Bible Story
Acts 2
The Play-Along Bible, Bob Hartman, ‘The Holy Spirit Comes’, p97.
God’s Big Promises Bible Storybook, Carl Laferton, ‘The Holy Spirit Arrives’, p361.
Ask the children if they know when their birthday is. Talk about how we like celebrating birthdays. Tell them that on Sunday it is the birthday of the Church and that it is a special celebration called Pentecost.
Story – ‘God sends the Holy Spirit’.
Tell the Bible story below using your sounds and actions; practise before you begin the story. For a gentle breeze blow softly, but for a stronger wind make a loud noise. Wiggle the fingers of one hand gently above your head to look like a candle flame and wave your arms to look like a large fire.
Jesus’ friends were praying as they sat together in a room in a house in Jerusalem. (Put your hands together)
Suddenly, a sound like a wind filled the room. (Make gentle breeze sounds gradually getting louder)
Then they noticed what looked like little flames of fire on top of their heads! (Place one hand above your head and wiggle your fingers to look like the flames)
Something amazing was happening. This was Jesus’ special helper, the Holy Spirit, coming to be with them just as Jesus had promised. (Shout, ‘Thank you, Jesus!’ and cheer, ‘Hip, hip, hooray!’)
(Stand up) Jesus’ friends went outside and began to talk about him in other languages to the people around them. They told them how much Jesus loved them and helped them to understand more about God.
Jesus’ friends were all very excited. ‘It’s a very special day,’ they said, ‘because Jesus has sent the Holy Spirit to help us.’ (Shout, ‘Thank you, Jesus!’ and cheer, ‘Hip, hip, hooray! – Happy birthday to the Church!’)
You could sing ‘Happy birthday to the Church’ and have a cake to share. Be aware of allergies.
Song Suggestions
1. Theme Song
(Tune: ‘Here we go round the mulberry bush’)
Jesus promised a helper would come,
Helper would come, helper would come.
Jesus promised a helper would come,
On Holy Spirit day.
A sound like wind came filling the room,
Filling the room, filling the room.
A sound like wind came filling the room,
On Holy Spirit day.
A special fire touched their heads,
Touched their heads, touched their heads,
A special fire touched their heads,
On Holy Spirit day.
The Holy Spirit has come to stay,
Come to stay, come to stay.
The Holy Spirit has come to stay,
On Holy Spirit day.
2. ‘They were waiting’, John Hardwick https://youtu.be/FEyyJuZxlHk
3. Instrument song
(Tune: ‘If you’re happy and you know it’)
It’s the birthday of the Church, clap your hands!
It’s the birthday of the Church, clap your hands!
Happy birthday to the Church, happy birthday to the Church,
It’s the birthday of the Church, clap your hands!
It’s the birthday of the Church, bang the drums!
It’s the birthday of the Church, ring the bells!
It’s the birthday of the Church, shout hooray!
Craft/Activity Ideas
For further craft ideas see https://www.pinterest.co.uk/FamilyMinistriesUKIT/pentecost-crafts-for-toddler-groups-messy-church/
Sensory Play
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Bubble play and bubble blowing. You could give each child a pot of bubbles to take home.
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Dressing up – include items for a birthday party – streamers, hats, whistles etc.
- Fill the tray with red, yellow and orange material, tissue paper etc to represent the colours associated with the fire of the Holy Spirit.
Prayer
The Holy Spirit sounded like wind (Make gentle breeze sounds gradually getting louder.)
The Holy Spirit looked like fire. (Place one hand above your head and wiggle your fingers to look like the flames.)
Thank you, Jesus, that you sent the Holy Spirit to your friends and that the Church was born. (Shout, ‘Thank you, Jesus!’ and cheer, ‘Hip, hip, hooray! – Happy birthday to the Church’)
Thank you, Jesus, that you send the Holy Spirit to be with us and to help us be more like you. (Put your hands over your heart)
Amen.
You could use bubbles to help with your prayer time too.
