Pentecost and Holy Trinity Sunday stand side by side in the Church Year for good reason. At Pentecost, we hear of the Holy Spirit descending upon the apostles, giving them boldness to proclaim Christ crucified and risen. The Church’s song follows this same pattern: we do not sing vaguely about spiritual feelings, but about the Spirit who calls, gathers, enlightens, and sanctifies the whole Christian Church through the Gospel.
Hymns such as “Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord” and “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest” teach us to pray for the Spirit’s work among us: strengthening faith, preserving us in truth, and keeping us steadfast in Christ. The music of Pentecost is full of movement, breath, fire, and proclamation because the Spirit does not draw attention to Himself apart from Christ, but brings sinners to faith in Christ.
Then, on Holy Trinity Sunday, the Church pauses to confess the fullness of who God is: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Hymns like “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “We All Believe in One True God” place doctrine directly on our lips. We sing the mystery of the Trinity not because we can fully explain God, but because He has revealed Himself to us in His Word. Through the Church’s music, confession becomes prayer, praise, and faith sung aloud.
In Christ,
Zach Hastings
Director of Music
Zach Hastings is the Director of Music at Pacific Hills Lutheran Church in Omaha NebraskaZach studied organ performance at Iowa State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music in 2016. He has been an organist, bell choir director, and director of worship primarily in the central Iowa area. He continually seeks opportunities to grow as a musician through various conferences and seminars. Zach currently serves on the Central Iowa American Guild of Organists (AGO) Executive Committee, and on the American Guild of Organists Young Organists (AGOYO) National Board.
Pacific Hills Lutheran Church is a member of the