8:15 Service (See 10:30 below for Baptism & Confirmation)
The Celebration of the Gospel
June 9, 2019 — Pentecost Sunday
In the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.
—1 Corinthians 12.13
______________ We Gather as the Body of Christ______________
GREETING
PRELUDE – Pastorale – Robert J. Powell
[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: God, in the beginning, your Spirit brooded over the water and you created everything.
All: By your Spirit, you create us anew, and we praise you.
Loving Christ, in the power of God’s Spirit you come to us and heal us and bless us.
By your Spirit, you raise us up from death, and we thank you.
Holy Spirit, you breathe your love into us and give us your beauty and your courage.
In your Spirit, you make us one body, the Body of Love.
In your Spirit, we bear your love to the world.
We love you; we worship you; we serve you. Alleluia!
SONG – Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song – Blue hymnal # 544
____________We Attend to the Word__________
PRAYER
God of our living breath, you poured out your Spirit on Jesus’ followers long ago, and created the church. Pour out your Spirit on us now and make us once again the Body of Christ, breathing your love, on fire with your courage, carried on the winds of your joy. Speak your Word to us, and set our heart aflame with your love. Amen.
GOSPEL – John 15-17, 23, 25-27
[Jesus says he is in God, and God in him. He promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, which will be in us.]
Jesus said: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask God, who will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees her nor knows her. You know her because she abides with you, and she will be in you.
“Those who love me will keep my word, and God will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. On that day you will know that I am in God, and you in me, and I in you.
”I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”
+
EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians 12.7-13
[Paul says the Spirit moves in each of us differently, with different gifts, but there are not separate spirits: there is one Holy Spirit, and it is in us all, and in it we are one body.]
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
+
NEW TESTAMENT – Acts 2.1-21
[On Pentecost (a Jewish festival), the Spirit enables the disciples to tell of God’s mighty deeds to people in many different languages. In explaining the event to the crowd, Peter quotes the prophet, Joel, that God’s Spirit will be poured out on all people: men and women, old and young, rich and poor. Now the disciples aren’t only following Jesus; they’re given a mission. The coming of the Holy Spirit gives birth to the church.]
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, 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 just made fun of them: “They are just full of 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.”
+
SERMON – One spirit, one body
SONG Veni, Sancte Spiritus
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer at the microphone.].
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
__________We Share at Christ’s Table __________
OFFERING OUR GIFTS – Come, Holy Spirit – Tune: ST. AGNES, arr: Lani Smith
* COMMUNION SONG
Spirit of the living God, here we raise our gifts,
gifts that you have placed in us by your power that lifts.
Take us, bless us, break us, give us.
Vessels of your Spirit, God, use us for your will.
Spirit of the living God, fill us with your grace
Breathe in us, and send us to all the human race
: loving, healing, freeing, raising,
as your body, in your power, serving by your grace.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Beloved, God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Faithful One, our God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.
God, we thank you and praise you.
When we are hungry we come to the table,
the table you have set, providing for us with the gifts of the earth.
When we are lonely we come home to where we belong and are loved.
When we are lost we seek your guidance and you lead us.
So we come now to your table because you have invited us,
invited us to be one family, one with all who follow Jesus around the world.
Jesus taught and healed, he fed and forgave.
He gathered a community who would love each other and the world,
who would feed each other and help each other grow in faith,
who would embody his love and carry it to the whole world.
Because he acted for justice he was crucified,
but you raised him from the dead,
and now we are part of his risen Body.
[The Blessing and Covenant…]
As Jesus offers himself to us here,
we offer ourselves as a gift to you.
In this meal we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
all of us baptized into his death and resurrection, baptized into his body,
joined with one another in bearing your love to the world.
By the gift of your Holy Spirit in us may we be your bread for the world,
your flame of love, your light of grace, your wind of healing,
Amen.
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.
SHARING THE HOLY MEAL [Everyone is welcome at the table of Christ’s self-giving love.
The bread is wheat-, soy- and dairy free. We dip the bread in the juice.]
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. In your Spirit, you make us one. Send us now, with our hearts set afire by your Spirit, to spread your love in this world. Amen.
___________ We Are Sent in Ministry to the World___________
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG – Spirit of God – Black hymnal #2117
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE Please stand and sing to your 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 — Heavenly Sunlight – George Harrison Cook, arr: Mark Hayes
______________________________________________________________________
10:30 service – Baptism, Confirmation
The Celebration of the Gospel
June 9 , 2019 — Pentecost Sunday
In the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.
—1 Corinthians 12.13
_______ We Gather as the Body of Christ_______
GREETING
PRELUDE – Pastorale – Robert J. Powell
[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: God, in the beginning, your Spirit brooded over the water and you created everything.
All: By your Spirit, you create us anew, and we praise you.
Loving Christ, in the power of God’s Spirit you come to us and heal us and bless us.
By your Spirit, you raise us up from death, and we thank you.
Holy Spirit, you breathe your love into us and give us your beauty and your courage.
In your Spirit, you make us one body, the Body of Love.
In your Spirit, we bear your love to the world.
We love you; we worship you; we serve you. Alleluia!
* SONG – God of Grace and God of Glory – Blue hymnal # 577, v. 1-2
____________ We Attend to the Word__________
CHILDREN’S TIME
Recognizing our Sunday School teachers and students
THE WORD IN SONG – Every Time I Feel the Spirit – arr. Moses Hogan
PRAYER
God of our living breath, you poured out your Spirit on Jesus’ followers long ago and created the church. Pour out your Spirit on us now and make us once again the Body of Christ, breathing your love, on fire with your courage, carried on the winds of your joy. Speak your Word to us, and set our heart aflame with your love. Amen.
GOSPEL – John 15-17, 23, 25-27
[Jesus says he is in God, and God in him. He promises the coming of the Holy Spirit, which will be in us.]
Jesus said: “If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask God, who will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees her nor knows her. You know her because she abides with you, and she will be in you.
“Those who love me will keep my word, and God will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. On that day you will know that I am in God, and you in me, and I in you.
”I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.”
+
EPISTLE – 1 Corinthians 12.7-13
[Paul says the Spirit moves in each of us differently, with different gifts, but there are not separate spirits: there is one Holy Spirit, and it is in us all, and in it, we are one body.]
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
+
NEW TESTAMENT – Acts 2.1-21
[On Pentecost (a Jewish festival), the Spirit enables the disciples to tell of God’s mighty deeds to people in many different languages. In explaining the event to the crowd, Peter quotes the prophet, Joel, that God’s Spirit will be poured out on all people: men and women, old and young, rich and poor. Now the disciples aren’t only following Jesus; they’re given a mission. The coming of the Holy Spirit gives birth to the church.]
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, 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 just made fun of them: “They are just full of 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.”
+
SERMON – One Spirit, one body
SONG – Freely, Freely – Blue hymnal # 389
____________THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM____________
Introduction
Pastor: Beloved 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 Joe 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 in Christ,
and to renew our baptism
in the death and resurrection of Christ.
The Baptismal Vows …
Congregational Affirmation
Do you, as Christ’s Body, the church, reaffirm your rejection of sin
and your commitment to Christ?
Congregation: We do.
Will you be living witnesses to the gospel,
individually and together, wherever you are, and in all that you do?
By the grace of God’s Spirit at work in us
we will live as faithful members of the Body of Christ
and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world.
Will you nurture one another in living the faith through the church
and include Joe in your care?
With God’s help we will embody the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We will surround Joe 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.
Profession of Faith (The Apostles’ Creed)
Let us join in professing our faith.
Do you trust in God the Father and Mother?
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you follow Jesus Christ?
I believe 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 he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
Do you live by the Holy Spirit?
I believe 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 God is among us.
The blessing of the Beloved is upon us!
Let us pray. Loving, life-giving 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.
Joe, 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 with Laying on of Hands …
Let us welcome our new sibling in Christ.
Joe, 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.
CONFIRMATION
Members of the household of God, I commend these persons to your love and care.
Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope and perfect them in love.
We give thanks for all God has already given you
and we welcome you in Christian love.
As members together with you in the Body of Christ
and in this congregation of the United Methodist Church,
we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church
by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness,
that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
* SONG – Lord of the Dance – Black hymnal # 261
RECOGNIZING OUR GRADUATING SENIORS
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer at the microphone.]
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
__________We Share at Christ’s Table__________
OFFERING OUR GIFTS – Come, Holy Spirit – Tune: ST. AGNES, arr: Lani Smith
* COMMUNION SONG (Tune: Be Thou My Vision)
God, we are joined with the life of your Son,
filled with your Spirit and baptized as one.
Called to your table, we come, bearing gifts.
grateful to feast on the grace that uplifts.
Sharing this mystery, this love-offered food,
may we become now your Body, renewed.
Branches of one vine, your fruits we will bear,
going to all the world, your love to share.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Beloved, God is with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give thanks to the Holy One, our God.
It is good to give God thanks and praise.
God, we thank you and praise you.
When we are hungry we come to the table,
the table you have set, providing for us with the gifts of the earth.
When we are lonely we come home to where we belong and are loved.
When we are lost we seek your guidance and you lead us.
So we come now to your table, because you have invited us,
invited us to be one family, one with all who follow Jesus around the world.
Jesus taught and healed, he fed and forgave.
He gathered a community who would love each other and the world,
who would feed each other and help each other grow in faith,
who would embody his love and carry it to the whole world.
Because he acted for justice he was crucified,
but you raised him from the dead,
and now we are part of his risen Body.
[The Blessing and Covenant…]
As Jesus offers himself to us here,
we offer ourselves as a gift to you.
In this meal we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on these gifts of bread and cup,
that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Pour out your Holy Spirit on us,
that we may be for the world the Body of Christ,
all of us baptized into his death and resurrection, baptized into his body,
joined with one another in bearing your love to the world.
By the gift of your Holy Spirit in us may we be your bread for the world,
your flame of love, your light of grace, your wind of healing,
Amen.
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.
SHARING THE HOLY MEAL [Everyone is welcome at the table of Christ’s self-giving love.
The bread is wheat-, soy- and dairy free. We dip the bread in the juice.]
PRAYER OF BLESSING
Gracious God, we thank you for this mystery in which you have given yourself to us. In your Spirit you make us one. Send us now, with our hearts set afire by your Spirit, to spread your love in this world. Amen.
______ We Are Sent in Ministry to the World_____
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG – Spirit of God – Black hymnal #2117
* 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 – My Shepherd Will Supply My Need – Virgil Thomson