Service Sunday June 8, 2025
Pentecost Sunday & Communion
National Indigenous Peoples Month
All are Welcome!
Worship Leader: Rev. Max Ward
Music Director: Melissa Stephens
(For a Printer Friendly PDF version click this link)
The Gathering
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS:
FOCUSING ON THE LIGHT OF CHRIST:
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF TERRITORY: In Unison
Before we begin our worship with language that is ancient and music that comes from intentional community, it is important to acknowledge other ancient and intentional communities. Ancient and modern people have inhabited and continue to inhabit this territory on which we worship. This is the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe peoples, and we are deeply grateful to be here and to ground ourselves in the territory which has been a place where people have lived for thousands of years.
Written by Peter Chynoweth, Cochrane, Alta.
Gathering, Pentecost 2, 2023, p.29. Used with permission.
THE APPROACH
CALL TO WORSHIP:
One: On the first day of Pentecost, the faithful gathered and the world changed. On this day of Pentecost, we have gathered and we commit to being a faith community of change.
ALL: We will celebrate joyfully,
One: and others will be caught up in our joy.
ALL: We will care passionately,
One: and others will be touched by our compassion.
ALL: We will meet injustice head on,
One: and self-serving attitudes will be confronted.
ALL: We will embrace global needs,
One: and serve up hope and justice in the world.
ALL: The Spirit will inspire and enliven us! Thanks be to God for the gathered church.
One: Let us worship and welcome the Spirit.
Written by David Sparks, Summerland, B.C.
Gathering, Pentecost 1 2025, p25. Used with permission.
HYMN: “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” VU# 375
Refrain Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow thro' the wilderness calling and free,
Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
Wind, Wind on the sea.
1 You moved on the waters, you called to the deep,
then you coaxed up the mountains from the valleys of sleep;
and over the eons you called to each thing:
wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings. Refrain
2 You swept thro' the desert, you stung with the sand,
and you goaded your people with a law and a land;
and when they were blinded with their idols and lies,
then you spoke thro' your prophets to open their eyes. Refrain
3 You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill,
then you whispered in silence when the whole world
was still; and down in the city you called once again,
when you blew through your people on the rush of the wind. Refrain
4 You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes,
from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams,
our women see visions, our men clear their eyes,
with bold new decisions your people arise. Refrain
OPENING PRAYER: Spoken in Unison
Gracious God, source of energetic light, we have gathered in this place on Pentecost Sunday. Touch our hearts and our minds that we might be open to a story of inspiration, of courage, and of new life in your Spirit. Give us the grace to recognize ourselves in this story—the restlessness and fear of those first disciples, and , yes, even the desire to stay safe within our familiar and known. Help us also to feel the sacred fire that burns at the heart of the first-century community. Allow that fire to ignite our hearts to new calls and to new possibilities. Let your spirit of Pentecost take up a home in our hearts, now and in the days and weeks to come. Amen.
Written by Stephen Hurley, St. Paul’s U.C., Milton, Ont.
Gathering, Pentecost 1 2025, p26. Used with permission.
MINISTRY OF MUSIC:
HYMN: “Oh a Song Must Rise” MV #142
Refrain
Oh a song must rise for the spirit to descend
Oh a song must rise once again (again)
Singing out God’s praises and glory,
the faithful voices blend,
Oh a song must rise for the spirit to descend. (descend)
1. From the mountains to the valleys,
from the desert to the sea,
a song must rise once again.
From the voices of our leaders,
the voice of you and me,
a song must rise for the spirit to descend. Refrain
2. From poverty and riches,
from the voice of young and old,
a song must rise once again. (again)
From the free and the imprisoned,
the timid and the bold,
a song must rise for the spirit to descend. Refrain
3. From ev’ry house of worship,
in ev’ry faith and tongue,
a song must rise once again.
From the villages and cities
a new song must be sung,
a song must rise for the spirit to descend. Refrain
THE WORD
Scripture: Acts 2:1-21
Leader: Hear and listen to what the Spirit is saying to the church.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
MESSAGE:
“The Fire That Ignites the Church”
OUR RESPONSE
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE and THE LORD’S PRAYER: (spoken VU #921)
COMMUNION HYMN: “I Feel the Winds of God” VU #625 vs 1-2
1 I feel the winds of God today; today my sail I lift,
though heavy oft with drenching spray
and torn with many a rift; if hope but light the water's crest,
and Christ my bark will use,
I'll seek the seas at his behest, and brave another cruise.
2 It is the wind of God that dries my vain regretful tears,
until with braver thoughts shall rise the purer, brighter years;
if cast on shores of selfish ease or pleasure I should be,
O let me feel your freshening breeze, and I'll put back to sea.
SACRAMENT OF HOLY COMMUNION
Invitation
One: Jesus taught that bread was meant to be shared, and that all are welcome at God’s table. Jesus also asked to be remembered in the sharing of bread and wine.
ALL: In this sharing, in this welcoming, in this remembering, we celebrate the love of God that is made known to us in Jesus, and that welcomes us as family.
Sursum Corda
One: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And also with you.
One: Lift up your hearts.
ALL: We lift them up to the Lord.
One: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
ALL: It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Preface
One: We give you thanks, God of peace and promise. Through the words of your prophets and the faith of your followers you prepare the way of our redemption
and bring hope to birth. And though we often grow weary of waiting, your signs call us to keep watch for that day when all things shall be made new.
In assurance of this hope, we join with all the company of heaven and earth
to give you praise:
Sanctus-Benedictus Communion Setting E Page #942
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full, full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.
Institution Narrative
One: We remember that when Jesus ate with his friends, he took a loaf of bread, and after blessing it, he broke it and gave it to them, saying:
“Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Each time you do this, remember me.” Then, he took a cup, and after giving thanks, passed it to his friends, saying:
“Drink. This cup that is poured out for you is the promise of God, made in my blood. Whenever you drink it, remember me.”
Anamnesis-Oblation
One: Loving God, we rejoice in the gift of your grace, remembering Christ’s life and death, proclaiming his resurrection, waiting in hope for his coming again. Grant that, in praise and thanksgiving, we may offer ourselves to you that our lives may proclaim the mystery of faith:
Memorial Acclamation Communion Setting E Page #943
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Epiclesis
One: Send, O God, your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these gifts, that all who share in this loaf and cup may be the body of Christ: light, life, and love in the world. In this hope and as your people, we praise you.
Doxology
One: Through Christ, with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory is yours, God most holy, now and forever.
Great Amen Communion Setting E Page #943
Amen, amen, amen, amen.
Fraction and Pouring
One: The body of Christ.
ALL: Thanks be to God for the bread of life.
One: The blood of Christ.
ALL: Thanks be to God for the cup of blessing.
Distribution
One: The gifts of God for the people of God.
The Bread of Life.
The Cup of Blessing.
Post-Communion Prayer
ALL: For the bread we have eaten, for the wine we have tasted, for the life we have received, we thank you God. Grant that what we have done and have been given here, may put its mark on us, that it may remain always in our hearts. Grant that we may grow in Christian love and understanding, and that ours may be lives of faithful action, in Christ’s name. Amen.
Dismissal
One: Go in peace; serve God.
ALL: Thanks be to God.
COMMUNION HYMN: “I Feel the Winds of God” VU #625 vs 3
3 If ever I forget your love and how that love was shown,
lift high the blood-red flag above; it bears your name alone.
Great pilot of my onward way, you will not let me drift.
I feel the winds of God today; today my sail I lift.
PRESENTATION OF OUR OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Faithful God, true to your promises, we gather in hope. We experience a world around us that has corners of hopelessness, cities engulfed in violence, avenues of grief, and barriers of hatred. Strengthen our prayers and strengthen our gifts. Stir our impatience. Reclaim your world, and establish your hope and peace in fullness. By your Spirit, energize our actions for justice, even as we await the fulfillment of all your promises. Praise to you, our God, who is true to your promises. Keep us faithful to you always and bless all of our offerings. Amen
Written by Elaine Bidgood Sveet, Zion Lutheran Church, Minot, North Dakota Gathering, Easter*Lent 2025, p.27. Used with permission.
SUNG BLESSING MV #150 vs 4
4 Spirit God: be our breath, be our song.
Blow through us, bringing strength to move on.
Through change, through challenge, we’ll greet the new dawn…
Spirit God, be our song. ©
SENDING FORTH:
A Time of Fellowship
© Music Reproduced with permission under License number A-605748, Valid for: 26/10/2024 - 25/10/2025; One License - Copyright Cleared Music for Churches
