Description
John 14:23-31
We are all on a spiritual journey; therefore we do not learn everything that our Lord wants to teach us in a short period of time. Even someone who claims to have a conversion experience and points to the time and place can only grasp a small measure of what it means to be a committed, mature Christian. Growth in the Christian faith is a life-long experience where at times we fail to be faithful and at other times, we rejoice in obedience. It is through the Holy Spirit that the words of the Bible become God’s truth for us. It is the Spirit that illumines, teaches, counsels, guides, and helps us on the journey.
We Lift Our Hearts in Worship
[Preservice options include videos (countdowns, worship music, welcomes), worship music CD, or live music by worship band.]
Time of Praise and Worship
Father Spirit Jesus
Chad Cates, Dave Hunt, Mark Hall, © © 2005 New Spring | Modine Gunch Music | Upper Cates Music | My Refuge Music | Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) | (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) | (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) | (Admin. by Sony/ATV Songs LLC)
Pouring It Out For You
Jared Anderson, Jonathan Lee, © 2010 Integrity Worship Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) Universal Music – Brentwood Benson Tunes (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) JLee Publishing (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc.) Don Quixote Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
You Must Increase
Matt Redman, ©2000 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing
Happy Day
Ben Cantelon & Tim Hughes, ©2006 Thankyou Music (Admin by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
[Traditional Options]
Hail Thee, Festival Day
EH 175; ELW 394; LBW 142; LSB 489; LW 125; NCH 262; PH 120; RS 588; UMC 324
Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling
ELW 582; LBW 523; LSB 650; LW 164; NCH 59; WC 289
Holy Spirit, Light Divine
BH 75 135; CH 392; ELW 398; HLC 194; LSB 496; LW 166; STTL 306; WC 302
Eternal Spirit of the Living Christ
EH 698; ELW 402; LBW 441; LSB 769; LW 432; NCH 520; WAR 475
Invocation and Introduction of Today’s Theme
Pastor Everlasting Father, this is a day to celebrate the coming of Your Spirit among us and the birth of Your church! Empower us now as we begin this worship service. Fill this place as well as our hearts and lives with the Pentecost Spirit – that we may grasp in a deeper way, the truth of Your Word.
ALL Amen!
Opening Prayer
Pastor Mighty God, Your Spirit was there at the dawn of the very first day when You spoke the world into being. Your Spirit was there for Moses, Abraham, and all the great prophets—leading and sustaining them. Your Spirit acknowledged Jesus, the Christ, as Your beloved Son and You expressed Your pleasure. Your Spirit was there when the mighty winds filled the room and made it possible for each person there to hear the truth of the Gospel in His own language. Your Spirit has been there since and gives Your church power and relevance today. Give us a special measure of that Holy Spirit power today as we worship!
ALL In the name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Time of Greeting
Time of Confession and Forgiveness
[Alternate location: following Message]
Pastor Spirit of Truth, we cannot hide from You or hide the sins that lurk deep within us. It is comforting to know that we can be honest and give them over to You and You will cleanse us and give us a new start. Hear us now as we make confession:
ALL We confess that we have not loved You or our neighbors as Your Word has taught us. We are quick to find fault and rush to judgment— uttering words and displaying actions that do not build up the body Christ, but rather undermines the fellowship of believers. We have not always been as diligent as we should be in our growth so that we can live lives in accordance with the truth of Jesus Christ and His example of living. We have not used the gifts of love and service which You gave the church at Pentecost. We are guilty of dwelling on our own self interests while neglecting strangers and seekers among us. Forgive us, Lord, for these sins and many others which we have not named. Renew a right spirit within us.
Pastor Know that your sins are all forgiven and that you have been washed clean. Know that the advocate is with you at all times to be your teacher and remind you of this gift of grace through our Lord Jesus. Amen.
We Hear God’s Word
[Read aloud both the introduction and Scripture]
First Reading Genesis 11:1-9
The people in this story put the focus on their own human achievement by building a large tower so that the whole world could see.
1 Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. 2 As people moved eastward, they found a plain in Shinar and settled there.3 They said to each other, “Come, let’s make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. 4 Then they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves; otherwise we will be scattered over the face of the whole earth.”5 But the Lord came down to see the city and the tower the people were building. 6 The Lord said, “If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. 7 Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other.”8 So the Lord scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. 9 That is why it was called Babel—because there the Lord confused the language of the whole world. From there the Lord scattered them over the face of the whole earth.
