Sunday, May 23, 2021: Pentecost Sunday

CALL TO WORSHIP
Psalm 103

MUSIC
Curated by Kevin Borst
Phil Wickham - Battle Belongs
Hillsong Worship - Fresh Wind
Elevation Worship - Graves Into Gardens
Bryan & Katie Torwalt - Holy Spirit

PENTECOST RESPONSIVE READING
Written by Bobbi Salkeld

Today is Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost is a feast day in the church calendar that marks the end of Eastertide and the gift of the Holy Spirit. 

And Pentecost is a great story. 

After Jesus’ ascension, the first followers gather and wait. For what, they’re not sure. We’re told that they joined together constantly in prayer. They listen to each other piece together what Jesus’ life and absence could mean for them now. 

And then, all of a sudden, those gathered are surrounded by a great noise. The howl of wind fills the room where they wait. Spirit is present to them in a way that they can see, in a way that they can hear. Even though they aren’t from the same place, they all understand each other perfectly. 

Can you imagine it? Telling your story with your own words and being completely understood. Hearing the story of someone so different from you and understanding them.

I invite you to welcome the Spirit of Pentecost as we respond to the story with a reading. 
I’ll kick it off; you read the words marked “ALL.” 

The Spirit of God 
opens us to our own stories. 
In our time, in our place,
giving us the wisdom to sense the presence of the Creator
in challenges, in celebrations, and even in the unremarkable every day. 

Come Holy Spirit
draw us into your love
and near to friends and strangers 

The Spirit of God
breaks down walls that entrap us in fear. 
In our poverty, in our wealth,
giving us the wisdom to sense the presence of the Savior
in differences, in similarities, and even in the tensions that call us to action.

Come Holy Spirit 
draw us into your love
and near to friends and strangers

The Spirit of God
fills up the spaces that are lacking.
In our scarcity, and in our plenty,
giving us the wisdom to sense the presence of Spirit
in emptiness, in fullness, and even in long stretches of numbness.

Come Holy Spirit   
draw us into your love
and near to friends and strangers  

AMEN