Sunday Worship Service
May 23, 2021
We are RECEIVED as the Beloved of God
The actual worship service begins 15 minutes into the recordings.
SONG – Breathe on Me, Breath of God
WELCOME
OPENING PRAYER
This prayer from World Vision calls us to advocacy in support of our siblings in need of our voices.
Heavenly Father, you created us all in your image to be valued and loved. Give us courage not to close our eyes or hearts when we see injustice; allow us to use the voice you gave us to speak out. We pray that you create a lens, so that every life is seen as valuable – no matter where a person was born or lives, whether they are rich or poor, male, female or trans, the same as us or different. May everyone be treated with respect and dignity. For we know, the value we place on what the world calls the least of these is the value we place on you. Lord, please hear our prayer.
Amen
SONG – Spirit of God (Faith We Sing # 2117)
ADVOCACY – Promotion and Testimony
CHILDREN’S TIME
SONG – Breathe
We are TRANSFORMED by the Word of God
Acts 2:1-13
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others were jeering and saying, “They are full of sweet wine!”
Galatians 5:19-26
19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things! 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives. 26 Let us not become conceited, or provoke one another, or be jealous of one another.
GOOD NEWS – The Holy Spirit Empowers You
We are going to learn what the Bible says about the nature of the Holy Spirit and the evidences of Her/His power in our lives.
SONG – Sweet, Sweet Spirit (UM Hymnal # 334)
RESPONSE TO GOD’S GRACE (OFFERING)
Pastor: God wants our love more than God wants our offerings; God cares about our hearts not the amounts of our offerings. (Hosea 6:6).
All: As we count all the blessings God has already given to us, we cheerfully give our offerings to God, the Provider, with grateful hearts. Amen! (2 Corinthians 9:7).
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
PRAYER FOR JUSTICE
Pastor: Lord God, because Jesus has taught us to trust you in all things, we hold to his word and share his plea:
People: Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Pastor: Where nations budget for war while Christ says, “Put [away] your sword”:
People: Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Pastor: Where countries waste food and covet fashion while Christ says, “I was hungry . . . I was thirsty . . .”:
People: Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Pastor: Where powerful governments claim their policies are heaven blessed while Scripture states that God helps the powerless:
People: Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Pastor: Where Christians seek the kingdom in the shape of their own church as if Christ came to build and not to break barriers:
People: Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Pastor: Where our prayers falter, our faith weakens, our light grows dim:
People: Your kingdom come, your will be done.
Pastor: Where Jesus Christ calls us:
People: Your kingdom come, your will be done.
All: Lord God, you have declared that your kingdom is among us. Open our ears to hear it, our hands to serve it, our hearts to hold it. This we pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SHARING THE PEACE OF CHRIST
We are SENT in the Power of God
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BLESSING AND SENDING
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you, my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
CLOSING SONG – Every Time I Feel the Spirit (Piano/bells)