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

Recipes For Maundy Thursday

Forgive me for posting this late, perhaps it can be useful for next year!

On Maundy Thursday I've always liked the idea of serving Mediterranean foods or dishes that remind us of Christ's gifts and passion.

Our Maundy Thursday meal usually contains:

Bitter Herb Salad

Rosemary Flat Bread

Lentil Soup

Grapes, Olives, Raisins

Wine

Another idea I like is to serve lamb or a roast, but since I serve this on Easter Sunday, I don't get that ambitious on Thursday!

We'd love to hear some of your ideas. What meals do you serve during Holy Week?

YUM!

Here are the cookies I'm making this year:

Γιαγιά Georgia's Koulouria

Great Grandma Quinn's Sour Cream Cookies
2 c. granulated sugar

1 c. butter, room temperature
3 eggs, well beaten
1 c. sour cream
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. flavoring extract of your choice
1 1/2 to 2 c. flour or sufficient to make a dough that can be rolled
Cream together sugar and butter. Mix eggs and beat well until light and fluffy. Stir baking soda into the sour cream and add this, along with the eggs, to the creamed butter mixture. Flavor to taste.
Roll out then and bake in a 350°F preheated oven 10 to 12 minutes or until done.

Buttery Spritz (my kids like the "cookie gun")
1 c. butter, softened
1 1/4 c. confectioner's sugar
1 egg
1 t. vanilla extract
1/2 t. almond extract
2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
food coloring, optional
Cream cutter and sugar.  Beat in egg and extracts.  Combine flour and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture.  Tint, if desired.  Using a cookie press, press two inches apart on greased sheet.  Top with sprinkles. Bake 375F 6-8 minutes (don't brown).

Shortbread Squares 
1 lb. butter
1 c. sifted confectioner's sugar
3 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. cornstarch
Cream butter and sugar.  Combine flour and cornstarch; gradually combine.  Press into a 15"x10"x1" ungreased pan.  Pierce with fork.  Bake at 325F 40-45 minutes.  Cut while warm.

Almond Butter Cutouts (all-time favorite.  If I only had time and means for one batch of Christmas cookies, I'd make these)
1 c. butter, soft
1 c. sugar
2 egg yolks
1 t. almond extract
2 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
1/2 t. baking powder
1 c. ground almonds
Cream butter and sugar.  Beat in egg yolk and extract.  Combine flour, salt,and baking powder.  Gradually combine with creamy mixture.  Stir in ground almonds.  Cover and chill at least 2 hours.  Roll out 3/8".  Cut into shapes. Place on ungreased sheets and sprinkle if you desire. Bake 375F 10-13 minutes.

Molasses Crinkles
3/4 c. shortening
1 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. molasses
2 1/4 c. flour
2 t. soda
1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. cloves
1 t. cinnamon
1 t. ginger
sugar
Blend shortening and sugar, then add molasses.  Mix dry ingredients and combine.  Chill.  Preheat oven to 375F.  Roll dough into balls. Dip the tops in sugar. Place 3" on greased sheet. Sprinkle with water and bake 10-12 minutes.

German Oatmeal Cookies
1/2 c. butter
1/2 c. sugar
2 T. whipping cream
1/4 c. flour
1/4 t. ground cloves
1/4 t. ground ginger
1/4 t. salt
2/3 c. quick-cooking rolled oats
Melt butter.  Ad sugar and cream.  Stir until boiling.  Remove and stir in flour, cloves, ginger, salt and oats.  Drop by teaspoonfuls onto a butter, floured sheet 4 portions each sheet.  350F 3-4 minutes

Dark Chocolate Brownies
1/2 c. butter
3 oz. unsweetened chocolate, chopped
11/3 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 t. vanilla
1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. chopped walnuts
Stir butter and chocolate over heat until melted and smooth.  Remove from heat and stir in sugar, eggs, vanilla, flour and walnuts.  Spread into buttered and floured 8" square pan.  350F 25-30 minutes.  Top with chocolate glaze:  1/3 c. whipping cream, 1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips heated until smooth and melted. Add 1 t. vanilla.  Cool slightly and spread over warm brownies.

I am trying to track down the recipes for cookies sold at a nearby Italian deli.  They are really expensive (about $5 for 7 little cookies), but soooooooo good.  I think one may be Ricciarelli, and another has a strong anise flavor.  Any Italians out there who want to spread the love?

We also might make chocolate chip cookies, but everyone has their favorite recipe already. What is your favorite or unusual Christmas cookie recipe?  How about homemade fudge or candy?

I should invest in butter (did you here about the shortage in Norway?!)