May 28, 2023

Worship Resources for
the Center for Faith and Giving

Pentecost Day

Acts 2:1-21 

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
 
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 

John 20:19-23


Call to Worship

One:  Pentecost JOY, when God pours out the Spirit on all flesh!
Many:  Our sons and our daughters shall prophesy.
One:  Some will see visions, and others, dream dreams.
Many:  In that day, all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved!
One:  Let the wind blow free, let God’s Spirit fill us all!
             

Opening Prayer 

Like a mighty wind bringing fresh air and new life,
fill us with your Spirit this day, ever-breathing God.
Renew in us a passion for you, for your all-encompassing love,
  and for the church in which we are gathered this morning.
Let us breathe in the power you offer.
Set us on fire to do the mighty works you’ve prepared for us,
 even as we’re energized in this time of worship.  AMEN

(if possible, respond to this prayer with Rend Collective’s song found here:
          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbdJXKqVgtg)

Moment for Stewardship                                       

Over many years, Christians have marked Pentecost Day as the birthday of the church.  Today, we’re celebrating this birthday with ________________
(describe what you’re doing:  birthday cake after worship?  Balloons?  A kitchen shower with gifts to help the kitchen be more usable?  Canned food for your food pantry?)
Because, of course, birthdays often mean presents!
You’re invited to share a birthday gift today, as part of our morning offering.  Will you give an extra dollar for each year you’ve been part of this congregation? 
How about a financial gift in thanksgiving for the number of years since this congregation began ministry? 
Perhaps you will give a penny, nickel, dime or dollar for each year since Jesus was born? ($20.23, $101.15, $202.30, $2023.00!)

Happy birthday to the church!  Thank you for sharing birthday gifts today.


Prayer of Thanksgiving

Holy God,
By your hand, creation came out of chaos.
Through your love, Jesus came to teach, heal and share Good News.
With your Spirit, we are empowered to share what we now offer,
  to build up your church, share Good News,
  and rejoice as new life emerges out of chaos.
So touch this offering and help it be used wisely and well,
  and breathe your Spirit into each one present today,
that together we act out your love for the world,  AMEN

Invitation to Communion 

We hear in Acts 2 of God’s Spirit came into the disciples like the rush of a mighty wind, and with tongues like fire.  The disciples were able to speak in every language of the people gathered, so communication could help ALL understand, no matter their nationality.

2000 years later, we pride ourselves on the variety of ways it’s possible for us to communicate with one another: 
          spoken, written, signed language,
          face-to-face, in public speaking, through the internet,
          Twitter, Face Time, texting, phone calls,
          television, newspaper, radio…

But when we only know our own language, or 2 or 3 languages,
with over 7000 languages in the world,
communication with symbols of bread and cup
means so many are able to participate in this Love Feast,
  even if we do not share a common verbal language!

So whether you know this as bread, or pan,
                                          brot or pain
                          (use whatever languages might be recognized,
                            or make a visual collage for your screen)
         
come share the gift of communion, blessed by the Spirit, for all to share.