May 23, 2021 Pentacost
Download the worship bulletin here!
We Gather
CENTERING WORDS
Come, Holy Spirit, come. Come as tongues of fire to enliven us. Come as sighs too deep for words to comfort us.
Come as our Advocate to guide us. Come, Holy Spirit, come.
PRELUDE
WELCOME and CALL TO WORSHIP Joanna Harader
God of wind and fire,
When you send your Spirit, we are created anew. God of mighty oceans and still waters,
When we receive your baptism, we are born anew. God of bread and wine,
When we eat at your table, we are nourished anew. So pour out your Spirit
Let sacred waters flow
Fill us with holy food.
May our hearts and our hands be open wide
to receive your gifts of life. Amen.
OPENING HYMN O Day of Joy and Wonder! No.283 (Because the singing of hymns is discouraged during this period of pandemic, you are invited to hum or meditate on the verses below.)
CALL TO PRAYERS
We gather as God's people, believing the promises fulfilled in Christ. We do not dread or fear reconciliation with God, and instead trust that God is faithful to forgive us and make us new. Let us be reconciled to God and to each other as we pray,
PRAYERS OF APPROACH & RECONCILIATION
Wind of God, present since before creation, fall on us now. Whisper to us. Shout to us. Comfort and guide us. Alight on us anew, and revive our own spirits to love and serve.
(Silence)
Gracious God, we do not often listen for your Holy Spirit. We turn from your guidance and your inspiration. Your whispers and shouts do not penetrate the noise of our daily lives. We silence the wisdom available to us through your Spirit of Truth. Open our hearts, minds and lives to your Spirit, that they may testify to unseen hope. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF GOD WITH US
In the name of Jesus Christ, who sent us the Spirit of Truth, know yourselves to be reconciled to God.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven.
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
Called to be one in Christ Jesus, we are made to love one another in unity and grace by the Holy Spirit. Let us share signs of unity and grace as we pass the peace of Christ with one another this day. The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
We Reflect
CHILDREN’S MESSAGE
Presentation of Bibles to Paige and Reagan Winkler
Christian Education Chair
On behalf of the Christian Education Committee, the Session and Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church, I present to you these Bibles. As seventh graders, you are old enough to read these words on your own, to study them, pray with them, and ask questions about them.
Pastor
You do not only read these words on your own. You also come to God’s Word in the context of a community.
Congregation
We hope that as you read the Bible, you will bring not only your faith but also your questions and your doubts to Grace Presbyterian Church, to find a loving, supporting, listening and teaching community. We want to grow with you in faith and knowledge.
Pastor
As you read the Word in the family of God, you also read it as part of your earthly family.
Parents
We promise to read these words with you, to listen to your questions, to share our ideas and be honest about our doubts. We want to grow with you in faith and knowledge.
Presentation of Bibles
Pastor
Receive the Word of God. Learn its stories and study its words. Its stories belong to us all, and these words speak to us all. They tell us who we are. They tell us that we belong to one another, for we are the people of God.
Students
We receive these Bibles with our hands, our hearts, and our minds. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we will read with curiosity, listen with openness, and ask questions in trust. We want to grow with you in faith and knowledge.
Pastor
Let us pray together for the blessing of the Holy Spirit on these young people as they encounter the Word of God.
All
We rejoice in this step in your journey with God. We pray God will guide you, your family, and us as you use this Holy Bible in your home, in your church school classes, and in our worship. We will learn together and grow in our love for God’s Word. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION5
Let us pray.
Come, Holy Spirit, come. Open our hearts and minds and lives to your call through this holy word. Amen.
SCRIPTURE LESSON Acts 2:1-21
SCRIPTURE LESSON John 20:19-23
SERMON Rev. Kathryn R. Mustaro Spirit Drunk
We Respond
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord in your mercy/in thanksgiving,
Hear our prayer.
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power,
and the glory, forever. Amen.
OUR GIFTS OF SACRIFICE and THANKSGIVING Invitation
Pentecost people! We have received gifts too numerous to count. Now we have a chance to give in thanks and joy. Your offering will enable this church to be a Pentecost presence in this community and the world—to reach out in passionate commitment and bring the wind and fire of the Spirit to a people and a world so desperately in need.
Thank you for sending your offerings.
They make a great difference to our church’s work in the world.
Musical Meditation
Prayer of Dedication
For all you have given, for all we have received, we give you thanks, benevolent God. We bring before you our gifts of substance and the gift of our lives. We bring our passion and joy and surprise, our visions and dreams. May they refresh and enliven our church and community, as the wind of your Spirit did long ago. Amen.
We Are Sent
LITANY OF COMMITMENT - Vital Congregations
Introduction The Rev. Molly Dykstra Lifelong Discipleship Formation is about daily life. It’s about how we claim and proclaim our identity as followers of Christ. It’s about how we practice our faith; how we grow in faith, cherish faith, and share faith in the world.
Beyond mere words, how do people know we are disciples of Jesus Christ? No matter the age, it’s about daily seeking and living in relationship with the living God. We are called to be
righteous, to seek justice, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with God.
Thus, Lifelong Discipleship Formation is about how we live into that right relationship with God, with all God’s people, and all of creation. It’s about growing in the community of God’s grace, the
church, and interpreting faith in our everyday life; confronting brokenness and sinfulness when we fall short of the glory of God and shining a bold light of Christ for all to see.
Lifelong Discipleship Formation requires an awakened and engaged commitment to God, and to all people whom Christ loves. It is about the call to daily take up our cross and follow Christ.
Pastor (to the congregation)
Trusting in the gracious mercy of God, do you renounce the power of death and trust in the Lord of life?
We do.
Who is your Lord and Savior?
Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.
Lighting candles for each of the seven marks:
Will you seek to grow in the image of Christ through lifelong discipleship formation?
We will, with God’s help.
Will you share the hope that is within you through intentional authentic evangelism?
We will, with God’s help.
Will you offer the grace of God to others with an outward incarnational focus?
We will, with God’s help.
Will you love and serve one another through empowering servant leadership?
We will, with God’s help.
Will you proclaim the good news of salvation through Spirit-filled
worship?
We will, with God’s help.
Will you extend God’s compassion to all through caring relationships?
We will, with God’s help.
Will you work to build up the body of Christ in its ecclesial health? We will, with God’s help.
Almighty and eternal God, by your grace you have called us to this time and place to be your servant people as we follow our servant Lord. Make your Holy Spirit move within and among us, that together we may live a new life in the crucified and risen Christ. Bind us together in faith, so that as we receive all spiritual gifts needed to fulfill our calling, we may support one another in common ministry; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
CLOSING HYMN Spirit of God Sung to No. 436 Carolyn Winfrey Gillette Used with permission (You are invited to hum or meditate on verses 1 & 5 below.)
Spirit of God, you moved over the waters
whisp'ring God's love to the whole of creation.
You breathe your life into God's sons and daughters, giving us talents and your inspiration.
Help us to see you, still calling and caring.
Help us to know you among us, creating.
Spirit of God, give us courage and daring —
to share God's love with a world that is waiting.
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
BENEDICTION
With rushing wind and holy fire,
go forth in the power of the living God.
We go forth as God’s children.
With tongues of flame and hope rekindled,
go forth in the power of the eternal Christ.
We go forth as heirs with Christ.
With visions birthed and dreams restored,
go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit.
We go forth as new creations in God’s Spirit. With spacious grace and depth untold,
go forth, Spirit-filled people, to make disciples.
The Lord is with you always.
Amen.
POSTLUDE
All songs not in the public domain are used by permission of CCLI #1124594.
For references and songs please see the bulletin here