PENTECOST SUNDAY. May 14, Kris Olsen. Opening Hymn: How Great Thou Art (418) Opening Prayer (based on Acts 2:1-4; Galatians 5:22-23)

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1 PENTECOST SUNDAY May 14, Kris Olsen Without Pentecost the Christ event -- the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus --remains imprisoned in history as something to remember, think about and reflect on. With Pentecost, the Spirit of Jesus comes to dwell within us, so that we can become living Christs here and now. Henri Nouwen Opening Hymn: How Great Thou Art (418) Opening Prayer (based on Acts 2:1-4; Galatians 5:22-23) Holy One, ignite within us a fiery passion for your mission in the world today. Warm us by the Spirit s dancing tongues of flame, that we may feel your kindling blaze within, urging us to do your greater good. Make us wholly present to experience a new birth, and awaken possibilities within us to share your love in the world. In this love and abundance, we come to celebrate your harvest a harvest bearing the first fruits of the Spirit within us. Show us how to use these gifts, as we listen for your truth in the gentle breeze of your Spirit. Amen. Reading 1: ACTS 2:1-11 When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then, there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim. Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven staying in Jerusalem. At this sound, they gathered in a large crowd, but they were confused because each one heard them speaking in his own language. They were astounded,

2 and in amazement they asked, Are not all these people who are speaking Galileans? Then how does each of us hear them in his native language? We are Parthians, Medes, and Elamites, inhabitants of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the districts of Libya near Cyrene, as well as travelers from Rome, both Jews and converts to Judaism, Cretans and Arabs, yet we hear them speaking in our own tongues of the mighty acts of God. The Word of God. Thanks be to God Responsorial Psalm: PS 104:1, 24, 29-30, 31, 34 O God, send out your Spirit, and renew the face of the earth. Bless God, O my soul! O God, my God, you are great indeed! How manifold are your works, O God! The earth is full of your creatures; R. May the glory of God endure forever; may God be glad in the works of Creation! Pleasing to God be my theme; I will be glad. R If you take away their breath, they perish and return to their dust. When you send forth your spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the Earth. R. Reading 2: Center of Concern.org Today, as we celebrate the power of the Spirit in the church, the scriptures remind us that the Spirit is a social Spirit a Spirit that leads us to solidarity with each other, the whole world s people, The Spirit does more than make individuals feel good or different. The Spirit breaks down barriers between peoples. The Spirit changes behavior and moves us into community. The coming of the Spirit transforms the Christian community. Locked doors are opened. Fear is replaced by courage. Peace is proclaimed. The power to forgive sins is present. Those who were afraid now speak up boldly. Thousands hear the message in their own language. The coming of the Spirit is reflected in our social values. In a world of racism and xenophobia and fear of immigrants, the Spirit speaks to people of every nation under heaven. In a world of fear and doubt and confusion, the Spirit inspires people to open the doors and speak out especially about issues of justice and peace.

3 In a world of selfishness, competition, and control, the Spirit gives out gifts that are shared for the benefit of all especially those who are poor or in need. In a world with war, violence and terrorism, the Spirit proclaims a message of peace and reconciliation to all. In a world of economic problems, the Spirit reminds us that the things of the world are meant to be shared by all and are to be used for the common good. In a world where the environment is abused and over used, the Spirit calls us to reform how we live and to use the earth with care and love. The gifts of the Spirit are for liberation. The Spirit is an inclusive spirit who desires to set everyone free. Maybe the greatest manifestation of the spirit is when people have the grace to identify with the needs and struggles of the world, to listen to those who are poor or oppressed, and to speak up for justice. As Elizabeth Johnson says: Finding one s own voice, however, haltingly, imparts the power of Spirit crying out. The Word of God. Thanks be to G0D. Gospel Acclamation: R. Alleluia, alleluia. Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in them the fire of your love. R. Alleluia, alleluia. Gospel: John (20:19-23). God be with you. And with your Spirit. A reading from the gospel of John. Glory be to you, O God. On the evening of that first day of the week, when the doors were locked, where the disciples were for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, Peace be with you. When he had said this, he showed them his hands and his side. The disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you. And when he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, Receive the Holy Spirit. Whose sins you forgive are forgiven them, and whose sins you retain are retained. Listen to what the Spirit is telling the Church. Glory & Praise Silent Reflection/Followed by Discussion Intercessions: Response: Come, Holy Spirit, Come!

4 The Holy Spirit embodies the life force of the universe, the power of God, the animating energy present in all things and captured by none. On this great feast of Pentecost, the coming of the Spirit of God, we invite you to pray: R. May the Gifts of the Holy Spirit bring fire to the earth so that the presence of God may be seen in a new light, in new places, in new ways, we pray: R. May our own hearts burst into flame so that no obstacle, no matter how great, ever obstructs the message of the God within each of us. We pray: R. May we come to trust the Word of God in our heart, to speak it with courage, to follow it faithfully and to fan it to flame in others, we pray: R. May the Jesus who filled women with his Holy Spirit fill the world and the church with new respect for women s power and presence, we pray: R. For the gift to speak up on issues of justice and peace, we pray: R. For a strong commitment to respect human rights of all people and for an end to torture and abuse, we pray: R. For transparency and integrity in all our governments and in all our public officials, we pray: R. For willingness to take time to listen and learn from others who are in need, we pray: R. For the perserverance needed to keep working for affordable healthy care of all, we pray: R. Give us, Great God, a sense of the Breath of Spirit within us as we state the intentions in our own lives at this time.) SUNG Response: (O God hear our prayer.) Sharing of the Bread: The Ascended Jesus be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts to the One who gives us a spirit of wisdom. We open our hearts to Jesus who opens God's words to us. We do indeed lift loud songs of joy to you, Awesome Mother/Father God! Everything in heaven, and on earth, provides all the proof we need of your goodness and mercy. You came to us in your Word made flesh. Therefore, with all your people of every time and every place, we sing our glad song to you: Santo, Santo, Santo es el Senor. Hosana en las Alturas.

5 Bendito es el que viene en nombre del Senor. All glory is due to you, God on High, and blessings on your Son, our Savior, Jesus Christ. Stripping himself of glory Jesus came that we might be clothed in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we remember his life, his service, his death, his resurrection, his ascension, we will not stop giving thanks to you, Generous and Wonderful God. We pray that you will pour out your Holy Spirit upon us gathered at this Table, and upon the gifts of the bread and the cup. We are filled with Christ's presence, so we may go to empty ourselves: telling your story of grace and hope, carrying your mercy to those who cannot forgive themselves, pouring cups of cold water, embracing the untouchables of our time. Then, when we gather at your feast in glory, seated with our sisters and brothers from all time, we will clap our hands, shouting our joy to you, now and forevermore. Amen. Please hold hands (if possible) and say; The Our Father Cordero de Dios, que quitas el pecado del mundo, ten piedad de nosotros, ten piedad. Cordero de Dios, que quitas el pecado del mundo, ten piedad de nosotros, ten piedad. Cordero de Dios, que quitas el pecado del mundo, danos la paz, danosla Breaking Bread Hymn: Amazing Gracw (424) Closing Prayer: May the Gifts of the Holy Spirit bring fire to the earth so that the presence of God may be seen in a new light, in new places, in new ways. May our own hearts burst into flame so that no obstacle, no matter how great, ever obstructs the message of the God within each of us. May we come to trust the Word of God in our heart, to speak it with courage, to follow it faithfully and to fan it to flame in others. May the Jesus who filled women with his Holy Spirit, fill the world and the church with new respect for women s power and presence. Give me, Great God, a sense of the Breath of Spirit within us as we leave here tonight. Amen. And May God bless us and keep us. May God s face shine upon us. May God be gracious to us, and grant to us, and to our entire broken world, peace. May the blessing of Almighty God, the Creator, Redeemer, and Holy Spirit, come upon us and remain with us forever. Amen Closing Hymn: They will know we are Christians (609) Happy Anniversary Nancy and George!!!!