05/24/2026
The Zoom link for our worship service for the Day of Pentecost, Year A, Sunday, May 24, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. PDT is right here.
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82432073616?pwd=TWk5dmlaMnBRU2J4bno2emdkSFBEdz09
St. Paul Lutheran Church
Day of Pentecost, Year A
Sunday, May 24, 2026
God Gives More than Enough
It is the “first day of the week”, the day of the new creation, but to those locked away in the upper room, the world is full of fear. They are so focused on grief and guilt that the Risen One in their midst must offer his life-giving invitation twice: “Peace be with you.”
The new age is peace, not conflict; forgiveness, not revenge. With Jesus’ invitation to peace comes also the power: the gift of the Holy Spirit, breathed upon them and within them. Just as the Father sent Jesus into the world, so these disciples are now sent as witnesses to God’s saving work.
Pentecost is how we are sent out with the Jesus story. Now, more than ever, these disciples would have good reason to sing the “Dayenu” (“It would have been enough”) verses from the Passover seder meal, but revised: It would have been enough for the Word and wisdom of God to have been born in the flesh . . . Dayenu!
It would have been enough for the Word to share his stunning parables about God’s gracious activity in the world . . . Dayenu!
It would have been enough for this Word to say to his enemies, “Father, forgive them” . . . Dayenu!
It would have been enough for this Word to have died on a cross for us . . . Dayenu!
It would have been enough that he rose again in blessing, not vengeance . . . Dayenu!
But now, beyond what we could ever expect—the Word becomes our word and it is written on our hearts at Pentecost! It is enough, and more than enough, to set afire our ministry of reconciliation in a world in need of a healing word.
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Day of Pentecost, Year A
Prelude
(During Prelude, light candles and return to seat)
--------------------------GATHERING--------------------------
The Holy Spirit calls us together as the people of God
Thanksgiving for Baptism
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
[PL] Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed. Alleluia!
Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne
and to the Lamb! Amen.
Let us give thanks for the gifts of baptism.
Water may be poured into the font as the presiding minister continues.
Merciful God, you are the one who was, who is, and who is to come. You lead us beside still waters. We thank you for the waters of creation: morning dew, gentle rain, roaring waves. We thank you for the Columbia River waters that nourish us. Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Jesus Christ, you are the faithful witness who accompanies us on our journeys. We give you thanks for your life-giving death and resurrection. We praise you for joining us in joy and sorrow. Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy Spirit, you anoint our head with oil and our cup overflows. Break down barriers that divide us. Fill us with the breath of peace. Blessed are you.
You guide us to springs of the water of life.
Holy One, we thank you for the gifts and grace of baptism, and for making us a new creation. We join with saints and angels, giving you honor and praise, now and forever. Amen.
Gathering Song
O Day Full of Grace – ELW 627
2023 05 28 O Day Full of Grace
youtube.com
Greeting
[PL] The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.
Prayer of the Day
[AM]Let us pray… O God,
on this day you open the hearts of your faithful people by sending into us your Holy Spirit. Direct us by the light of that Spirit, that we may have a right judgment in all things and rejoice at all times in your peace, through Jesus Christ, your Son and our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
[PL] Dismiss children for Sunday School.
--------------------------------WORD------------------------------
God speaks to us in scripture reading, preaching, and song.
First Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Reader: A reading from the book of Acts:
1 When the day of Pentecost had come, [the apostles] were all together in one place. 2 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. 3 Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
5 Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6 And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. 7 Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? 9 Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” 12 All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13 But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”
14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. 15 Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. 16 No, 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.’ ”
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Reader: Let us read the Psalm responsively.
24 How manifold are your works, O Lord!
In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
25 Yonder is the sea, great and wide, with its swarms too many to number, living things both small and great.
26 There go the ships to and fro,
and Leviathan, which you made for the sport of it.
27 All of them look to you
to give them their food in due season.
28 You give it to them; they gather it;
you open your hand, and they are filled with good things.
29 When you hide your face, they are terrified;
when you take away their breath, they die and return to their dust.
30 You send forth your Spirit, and they are created;
and so you renew the face of the earth.
31 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
O Lord, rejoice in all your works.
32 You look at the earth and it trembles;
you touch the mountains and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will praise my God while I have my being.
34 May these words of mine please God.
I will rejoice in the Lord.
35b Bless the Lord, O my soul. Hallelujah!
Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
Reader: A reading from the book of 1 Corinthians:
3b No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit, 5 and there are varieties of services but the same Lord, 6 and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. 7 To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 8 To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, 10 to another the working of powerful deeds, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11 All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
12 For 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. 13 For 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.
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Gospel Acclamation, Setting 10
youtube.com
Setting 10, ELW 205
Alleluia! Lord and Savior: open now your saving word.
Let it burn like fire within us: speak until our hearts are stirred.
Alleluia! Lord, we sing for the good news that you bring.
Gospel: John 20:19-23
[PL] The holy gospel according to John. Glory to you, O Lord.
19 When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors were locked where the disciples were, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. 21 Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” 22 When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
[PL]The gospel of our Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
Message 5/24/26- Day of Pentecost, Year A
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Grace to you and peace from God the Father, and from Jesus our Risen Lord, and from the Holy Spirit, now come to us, my dear sisters and brothers. Welcome again to the season of Easter. For 50 days, which started with the Easter Vigil early on the morning of Easter Sunday, we are in the Easter season. During the Easter season, we try to understand who the risen Christ is in our lives.
And today is the 50th day of the Easter season, the day of Pentecost, the last Sunday of the Easter season. Today, the church celebrates the gift of God’s Holy Spirit, empowering us to live in the life of the Risen Christ.
The celebration of Pentecost did not begin as a Christian celebration. In our reading from Acts, the community who were gathered in Jerusalem, those who witnessed the wind and the fire of the Holy Spirit, were there to celebrate the Jewish day of Pentecost. The Jewish festival of Pentecost was also known as the Feast of Weeks. It originally celebrated the wheat harvest. It was observed seven weeks and one day after the beginning of the wheat harvest. The date of the harvest celebration came to be counted from the date of Passover, rather than from the less predictable date of the actual wheat harvest. And in Judaism, Pentecost is also the day that commemorates the giving of the Torah on Mt. Sinai. Christians have kept the festival as the fiftieth day of the Easter season, changing its focus to a celebration of the Spirit of the risen Christ in the church.
And as a recovering Pentecostal, I always hear the story of Pentecost, the coming of God‘s spirit to the church, in our reading from Acts: a sound from heaven like the rush of a violent wind; divided tongues of fire, resting on each person; speaking in other languages that they had not learned; looking like they are “filled with new wine;” and powerful evangelism, bringing people to faith.
But if we read our scriptures carefully today, we will see that we have four stories of the coming of God’s spirit in our readings. And the question is, which Pentecost story do we want to hear? And I think the answer is, “All of them!” Because God‘s Holy Spirit is not just a part of our Christian doctrine; it is an experience that we have in different settings, teaching us different things. Things that we need to learn…
We see the spirit at its most powerful in the story of creation from our reading in the Psalm today. This psalm echoes the creation stories from Genesis. In Genesis, God’s ruach sweeps over the face of the deep and creation begins. That Hebrew word can be translated as “wind,” “breath,” or “spirit.” In Genesis, it is God’s very breath into the newly-formed Adam that makes him “a living being. ”Psalm 104 acknowledges that when God takes away the creatures’ breath, “they die and return to their dust.” We see that all creatures depend on God’s spirit for their continued existence. This psalm makes it clear that God is both creator and sustainer. God does not create and then sit back to see how it all turns out. God sends forth the spirit, creates, and renews the face of the ground. The church has historically stressed that on Pentecost the Spirit of God came to dwell within the community of believers. Yet since creation, the Spirit of God hovered over the entire earth, giving it life. We pray that we might recognize the Spirit of God hovering over field and forest, mountains and deserts, rivers and seas.
And once we hear the ways ruach, the word for wind or spirit or breath, is used in the Psalm, it is impossible to read the story of Pentecost in Acts 2 without thinking of the creative, sustaining power of God’s breath. The miracle of fiery tongues gets the attention, but I see three other miracles:
• The patience of the disciples to grieve together.
• The willingness of the people to listen, and
• The church moving outside of its walls.
We as the church stand between verse 1 and 2; full of love and community, but waiting for the awesome movement of the Spirit to push us outside of ourselves.
Is it any wonder that the birthday of the church should begin this way? And if so begun, we can also pray that that same wind and spirit and breath will sustain us throughout the centuries. In Christian theology, the Spirit that we experience is the Spirit of the risen Christ, a spirit of service, a spirit of love, a spirit of resurrection beyond death.
And then in the Gospel of John, Jesus appears to the disciples on the day of his resurrection to enact his living power through his gift of the Holy Spirit. John offers theologically what Acts presented as a powerful eyewitness story. For John, the resurrection is the empowering of the church by the Spirit. John’s language of divine breath again reminds us of God’s breath into the first creation. John gives us the theology of the Acts story of Pentecost: the breath of the risen Christ has enlivened the Christian community with the Spirit of God.
And then in our reading from Corinthians, we start to see how the spirit of God works in a living Christian community. Corinthians returns again and again to the same point that it is imperative for that community, and ours, to understand: The gifts of faith come from the Spirit, and the Spirit is given to all who believe.
The opening line of the Corinthians reading are the heart of Lutheran theology: “No one can say ‘Jesus is Lord’ except by the Holy Spirit.” Some of you have memorized these words from Luther’s Small Catechism in confirmation classes: “I believe that I cannot by my own understanding or effort believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to him; but the Holy Spirit has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.” Our world is marked by the choices we make, the results of our efforts, the tasks we accomplish. Belief in Jesus can become just another thing to do. Yet, Luther’s invitation is clear: rely on the gifts of the Holy Spirit in our times of need, rather than on our own understanding.
Our Corinthians reading goes on to help the community understand the relationship between our God-given unity and or Spirit-created diversity:
Now there are varieties of gifts but the same Spirit,
and there are varieties of services but the same Lord,
and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
This is helping us understand the relationship between our God-given unity and our Spirit-created diversity. The Spirit creates the unity of faith and gives all Christians diverse gifts for the common benefit of all. We need one another’s diverse spiritual gifts because the same Spirit has given them to each person for the common good.
The unity that is created by the spirit is how we get to ministry. No, we might not agree on everything. No, we do not all have the same gifts. But the spirit is showing us how to work together to do God‘s work right here where we are, at Saint Paul Lutheran Church, in downtown Vancouver, Washington.
Whether or not we expect to see the tongues of fire and hear the sound of rushing wind for ourselves, Pentecost offers us more than a glimpse of these marvels: It weaves them into the lives of us ordinary people, who are called to notice the signs of the times—both divine and other—and see them in the bigger story of God’s purposes. As God’s people, we are invited to respond, not through the pursuit of “mountaintop” or “upper room” experiences, but by engaging in community-building, hospitality, and welcome, and by looking out for the Holy Spirit at work in unexpected places.
The fire of God’s word is now on the foreheads of the faithful!
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Amen.
Silence for reflection follows the sermon.
To hear an audio recording of this sermon, click here after the service:
https://stpaulvancouver.com/sermons/
Hymn of the Day
As the Wind Song – ACS 943
As the Wind Song through the Trees - CCS 42 - The Beyond the Walls Choir
youtube.com
Last Verse: As the rainbow after rain, as the hope that's born again,
so it is with the Spirit of God, as the green in the spring,
as a kite on a string, so it is with the Spirit of God,
making worlds that are new, making peace come true,
bringing gifts, bringing love to the world,
as the rising of the yeast, as the wine at the feast,
so it is with the Spirit of God.
NICENE CREED
[PL] – With the whole church, let us confess our faith:
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the virgin Mary
and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again in accordance with the scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[AM] Trusting in the power of Christ’s resurrection to heal and redeem our broken world, let us pray for the needs of all creation.
A brief silence.
O God, you send the Holy Spirit to gather your church into one. Inspire all ministers of the gospel to speak prophetic and hope-filled words to all whom they encounter. Bless the work of interreligious dialogue.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You send the Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth. Protect all living things, bring forth clean water and abundant food, and grant us wonder as we contemplate all you have made.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You send the Holy Spirit to break down the barriers of communication among nations. Bestow peace in war-torn areas, guide all in government and society to work for justice, and guard those serving in the armed forces, especially this weekend as we remember those who died in service to their country.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You send the Holy Spirit to accompany those who feel abandoned. Provide food for those who hunger and drink for those who thirst, soothe those who are anxious or bereaved, comfort those who are sick or suffering, and answer all who call upon your name.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You send the Holy Spirit through the gift of baptism. Bless both those preparing for or affirming their baptism. May they be encouraged by this community of faith as they live out their baptismal promises.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You send the Holy Spirit to console us in our grief. We give you thanks for our ancestors in the faith whose witness to your mighty works continues to inspire our lives.
Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
[PL] God of resurrection power, use us and these prayers to proclaim the good news of new life to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Savior. Amen.
WE SHARE GOD’S PEACE
[PL] The peace of Christ be with you all. And also with you.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Mick – Welcome
· Welcome visitors. Please fill out a visitor card found in the pew pockets. We’d love to hear from you.
· Communion is at the rail! All are welcome to participate.
· Offerings will be received at the back of the church as you exit. One slot is for St. Paul; the other slot is for Community. Today’s community offering goes to Hunger if you’d like to contribute.
· St. Paul continues to provide shelter meals for “Geri’s guys” next door. The next opportunities are May 31. June 14 and June 22. Sign up at the ushers’ table if you would like to help.
· Poetry Group meets every second and fourth Sunday afternoon at 3:00. The next meeting is this Sunday, May 24th. All budding poets or poetry lovers are welcome.
· Today, Sunday, May 24th is our Spring Congregational Meeting. We will be having elections for council members. Please plan to stay after the service for this important, brief meeting.
· Quilters meet at 1:30 PM on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month. The next meeting is Wednesday, May 27th. No quilting experience needed. There are sewing as well as non-sewing tasks that you could help with. They’d love to have you join in.
· We will be hosting an acoustic band concert, Friday, May 29th at 6:30. They play all genres of Christian Music. All are welcome. Invite your friends. There is no cost, but a love offering will taken. See the community board for details.
· Immanuel Lutheran church is having a “Joyful Resistance” Celebration, Saturday, June 13th from 1:00 – 4:00 PM. Celebrate wins, tell stories and play bingo. See the community board for details.
-------------------------------MEAL----------------------------
God feeds us with the presence of Jesus Christ.
OFFERING PRAYER
Merciful God,
accept the fruits of our labor, gathered to give you glory. You have set a table before us, a glimpse of that great day when we will hunger and thirst no more. Nourish us with the body and blood of Jesus, that goodness and mercy may follow us and bless the world you love. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING DIALOGUE
[PL] The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
PREFACE
PL] It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should at all times and in all places give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God, for the glorious resurrection of our Savior Jesus Christ, the true Paschal Lamb who gave himself to take away our sin; who in dying has destroyed death, and in rising has brought us to eternal life. And so, with Mary Magdalene and Peter and all the witnesses of the resurrection, with earth and sea and all their creatures, and with angels and archangels, cherubim and seraphim, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
Setting 10, ELW 207
Sanctus ( Holy ) Setting 10
youtube.com
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
Lord God of power and might,
heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest,
Hosanna in the highest.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
[PL] Blessed are you, O God of the universe. Your mercy is everlasting and your faithfulness endures from age to age.
Praise to you for creating the heavens and the earth.
Praise to you for saving the earth from the waters of the flood.
Praise to you for bringing the Israelites safely through the sea.
Praise to you for leading your people through the wilderness
to the land of milk and honey.
Praise to you for the words and deeds of Jesus, your anointed one.
Praise to you for the death and resurrection of Christ.
Praise to you for your Spirit poured out on all nations.
In the night in which he was betrayed, our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks; broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take and eat; this is my body, given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it for all to drink, saying: This cup is the new covenant in my blood, shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin. Do this for the remembrance of me.
With this bread and cup we remember our Lord’s passover from death to life as we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
O God of resurrection and new life: Pour out your Holy Spirit on us and on these gifts of bread and wine. Bless this feast. Grace our table with your presence.
Come, Holy Spirit.
Reveal yourself to us in the breaking of the bread. Raise us up as the body of Christ for the world. Breathe new life into us. Send us forth, burning with justice, peace, and love.
Come, Holy Spirit.
With your holy ones of all times and places, with the earth and all its creatures, with sun and moon and stars, we praise you, O God, blessed and holy Trinity, now and forever. Amen.
LORD’S PRAYER
[AM] Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
INVITATION TO COMMUNION
[PL] Come to the table of new life. Receive the risen Lord.
COMMUNION AT THE RAIL
Communion Hymn
Thine the Amen – ELW 826, v. 1 and 2
Thine the Amen
youtube.com
BLESSING AFTER COMMUNION
[PL] The body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ strengthen and keep you in his grace. Amen.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
[AM] Let us pray...Holy One,
through this meal you have made your home among us and are making all things new. Send us now to speak peace to anxious hearts, to love our enemies, and to bring your healing to the nations. In the name of Jesus, Amen.
------------------------------SENDING----------------------------
God blesses us and sends us in mission to the world.
BLESSING
[PL] God Almighty, who is the beginning and the end, Jesus Christ, the firstborn of the dead, and the Spirit, our advocate and peace, ☩ bless you now and forever. Amen.
SENDING SONG
(During hymn, extinguish candles and recess.)
This is My Song - ELW 887
This is My Song (FINLANDIA)
youtube.com
DISMISSAL
[AM] Go in peace. Praise the Lord. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
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