CCLI license #1913561
Sunday, May 31, 2020, PENTECOST SUNDAY
OPENING WORDS (from Psalms 31 & 55 NRS)
Love the LORD, all you his saints. Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the LORD. Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you!
PRAYER FOR THE DAY
Holy God, like a rushing wind your Spirit moved upon the first disciples on the day of Pentecost, and like a purifying fire your Spirit seared their hearts and minds with the message of salvation. Send your Spirit upon your church in this time and place, stir up our courage, and rouse us for prophetic witness, that we may join with them to proclaim to the world your mighty deeds of power, in Jesus Christ. Amen.
MUSIC OFFERING FREEDOM REIGNS by Jason Upton
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Jesus reigns in this place.
Showers of mercy and grace.
Falling on every face.
There is freedom.
Jesus reigns in this place.
Showers of mercy and grace.
Falling on every face.
There is freedom.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
Jesus reigns in this place.
Showers of mercy and grace.
Falling on every face.
There is freedom.
Jesus reigns in this place.
Showers of mercy and grace.
Falling on every face.
There is freedom.
Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Almighty God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, speak to us in the language of our hearts, that we may hear your Word with understanding and answer your call with confidence. Amen.
Pentecost Scripture Acts 2:1-21 NRS
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."
Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 'In the last days it will be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. 1Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy. And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and smoky mist.The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'
LISTEN TO THE WORD FOR THE DAY: “ "The Spirit of God Empowers Us to Live into an Unknown Future." ”
HYMN We Grieve in Isolation*
Tune: LLANGLOFFAN 7.6.7.6 D ("Lead On, O King Eternal")
We grieve in
isolation, we weep from far away.
We wonder at the suffering we hear about this day.
An enemy comes near us like none we've ever known.
O God, we trust you love us, yet we feel so alone.
O Christ, this world
is changing and we are changing, too.
We cry out with a longing that you will make us new.
We see the ways the nations have tried to live before
and offer our confession: it won't work anymore.
Can life rise from
these ashes? Can hope rise from our fear?
O Spirit, work among us, that we may change things here.
May we be dead to sinning — to all that would destroy.
Bring in your new creation; give life and health and joy.
May we seek love and kindness that build
community.
May we seek truth and justice that heal society.
We grieve in isolation; we cry, O Lord, to you.
O God of our salvation, we pray you'll make us new.
A Time of Prayer and Reflection ( "After each petition in the following prayer there is a 15 second pause to allow you time for reflection." )
On this Pentecost Sunday when we, and others all around the world, are struggling with the COVID-19 pandemic and trying to learn how to live with this new reality, I invite you to enter into a time of prayer and reflection following each petition.
“Prayer is never the last resort of God’s people. It is our first point of action…We believe there is a God who bends his ear to listen, and so we pray…*”
Come, Holy Spirit, come, and fill us with power for living in these strange and dangerous times. Hear our prayers:
For the sick and infected:
God, heal and help. Sustain bodies and spirits. Contain the spread of infection.
For our most vulnerable populations, including people of color and the elderly:
God, protect our elderly and those suffering from chronic disease. Provide for the poor, especially the uninsured.
For those with mental health challenges and the homeless who feel isolated, anxious, and helpless: God, provide them every necessary support.
For frontline health care workers, we thank you for their vocational call to serve us. We also pray:
God, keep them safe and healthy. Keep their families safe and healthy.
God, help them to be knowledgeable about the diagnosis and treatment of
this disease, as well as the changing protocols.
God, help them to stay clear-minded in the midst of the surrounding panic.
God, deliver them from anxiety for their own loved ones (aging parents,
children, spouses, roommates).
God, give them compassion for every patient in their care.
God, provide for them financially, especially if they fall ill and are unable to
work.
God, help Christians in health care to exhibit extraordinary peace, so that
many would ask about the reason for their hope. Give them
opportunities to proclaim the gospel.
For all those who feel invulnerable to this disease:
God, give them wisdom to follow the necessary cautions to keep them from falling ill or unwittingly spreading this disease. Inspire them to help.
For our scientific community, leading the charge to understand the disease and communicate its gravity, and for those researching vaccines and medicines to treat the virus: God, give them knowledge, wisdom, and a persuasive voice.
For workers in a variety of industries facing layoffs and financial hardship:
God, keep them from panic, and inspire all of us to generously support them.
For all who are struggling to conduct their churches, businesses, educational opportunities (both teachers and learners) in new ways through digital technologies; and for those who are putting together the means to do large gatherings through digital technologies, national conventions, etc; and for those who will participate in these new ways to ‘assemble’: God, give them patience, ease their frustrations, enable them to participate fully, and strengthen their learning that as time goes on we may all become more fluent in how to use these technologies to enhance our lives and the lives of others.
For those who will participate in the first virtual General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in history:
God, enable those ‘attending’ to hear You through the digital airwaves and be guided by your wisdom and strengthened by your power for the difficult work ahead.
For our local, state, and federal governments: God, help our elected officials as they allocate the necessary resources for combatting this pandemic. Help them to provide more tests and follow appropriate safety guidance and procedures.
For the media, committed to providing up-to-date information: God, help them to
communicate with appropriate seriousness without causing panic.
For consumers of media, looking to be well-informed: God, help us find the most helpful local information to equip us to be good neighbors. Keep us from anxiety and panic, and enable us to implement the recommended strategies, even at a cost to ourselves.
For international travelers stuck in foreign countries and for crews of cruise ships
who cannot leave their ships because their home countries have closed their borders because of the pandemic: God, help them return home safely and quickly.
For Christian missionaries throughout the world, especially in areas with high rates of infection: God, provide them with words of hope, and equip them to love and serve those around them.
For families with young children at home for the foreseeable future: God, help parents to partner together creatively for the care and flourishing of their children. For single mothers and fathers, grow their networks of support.
For parents who cannot stay home from work but must find care for their children: God, present them with creative child-care solutions.
For business leaders making difficult decisions that affect the lives of their employees: God, give these women and men wisdom, and help them to lead self-sacrificially.
For college and university students, whose courses of study are changing, whose placements are canceled, whose graduation is uncertain: God, show them that while life is uncertain, their trust is in you.
For Christians in every neighborhood, community, and city: May your Holy Spirit inspire us to pray, to give, to love, to serve, and to proclaim the gospel, that the name of Jesus Christ might be glorified around the world. God, we trust that you are good and do good. Teach us to be your faithful people in this time of global crisis. Guide us with creative ideas about how to BE the church, helping our neighbors in need during . Help us to follow in the footsteps of our faithful shepherd, Jesus, who laid down his life for the sake of love. AMEN**
Benediction Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. NRS Philippians 4:6
MUSIC OFFERING Every Time I Feel The Spirit-Traditional Negro Spiritual
Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.
Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.
Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.
Upon the mountain when my Lord spokeOut of His mouth came fire and smoke.I looked around me. It looked so fine.And I asked my Lord if all was mine.
Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.
Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.
Yes every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.
The Jordan River is chilly and cold.It chills the body, not the soul.There ain't but one train upon this track.It runs to heaven and then right back.
Every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.
Yes every time I feel the spirit moving in my heart, I will pray.I will pray. I will pray. I will pray
During these days it is good for us to remember the gifts God has given us:
talents and abilities to be used for personal satisfaction and the common good, parents, teachers, and mentors who have taught us, and experiences that have shaped us. Take a moment to reflect on those things for which you are thankful. Let us give thanks and seek ways of giving back.
QUESTION FOR REFLECTION
Robert Hammock***, writing a blog for Next Church writes:” I think of the disciples and followers gathered in those pre-Pentecost days with a budding sense of the life-altering importance of the resurrection. What did they wonder, experience, fear, and hope in that ‘not yet’ place? What do we wonder, experience, fear and hope in our ‘not yet’ place?”
During the coming days consider your own spiritual experiences that energize you, give you hope, remind you who you are and whose you are?
*Tune: Traditional
Welsh melody, from Daniel Evans' Hymnau a Thonau (Hymns and
Tunes), 1865 ("Lead On, O King Eternal"; "Rejoice, Rejoice,
Believers") (MIDI)
Text: Copyright © 2020 by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette. All rights reserved.
Email: carolynshymns@gmail.com New Hymns: www.carolynshymns.com/
*some of these petitions are from a blog by Jen Pollock Michel, author of Teach Us to Want, Keeping Place, and Surprised by Paradox.
***Robert Hammock is a Ruling Elder at Caldwell Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC.
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