During Pentecost we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit and the growth and spread of the Church.
On the day of Pentecost, the colour is red, representing the tongues of fire that rested upon the heads of the disciples. The rest of the season is green to represent the growth and development of the church across the entire world.
Pentecost begins in late spring with the Feast of the Pentecost and ends in late November with Christ the King Sunday. Pentecost is the longest season in the church year, and is sometimes referred to as "ordinary time".
Christians spend the Season of Pentecost looking at the relationship of God with His people as they experience his Holy Spirit. It is a time of outreach, of letting the Spirit flow through each Christian to touch God's creation, of praise, of fellowship, and of spiritual renewal, as each Christian draws the Spirit into himself or herself with every breath.
The Pentecost Story
"When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance."
(Acts 2:1-4)
"Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in his own language. And they were amazed and wondered, saying, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others mocking said, "They are filled with new wine." But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them, saying, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 2:5-8, 12-14a, 38)
So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And fear came upon every soul; and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common; and they sold their possessions and goods and distributed them to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they partook of food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.
(Acts 2:41-47)