Pentecost
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle C Gospel Texts
Liturgical Color: Red
Gospel: John 14:8-17 (25-27)
Theme: Jesus' Response to Philip; Jesus' Promise That We Will Do Greater Things Than He; Jesus' Promise of the Counselor. "In a new intensity the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost and transformed the disciples from mice into elephants, from chickens into eagles, from minnows into whales" (Ralph Lindquist). Which of those animals represents you?
The Community Gathers To Celebrate Pentecost
Music for Preparation
"Sortie" (Man for Pentecost), Messiaen.
Choral Invitation
"If There Is a Holy Spirit," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.) Dick and Don suggest that the skeptical world might sing this song to the church.
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
Is the Holy Spirit in your life; if so, how is the Holy Spirit revealed? Anyone care to respond? (If no response, let the silence hang for a few moments.) The Holy Spirit is the Risen Christ let loose in the world, for the Spirit of Christ infiltrates, inflames, inspires. So I invite us to walk with the Holy Spirit, so that we can talk of the Lord Christ. And, all the people say ...
P: Come on, let's celebrate the Presence of the Spirit.
M: We come to celebrate the Christ who sent the Spirit.
P: Christ is alive and calls us to life!
M: We come to discover the miracle of new life in fellowship with the living Christ and with each other.
P: This life is life as Christ lived it; life as we live it in him, and life as he lives it through us.
M: That's how we want to live, this day and every day!
Hymn of Pentecost
"Morning Has Broken," Eleanor Farjeon, 1931; Gaelic melody; arr. Dale Grotenhuis, 1985. Vary the singing of this hymn. Everyone sings the first stanza. The people sing the first half of stanza 2, the Choir the next line, the left side the next, the right side the next, and all sing the last line. The congregation and Choir sing alternate lines in stanza 3.
The Community Invites The Holy Spirit To Examine It
Introduction to the Examination
The Holy Spirit brings us to the surface, to the light; so we will examine ourselves in the open. As you listen to this song, how do you measure up to its message? Write down your thoughts. Have a vocalist, with piano, guitar, drums, or instruments other than organ, present "Within You, Without You," George Harrison; Northern Songs, Ltd., 71-75 New Oxford Street, London, W.C. 1, England. The words are printed in Discovery in Song, Book One. (See Appendix I for address.) (Following the singing, have two minutes of silence.)
Recognizing Who We Can Become
When the Spirit catches us, we become new persons, with new attitudes, new behavior. We become the saints of God. Did you hear that! We are the saints of God. Are you ready for that designation? Too bad if you aren't, because that's precisely what God calls us.
Response
"I Sing a Song to the Saints of God," Lesbia Scott, 1929; adapt; John Henry Hopkins, Jr., 1940, as in Hymnal 1940. (Children's and Youth Choirs)
The Community Learns About Pentecost
Message with the Children of All Ages
Ask the children if any of them brought a symbol for Pentecost. If so, talk about each one. At the same time, invite the rest of the congregation to come forward and identify the Holy Spirit symbols. Take as much time as needed, so that everyone who wants will have an opportunity to share.
Response
"Spirit of the Living God," Daniel Iverson, 1935; adapted.
Dramatizing of the Scripture
Dramatize the event. "Philip" will begin with verse 8. "Jesus" will respond, preferably by memorizing the passages, from the floor of the sanctuary. Make certain that everyone can hear. Have your musicians play some background Holy Spirit/Pentecost music.
Proclamation of the Good News
You may want to center the sermon around the following: (1) The church's center. Around what or whom does this congregation's life center? Around the Holy Spirit through the Word and Sacraments; or around a pastor's personality, a choir's singing, an impressive building, or an organizational structure? (2) Our inclusiveness. Do we express the unity of Holy Spirit amidst the diversity of our membership, or does only one type of person really feel at home? (3) Our outreach. Does the fellowship of this congregation depend strictly on the fact that most people are outside of it, and can stay outside so far as we are concerned; or are we, individually and corporately, Christ's witnessing community 24 hours a day? Peter Marshall said, "We resemble deep-sea divers encased in suits designed for many fathoms deep, marching bravely to pull out plugs in bathtubs." We do not receive the Holy Spirit by osmosis, but is that what we expect? The early disciples received the Holy Spirit because "they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers." Without preparation and commitment, nothing would have happened to them; and nothing will happen to or through us without preparation and commitment either. So, do we want the Holy Spirit? How badly?
Response
(Adult Choir) "The New Is Old," Lloyd Pfautsch.
The Community Responds To The Holy Spirit
Stewardship Challenge
Several years ago, the AP told how persons wanting to scalp their tickets for a football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears would get a premium. One woman was weighing offers from neighbors; but the leading bid came from her son-in-law, who offered, "The car, the house, five children, and your daughter back." Ah, yes, if only the church had that kind of commitment! So, now we present our commitment.
Charge to the Congregation
For those of us who care enough to give the very best, because we have experienced the Very Best that God could give, the question that we must ask ourselves daily is not, "What would we like to do?" For obviously, we would like to be irresponsible; we would like to do our own thing. Rather, we need to raise the question to God, "What would you, God, through the Holy Spirit, have us do?" To pray that prayer as soon as we pry open our sleepy eyes every morning could not help but change us. Yet, even if we refuse to pray that prayer, even if we refuse to participate in the release of God's power into this world, we cannot bottle it, or throttle it. The Holy Spirit will pop out somewhere else, no doubt where we least expect to see it. For indeed, God is in touch with us; God has made contact with us. And now, God seeks, strengthens, sends us into God's world, in and through the Holy Spirit, God's Present Tense. (Hand out Pentecost buttons.)
Hymn of Pentecost
"Spirit," James K. Manley, 1975.
Response Following the Benediction
"Every Time I Feel the Spirit," African-American spiritual; arr. Josseph T. Jones, 1902-1983; adapt. Melva W. Costen, 1989. Change "feel"ato "live" or another word of action. Too many of us sit around waiting for some "feeling" to hit us before we take action.
Meditation
What would happen in our personal and corporate lives if we permitted the Holy Spirit free reign, if we put no roadblocks in the Holy Spirit's way? So, I invite us, for the next seven days, for fifteen minutes each day, to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance, direction, strength, resources for every conceivable area of our life. For seven days, let's see what happens when we become less concerned about church as a building, and more concerned about building the church. Let's see what happens when we turn God loose in our lives, with no strings attached. Conclude each prayer with, "Not my will but your will be done, O God."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Pentecost hymns.
Other Hymns: "God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand," Daniel Crane Roberts, 1867; alt.; George William Warren, 1892. Use trumpets.
"Holy Ghost, Dispel Our Sadness," Paul Gerhardt, 1648; trans. John Christian Jacobi, c. 1725; alt.; George Henry Day, 1940.
"Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost," Christopher Wordsworth, 1862; Jane Manton Marshall, 1985.
Response to One of the Prayers: "Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayers," Andrew Reed, 1829; alt.; Johann CrÙger, 1647.
Offertory: "Beside Still Waters," Hamblen.
Response Following the Benediction: "Amen Chorus" from Lilies of the Field. Ask the people to sing as they leave the sanctuary.
Gospel: John 14:8-17 (25-27)
Theme: Jesus' Response to Philip; Jesus' Promise That We Will Do Greater Things Than He; Jesus' Promise of the Counselor. "In a new intensity the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost and transformed the disciples from mice into elephants, from chickens into eagles, from minnows into whales" (Ralph Lindquist). Which of those animals represents you?
The Community Gathers To Celebrate Pentecost
Music for Preparation
"Sortie" (Man for Pentecost), Messiaen.
Choral Invitation
"If There Is a Holy Spirit," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.) Dick and Don suggest that the skeptical world might sing this song to the church.
Pastoral Invitation
Pastor and Ministers
Is the Holy Spirit in your life; if so, how is the Holy Spirit revealed? Anyone care to respond? (If no response, let the silence hang for a few moments.) The Holy Spirit is the Risen Christ let loose in the world, for the Spirit of Christ infiltrates, inflames, inspires. So I invite us to walk with the Holy Spirit, so that we can talk of the Lord Christ. And, all the people say ...
P: Come on, let's celebrate the Presence of the Spirit.
M: We come to celebrate the Christ who sent the Spirit.
P: Christ is alive and calls us to life!
M: We come to discover the miracle of new life in fellowship with the living Christ and with each other.
P: This life is life as Christ lived it; life as we live it in him, and life as he lives it through us.
M: That's how we want to live, this day and every day!
Hymn of Pentecost
"Morning Has Broken," Eleanor Farjeon, 1931; Gaelic melody; arr. Dale Grotenhuis, 1985. Vary the singing of this hymn. Everyone sings the first stanza. The people sing the first half of stanza 2, the Choir the next line, the left side the next, the right side the next, and all sing the last line. The congregation and Choir sing alternate lines in stanza 3.
The Community Invites The Holy Spirit To Examine It
Introduction to the Examination
The Holy Spirit brings us to the surface, to the light; so we will examine ourselves in the open. As you listen to this song, how do you measure up to its message? Write down your thoughts. Have a vocalist, with piano, guitar, drums, or instruments other than organ, present "Within You, Without You," George Harrison; Northern Songs, Ltd., 71-75 New Oxford Street, London, W.C. 1, England. The words are printed in Discovery in Song, Book One. (See Appendix I for address.) (Following the singing, have two minutes of silence.)
Recognizing Who We Can Become
When the Spirit catches us, we become new persons, with new attitudes, new behavior. We become the saints of God. Did you hear that! We are the saints of God. Are you ready for that designation? Too bad if you aren't, because that's precisely what God calls us.
Response
"I Sing a Song to the Saints of God," Lesbia Scott, 1929; adapt; John Henry Hopkins, Jr., 1940, as in Hymnal 1940. (Children's and Youth Choirs)
The Community Learns About Pentecost
Message with the Children of All Ages
Ask the children if any of them brought a symbol for Pentecost. If so, talk about each one. At the same time, invite the rest of the congregation to come forward and identify the Holy Spirit symbols. Take as much time as needed, so that everyone who wants will have an opportunity to share.
Response
"Spirit of the Living God," Daniel Iverson, 1935; adapted.
Dramatizing of the Scripture
Dramatize the event. "Philip" will begin with verse 8. "Jesus" will respond, preferably by memorizing the passages, from the floor of the sanctuary. Make certain that everyone can hear. Have your musicians play some background Holy Spirit/Pentecost music.
Proclamation of the Good News
You may want to center the sermon around the following: (1) The church's center. Around what or whom does this congregation's life center? Around the Holy Spirit through the Word and Sacraments; or around a pastor's personality, a choir's singing, an impressive building, or an organizational structure? (2) Our inclusiveness. Do we express the unity of Holy Spirit amidst the diversity of our membership, or does only one type of person really feel at home? (3) Our outreach. Does the fellowship of this congregation depend strictly on the fact that most people are outside of it, and can stay outside so far as we are concerned; or are we, individually and corporately, Christ's witnessing community 24 hours a day? Peter Marshall said, "We resemble deep-sea divers encased in suits designed for many fathoms deep, marching bravely to pull out plugs in bathtubs." We do not receive the Holy Spirit by osmosis, but is that what we expect? The early disciples received the Holy Spirit because "they devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and the prayers." Without preparation and commitment, nothing would have happened to them; and nothing will happen to or through us without preparation and commitment either. So, do we want the Holy Spirit? How badly?
Response
(Adult Choir) "The New Is Old," Lloyd Pfautsch.
The Community Responds To The Holy Spirit
Stewardship Challenge
Several years ago, the AP told how persons wanting to scalp their tickets for a football game between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears would get a premium. One woman was weighing offers from neighbors; but the leading bid came from her son-in-law, who offered, "The car, the house, five children, and your daughter back." Ah, yes, if only the church had that kind of commitment! So, now we present our commitment.
Charge to the Congregation
For those of us who care enough to give the very best, because we have experienced the Very Best that God could give, the question that we must ask ourselves daily is not, "What would we like to do?" For obviously, we would like to be irresponsible; we would like to do our own thing. Rather, we need to raise the question to God, "What would you, God, through the Holy Spirit, have us do?" To pray that prayer as soon as we pry open our sleepy eyes every morning could not help but change us. Yet, even if we refuse to pray that prayer, even if we refuse to participate in the release of God's power into this world, we cannot bottle it, or throttle it. The Holy Spirit will pop out somewhere else, no doubt where we least expect to see it. For indeed, God is in touch with us; God has made contact with us. And now, God seeks, strengthens, sends us into God's world, in and through the Holy Spirit, God's Present Tense. (Hand out Pentecost buttons.)
Hymn of Pentecost
"Spirit," James K. Manley, 1975.
Response Following the Benediction
"Every Time I Feel the Spirit," African-American spiritual; arr. Josseph T. Jones, 1902-1983; adapt. Melva W. Costen, 1989. Change "feel"ato "live" or another word of action. Too many of us sit around waiting for some "feeling" to hit us before we take action.
Meditation
What would happen in our personal and corporate lives if we permitted the Holy Spirit free reign, if we put no roadblocks in the Holy Spirit's way? So, I invite us, for the next seven days, for fifteen minutes each day, to seek the Holy Spirit's guidance, direction, strength, resources for every conceivable area of our life. For seven days, let's see what happens when we become less concerned about church as a building, and more concerned about building the church. Let's see what happens when we turn God loose in our lives, with no strings attached. Conclude each prayer with, "Not my will but your will be done, O God."
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Pentecost hymns.
Other Hymns: "God of the Ages, Whose Almighty Hand," Daniel Crane Roberts, 1867; alt.; George William Warren, 1892. Use trumpets.
"Holy Ghost, Dispel Our Sadness," Paul Gerhardt, 1648; trans. John Christian Jacobi, c. 1725; alt.; George Henry Day, 1940.
"Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost," Christopher Wordsworth, 1862; Jane Manton Marshall, 1985.
Response to One of the Prayers: "Spirit Divine, Attend Our Prayers," Andrew Reed, 1829; alt.; Johann CrÙger, 1647.
Offertory: "Beside Still Waters," Hamblen.
Response Following the Benediction: "Amen Chorus" from Lilies of the Field. Ask the people to sing as they leave the sanctuary.
