Bulletin – Sunday, May 28, 2023 – Pentecost Sunday

Sunday, May 28, 2023
Pentecost

Approach

Lighting the Christ Candle – When the Holy Spirit takes you for a ride”

When the Holy Spirit takes you for a ride,
She only grabs one hand.
She does not take both of your hands, facing you,
And pull you to your destination on faltering feet.
She always leaves one of your hands free
And you get to decide what to do with it.

You can grab your things, all of them.
It makes you heavy, of course,
And makes being led feel more like being dragged,
But thankfully the Holy Spirit is patient
When all that stuff trips you up and causes delays.

You can clutch your past,
Because it is Important,
But again, it will weigh you down
And keep you looking in the wrong direction.

You can give in to fear
And grasp a passing tree branch,
Thereby hanging suspended in the air,
Neither traveling nor standing in your former spot,
But stretched, prickling with apprehension,
The Holy Spirit looking back at you, smiling,
You clinging,
Undecided.

OR,

You can let your hand remain empty, open,
And, unencumbered,
Ride the flow of where you are going—
A child in the back seat,
Hand feeling the strong breeze out the open window,
Gazing at a flock of birds in the sky,
Flying.

(Lindy Thompson)

Call to Worship

One:   Take a breath. Feel the presence of God’s Spirit fill your lungs!…Feel the warmth of this place and the warmth of those around you in this community of faith.
All:      We can feel God’s fire burning inside of us, God’s Spirit moving in this place!

One:   Open yourself to the wonders of God’s creation, living and working in our lives.
All:      God brings us together to help those around us, and to be open to help offered to us.

One:   This is a sacred place, a wonderful space, a gathering spot filled with care and love.
All:      By the wonder of the Spirit, we are in God’s presence. We have come to live into our call! Come Holy Spirit! Come!

(Eric Herbert-Daly, Responsible des ministers en francais, L’Eglise Unie du Canada)

Hymn – “Oh, A Song Must Rise”

Oh, a song must rise for the spirit to descent
Oh, a song must rise once again
Singing out God’s praises and glory,
The faithful voices blend,
Oh, a song must rise for the spirit to descend.

From the mountains to the valleys,
From the desert to the sea,
A song must rise once again.
From the voices of our leaders,
The voice of you and me,
A song must rise for the spirit to descend.

Oh, a song must rise for the spirit to descent
Oh, a song must rise once again
Singing out God’s praises and glory,
The faithful voices blend,
Oh, a song must rise for the spirit to descend.

From poverty and riches,
From the voice of young and old,
A song must rise once again.
From the free and the imprisoned,
The timid and the bold,
A song must rise for the spirit to descent.

Oh, a song must rise for the spirit to descent
Oh, a song must rise once again
Singing out God’s praises and glory,
The faithful voices blend,
Oh, a song must rise for the spirit to descend.

From every house of worship,
In every faith and tongue,
A song must rise once again.
From the villages and cities
A new song must be sung,
A song must rise for the spirit to descent.

Oh, a song must rise for the spirit to descent
Oh, a song must rise once again
Singing out God’s praises and glory,
The faithful voices blend,
Oh, a song must rise for the spirit to descend.

Opening Prayer

Breath of Life, who fills our souls, we ask you to move in us. Change us. Blow us to the places you need us to be. Help us to carry Christ’s peace. Help us to carry the Creator’s love. Help us to carry your joy—into our live, into the world, into all of creation. Bless us and bless all the lives, Holy Spirit! Amen!

(Richard Bott, Grace U.C. Burlington, ON)

Response – “Spirit of Life”

Spirit of Life, come unto me.
Sing in my heart all the stirrings of compassion.
Blow in the wind, rise in the sea;
Move in the hand, giving life the shape of justice.
Roots hold me close; wings set me free;
Spirit of Life, come to me, come to me.

The Word

Scripture Reading:           Acts 2:1-21

When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?…Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?”

Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”

Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by 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 men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”

Scripture Reading:           1 Corinthians 12:3b-13

Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.

There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.

Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God!

Meditation – “1justcity”

Anthem – “Gather Me”

I listened for the Word of God, in fire and wind and rain.
I leaned into the edge of dawn to find the truth again.
I breathed into each moment, I wakened every dream.
Holy Spirit come and gather me.

Gather me into Light and into Love.
Gather me, let the songs of Life be sung.
Come, Holy Spirit, and gather me.

I called out for the Love of God, to save me from my pain.
I sheltered in the darkest nights to bring me hope again.
I climbed up every mountain, I battled storm and sea.
Holy Spirit, come and gather me.

Gather me into Light and into Love.
Gather me, let the songs of Life be sung.
Come, Holy Spirit, and gather me.

I walked upon the fertile soil, I looked up to the sky.
I followed every sacred star, each sign that passed me by.
I reached my hands to heaven, that Love might gentle me.
Holy Spirit, come and gather me.

Gather me into Light and into Love.
Gather me, let the songs of Life be sung.
Come, Holy Spirit, and gather me.

Offering / Response – “What Can I Do?”

What can I do? What can I bring?
What can I say? What can I sing?
I’ll sing with joy. I’ll say a prayer.
I’ll bring my love. I’ll do my share.

The Response

Prayers of the People

One:   God of creation and blessing, we celebrate your presence in each of our lives and in the life of this community. Far from remote, your Holy Spirit works in and around us each moment of each day, in the peace available to open hearts and willing souls, in the power that breaks through our human barriers.
All:      We have felt your Spirit within us. We have witnessed your Spirit among us.

One:   We know you are the Spirit of inspiration and strength, through whom we accomplish our daily tasks and face our greatest challenges. When we are most fearful and vulnerable, you surprise us, and we are carried on the Holy Wind of possibility.
All:      We have felt your Spirit within us. We have witnessed your Spirit among us.

One:   Safe in this place and in these hearts, safe in your embrace, we acknowledge pain. We pray for those suffering from mental or physical illnesses. May they know your healing. And we pray for their caregivers. May they feel supported by your presence. We also pray for all those grieving a loss. In our community, we pray for…We pray today for your earth. May we find new sustainable ways to care for the earth and all creation. We pray for people impacted by natural and man-made disasters. We continue to pray for the people impacted by the fires in Alberta, and for those around the world impacted by climate change. May they know your comfort. We pray for those suffering from political violence and unrest, especially those in Ukraine and Sudan. May they know your peace.
All:      We have felt your Spirit within us. We have witnessed your Spirit among us.

One:   Rooted in the ancient, we seek to manifest your kingdom in the present. Inspired by your Spirit, we reach out in inclusive love and generosity to others, not burdened by obligation but privileged to bring your comfort as well as to receive it.
All:      We have felt your Spirit within us. We have witnessed your Spirit among us.

One:   We align with your purpose when we move side by side with one another in loving solidarity, when it’s not convenient, when it’s not easy. We bring ourselves closer to your kingdom when we overcome denial and fear by demanding that your love be manifested in justice.
All:      We have felt your Spirit within us. We have witnessed your Spirit among us.

One:   God, help us learn from each other so we may come to know you more deeply and be guided by your love. We pray in the words Jesus taught us.
All:      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 them that 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.

(adapted from Cheryl Stenson, Glebe Road U.C., Toronto, ON)

Hymn – “May We Rise”

May we rise with all Creation as the Spirit gives us strength.
May we heed the inner wisdom that God’s loving knows no length.
May we be a faith-filled people, living our compassion’s way.
May we find the heart-felt courage to embrace the dawning day.

May we rise. Let the songs of Love be sung.
May we rise. Sisters, brothers, we are one, we are one.

May we walk to meet the shadows of our woundedness and grief.
May we trust the Holy Spirit to bring healing and relief.
May we live with Love and justice, bring Your messages of Peace.
May we know the guiding power of Your gift of Grace released.

May we rise. Let the songs of Love be sung.
May we rise. Sisters, brothers, we are one, we are one.

May we reach beyond the bound’ries of the walls that do divide.
May we feel the gift of Presence in Life’s circle with no sides.
May we listen for Your calling; hearts be open to Your Way.
May we live as one in Christ. As one people, God we pray.

May we rise. Let the songs of Love be sung.
May we rise. Sisters, brothers, we are one, we are one.

Benediction

In God, we live and move and have our being. We are God’s children. Empowered by the Holy Spirit, we say yes to God and yes to the wonderful working of the Spirit in our lives. Let us go forth with that yes in our hearts.

(Tabitha Carey, Dorchester U.C., Dorchester, ON)

Response

May the grace of Christ attend us,
And the love of God surround us,
And the Holy Spirit keep us,
Now and every, always.
Amen, amen, forever and ever,
Amen.