June 9, 2019
Pentecost
Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving
Call to Worship (from Acts 2:1-21)
One: Gathered in one place, we lift our voices and cry out
Many: Come, Holy Spirit! ec
One: God eagerly pours out the Spirit on all who seek God’s presence.
Many: Come, Holy Spirit!
One: With wind and flame, with power and might, may God’s Spirit fill us!
Many: Come, Holy Spirit!
Opening Prayer
God of power and might,
On Pentecost, your Spirit blew like the wind,
bringing comprehension to all who heard the Good News,
each in their own language.
Your Spirit spread like fire,
bringing energy to all who bear witness to your love.
Your Spirit inhabited new believers like the breath of life,
bringing wide-eyed joy to those who spoke and those who heard.
So today we pray for your Spirit to blow, energize and inhabit each of us,
transforming us in Pentecost power! Come, Spirit, come! AMEN
Moment for Stewardship (from Psalm 104)
The Psalmist writes poetically of Creator God,
who fills the sea with creatures, looking to God to give them food.
Today, identifying ourselves with those created by God, we know we are filled with good things.
We give thanks for new life, new energy, new passion which come through God’s Spirit.
Let the wind blow! (flip on floor fans to blow red/orange/yellow crepe paper streamers)
the flames leap!(light red candles, or have images of flames on your screen)
the breath within us rise! (release several helium balloons on long strings)
In gratitude, let’s respond to the One who gives us life, itself.
Joyfully, join me as we make our offering and share our gifts.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Gift-giving God,
From the rising of the sun to its setting,
we see you at work and are filled with thanksgiving.
Your breath gives us life. Your Spirit gives us enthusiasm.
Your hand guides and your desire for shalom inhabits the cosmos.
So we offer you these gifts as symbols of our very lives.
Receive them and receive us.
Put all of this to work, sharing the Good News of your love for the world.
AMEN
Invitation to Communion
Pentecost marks the birthday of the church. We hear the story in the book of Acts, how the disciples were gathered in one place and the Spirit gave them language. Thousands heard, each in their own tongue. And thousands became millions, over 2000 years.
We may not have the ability to speak clearly in Portuguese, Spanish or Bemba. We may not even be clearly understood when we speak English (!), but at this table we continue to comprehend Jesus’ love as we share this loaf of bread and cup of juice. These symbols speak clearly of abundant love poured out from Jesus.
The Gospels tell of his preaching, teaching, healing and praying. Yet in an upper room, his actions showed his willingness to give up life, itself, in order to provide a Way to abundant and eternal life for all.
So let these signs of life speak clearly to one and to all: we are each part of the body of Christ!
Let’s gather here, in Jesus’ name.
(Use “We Gather Here” as communion hymn)