What is pentecost?
Pentecost is a wonderful celebration that we are all invited to partake in perpetually. This festival, which means 50, takes place 50 days after the festival of first fruits, when Jesus was resurrected. It is one of the SEVEN major festivals of God and has a rich history that dates back to the giving of the Torah. According to tradition, the Israelites received the Torah from God on the exact day of Pentecost, amid flames of fire and voices and power upon the mountain.
As we fast forward to the time of Jesus, we see Him walking the streets of Jerusalem, proclaiming the Kingdom of God and promising a restored (New) covenant. Jesus assured the people that they would not walk alone in their desire to live in the Kingdom, and He would send His Holy Spirit to write the Torah of God on the hearts of man. Jesus would later be brutally killed on Passover, only to rise again on the festival of first fruits, another appointment of God.
Before ascending into the heavens, Jesus charged His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the giving of the Holy Spirit, a sign of the New Covenant. The disciples counted the Omer and the weeks leading up to Pentecost, as commanded in Leviticus 23. As they prayed in the Upper Room of the Temple Portico, something incredible began to happen. The room began to shake, and the same fire that had shown up at Mt Sinai filled the room, and the tongues and voices that were heard began to come out as utterance from the disciple’s mouths. People everywhere began to hear about Jesus, the Messiah, in their own language. It was a truly amazing experience that marks the festival of gifts from God, the festival of expectation – Pentecost. We hope you’ll join us in celebrating this incredible festival!
Pentecost is A festival of gifts
The Torah – FirstFruits – The Holy Spirit – Bread – Food and Desserts – Fellowship – Flowers – Praise – Worship – Incense – Fun
your invitation 2024
Join us in upholding God’s Fourth appointment: Pentecost – Sunday, 19 May 2024 – Jewish tradition says
that the day that God gave the Torah was fifty days after the children left Egypt – on what would later
become Shavuot.
“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came
from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were
sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them.” (Acts 2:1
ESV)
To this day, this powerful, life-changing good news message continues to be preached and demonstrated,
bringing hope to all mankind in preparation for the return of the Messiah in His kingdom. The Feast of
Shavuot/Pentecost is to be celebrated perpetually forever.
1. BRING 2 CHALLAH (PLAITED BREADSTICKS)per family.
People bring Challah at Pentecost as a symbolic representation of Jew and Gentile as one in Messiah, which is based on the Scripture in Leviticus 23:17. The two loaves of bread made of fine flour and baked with leaven as firstfruits were to be brought as a wave offering to the Lord.
As a tradition, bringing Challah bread is a way to celebrate the unity and oneness in the body of Christ. If you would like to participate in this tradition, you can bring Challah bread or plaited breadsticks with you to the Pentecost event.
2. BRING cheesecake, Mediterranean-inspired side/dessert, or other dairy-based items.
Get ready to indulge in a delicious tradition that’s sure to delight your taste buds! It’s true, we love our cheesecake, cheese, olives, and Mediterranean-inspired delights before the service – who doesn’t? But there’s more to this tasty tradition than just good eats. Did you know that it’s actually deeply rooted in the biblical promise land? The land flowing with milk and honey is a sign of abundance and prosperity, which we believe will return during Jesus’ reign. So, why not bring along a homemade cheesecake, some mouth-watering olives and hummus, or a sweet treat like honey and apple? Plus, it’s a perfect way to get the kids excited about the service – who wouldn’t love dessert before the main event? Don’t miss out on this scrumptious tradition – come join us for a pre-service feast that’s sure to leave you satisfied and happy.
3. BRING a $50 or $100 gift card and free will offering
Join us in a special act of compassion and generosity at Pentecost by bringing a $50 or $100 Aldi/Coles/Woolworths gift card as an offering for the poor. These gift cards are dedicated to each store and cannot be used to purchase alcohol or other items, ensuring that they will be used to provide essential food and supplies to those in need.
The practice of bringing second tithes to the temple at the time of Pentecost (Shavuot) was a way to support the poor and vulnerable members of the community. This same spirit of generosity and compassion is still alive today, and we can continue to honour this tradition by giving generously to those who are struggling.
As the Scriptures tell us, “Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed” (Proverbs 19:17). In the New Testament, we are also reminded of the importance of caring for those in need: “And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased” (Hebrews 13:16).
By bringing a gift card to Pentecost, you have the opportunity to show your love and concern for your fellow human beings, and to make a tangible difference in their lives – a true act of Chesed (act of kindness). Your act of kindness will be a powerful testament to the love of Christ and the power of community, and it will bring hope and healing to those who need it most. So please, join us in this important and inspiring act of giving, and let us work together to make the world a better, more compassionate place.
