts for Kids:

Holy Spirit Paper Plate Dove
Holy Spirit Handprint Dove
Tongue of Fire Crown 
Flying Dove

Coloring Pages:
HERE, HERE and HERE

Cuisine for Pentecost Sunday:
Flames of Fire Cookies
Tongues of Fire Cupcakes HERE and HERE
12 Fruit Salad (RC sites 12 fruits of the Spirit, you can make a 9 Fruit Salad)
Pentecost Pie 
Dove Dinner Rolls
Also serving "Red" or "Spicy" foods is a good idea

Church Year in Verse

I found this wonderful little book today, The Christian Year: Thoughts in Verse for the Sundays and Holydays Throughout the Year by John Keble.

Although an English major and someone somewhat familiar with the Oxford Movement, I had never come across this book.

Here is his poem on catechizing small children

HT: Gottesdienst