If you have ever wondered what is Pentecost, you are not alone. Many people outside the church — and even some inside it — are unfamiliar with this ancient celebration. Pentecost is the day the Christian Church remembers how the Holy Spirit was poured out on the first believers in Jerusalem, empowering them to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to the whole world. It is one of the three great festivals of the church year, alongside Christmas and Easter, and it marks the birthday of the Christian Church.
What Is Pentecost and Why Does It Matter?
The word “Pentecost” comes from the Greek word for “fiftieth.” In the Old Testament, God’s people celebrated the Festival of Weeks (Shavuot) fifty days after Passover — a harvest thanksgiving. After Jesus rose from the dead on Easter and ascended into heaven forty days later, He promised His disciples that the Holy Spirit would come to them. Ten days after the Ascension — exactly fifty days after Easter — that promise was fulfilled.
The Book of Acts, chapter 2, records what happened that day. The disciples were gathered together in Jerusalem when a sound like a rushing wind filled the house. Tongues of fire appeared and rested on each of them, and they began to speak in other languages. Jews from every nation under heaven were in Jerusalem for the festival, and each one heard the mighty works of God proclaimed in his own language. The Apostle Peter stood up and preached the first Christian sermon, and about three thousand people were baptized that day.
“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. 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 (ESV)
The Holy Spirit Creates and Sustains Faith
For Lutherans, Pentecost is not just a historical event to remember — it is a confession about how God works today. Martin Luther wrote in his explanation of the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.”
This is at the heart of what Lutherans teach. Faith is not something we manufacture on our own. It is a gift of God, delivered through the means of grace — His Word and Sacraments. The same Holy Spirit who descended on the apostles at Pentecost is still at work today, calling people to faith through the preaching of the Gospel, through the waters of Holy Baptism, and through the Lord’s Supper. You can learn more about what Lutherans confess on our What We Believe page.
How the Church Celebrates Pentecost
Pentecost is celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter. In 2026, the Day of Pentecost falls on May 24. The liturgical color for Pentecost is red, symbolizing the tongues of fire and the blood of the martyrs who carried the faith forward. You will notice red paraments on the altar, red vestments on the pastor, and many congregations encourage worshippers to wear red to the service.
At Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri, we celebrate Pentecost within the historic liturgy of the Divine Service. The readings for the day focus on Acts 2, where the Spirit descends, and the Gospel of John, where Jesus promises to send the Holy Spirit as our Comforter and Advocate. The congregation joins together in the great Pentecost hymns of the faith, including “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” (LSB 497), “Holy Spirit, Light Divine” (LSB 496), and “O Holy Spirit, Enter In” (LSB 913).
“Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord,
“Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” — Lutheran Service Book 497, stanza 1
With all Your graces now outpoured
On each believer’s mind and heart;
Your fervent love to them impart.
Lord, by the brightness of Your light,
In holy faith Your Church unite;
From ev’ry land and ev’ry tongue,
This to Your praise, O Lord, our God, be sung:
Alleluia, alleluia!”
If you have never attended a Lutheran worship service before, Pentecost is a wonderful time to visit. You can find out what to expect at a Lutheran service and feel welcome from the moment you walk in. Our Sunday services are at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
Pentecost and the Church Year
Pentecost also marks a turning point in the church year. The Sundays that follow are counted as “Sundays after Pentecost” and stretch all the way through the summer and fall until the season of Advent begins again in late November or early December. This long stretch of the church year — sometimes called “Ordinary Time” — is a season of growth, as the Church lives out the faith the Spirit has given. The liturgical color shifts to green, representing that growth and life in Christ.
The week after Pentecost brings another important day: Holy Trinity Sunday, when the Church confesses the full doctrine of the Trinity — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit — one God in three persons. Together, Pentecost and Trinity Sunday complete the cycle of the great festivals that proclaim who God is and what He has done for us.
Come and See
Pentecost reminds us that the work of the Holy Spirit is not finished. The same Spirit who gathered the first Christians into the Church is still at work — in the preaching of the Word, in Baptism, in the Lord’s Supper, and in the fellowship of believers. Whether you are a lifelong Lutheran or someone just beginning to ask questions about the Christian faith, the Holy Spirit is for you.
We would love to welcome you at Immanuel Lutheran Church this Pentecost. Plan your visit, explore our sermons archive, or learn about our youth ministry. You are also welcome to read more about what the Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod teaches at lcms.org.
Join us this Pentecost Sunday, May 24, as we celebrate the birthday of the Church. Wear red and gather with us for the Divine Service at 8:00 a.m. or 10:30 a.m. at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. Come and hear the Word of God proclaimed, receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit in Word and Sacrament, and sing the great hymns of the faith. All are welcome.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pentecost
When is Pentecost 2026?
Pentecost always falls on the fiftieth day after Easter. In 2026, the Day of Pentecost is Sunday, May 24. At Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin, Missouri, we celebrate with Divine Services at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.
What happened on the day of Pentecost in the Bible?
According to Acts 2, the Holy Spirit descended on the apostles in Jerusalem with the sound of a rushing wind and tongues of fire. The apostles began speaking in other languages, and the Apostle Peter preached a sermon that led to about three thousand people being baptized. This event is considered the birthday of the Christian Church.
Why is the color red associated with Pentecost?
Red is the liturgical color for Pentecost because it symbolizes the tongues of fire that rested on the apostles when the Holy Spirit came (Acts 2:3). It also represents the blood of the martyrs who gave their lives to spread the Gospel. Many churches, including Immanuel Lutheran, encourage members to wear red on Pentecost Sunday.
What do Lutherans believe about the Holy Spirit?
Lutherans confess that the Holy Spirit calls people to faith through the Gospel, not by human effort or decision. As Martin Luther explains in the Small Catechism, “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel.” The Spirit works through the means of grace — God’s Word, Baptism, and the Lord’s Supper — to create and sustain faith.
Is Pentecost the same as Pentecostalism?
No. Pentecost is a historic festival of the Christian Church celebrated for nearly two thousand years. Pentecostalism is a modern movement that began in the early 1900s. While both reference the events of Acts 2, Lutheran churches teach that the miraculous sign gifts described in Acts 2 served to establish the apostolic Church, and that the Holy Spirit continues to work today primarily through the preaching of the Word and the Sacraments.
Immanuel Lutheran Church is located at 2616 S Connecticut Ave, Joplin, MO 64804. We worship every Sunday at 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m.