Pentecost C; Led by the Spirit

Bible readings: Acts 2:1-21, Genesis 11:1-9, Psalm 104:24-34,35b, Romans 8:14-17, John 14:8-17, 25-27.
Theme: Led by the Spirit

About the photo:
This photo was taken by David Husted who was taken hot air ballooning over Melbourne by his kids for his 6oth birthday. Balloons have always been a symbol for me of the Holy Spirit. Just as a balloon filled with air shows great promise so do we when filled with God's Spirit. Hot air balloons, flames and all, over a city are a sign of promise and a challenge.
Listenng Song:Hands and Feet
By Audio Adrenalin on WOW 2001 or their album, Underdog. Works well with the Romans reading. (pictured on an earlier blog)
Listening Song: Burning Like Fire
By Iona on their album Beyond these Shores (pictured in an earlier blog)
Drama: Verbal Symphony for Pentecost
By M. Preugschat in Drama Resources 2 by Lutheran Publishing House, 2000, Page 55 (pictured)
Quote: Hitler
Hitler used fear to drive his attack on Europe. He said "If the Jews did not exist we would have had to invent them"
Film: Dead Poet's Society
Use your discretion as to how much you show of this clip depending on the age and emotional resilience of your congregation. Show the clip prior to the student's suicide when the student, who is a talented actor, is stopped from realising his dreams by his father who thinks acting is a waste of time. The student tries to explain his fear of a future which will be devoid of the very thing he loves doing the best.
Discussion:
What sort of things do we fear today?
What sort of things do we fear for our church?
What sort of things do we fear for ourselves?
Story: Your own experience
Display digitally or have with you some of the more fear evoking headlines which we often see today or relate an experience you have had recently where you came across actions taken by others as a result of fear. eg on our last trip to Tasmania we were intrigued by the official who wanted to look under the bonnet of our car as we waited to drive on to the ferry at Port Melbourne. We were quite amused when he told us he was looking for bombs.... until we realised he was fair dinkum.
Story: The Big Rock
Found in Hot Illustrations for Youth Talks by Wayne Rice, Youth Specialties, 1994, ISBN 0310402611, page 36 (pictured in an earlier blog).
Response Activity
Give everyone a sparkler. Light the front row and allow people to touch the ends to light others. Use them as a reminder of the first Pentecost (fire and wind) - they fire up best when they are waved about.