Emmanuel Presbyterian Church

05/31/2026

05/28/2026

Happy Thursday 😘
Daisybug

05/27/2026

SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2026
SERMON – THE MIRACLES FO ASCENSION
SCRIPTURE READINGS:
GENESIS 1:1-2:4a
PSALM 8:1-9
2 CORINTHIANS 13:11-13
MATTHEW 28:16-20
*ACTS 1:6-14

SUNDAY, JUNE 7, 2026 – 2ND SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
MUSIC AND MESSAGE BY MATT HYBARGER
MESSAGE – GOD I’M TIRED
SCRIPTURE READINGS
GENESIS 12:1-9
PSALM 33:1-12
ROMANS 4:13-25
MATTHEW 9:9-13, 18-26
*MATTHEW 7: 7

SUNDAY, JUNE 14, 2026 – 3RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
MESSAGE – BURDEN EXCHANGE
SCRIPTURE READINGS
GENESIS 18:1-15, 21:1-7
PSALM 116:1-2, 12-19
ROMANS 5:1-8
MATTHEW 9:35-10:8 (9-23)
*PSALM 55:22
*1 PETER 5: 7-11
*MATTHEW 11:28-30

SUNDAY, JUNE 21, 2026 – FATHER’S DAY
MESSAGE – THE EXAMPLE OF JOSEPH
SCRIPTURE READINGS
GENESIS 21:8-21
PSALM 86:1-10, 16-17
GOSPEL MATTHEW 10:24-39
*MATTHEW 1:18-25
*MATTHEW 2:13-14
*MATTHEW 2:19-21

SUNDAY, JUNE 31, 2026 – 5TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
MESSAGE – ARE WE GOD’S DOOR MATS?
SCRIPTURE READINGS
GENESIS 22:1-14
PSALM 13:1-6
ROMANS 6:12-23
*MATTHEW 10:40-42

SUNDAY, JULY 5, 2026
MESSAGE – WHAT ARE YOU DOING?
SCRIPTURE READINGS
GENESIS 24:34-38, 42-49, 58-67
PSALM 45:10-17
SONG OF SOLOMON 2:8-13
*ROMANS 7:15-25A
MATTHEW 11:16-19, 25-30

SUNDAY, JULY 12, 2026 – MUSIC APPRECIATION SUNDAY
MESSAGE – THE GIFT OF MUSIC IN WORSHIP
LUNCHEON AFTER CHURCH
SCRIPTURE READINGS
FIRST READING GENESIS 25:19-34
PSALM 119:105-112
SECOND READING ROMANS 8:1-11
GOSPEL MATTHEW 13:1-9, 18-23
*EPHESIANS 5:1-2;18B-21

05/27/2026

Here are the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, May 31, 2026, Trinity Sunday (Year A). Reading and studying the scriptures intended for a worship service before you attend transforms your experience from passive listening to active engagement. This preparation allows you to "hear" the message more clearly and provides several specific spiritual and practical advantages.

SCRIPTURE READINGS
GENESIS 1:1-2:4a
PSALM 8:1-9
2 CORINTHIANS 13:11-13
MATTHEW 28:16-20
*ACTS 1:6-14

GENESIS 1:1-2:4a
1In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, 2the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. 3Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. 5God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
6And God said, “Let there be a dome in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.” 7So God made the dome and separated the waters that were under the dome from the waters that were above the dome. And it was so. 8God called the dome Sky. And there was evening and there was morning, the second day. 9And God said, “Let the waters under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let the dry land appear.” And it was so. 10God called the dry land Earth, and the waters that were gathered together he called Seas. And God saw that it was good. 11Then God said, “Let the earth put forth vegetation: plants yielding seed, and fruit trees of every kind on earth that bear fruit with the seed in it.” And it was so. 12The earth brought forth vegetation: plants yielding seed of every kind, and trees of every kind bearing fruit with the seed in it. And God saw that it was good. 13And there was evening and there was morning, the third day. 14And God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night; and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years, 15and let them be lights in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth.” And it was so. 16God made the two great lights — the greater light to rule the day and the lesser light to rule the night — and the stars. 17God set them in the dome of the sky to give light upon the earth, 18to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. 19And there was evening and there was morning, the fourth day. 20And God said, “Let the waters bring forth swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the dome of the sky.” 21So God created the great sea monsters and every living creature that moves, of every kind, with which the waters swarm, and every winged bird of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 22God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23And there was evening and there was morning, the fifth day. 24And God said, “Let the earth bring forth living creatures of every kind: cattle and creeping things and wild animals of the earth of every kind.” And it was so. 25God made the wild animals of the earth of every kind, and the cattle of every kind, and everything that creeps upon the ground of every kind. And God saw that it was good. 26Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, according to our likeness; and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the wild animals of the earth, and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.” 27So God created humankind in his image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the earth and subdue it; and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over every living thing that moves upon the earth.” 29God said, “See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30And to every beast of the earth, and to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, everything that has the breath of life, I have given every green plant for food.” And it was so. 31God saw everything that he had made, and indeed, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day. 2:1Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all their multitude. 2And on the seventh day God finished the work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all the work that he had done. 3So God blessed the seventh day and hallowed it, because on it God rested from all the work that he had done in creation.
4These are the generations of the heavens and the earth when they were created.

PSALM 8:1-9
1 O LORD, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens.
2 Out of the mouths of babes and infants
you have founded a bulwark because of your foes,
to silence the enemy and the avenger.
3 When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
4 what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?
5 Yet you have made them a little lower than God,
and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You have given them dominion over the works of your hands;
you have put all things under their feet,
7 all sheep and oxen,
and also the beasts of the field,
8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea,
whatever passes along the paths of the seas.
9 O LORD, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!

2 CORINTHIANS 13:11-13
11Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. 12Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. 13The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

MATTHEW 28:16-20
16Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

*ACTS 1:6-14
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” MATTHIAS CHOSEN TO REPLACE JUDAS 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[a] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

05/27/2026

JOIN US ON SUNDAY, MAY 31. 2026 – TRINTY SUNDAY
AT 11:00 AM FOR WORSHIP SERVICE

ORDER OF WORSHIP
SUNDAY, MAY 31. 2026 – TRINITY SUNDAY
PRELUDE – Come, Thou Almighty King - David Kelly/Pat Will
GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
MUSICAL CALL TO WORSHIP - Holy, Holy, Holy! God Almighty – GG #1
CALL TO WORSHIP
L: As the disciples gathered in expectation,
P: We gather now, with one accord.
L: As they devoted themselves to prayer,
P: We commit ourselves to seek God’s presence.
L: Come, let us worship in unity, waiting for the Holy Spirit to move.
P: We gather in the name of the Risen Lord!
MUSICAL REFLECTION -The Gift of Love - Pat Will
CALL TO CONFESSION
L: Friends, the risen Christ has ascended into heaven, yet he promises to be with us always. He calls us to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth, but we often keep our eyes fixed on our own narrow horizons. Let us come before God with honest hearts, acknowledging the times we have looked for our own kingdom instead of God’s, and seek the mercy that empowers us for new life.
UNISON PRAYER OF CONFESSION
Almighty God, we confess that like the first disciples, we are often preoccupied with our own timing and our own power. We ask, "Lord, is this the time?" when you have already given us the command to go. We stand gazing into the clouds, paralyzed by nostalgia or fear, while a world in need waits for a witness. Forgive us when we ignore the promptings of your Holy Spirit. Forgive us when we seek the accolades of this world instead of the quiet strength of your kingdom. Restore us to our mission, fill us with your promised power, and help us to wait with faithful patience until you send us out once more. Amen.
SILENT CONFESSION
UNISON ASSURANCE OF PARDON
Hear the good news! The same Jesus who was taken up into heaven has not left us orphaned. He has poured out his Spirit upon all people, and through his grace, we are forgiven and made new. Alleluia, amen!
ACT OF PRAISE - Gloria Patri - HFG #142
HYMN – A Hymn Of Glory Let Us Sing! – GG #258
UNISON PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as we hear of the disciples' waiting and devotion, we may be empowered to witness to your resurrection in our lives, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING - ACTS 1:6-14
6 Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” 7 He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” 9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”
MATTHIAS CHOSEN TO REPLACE JUDAS 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk[a] from the city. 13 When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.
READER – Friends, this is the WORD of the Lord!
ALL: Thanks be to God!
MESSAGE – THE MIRACLES OF ASCENSION
HYMN – All Hail the Power of Jesus Name! – GG #263
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE - THE LORD’S PRAYER
MUSICAL MEDITATION - The Lord’s Prayer - David Kelly
INVITATION TO OFFERING
L: As the disciples waited with one accord, anticipating the power of the Holy Spirit to take the gospel to the ends of the earth, they committed themselves to God's purpose. Today, we bring our gifts to empower that same mission. Let us offer our tithes and offerings as a sign of our commitment to be witnesses trusting that God will use them to build His kingdom. Let us present our offerings to the Lord.
OFFERING (You may put your offering in the plate before service)
DOXOLOGY- HFG #382
UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Almighty God, we bring these gifts to you today, following the example of those first disciples who gathered in one accord. Just as you promised them power from on high, we ask that you empower these offerings to be a witness for your kingdom—from our own neighborhoods to the ends of the earth. While we wait for your Spirit to move, use our resources and our lives to fulfill the mission you have set before us. May we remain united in prayer and purpose until you return in glory. Amen.
HYMN – A Mighty Fortress is Our God – GG #275
BENEDICTION
L: May the ascended Lord, who sits at the right hand of the Father, fill you with the power of the Holy Spirit. Go out with boldness to proclaim the Gospel and to serve with joy, confident in His presence until He comes again.
MUSICAL RESPONSE - Emmanuel - (Front of Hymnal)
CLOSING MUSICAL MEDITATION – Celebrate With Joy and Singing - David Kelly/Pat Will

QUESTIONS TO PONDER – ACT 1:6-14
1. Are we waiting for God to "fix" things (like spectators) or are we actively witnesses by filling the "gaps" in our world with faith, hope, and love?
2. How do we handle the "waiting times" when God seems absent, and how can we trust His promise that He is actively working?
3. What is your specific role in the ongoing mission described in verse 8?

Emmanuel Presbyterian Church
767 Park Boulevard
East Liverpool, Ohio
Phone: 330-385-4456
e-mail: [email protected]
www.facebook.com/emmpresbchurch/
Margie Zellars, Pastor
David Kelly, Worship Music Director
Pat Will, Worship Instrumentalist

05/18/2026

Here are the Revised Common Lectionary Readings for Sunday, May 24, 2026, the Day of Pentecost (Year A).
Reading and studying the scriptures intended for a worship service before you attend transforms your experience from passive listening to active engagement. This preparation allows you to "hear" the message more clearly and provides several specific spiritual and practical advantages.

SCRIPTURE READINGS
ACTS 2:1-21
NUMBERS 11:24-30
PSALM 104:24-34, 35B
JOHN 20:19-23
GOSPEL JOHN 7:37-39

*ACTS 2:1-21
1When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 2And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. 5Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes 11Cretans and Arabs — in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14But 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. 15Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel: 17 ‘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.
18 Even upon my slaves, both men and women, in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall prophesy.19 And I will show portents in the heaven above and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist. 20 The sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.21 Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

NUMBERS 11:24-30
24So Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord; and he gathered seventy elders of the people, and placed them all around the tent. 25Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders; and when the spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But they did not do so again. 26Two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the spirit rested on them; they were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, “My lord Moses, stop them!” 29But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!” 30And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp.

PSALM 104:24-34, 35b
24 O LORD, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide,
creeping things innumerable are there,
living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships,
and Leviathan that you formed to sport in it.
27 These all look to you
to give them their food in due season;
28 when you give to them, they gather it up;
when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are dismayed;
when you take away their breath, they die
and return to their dust.
30 When you send forth your spirit, they are created;
and you renew the face of the ground.
31 May the glory of the LORD endure forever;
may the LORD rejoice in his works —
32 who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the LORD as long as I live;
I will sing praise to my God while I have being.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the LORD.
35b Bless the LORD, O my soul.
Praise the LORD!

1 CORINTHIANS 12:3b-13
3bNo one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. 4Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; 5and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord;6and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses. 12For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. 13For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body — Jews or Greeks, slaves or free — and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

JOHN 20:19-23
19When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”

JOHN 7:37-39
37On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, 38and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” 39Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

05/18/2026

JOIN US ON SUNDAY, MAY 24, 2026
PENTECOST SUNDAY COMMUNION WORSHIP SERVICE

ORDER OF WORSHIP
PRELUDE – The Lone, Wild Bird - David Kelly/Pat Will
GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
MINUTE FOR MISSION
UNISON PRAYER OF REMEMBERENCE FOR MEMORIAL DAY:
Gracious God, this day serves as a solemn remembrance of the brave individuals who sacrificed their lives in service to the nation. Gratitude is offered for their courage and the selfless love shown through their ultimate sacrifice. May comfort be granted to the families who grieve, and may peace rest upon them. Let the lives of the living be a worthy tribute to the freedom preserved by those who have fallen. In Jesus' name, Amen.
MUSICAL CALL TO WORSHIP - I Believe in God the Father – GG #481
CALL TO WORSHIP (ACTS 2:1-4)
L: When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting.
P: They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them.
L: They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
P: We gather in the name of our Risen Lord anticipating the breath and fire of the Holy Spirit as we worship today.
L: Christ has died! Christ has risen!
P: Christ will come again!
MUSICAL REFLECTION – How Beautiful - Pat Will
PRAISE AND CONFESSION
L: God of Life and all living things Your breath fills the universe and makes it alive.;
P: We praise you, O God, for the gift of your Spirit.
L: Your love blows through all creation and makes it one;
P: We praise you, O God, for the gift of your Spirit.
L: Your Presence fills every corner, your Voice fills every silence, and your heartbeat lives within every living thing;
P: We praise you, O God, for the gift of your Spirit.
L; But we have failed to value the life of other people, other creatures, and the world You have given to be our home.
P: Lord, forgive us.
L: We have failed to recognize the connectedness of all things, and have brought pain through division and exclusion.
P: Lord, forgive us.
L: We have denied your Presence, ignored your Voice and forgotten your love for us and all that you have made.
P: Lord, forgive us.
SILENT CONFESSION
ALL: Lord, we recognize the ways we have brought pain to you, to others and to ourselves. For Jesus' sake we ask you to breathe new life into us, wash us clean, and ignite the fire of love in our hearts again. Amen.
ACT OF PRAISE - Gloria Patri - HFG #142
HYMN – Spirit of the Living God – GG #288
UNISON PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Lord, open our hearts and minds by the power of your Holy Spirit, that as the Scriptures are read and your Word is proclaimed, we may hear with joy what you say to us today. Just as you poured out your Spirit upon the first disciples in rushing wind and tongues of fire, ignite our spirits now. May we hear your wonders in our own language and be empowered to witness to your grace in all the world. Amen.
SCRIPTURE READING - ACTS 2:1-21
THE HOLY SPIRIT COMES AT PENTECOST 2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues[a] as the Spirit enabled them. 5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: “Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia,[b] 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!” 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, “What does this mean?” 13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
PETER ADDRESSES THE CROWD 14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.18 Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.19 I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. 20 The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’[c]
READER: Friends, this is the WORD of the Lord.
ALL: Thanks be to God!
MESSAGE – STAYING AWAKE
HYMN - Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether – GG #529
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE - THE LORD’S PRAYER
L: Let us invite the Spirit of God to blow through our lives and our world, as we lift our needs to God in prayer. We pray, O God, for all who have lost faith in themselves, in others and especially in you. May Your Spirit renew and inspire them again. We pray, O God, for all who have lost their hope in what life can become for themselves and for all people. May Your Spirit encourage and challenge them again. We pray, O God, for all who have lost their ability to love freely and recklessly. May Your Spirit comfort and soften them again.
NOW WE COME TO YOU IN SILENCE WITH OUR SPECIAL PRAYERS.
L: Holy Spirit of God, fill the world with your peace, fill the Church with your purpose, and fill us with your power, For the sake of your Reign. Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER (UNISON)
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen
MUSICAL MEDITATION - The Lord’s Prayer - David Kelly
COMMUNION
L: We celebrate the Spirit of God, who hovered over creation and brought order out of formlessness.
P: We praise you, Spirit of God.
L: We celebrate the Spirit of God, who filled Jesus with power and wisdom and, through Him, made the life of God available to all.
P: We praise you, Spirit of God.
L: We celebrate the Spirit of God, who has been poured out on all people, and leads us into the Reign of God.
P: We praise you, Spirit of God.
L: And so, as we gather at the Lord's table, we recognize the Spirit's Presence among us, and we open our hearts to the Spirit's influence.
SILENT PRAYER
L: Lord, we come knowing that we depend on you for life and truth and love.
P: We come knowing that you welcome us with open and accepting arms. We come ready to meet with you, and be changed by the encounter. Amen.
L: The Lord Jesus, on the eve of His crucifixion, gathered his friends for a meal. During supper, he took a loaf of bread, and gave thanks for it. Then he broke it and passed it among them with these words: This is my body which is broken for you. Take, eat and remember me. After the meal, Jesus took a cup of wine and gave thanks for it. Then he passed it among them with these words: This is my blood which is shed for you. Take, drink and remember me. So now, we eat and we drink and we remember Jesus and his great love for us. And we will continue to do this until he returns. Amen.
The thing about wind is that when it is before us, we feel like we are pushing against it. And when the wind is behind us, we feel as though everything is possible. Both are true. The Holy Spirit both pushes and pulls us as we try to live faithfully in the world. In some ways this meal is the same. It is a reminder of the death of Jesus – the breaking of his body in the bread and shedding of his blood in the cup. But it is also a promise of the great feast yet to come. Come to table both remembering and looking forward with hope; being challenged by and accepting of God’s grace.
PARTAKING OF THE ELEMENTS
An Elder will call you forward to come to the table row by row beginning in the back. After receiving the elements, please return to your seat and remain silent as others come forward.
PARTAKING OF THE BREAD
Pastor: This is the Body of Christ given for you.
Recipient: Amen.
PARTAKING OF THE WINE/JUICE
Elder: The Blood of Christ, shed for you.
Recipient: Amen.
MOMENT OF SILENCE
UNISON PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
Thank You, Lord Jesus, for this meal of remembrance; And for coming to us, in the Spirit's power, as we have shared it. May the love we find at this table be reflected in our lives; May the power we receive at this table make us peacemakers and healers; And may the Spirit who fills us again at this table lead us to be those who proclaim God's Reign in every word we speak and in everything we do. For Jesus' Sake. Amen.
HYMN – Breathe on Me, Breath of God – GG #286
INVITATION TO OFFERING
L: Pentecost people! We have received gifts too numerous to count. We have been blessed by the rushing wind of the Spirit. As we have been blessed, let us now be a blessing. Let us bring our gifts and our offerings as we worship God with our whole hearts, trusting that God will multiply them to break down barriers and build up the kingdom.
OFFERING (You may put your offering in the plate before service)
DOXOLOGY- HFG #382
UNISON PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Holy God, thank you for sending your Spirit from heaven to empower us as your people. As the disciples waited and were filled with power, we offer these gifts—our money, our time, and our abilities. Ignite our hearts, O God, that our gifts may spread your passion and justice, as we read in Acts 2. May these offerings be used to reach all people with your love, that everyone may hear of your grace. We dedicate ourselves and our gifts to your good purposes. We pray in the mighty name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN - Spirit of God, Descend upon My Heart – GG #688
BENEDICTION
L: As you go forth from this place, may the wind of the Spirit startle your senses and blow through your life; may the fire of the Spirit scorch your complacency and light your way. And may the blessing of the Holy One—Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer—rest with you now and forever more. Amen.
MUSICAL RESPONSE - Emmanuel - (Front of Hymnal)
CLOSING MUSICAL MEDITATION – Spirit - David Kelly/Pat Will