Earth, Wind & Fire: Pentecost 2026

“Do you remember…the 21st night of September?”

If you don’t, you’re not alone. The one who made that date famous doesn’t either. Maurice White, founder of the band Earth, Wind & Fire, and co-writer of their most popular song September was frequently asked what was so special about September 21 that he would start the song with that iconic line. He would respond with something like, “nothing—it just sounded right.” His co-writer on the song, Allee Wilis, fought him on it, contending that the date they used should mean something instead. She also hated the “ba-dee-yah” part of the song, insisting that they should put real words instead of just nonsense sounds. She lost that fight with Maurice, who replied, “never let lyrics get in the way of the groove.” Time has shown him to be correct as the song has become one of the most recognizable of its generation and is in the Library of Congress.

Earth, Wind & Fire is not only the name of a great band, it’s also a good way to describe the Miracle at Pentecost. “Suddenly a sound like that of a violent rushing wind came from heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were staying. They saw tongues like flames of fire that separated and rested on each one of them. Then they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them.” The Spirit present since the very creation of earth itself was doing a new thing, and it was time for people to take notice.

Well, it’s time for us to take notice of that Earth, Wind & Fire again. That same Spirit which has been present since the beginning is trying to do a new thing in each of us. To what new thing is the Spirit calling you today? We certainly don’t want to be the one getting in the way of the Spirit’s groove.