Today is a special day.  It's the birthday of the Church!

The Bible tells us how the Holy Spirit gave every one of Jesus Christ's Apostles a special gift of understanding so that they could travel all over the world and teach people about Jesus.

It was at that time that St. Thaddeus and St. Bartholomew began their trip to Armenia, where both of them were able to teach Armenians about Jesus Christ.  Later, St. Gregory the Illuminator founded the Armenian Church, a wonderful place where we can come together to be with each other, learn about God, and pray together.

During Pentecost, think about the many ways people work very closely with God, such as serving as a priest or a Sunday school teacher.  Perhaps someday you'll have the chance to be one of these people doing God's work.

Children's Prayer for Pentecost

Thank you God, for this wonderful world and for all the special people we love.  Thank you too, for all the different ways there are to work close to you!  Make us strong and wise so that we can see those ways.  Help us feel how exciting it is to be a priest, or a teacher, or any of the other kinds of people who serve you and work for our people. 

Bless us with open hearts and open minds, God, so we can see what really matters in this world: our families, our dear friends, the people who help us grow and learn in the Church, and you, God, our Father and Friend.

Hear our joy, God, as we, the children of your Church, gather for your blessing.  We know you will open our eyes to truth and lead our heads and hands to serve you. 

Amen.