Grace Presbyterian Church and Union Congregational Church
Serving people, through Christ, to meet the spiritual, physical, and emotional needs of the community and the world around us.
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude “Larghetto” Willem De Fesch arr. S. Drummond Wolff
Responsive Call to Worship
One: Earth has many languages,
All: but the love of God can be universally understood.
One: We are called to be messengers of that love in communion with the Living God.
All: Today we celebrate the gift of Spirit!
One: With all our voices and yet with one voice,
All: Let us worship God!
Hymn 324 * “Open My Eyes That I May See”
Opening Prayer
Prayer for Illumination 322 (sung) “Spirit of the Living God”
Scripture Lesson (Unison) Acts 2:1-21
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.” But 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. Even 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.’
Time with Children
Song “Jesus Loves Me”
Unison Prayer of Confession followed by Personal Silent Confession
God who created the universe and each one of us to be unique, we are amazed at the variety in nature and yet seek uniformity in each other. You have created some of us to lead with our intellect and others to speak from the heart; some love to dance and sing, others are tone deaf and have no rhythm. We do not appreciate or celebrate the differences, and out of our insecurity, we judge, what’s better, what’s worse, who is better, and who is worse. Forgive us and change us. Help us to see with your eyes and with your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray.
Assurance of Forgiveness
Gloria Patri
Passing of the Peace
Scripture Reading Ezekiel 37:1-14
Message The Language of God: A Pentecost Sermon The Rev. Robin Miller Currás
Hymn 319 * “Spirit”
Affirmation of Faith (in unison) The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Choir Anthem “Every Time I Feel the Spirit” arr. Ja William L. Dawson
Introduction to the Offering
Doxology Lasst Uns Erfreuen
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Celebration of Communion concluding with the Lord’s Prayer
Hymn 525 * “Here I Am, Lord”
Benediction
This morning’s liturgy was written by Teri McDowell Ott (for Presbyterian Outlook, provided for free distribution) and by Pastor Robin.
Mark your calendars:
Sunday, May 19, 5pm-7pm, Community Meal, St John’s Episcopal Church, 55 Montclair Avenue
Tuesday, May 21, 8:00 am, Men’s Fellowship Breakfast at St John’s Episcopal
Thursday, May 16, 10:00 am, Church Rebuilding Meeting
Daily Devotionals online Monday-Friday 9:00 AM. Check out www.gracemontclair.org for more information.
Food for the Little Pantry is always wanted and the supply is low right now. Non-perishables only please. Food may be dropped off at the Manse or placed in the basket as you enter or leave the chapel on Sunday.
Give online to Grace Church: https://gracemontclair.org/give