Pentecost
May 19th, 2024

Prelude
Almighty God (arr. David Leonard, Leslie Jordan, Sandra McCracken)

Almighty God to you all hearts are open
Search and know our thoughts and anxious fears
Wash us in the fountain of your mercy
Come with your light
We cannot hide from you

Almighty God to you all hearts are open
With gratitude we raise our song to you
Come and fill the praises of your people
In grace and truth
You make us new again

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Almighty God to you all hearts are open
We long for more than what this world provides
No shallow spring will ever satisfy us
Your river deep
Floods over everything

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

To you all hearts are open, Almighty God
To you all hearts are open, Almighty God
To you all hearts are open

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah


Call to Worship
The Lord be with you.
and also with you.

+In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.


Opening Sentences
from the Northumbria Community

One thing I have asked of the Lord,
this is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life;
to behold the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.

Who is it that you seek?
We seek the Lord our God.

Do you seek God with all your heart?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Do you seek God with all your soul?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Do you seek God with all your mind?
Amen. Lord, have mercy.

Do you seek God with all your strength?
Amen. Christ, have mercy.


Song of Praise
As the Wind Song (Shirley Erena Murray, Swee Hong Lim)

As the wind song through the trees,
as the stirring of the breeze,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
as the heart made strangely warm,
as the voice within the storm,
so it is with the Spirit of God.

Never seen, ever known
where this wind has blown
bringing life, bringing power to the world,
as the dancing tongues of fire,
as the soul’s most deep desire,
so it is with the Spirit of God.

As the rainbow after rain,
as the hope that’s born again,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
as the green in the spring,
as a kite on a string,
so it is with the Spirit of God.

Making worlds that are new,
making peace come true,
bringing gifts, bringing love to the world,
as the rising of the yeast,
as the wine at the feast,
so it is with the Spirit of God.


A Reading from the New Testament Acts 2:1-21

When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.

There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages. They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them? How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; as well as residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!” They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?” Others jeered at them, saying, “They’re full of new wine!”

Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
    Your sons and daughters will prophesy.
    Your young will see visions.
    Your elders will dream dreams.
    Even upon my servants, men and women,
        I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
        and they will prophesy.
I will cause wonders to occur in the heavens above
    and signs on the earth below,
        blood and fire and a cloud of smoke.
The sun will be changed into darkness,
    and the moon will be changed into blood,
        before the great and spectacular day of the Lord comes.
And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.


Psalm 104:24-34, 35b

O Lord, how manifold are your works!
    In wisdom you have made them all;
    the earth is full of your creatures.
There is the sea, great and wide;
    creeping things innumerable are there,
    living things both small and great.
There go the ships
    and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.

These all look to you
    to give them their food in due season;
when you give to them, they gather it up;
    when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
    when you take away their breath, they die
    and return to their dust.
When you send forth your spirit, they are created,
    and you renew the face of the ground.

May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
    may the Lord rejoice in his works—
who looks on the earth and it trembles,
    who touches the mountains and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
    I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
    for I rejoice in the Lord.

Bless the Lord, O my soul.
Praise the Lord!


The Gospel Reading John 15:25-27; 16:4b-15
from The Gospels: A New Translation by Sarah Ruden

+ This is the Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to St. John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

“When the advocate I’ll send comes to you from the father—the life-breath of truth that makes its way from the father—he will testify about me. But you also must testify, because you were with me from the beginning.”

I didn’t tell you these things from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I’m headed to the one who sent me, and not one of you asks me, ‘Where are you headed?’ Still, because I’ve said these things, grief has filled your hearts. Yet I tell you the truth: it’s better for you that I go away. If I didn’t go away, the advocate wouldn’t come to you. If I’m on my way, I’ll send him to you. And when he comes, he’ll cross-examine the world about wrongdoing, and about doing right, and about what the verdict must be. About wrongdoing: people do not trust in me. About doing right: I’m headed to the father, so that you no longer perceive me. About the verdict: the ruler of this world will be subject to the verdict.

“I have many more things to say to you, but you can’t endure them just now. When he comes, the life-breath of truth, he’ll lead you on the journey in all truth. He won’t speak on his own behalf; instead, he’ll bring you a message about the things to come. He’ll glorify me, because he’ll take a message from me and bring it to you. Everything the father has is mine. For this reason, I’ve said he’s going to take a message from me and bring it to you.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.


Homily


A Creed from the United Church of Canada

We are not alone,
    we live in God’s world.

 We believe in God:
    who has created and is creating,
    who has come in Jesus,
       the Word made flesh,
       to reconcile and make new,
    who works in us and others
       by the Spirit.

We trust in God. 

We are called to be the Church:
    to celebrate God’s presence,
    to live with respect in Creation,
    to love and serve others,
    to seek justice and resist evil,
    to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen,
       our judge and our hope.

In life, in death, in life beyond death,
    God is with us.
We are not alone.

    Thanks be to God.


The Prayers of the People
from the Church of Scotland

Loving God, we ask for the gift of your Holy Spirit to help us pray as we ought.
Holy Spirit, help us.

We ask for the energy and vision of your Spirit for those who are tiring in the battle against injustice and oppression: for those exhausted by the struggle with poverty and hunger.
Holy Spirit, help us.

We ask for the hope and comfort of your Spirit for those whose lives are overshadowed by illness or pain; for those whose lives are darkened by sorrow or bereavement.
Holy Spirit, help us.

We ask for the peace and joy of your Spirit for those living in the shadow of war and violence; for those eaten up by guilt and anxiety and whose Christian life has become hard and dry.
Holy Spirit, help us.

We ask for the guidance and strength of your Spirit for those uncertain how to use their time, talents and gifts; for those tempted to do what is wrong.
Holy Spirit, help us.

We ask for the love and courage of your Spirit for those reaching out to comfort the distressed; for those reaching out to others with the Good News of Christ.
Holy Spirit, help us.

Loving God, we ask for the assurance of your Spirit to know your presence with us in our daily lives: in our relationships; in our work and service; in our worship; in our times of joy and pain.
Holy Spirit, help us.

In Jesus’ name: 
Amen.


The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.


Song of Preparation
Trinity Song (Sandra McCracken)

Holy Father, Son, and Spirit
Holy communion, three in one.
Holy Father, Son, and Spirit
Holy communion, three in one.

Come with your peace, with your invitation
Bind us together in Holy love.
Come with your peace, with your invitation
Bind us together in Holy love.


Presentation Hymn
Doxology

Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise him all creatures here below
Praise him above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost
Amen


About Communion
On the night Jesus washed his disciples feet and promised to overcome the troubles of this world, he gave his friends a meal to remember their belonging to him and to one another. Friends of Jesus have continued to celebrate this communion meal since that night, and this table is open to all who desire the belonging and peace of Christ.

Gluten free wafers and grape juice are available if you have those health needs. An usher will invite you to approach the kneelers to receive the meal. If for any reason you’re not prepared to join us, you’re welcome to remain in your seat. If coming to the front is physically difficult for you, please let an usher know and the elements will be brought to you. If you’d like to come up and simply receive a blessing, you can put your arms across your chest and a prayer of peace will be prayed over you.

The Great Thanksgiving
from the Children’s Sabbaths Celebration — Children’s Defense Fund (adapted)

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise. 

We give you thanks and praise, amazing God, who made heaven and earth and sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever, who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry; You watch over the strangers, uphold the children and most vulnerable caregivers, and have triumphed over sin and evil. And so we join the saints and angels in proclaiming your glory, as we say,

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
+ Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

We praise you, O God, for sending your beloved child Jesus born as a baby nurtured by his family, and protected by strangers, who grew as a child who was taught in his temple, surrounded by his community, and guided by his parents, who became an adult who loved and blessed the children, who cared for those who were sick, poor, and left out, who taught that God loves us like a parent, and who called us his friends. This one who was born a baby needing us died our Savior whom we all need, triumphant even over death, freeing us to live as your beloved children. 

On the night before he died for us, Jesus was at the table with his friends. He took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and gave it to them, and said: “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. As you do this, remember me.”As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine. Again, he gave thanks, gave it to them, and said: “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured out for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, remember me.” 

Around your table, as your children, O God, we remember Jesus Christ, who came in love, lived in love, and died in love, who was and is and is to come. We offer to you our gifts of bread and wine,  And we offer to you our lives. 

Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts that they may be for us the body and blood of Christ, that they strengthen us to welcome the children, to show your love, to work for your justice, to bring your peace. Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. Amen.

As Christ teaches us, we pray:

The Lord’s Prayer
You are welcome to pray in any language. 

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo, santificado sea tu Nombre, venga tu reino, hágase tu voluntad, en la tierra como en el cielo. Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día. Perdona nuestras ofensas, como también nosotros perdonamos a los que nos ofenden. No nos dejes caer en tentación y líbranos del mal. Porque tuyo es el reino, tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria, ahora y por siempre. Amén.


The Breaking of the Bread
The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ. 
We being many are one body, for we all share in one bread.


The Invitation
The gifts of God for the people of God. 
Jesus Christ is holy, Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.


Communion Music
Psalm 126 (Our Mouths They Were Filled) (arr. BiFrost Arts)

Our mouths they were filled
Filled with laughter
Our tongues they were loosed
Loosed with joy
Restore us, O Lord
Restore us, O Lord

Although we are weeping
Lord, help us keep sowing
The seeds of your Kingdom
For the day you will reap them

Your sheaves we will carry
Lord, please do not tarry
All those who sow weeping
Will go out with songs of joy

The nations will say,
"He has done great things!"
The nations will sing
Songs of joy
Restore us, O Lord
Restore us, O Lord

Although we are weeping
Lord, help us keep sowing
The seeds of your Kingdom
For the day you will reap them

Your sheaves we will carry
Lord, please do not tarry
All those who sow weeping
Will go out with songs of joy

All those who sow weeping
Will go out with songs of joy


Almighty God (arr. David Leonard, Leslie Jordan, Sandra McCracken)

Almighty God to you all hearts are open
Search and know our thoughts and anxious fears
Wash us in the fountain of your mercy
Come with your light
We cannot hide from you

Almighty God to you all hearts are open
With gratitude we raise our song to you
Come and fill the praises of your people
In grace and truth
You make us new again

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

Almighty God to you all hearts are open
We long for more than what this world provides
No shallow spring will ever satisfy us
Your river deep
Floods over everything

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

To you all hearts are open, Almighty God
To you all hearts are open, Almighty God
To you all hearts are open

Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah


The Great Silence
When all have received communion, ministers and people keep silence for reflection.


Prayer After Communion
Let us pray.

Spirit who meets us in bread and wine, we give thanks for the nourishment we receive in this meal. Now let us share this abundance with the world. May we live our gratitude by doing justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly with the One who calls us friends.  Amen.

The Blessing


Closing Song
Restless Weaver (O.I. Cricket Harrison)

Restless Weaver, ever spinning
Threads of justice and shalom;
Dreaming patterns of creation
Where all creatures find a home;

Gathering up life’s varied fibers
Every texture, every hue:
Grant us your creative vision,
With us weave your world anew.

Where earth’s fragile web is raveling,
Help us mend each broken strand.
Bless our urgent, bold endeavors
Cleansing water, air, and land.

Through the Spirit’s inspiration
Offering health where once was pain——
Strengthen us to be the stewards
Of your world knit whole again.

Restless Weaver, still conceiving
New life now and yet to be—
Binding all your vast creation
In one living tapestry:

You have called us to be weavers.
Let your love guide all we do.
With your Reign of Peace our pattern,
We will weave your world anew.


The Dismissal
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.