THE GATHERING
Gathering Music: #292 “As the Wind Song”
Welcome and Announcements
Prelude: “Let Us Break Bread Together” arr. Donna Huff
* Call to Worship
Let us stand and worship God. How manifold are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all; the Earth is full of your creatures.
You send forth your Spirit, and they are created;
And so you renew the face of the Earth
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will praise my God while I have my being.
Let us pray together:
* Prayer of the Day
Holy God, who comes to us in breath, visits us from the throne of heaven, and sets us aflame with amazement and joy, you open our paths to new visions and guide our feet deeper into your wisdom. Give us faith to trust your presence, through Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Hymn of Praise #289 “On Pentecost They Gathered”
Invitation to Healing
Do not let your heart be troubled, but submit to the Holy Spirit, and our Lord will give you peace.
Prayer of Wholeness
Holy and Merciful God, we do not know how to pray as we ought, and we know too well our constant failures to do as you have commanded and to hold fast to your word. Forgive us for the divisions we nurture, guide us to your way, keep us in your care, and lead us into faith. We trust your word that the Spirit of truth will show us all things and grant us courage and peace. Please continue in silent prayer
Sung Reflection: “Waiting for Spirit, Come” using Hymn tune #92
- Waiting for Spirit, come; waiting for Spirit, come;
Come to us, Lord, ignite our hearts, waiting for Spirit, come.
- Fill us, O Lord, with grace; fill us, O Lord, with grace…
- Anoint our lives with love…
- Send us, renewed, to serve… ~ text by Pastor Scott
Assurance of Pardon and Passing of the Peace
Friends, believe this Good News: God is One and God is Three – Love constantly flowing in, out, and through; the gift of Jesus Christ for me and for you. For this we say: Thanks be to God!
Since God has loved us through Christ, let us love one another. Please share a sign of peace with those with whom you are worshiping.
* Hymn of Response #591: “Halle, Halle, Halle” Chorus
Celebrating Joys and where we have seen God at work
Hymn of Response #290: “O Day of Joy and Wonder!”
THE WORD
Prayer of Illumination:
Holy Spirit, come again. As long ago you inspired, astonished, and confused the people, come to us now to fill our ears with the sound of your breath, fill our eyes with the brilliance of your presence in each other, and fill our hearts with your good Word. Amen.
Hebrew Scripture: Genesis 11:1-9 pp 15-16
“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God”
Children’s Moment
Second Reading: Acts2:1-21 pp 159-160
“The Word of the Lord” “Thanks be to God”
Gospel Reading: John 14:8-17 (25-27) p 147
“The Gospel of the Lord” “Praise to you O Christ”
Sermon: “TL 06-05-2022 YC A Circle of One” ~ Pastor Scott
Please spend several moments in silent reflection
RESPONSE TO THE WORD
Hymn: #287 “Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading”
* Affirmation of Faith: ~Adapted from and inspired by the Confession of 1967
Jesus Christ is God with humankind. He is the eternal Son, who became human and lived among us to fulfill the work of reconciliation. He is still present in the church by the power of the Holy Spirit. This Trinity of Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer is the foundation of all confessional statements about God, humanity, and the world. Therefore, the church calls all people to be reconciled to God, to one another, and the Earth.
Intercessory Prayers of the People
Call and response: “Lord, in your mercy,” “Hear our prayers.”
Celebrating the Lord’s Supper
Invitation to Present Our Offerings
The Holy Spirit was sent to increase our compassion and to make us glad to spread good news by caring for those in need. May you enter into the discipline of giving as a work of the Holy Spirit within you.
Offertory: “Landler” by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
* Doxology Hymn # 606 with text from #607. (Sub. “all creatures” for “all people.”)
* Prayer of Dedication and Thanksgiving:
God of mercy, we give you thanks for all that your bounty creates. The gifts we bring today acknowledge our debt to you and our intent to relieve others of their burdens. Bless what we offer and bless those who will be shown deeds of power through them; in the name of Jesus, who taught his disciples to pray, saying:
* The Lord’s Prayer “…debts…. debtors…”
Invitation to the Lord’s Table
This is the joyful feast of the people of God!
People will come from north and south and from east and west to sit at table in the kingdom of God.
According to Luke, when our risen Lord was at table with his disciples, he took bread, blessed and broke, and gave it to them.
Their eyes were opened, and they recognized him.
This is the Lord’s table. Our Savior invites those who trust him to share the feast that he has prepared.
Great Thanksgiving
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. It is right to give our thanks and praise.
O Lord our God, how great are your works. You created the world and all that is in it. Yet we rebel against your sovereign love, seeking to storm the gates of heaven, trying to make a name for ourselves in the world. The Earth alternately weeps and burns with pain as we forsake it. But by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, you have given us your own name; you have made us your own people, a royal priesthood of all believers. Send forth your life-giving Spirit to renew and re-create us once more. In prayer, we join our voices with all Creation in singing:
Hymn #562 “Holy, Holy, Holy”
Together, we continue: Lord God, we have seen your glory in the face of Jesus Christ. We give you thanks that you have made us one with him as he is one with you and the Holy Spirit. We remember how, when the hour had come, Jesus took his place at the table with the apostles, and presiding over Earth’s gift of bread spoke these words:
“Take, eat. This is my body given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.”
We remember how Jesus also said: “I am the vine, you are the branches…Believe in me and never thirst.” After that supper he poured a cup of Earth’s gift of wine, reminding the disciples of this, and spoke these words:
“This cup is the new covenant sealed in my blood, shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.”
With thanks and praise we offer ourselves to you, sharing this holy meal, remembering Christ’s dying and rising, and praying: Come Lord Jesus! According to Christ’s commandment, we remember his death, we proclaim his resurrection, we await his coming in glory.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and cup, that the bread we break and the cup we bless may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. Calling on the power of the Holy Spirit, we pray:
That we may be made one with the risen Christ and with all God’s creation; that we may be faithful as Christ’s body in ministry in the world, and that we may live in anticipation of the fullness of God’s realm.
Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, now and forever! Amen? Amen!
So be it. All has been prepared and the table awaits. These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God!
Communion of the People
Zoom participants are invited to share your own bread and cup together at home. When all have finished partaking of the sacraments, all may join:
Hymn of Reflection: #727 “The Servant Song” After all have partaken.
Prayer following Communion
Let us pray together:
Holy and astounding God, at this table, in this meal, we have been met by Christ – the reflection of your glory, the imprint of your being. As we go from this place may our lives be a joyful song, proclaiming the good news of your righteousness and peace for the whole world. Amen.
SENDING
Closing Hymn #280 “Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us”
Charge:
Jesus did not leave us without hope but sent the Holy Spirit to nurture faith and love in this world. Live this vision in all that you do: respond to rancor with kindness, be patient where there is pain, and above all, speak love.
Blessing: “Deep peace…”
Congregational Song “Let There Be Peace on Earth”
Scottrick - Postmodern Celtic Inspirations 