Sunday May 19, 2024 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m

Pentecost Sunday
Ten days after the ascension of Christ and fifty days after his resurrection, the Holy Spirit descended on the disciples on the day of Pentecost. Pentecost was an established Jewish festival also known as the Feast of Weeks, which drew people from many nations back to Jerusalem (Lev. 23:15-21; Deut. 16:16).  Pentecost symbolizes a new beginning. It celebrates the unleashing of the Holy Spirit on the world and the empowering of the church to reach the world with the gospel. In celebrating Pentecost, the church expresses its gratitude for the faithfulness of Christ in fulfilling his promise to send “another counselor” (John 14:16); celebrates the work of the Spirit in renewing all of creation; professes its confidence and security in knowing the Spirit’s power is available for its mission; and grows in awareness of the immensity of its calling to reach the world with the gospel. The traditional color for Pentecost is red, after the flames described in Acts 2:3.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — The Church’s One Foundation AURELIA arr. Robert James Lamb
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION                                                                                              
Without the Holy Spirit, God is distant, Christ is merely a historical figure, the gospel is a dead letter, the church is merely an organization, authority is domination, mission is propaganda, worship is an evocation, and Christian action is slave labor.  But with the Holy Spirit, the risen Christ is here, the gospel is a life-giving force, the church means communion with the Trinity, authority is a liberating service, mission is like Pentecost, the liturgy is both a commemoration and an anticipation, and human  action becomes more godlike.                                                               Ignatius IV, Patriarch of Antioch, 1968

CALL TO WORSHIP — based on Acts 2:1-4
All together in one place;
       they heard the rush of a violent wind; it filled the entire house.
Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared and rested on each of them;
       and they were filled with the Holy Spirit.
       Come, Holy Spirit, fill us, and empower us for your service!

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*HYMN OF PRAISE #280 — Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us — EBENEZER
(*Please stand, if you are able)

CONFESSION AND PARDON

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Spirit of God, we hesitate and doubt. You call us to act boldly but our fear keeps us from following your call. Forgive our lack of courage. Embolden us to dream big and trust the Spirit to fill us and use us. Help us be Christ’s church without hesitation. Guided by your Holy Spirit, help us usher in your kingdom to come. Amen.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION AND PETITION

KYRIE ELEISON (#551) — Lord, Have Mercy — LAND OF REST
Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy upon us.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

*GLORIA PATRI (#240) — Alleluia, Alleluia, Give Thanks! — ALLELUIA NO. 1

WELCOME              
During the welcome, children are invited to come forward for a time with Dr. Zieman

TIME FOR YOUNG DISCIPLES                              

RECOGNITION OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION VOLUNTEERS — Heather Berry           

*HYMN #286 — Breathe on Me, Breath of God — TRENTHAM                                                                                

THE OLD TESTAMENT LESSON — Ezekiel 37: 1-14 — page 704 of the pew Bible

ANNOUNCEMENTS

FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER

JOYS AND CONCERNS

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The Lord’s Prayer
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE LESSON — Acts 2: 1-21 — page 885 of the pew Bible

SERMON — “Braver Than You Feel” — Dr. Zieman

PRAYER

RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY — I Sing the Mighty Power of God — arr. Anna Laura Page

THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD’S SUPPER

INVITATION TO THE LORD’S TABLE

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — from A Brief Statement of Faith
“We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life.  The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the church.”

*SANCTUS (#572) — Holy, Holy, Holy — SANCTUS (Pavlechko)

WORDS OF INSTITUTION

SERVING OF THE ELEMENTS
Please come forward as directed by an usher.  All baptized Christians are encouraged to partake –
by taking a piece of bread and dipping it into the cup.  Gluten-free bread is at the station closer to the pulpit.
If you are unable to come forward, an elder will serve you in the pew.

COMMUNION ANTHEM — Communion Meditation Douglas E. Wagner

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
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 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.

*HYMN #295 — Go to the World! — SINE NOMINE

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE — Veni Creator Spiritus (Come, Holy Spirit) — Maurice Duruflé