OPENING PRAYER SERVICE
Theme: Moved by the Spirit, we gather a Community of Light
Grounding Music
Gong 3x
I. Introduction: (slide 1)
Prayer Leader: Pentecost Sunday is a day to celebrate hope, a hope evoked by the
knowledge that God, through the Holy Spirit is at work among us. It is a celebration of
newness, of re-creation, of renewal of purpose, mission, and calling as God’s people. It is a
celebration of God’s ongoing work in the world – the coming of God’s kingdom. And it is
also a recognition of our participation in God’s work as a community called to be the Light of
the World as the Holy Spirit is poured upon us.
With joy and thanksgiving we gather today praise God as we begin this year and this
meeting as a community. We focus on light, that wonderful image that helps us to
understand what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Let us begin with the sign of our
salvation. In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
(hyperlink)
II. Opening Song and Movement: Veni Sancte Spiritu (Video with offering of Candle)
Prayer Leader: Let us now open ourselves to God’s Word and allow it to illuminate our
hearts and minds. In this passage from Ephesians, listen closely to what St. Paul has to say
about being a community of light.
III. Reading: Ephesians
Prayer Leader: As we have our moment of silence, let us think of one thing we can do this
year to show that as inspired by the Holy Spirit, we are a light to our respective
communities.
IV. Prayer
As we gather as one community, we are grateful to God who has sent us the Spirit to live as
children of light. We ask your blessing, Father, on us, so we can show our faith to others.
Give us the grace we need to allow our inner lights to shine brightly, so that all people can
know of your love for them. Send your Holy Spirit to bless us all, and help every person here
to grow in love and knowledge of you for you are our Father, and we are your children. We
ask this through Christ your Son with the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and
Mother Ignacia. Amen.
In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Veni Sancte Spiritu (video and movement with orange cloth and candles)(
Left – right call to worship
S. Yaa’s prayer
RESOURCES
On the Day of Pentecost: A service celebrating the Holy Spirit's power
By Nolan Palsma, Phyllis Palsma
March 1996
This service was submitted by Nolan and Phyllis Palsma, copastors of Pitcher Hill Community
Church {Reformed Church in America), North Syracuse, New York. This service was prepared
to celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit in power to the disciples on the day of Pentecost. The
sanctuary was graced with dozens of red geraniums and red balloons, and many in the
congregation even wore red, all to symbolize the tongues of flame that accompanied the
outpouring of the Holy Spirit. During the processional, the acolytes twirled yellow and red
streamers above their heads to symbolize the tongues of fire that rested on the apostles' heads.
Since the congregation was more familiar with meditative than with rousing Pentecost hymns,
we chose texts for the service from Jane Parker Huber's collection^ Singing Faith (1987, 73
hymns). The title of an earlier collection of her texts reveals her approach: Fresh Words
to Familiar Tunes(1982). Both were published by Westminster/John Knox Press, and were used
by permission. (Huber's newest collection, Singing in Celebration, was released by the same
publisher in 1996.) Churches can either use their CCLI licences or contact the publisher for
permission to reprint these texts. Contact Westminster/John Knox Press, 100 Witherspoon,
Louisville, KY 40202-1396 (502) 569-5288.
Huber was born in China in 1926 to missionary parents, then moved to Indiana, where her
father became president of Hanover College. Huber has worked on many Presbyterian
committees and is especially well-known for her inclusive-language hymn texts set to familiar
tunes. The 1990Presbyterian Hymnal includes ten of her texts.
The Scripture was a dramatic reading for three people from This Is the Word of the Lord by
William Freburger, p. 122 (Notre Dame: Ave Maria Press, 1984. (800) 282-1865).
After the final hymn, the congregation recessed out into the church parking lot for the releasing
of the ersatz dove (a homing pigeon secured from a local owner) as a symbol of the Holy Spirit
and a reminder of God releasing the power of the Holy Spirit upon all believers.
PENTECOST CELEBRATION
THE APPROACH TO GOD
Prelude
The Call to Worship
Spirit of the living God, visit us again on this day
of Pentecost.
Come, Holy Spirit.
With rushing wind that sweeps away all barriers,
come, Holy Spirit.
With tongues of fire that set our hearts aflame,
come, Holy Spirit.
With speech that unites the Babel of our tongues,
come, Holy Spirit.
With love that overlaps the boundaries of race
and nation,
come, Holy Spirit.
With power from above to make our weakness
strong,
come, Holy Spirit.
The Salutation
Grace to you and peace from God our Creator and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
The Processional Hymn: "O God of Vision" (Tune: LOBE DEN HERREN)
O God of vision, far greater than all human
scheming,
gather us now in your presence, refreshing,
redeeming.
Show us anew life in your breathtaking view,
lovely beyond all our dreaming.
Pour out your Spirit on all now assembled before
you.
May our diversity here be a means to adore you.
Women and men, young, old, and youthful
again,
make us as one, we implore you.
Grant to us insight, O God, for this time of deci-
sion.
May we dream challenging dreams of both depth
and precision.
Speak through the dark. Dispel by lightning's
spark
whatever clouds dim our vision.
Grateful, we come now by Christ's invitation clear
spoken.
We seek the nourishment found in fruit crushed
and bread broken,
Christ for us all! Come, let us answer the call,
offering our lives as the token.
1981 Jane Parker Huber
Prayer of Confession
[Spoken prayer]
Our God, we come in humility,
confessing who and what we are.
We are often unresponsive
for we are afraid.
When your Spirit speaks, we turn deaf ears,
for we fear what you might call us to do.
When your Spirit touches our lips,
we close our mouths,
embarrassed to speak your Word.
When the wind of your Spirit blows,
we close the windows of our hearts,
afraid the breeze will disrupt our ordered lives.
When the fire of your Spirit touches us,
we quench the flame,
afraid of the new life it might bring.
Forgive us, O Lord.
[Sung prayer] "Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying" PsH 625, SFL 54
Words of Assurance
The Summary of the Law
Response: "Glory Be to the Father" PsH 635, PH 577-9, RL 561-3, TH 734-5
THE WORD OF GOD IN PROCLAMATION AND SACRAMENT
A Word for Children of All Ages
Hymn: "On Pentecost They Gathered" (Tune: MUNICH)
On Pentecost they gathered quite early in the day,
a band of Christ's disciples to worship, sing, and
pray.
A mighty wind came blowing, filled all the
swirling air,
and tongues of fire aglowing inspired each person
there.
The people all around them were startled and
amazed to understand their language, as Christ the Lord
they praised.
What universal message, what great good news
was here?
That Christ, once dead, is risen to vanquish all our
fear.
God pours the Holy Spirit on all who would
believe,
on women, men, and children who would God's
grace receive.
That Spirit knows no limit, bestowing life and
power.
The church, formed and reforming, responds in
every hour.
1981 Jane Parker Huber
Prayer for Illumination
The Scripture Lesson
Selected Readings of the Pentecost event
The Sermon
Prayer for Blessing
Passing of the Peace
People of God, let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts since as members of one body you
were called to peace. The peace of Christ be with you. And also with you.
Offertory Call and Prayer
Offering
Doxology and Presentation of Gifts: "Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow" (Tune: OLD
HUNDREDTH)
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
Meaning of the Sacrament
Invitation
Communion Prayer
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts!
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
For it is holy and right to do so.
Holy and right it is. . . . With your whole church on earth and with all the company of heaven, we
worship and adore your glorious name as we sing:
[Sing through twice First time, congregation and choir in English; second time, congregation in
English and choir in Spanish]
"Holy, Holy, Holy"PsH 626, SFL 66
Most righteous God ... together we proclaim the mystery of the faith:
[with increasing volume]
Christ has died!
Christ is risen!
Christ will come again!
Communion
The Response to God's Word and Sacrament
You have given yourself to us, Lord.
Now we give ourselves for others.
You have sent your Holy Spirit, and made us a
gifted people.
As people of the Pentecost, we will serve you
and proclaim your Good News with joy.
Your glory has filled our hearts.
Help us to glorify you in all things. Amen
