The Gathering
Tolling of the Hour
Welcome and Announcements ** Indicates, please stand.
Whether we are old or young, whether we are first-time or longtime worshipers, whether we come full of doubts or confidence, joy or sorrow, in this place we are all family, because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. Welcome to all of you today!
Prelude
Prayer of Invocation
God of life, as we prepare for worship today, help us not to take lightly the highly charged message we proclaim. Help us sense the power, beauty, and mission of your Spirit. Through Christ, our Lord, Amen.
**Responsive Call to Worship Please stand in body or spirit as you are able.
Spirit of the living God, visit us again on this day of Pentecost.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Like a rushing wind that sweeps away all barriers,
come, Holy Spirit.
Like tongues of fire that set our hearts aflame,
come, Holy Spirit.
With speech that unites the Babel of our tongues,
come, Holy Spirit.
With love that overlaps the boundaries of race and nation,
come, Holy Spirit.
With power from above to make our weakness strong,
come, Holy Spirit. Amen.
**Opening Hymn For the Beauty of the Earth #473
Call to Confession and Silent Prayer
The Spirit of the Lord fills the world and knows our every word and deed. Let us then open ourselves to the Lord and in silence confess our sins in penitence and faith.
Unison Prayer of Confession
Generous God, you send us the Spirit of courage, but we have been afraid. You send us the Spirit of truth, but we cling to our illusions. You send us the Spirit of healing, but we cannot let go of our hurts. Holy Spirit of forgiveness, come to us again: shake our hearts, set our souls on fire with your love: send us out into the world rejoicing in your power. We hold out to you all our particular burdens of guilt and sin, and we ask for your help to live the way of your justice and love. Amen.
Assurance of Pardon
The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting. I declare to you, in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. May the God of mercy, who forgives you all your sins, strengthen you in all goodness and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
** Passing the Peace
The Peace of Christ be with you…
And also with you.
**Gloria Patri #579
Hearing the Word
Prayer of Illumination
Lord of heaven and earth, pour out on us the abundant gifts of your Holy Spirit. May the work begun by the Spirit on the day of Pentecost continue in us as we hear your Word and do your will. Amen.
Scripture
Old Testament Reading Psalm 104:30-35
Instrumental Anthem
New Testament Reading Acts 2:1-21
Sermon A Pentecost Moment Rev. Morris
Prayers of the People and The Lord’s Prayer
...using the prayer Your Son taught us to pray, Our Father...
**Hymn Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us #129
**Affirmation of Faith
Christ elects the church to proclaim the Word and celebrate the sacraments, to worship God’s name, and to live as true disciples. He creates this community to be a place of prayer, to provide rest for the weary, and to lead people to share in service. The Spirit calls all believers in Jesus to respond in worship together, to accept all the gifts from the Spirit, to learn from each other’s traditions, to make unity visible on earth. Here Christ is present in his world proclaiming salvation until he comes, a symbol of hope for a troubled age.
Invitation to Offering
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship the LORD in holy splendor; tremble before him, all the earth. Let us be faithful stewards of our time, our talents, and our money. so that our treasure is in heaven and our giving pleases God.
Offertory
**Doxology #592
**Unison Prayer of Dedication
God of wind, word, and fire, we bless your name this day for sending the light and strength of your Holy Spirit. We give you thanks for all the gifts, great and small, that have been poured out upon your children. Accept us with our gifts to be living praise and witness to your love throughout all the earth, through Jesus Christ, who lives with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever. Amen.
We Go Out to Serve
**Hymn Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart #326
**Charge and Blessing
Go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
The blessing of Almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, be with you this day and for ever.
Amen! Alleluia!
Postlude