Prelude Voluntary on Down Ampney Mark Sedio
Welcome And Opening Prayer
A Litany For Coming Together Again
Gracious God, we have been in the wilderness – so far from what felt like home, so far from what felt familiar
Yet, in your steadfast love you have kept us connected to one another and to you.
We have each felt loss and grief, pain and uncertainty in this sojourn
Yet, today you have shown us a light of hope.
We celebrate the joy of worshipping together again, of seeing cherished faces, of hearing voices unfiltered by technology
Yet, each of us have walked a different path these many days. Some have scarcely left home and find their joy tempered by anxiety and fear. Others have moved freely for months and already learned the dance of embracing at a distance, of welcoming at arm’s length.
Help us to see and hear each other’s needs – to join together in ways that keep us all safe and sound.
Grant as grace and patience with ourselves and with one another. Merciful God, give us the strength and the courage to make it through the final steps of this wilderness wandering with faith and hope and trust in you. Amen
Hymn Gracious Spirit
Gracious Spirit, heed our pleading;
fashion us all anew.
It’s your leading that we’re needing;
help us to follow you.
Come, come, come Holy Spirit, come.
Come, come, come Holy Spirit, come.
Come to teach us; come to nourish
those who believe in Christ.
Bless the faithful; may they flourish,
strengthened by grace unpriced.
Come, come, come Holy Spirit, come.
Come, come, come Holy Spirit, come.
Guide our thinking and our speaking
done in your holy name.
Motivate all in their seeking,
freeing from guilt and shame.
Come, come, come Holy Spirit, come.
Come, come, come Holy Spirit, come.
Not mere knowledge, but discernment,
nor rootless liberty;
turn disquiet to contentment,
doubt into certainty.
Come, come, come Holy Spirit, come.
Come, come, come Holy Spirit, come.
Keep us fervent in our witness;
unswayed by earth’s allure.
Ever grant us zealous fitness,
which you alone assure.
Come, come, come Holy Spirit, come.
Come, come, come Holy Spirit, come.
Confession of Sin/Assurance of Pardon
Holy and Merciful God,
we do not know how to pray as we ought,
and we know too well our constant failures
to do as you have commanded
and to hold fast to your word.
Forgive us for the divisions we nurture,
guide us to your way,
keep us in your care, and
lead us into faith.
We trust your word that the Spirit of truth
will show us all things
and grant us courage and peace. (Silent confession)
Gloria Patri
Prayer for Illumination
Holy Spirit, come again.
As long ago you inspired, astonished, and confused the people,
come to us now to
fill our ears with the sound of your breath,
fill our eyes with the brilliance of your presence in each other,
fill our hearts with your good Word. Amen.
Scripture Reading 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.’
Reflection “Build Your Kingdom Here” Nick Wallwork
Song Build Your Kingdom Here
Affirmation of Faith 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.
Moment for Mission Camp Johnsonburg
Offertory Liz Moulthrop, violin
Doxology Lasst uns erfreuen
Praise God from whom all blessings flow; Praise him, all creatures here below;
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Praise him above, ye heavenly host; Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia, Alleluia.
Pastoral Prayer/The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Song Light House
Benediction
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