BURTON JOYCE
COMMUNITY CHURCH
Sunday 23 May 2021
PENTECOST
Prepared by Deacon Jenny Jones for
Nottingham North East Circuit of the Methodist Church
and edited by Phil Colbourn.
Hymns: Songs of Fellowship
Call to Worship
God declares: I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh and then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful people, and kindle in us the fire of your love; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Hymn: SoF 1202
Come down, O Love divine
Let us pray
Faithful God, you fulfilled the promise of Easter by sending your Holy Spirit and opening the way of eternal life to all the human race.
Keep us in your Spirit, that every tongue may tell of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who reigns with you, Eternal Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen
Hymn: SoF 510
Spirit of the living God
Bible Readings: Acts 2
Reflection: The Spirit Comes
On the day of Pentecost when the winds and fire of the Spirit flowed through Jerusalem and the disciples were filled and began to speak in various languages, they could rejoice. Jesus had told them what to expect when they shared a meal the night before his crucifixion. The word Jesus used then (paraclete in Greek) means someone who stands alongside a friend in court or in some other kind of trouble.
Imagine for a moment the Father had not sent the Holy Spirit. Would they have stayed locked away, afraid of what the authorities would do to them for being followers of Jesus? Would they have been just a short-lived sect instead of spreading across the world taking and sharing the Good News? We sometimes overlook the work of the Holy Spirit, but without the Holy Spirit the message of love, in the teaching and life of Jesus, would not have gone anywhere.
As we emerge from lockdown carefully, let’s not allow our fears to hinder the work of the Holy Spirit, our Advocate and Friend. It is important that we stay open to the Spirit of Jesus working in us: dreaming dreams, seeing visions, being prophetic, living love, establishing his Kingdom, allowing God to be glorified. Amen.
Hymn: SoF 377
Love divine, all loves excelling
Prayers
Gracious Spirit of God, help us in our weakness and guide us in our prayers as we pray for the Church and for the world.
Renew the life of the Church; strengthen our witness; make us one in Christ. Grant that all who confess Christ may be faithful in service and filled with the Spirit, that the whole world may turn to you.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Guide the nations in the ways of justice, liberty and peace; and help them to seek the unity and welfare of all people. Give to all in authority wisdom to know and strength to do what is right.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Comfort those in sorrow; heal the sick in body or in mind and deliver the oppressed. Grant us compassion for all who suffer, help us so to carry one another’s burdens that we may fulfil the law of Christ.
Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
Receive our thanks and praise for all who have served you faithfully here on earth, and especially those who have revealed to us your grace in Christ. May we and all your people share the life and joy of your kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Hymn: SoF 51
Breathe on me, Breath of God
A Blessing
May the boldness of the Spirit transform us, may the gentleness of the Spirit lead us, and may the gifts of the Spirit equip us to serve and worship you now and always. Amen.
We go into the world in the power of the Spirit to fulfil our high calling as servants of Christ. Thanks be to God. Amen
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