May 28, 2023 † 10:15 AM
Pentecost †

Whether this is your first time with us or your one thousand and first, we are glad that the Spirit has drawn you here today!
Visitors are invited to sign the Guest Book near the front doors of the church and take home a welcome brochure to learn more about us.

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Pentecost
by Veronica Dimae

GATHERING
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God

GATHERING

Will You Come and Follow Me

Verse 1:

Will you come and follow me if I but call your name,

Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same

Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known

Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me.

Verse 2:

Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name

Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same

Will you risk the hostile stare, should your life attract or scare

Will you let me answer pray’r in you and you in me.

Verse 3:

Lord your summons echoes true when you but call my name

Let me turn and follow you and never be the same

In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show

Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.

WELCOME

CALL TO WORSHIP
The day of Pentecost is here:
the day when the flames of faith dance in our hearts.
The day of Pentecost is here:
the day when our babbling speech becomes the Good News for the world.
The day of Pentecost is here:
the day when compassion is seared into our souls.
The day of Pentecost is here:
let the people of God rejoice. Alleluia!

CONGREGATION SONG

Spirit of the Living God

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me

Melt me, mold me; fill me, use me

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

(repeat)

PRAYER OF THE DAY

Let us pray. O God, on this day you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy Spirit. Direct us by the light of that Spirit, that we may have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.


WORD
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song

FIRST READING Acts 2:1-21

During the reading, congregation members will read verses three through eleven in a variety of other languages.

A reading from Acts.

1When the day of Pentecost had come, the apostles were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
17‘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 men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
18Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
19And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
20The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
21Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

SECOND READING 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

A reading from First Corinthians.

3bNo one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.
4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; 6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to 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. 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.

12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Word of God, word of life. Thanks be to God.

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE Pastor Cassie

GOSPEL John 7:37-39

The Holy Gospel according to John.

37On the last day of the festival of Booths, the great day, while Jesus was standing in the temple, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.


SERMON Pastor Cassie

CONGREGATION SONG

Refiner’s Fire

Verse 1:

Purify my heart, let me be as gold and precious silver

Purify my heart, let me be as gold, pure gold

Chorus:

Refiner’s fire, my heart’s one desire

Is to be holy, set apart for You Lord

I choose to be holy, set apart for You my master

Ready to do Your will

Verse 2:

Purify my heart, cleanse me from within and make me holy

Purify my heart, cleanse me from my sin deep within.

(chorus X2)


APOSTLES’ CREED

I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. 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.

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.


PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

Hear My Prayer

Hear my prayer O Lord, from the ends of the earth I cry
Your peace will lead me to the rock that is higher than I

United in the hope and joy of the resurrection, let us pray for the church, the world, and all in need.

A brief silence.

Passionate God, you sent your Spirit through the gifts of fire, wind, and word. As you equipped the disciples for their work, equip us to bring the good news to all those who long for you.

Restoring God, wind and flame bring life and destruction throughout the world. We pray for those who work with wind energy, for migratory birds, for protection for lands facing destructive fire, for forestry managers and firefighters. Renew the face of the earth.

Ever-present God, your spirit embraces all. Send your spirit of understanding to immigrants, refugees, and any experiencing language barriers. Bless the work of translators, ESL teachers, ambassadors, and international peace organizations. Safely guide those fleeing war and danger.

Merciful God, you anoint us with your spirit. Bless nurses, doctors, midwives, chaplains, counselors, and hospice workers as they care for those in need. We pray for all who seek your comfort especially Karen, Carolyn, Ellie, Michael, Maria, Bill, Ann, Hope, Doug, Jack, Ray, Barb, Gina, Garrett, John, Alyssa, all those affected by mental illness or addiction, and all military personnel and first responders.

Generous God, you impart a variety of gifts. Set aflame the desire to learn from one another, especially those who differ from us. Make your presence known through missionaries, peace workers, and through each of us in our daily lives.

Here other intercessions may be offered.

Life-giving God, we give thanks for those who have died to new life in you, especially John Conway who died five years ago, and who we remember through altar flowers given in his loving memory today. As we observe Memorial Day, we remember those who died in military service. Comfort all who mourn, and usher in a world where war is no more.

Rejoicing in the victory of Christ’s resurrection, we lift our prayers and praise to you, almighty and eternal God; through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord.

Amen.

PEACE

The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you.


GIFTS

Holy Spirit Come
Patrick Mayberry


MEAL
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ

DIALOGUE

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.

PREFACE

SANCTUS Holy, Holy, Holy 

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might

Holy, holy, holy Lord God of power and might

Heaven and earth are full of Your glory, hosanna in the highest,

Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord

Hosanna in the highest.

THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE

LORD’S PRAYER

Let us pray as Jesus taught us, each in the words or language of our choice.

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 and ever. Amen.

OR

Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done, on earth as in heaven.

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.

Save us from the time of trial
and deliver us from evil.

For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen


INVITATION TO COMMUNION

All people are called to Christ’s table. Come, eat what is good!

COMMUNION

At this table, Christ is both host and meal, and offers himself to all
who hunger and thirst for his presence.

We believe that he is truly present in this sacrament.

Come to the front, where bread is placed in your hand (you can request a gluten-free wafer),
and where you receive wine by taking a cup from the tray
(the cups in the center contain white grape juice).

If you do not wish to commune, you are welcome to come forward and receive a blessing.

If you need to receive communion in your seat, simply notify an usher.

No one is too young to receive this sacrament, though some families wish to give their children some instruction before they take their first communion. If a young child accompanies you, please indicate to the pastor whether they should receive bread or a blessing.

COMMUNION SONG

Heal Our Land
Kari Jobe


SENDING
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

A LITANY OF HOPE FOR MEMORIAL DAY
While we grieve and remember all who died in military service,

we are not as those without hope.

Just as Jesus died and rose from the grave,

so too will the dead rise in Christ.

We recall with gladness those who died in service to neighbor and nation.

May their memory and sacrifice not be forgotten.

Bring your peace, O God, to all the earth.

That war would be no more.

Wipe the tears from our eyes,

for death will be no more.

Nothing separates us from your love in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Neither war nor suffering, life nor death, nor anything else in all creation.

Creator of the universe, make all things new.

Let it be so among us now.

Creator of the universe, make all things new.

Let it be so for those we remember this day.

Creator of the universe, make all things new.

Let it be so for this world you love.

Almighty God bless us, defend us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.

Amen. Thanks be to God.

BLESSING

The Lord bless you and keep you.

The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy.

The Lord look upon you with favor and + give you peace. Amen.

SENDING
I Could Sing of Your Love Forever

Verse:

Over the mountains and the sea, Your river runs with love for me

And I will open up my heart, and let the Healer set me free

I’m happy to be in the truth, and I will daily lift my hands

For I will always sing of when Your love came down, yeah

Chorus:

I could sing of Your love forever, I could sing of Your love forever

I could sing of Your love forever, I could sing of Your love forever

(verse)

(chorus X2)

DISMISSAL

Go in peace. Share the passion of the Spirit! Thanks be to God!


Thank you to those who helped with worship today:

Worship Assistant Stephanie L

Ushers Holly P

New Direction Praise Team Randy Gomez, Michelle Grim Kati, Lawrence Kati,
Linda Frederico & Sam Augustus

Altar Care Barbara S & Joan O

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From Sundays and Seasons.com. © 2022 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #27028. New Revised Standard Version Bible, ©1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Call to worship from the RevGalBlogPals website: https://revgalblogpals.org/ CCLI#1313879. OneLicense # A-716488 May 28 – Band Led Pentecost.docx