The Celebration of the Gospel
May 15,2016 —Pentecost Sunday
They were filled with the Holy Spirit
and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
— Acts 2.4
_______We Gather as the Body of Christ_______
GREETING
PRELUDE Spirit Song John Wimber, arr: Mark Hayes
[As we listen to the music we quiet our minds and bodies,
listen for our hearts’ deepest desires,
and become present to the Holy One who is lovingly present for us.]
* CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Holy Spirit, you breathed over the waters and brought forth Creation.
All: You create us anew each day, each breath.
Holy Spirit, you live and move in all of us.
You make us one, your living body
Holy Spirit, you enflame us with your love.
We are the love song you sing to the world. Alleluia!
* SONG Sweet, Sweet Spirit Blue hymnal #334
(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME
___________We Attend to the Word___________
(10:30) THE WORD IN SONG Every Time I Feel the Spirit arr. Earlene Rentz Turner
PRAYER OF THE DAY
God of Creation, in the beginning your Spirit breathed over the waters and you brought forth life. Re-create us by your Word. Baptize us in your grace. Bring us to new life, and kindle in us your love for all your people, in the name of Christ. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT Romans 8.14-17
[Paul says that we are God’s children and God’s Spirit is in us. ]
The Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you. And the One who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your mortal bodies also through God’s Spirit that dwells in you.
So then, sisters and brothers, we are not defined by our flesh — to live as if we are merely self-contained bodies — for if you live according to the flesh, you will die. But if by the Spirit you put to death the desire simply to preserve your body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with Christ so that we may also be glorified with Christ.
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GOSPEL Acts 2.1-21
[On Pentecost (a Jewish harvest festival), the Holy Spirit enables the disciples to convey God’s love to foreigners in those people’s various languages. Peter explains this event to the crowd, and quotes the prophet Joel, who says God’s Spirit will be poured out on all people: men and women, old and young, rich and poor.]
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?” There were 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. They said, “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: “People of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. These people 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 shall see visions,
and your old 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.”
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SERMON
SONG I’m Goin’ a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing Blue hymnal # 333
________________The Sacrament of Baptism__________
Introduction
Pastor: Sisters and brothers in Christ:
through the sacrament of baptism
God gives us new birth through water and the Spirit,
brings us into Christ’s holy church,
and makes us part of the salvation of the world.
So we come to the water—
Yes, everyone who thirsts! Come to the waters:
water of new birth, poured out and flowing freely
for all who will receive it;
water of justice rolling down,
water of righteousness like an everflowing stream;
a spring of water in us gushing up to eternal life;
the river of God for the healing of the world.
We come to this water
because our souls thirst for you, O God,
as in a dry and weary land.
Sponsor: We come to this water
to baptize Elias
and to bathe him in your love for him.
Pastor: We come to this water as a community.
All: We come to this water
to renew our love as siblings, children of God,
and to renew our baptism
in the death and resurrection of Christ
Profession of Faith
Pastor: As we behold the mystery of God’s grace
and surround you as the Body of Christ,
we celebrate your faith and hope in God.
Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness?
Parents: We confess our need for the saving, life-giving grace of God.
Will you turn away from the powers of sin and death?
We renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world,
and repent of our sin.
Will you let the Spirit use you as prophets to the powers that be?
We accept the freedom and power God gives us
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves.
Will you proclaim the good news
and live as disciples of Jesus Christ, Christ’s body on earth?
We confess Jesus Christ as our Savior,
put our whole trust in Christ’s grace,
and promise to serve Christ as our Lord,
in union with the church which Christ has opened
to people of all ages, nations, and races.
Will you nurture Elias in Christ’s holy church?
By teaching and example we will guide him
to accept God’s grace, to grow in faith, and to lead a Christian life.
The Vows of the People
Will you, the Body of Christ, be living witnesses to the gospel,
individually and together, wherever you are, and in all that you do?
All: We will remain faithful members of Christ’s holy church
and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world.
Will you nurture one another in living the faith through the church
and include Elias in your care?
With God’s help we will embody the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We will surround him with faith, hope and love
that he may grow in grace and faith
and learn to trust God and live in loving service in the world.
We will pray for him and walk with him
on his journey of discipleship among us.
Do you trust in God the Father and Mother?
I live in God, eternal, loving Parent,
Creator of heaven and earth.
Do you follow Jesus Christ?
I live in Jesus Christ, God’s only Begotten, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
On the third day Christ rose again,
ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of God,
and will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you live by the Holy Spirit?
I live in the Holy Spirit,
the holy universal Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.
Thanksgiving over the Water
The Spirit of the Lord is among us.
The blessing of the Lord is upon us!
Let us pray. Almighty, gentle God, we give you thanks,
for in the beginning your Spirit brooded over the waters
and you brought forth Creation.
You brought us to freedom through the waters of the Red Sea.
You gave us new birth through baptism into Christ,
and gave us life that cannot die.
The river of God is full of water,
the river of the water of life,
bright as crystal, flowing from the heart of God.
We who are baptized into Christ Jesus
are baptized into his life,
born in the water of a womb;
we are baptized into his ministry,
giving water to the thirsty,
washing the feet and sharing the tears of all who suffer;
and we are baptized into his death,
so that just as Christ was raised by the glory of God,
we too might walk in newness of life.
Born of water and the Spirit,
may we enter into the Realm of God
as children of God,
born not of human will, but of God.
Pour out your Holy Spirit in this water
and bless him who receives it,
that claimed by your Word, nourished in your grace,
washed from all sin and borne by your Spirit,
he may live in freedom, trust and courage,
sharing in the eternal life of Christ.
Elias, you are God’s Beloved,
in whom God is well pleased.
All reverence and delight is yours,
infinite and loving God, now and forever.
All praise to you, Eternal Father and Mother,
Son and Holy Spirit,
in the present moment and in eternity. Amen!
… Baptism …
Let us welcome our new brother in Christ.
Elias, Child of God, claimed by water and the Spirit,
you are joined to God’s new creation.
We are one in Christ Jesus,
sharing in Christ’s royal priesthood.
With joy and thanksgiving
we welcome you as a member of Christ’s church.
God bless you now and in eternal life. Amen.
SONG This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now Blue hymnal #608
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer concern at the microphone.]
RESPONSE: This is my prayer. All: This is our prayer.
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
PASSING THE PEACE
______We Are Sent in Ministry to the World_____
OFFERING OUR GIFTS Higher Ground Charles Gabriel, arr: Joseph Prentiss
* OFFERING SONG Spirit of God Black hymnal #2117
* PRAYER
Gracious God, we give you these gifts as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. Baptize us in the flames of your love. Give us new ways to speak the language of love. Fill us with your Spirit, guide us by your love, and send us with your open arms, for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE We stand and sing to our neighbors:
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE Gavotte —G. F. Handel, arr: Joseph Prentiss