“Pentecost” comes from a Greek word meaning fiftieth day. On this day, the Holy Spirit came with wind and flame, empowering the disciples to proclaim the good news of the Risen Lord to all people. Falling on the fiftieth day of the season of Easter, Pentecost represents the culmination of the church’s seven-week celebration of Christ’s resurrection. As the Lord’s Day is sometimes called the “eight day” of creation, Pentecost is a day of new creation—all things transformed and made new by the Word and Breath of the living God. On the Day of Pentecost we give particular thanks for the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, who gathers the church as the body of Christ and sends us to share in Christ’s mission throughout the world.
CALL TO WORSHIP
The congregation is invited to join Riley in the refrain, “We give thanks…”
opening hymn
Prayer of Confession
Offer this prayer aloud.
Almighty God, we confess that we hold back the force of your Spirit among us. We do not listen for your word of grace, speak the good news of your love, or live as people made one in Christ. Transform our timid lives by the power of your Spirit, and fill us with a flaming desire to be your faithful people.Through Christ, God has poured out the Holy Spirit upon us for the forgiveness of sins. In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Sung: We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
We are forgiven. We are forgiven. Thanks be to God. Thanks be to God.
THE WORD
Acts 2:1-11
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
‘In the last days it will be,God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”
Duet
Tony and Mick Susco sing “Every Time I Feel the Spirit.”
Affirmation of Faith
Today’s affirmation of faith was prepared for our bicentennial service last year on Pentecost.
We believe that the same Spirit that filled Peter and the apostles on Pentecost nearly 2000 years ago, filled Ezekiel Ball, Moses Karr, and many other women and men of Middletown in 1819. The same Spirit fills us today. We believe that we do not exist on our own efforts, but simply by the grace of God. The church is to be a community of faith, entrusting itself to God alone, even at the risk of losing its life. We believe that God has placed us in Middletown to point beyond ourselves to the word and work of God’s redeeming love. Never working alone, we are in a community of saints that transcends time and space. We are formed as Christ’s risen body in the world. Through the Holy Spirit, we are clothed with power for ministry, even when the work feels bewildering. We worship God alone. We belong to God alone. We serve God alone.
Welcome & Prayers of the People
SENDING
Lisa sends us with a story for the whole family.
Benediction
Now go into God’s world filled with the spark of the Holy Spirit. Let love guide your actions. Listen for the Spirit of Truth. Spread the peace of Christ. And may the love of God, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the power of the Holy Spirit be with you all, now and forever. Amen.
Postlude
Joyce played some Spirit-filled music for on the carillon bells at 10:30, and the congregation was invited to the church parking lot to listen. Here is the video that was livestreamed to Facebook.
Offering
Contributions to the ministry of First Presbyterian Church may be made online by clicking the button below or mailed to First Presbyterian Church, 2910 Central Ave., Middletown, OH 45044.
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