Lectionary Readings
If Genesis 11 is chosen as the First Reading, Acts 2 should be used as the Second Reading.
Acts 2:1–21
On the day of Pentecost, God pours out the Spirit upon the earth.
or Genesis 11:1–9
At the tower of Babel, the Lord confuses the languages of the earth.
Psalm 104:24–34, 35b
The Lord of creation sends forth the Spirit to renew the earth.
Romans 8:14–17
In the Spirit, we are children of God and joint heirs with Christ.
or Acts 2:1–21
On the day of Pentecost, God pours out the Spirit upon the earth.
John 14:8–17 (25–27)
Jesus and the Father are one; the Father will send the Holy Spirit.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
O Lord, our God, you are very great.
You are clothed in glory and majesty,
wrapped in a robe of light.
You set the earth on its foundations,
never to be shaken.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever.
Let us sing to the Lord as long as we live.
Let us sing praises to God our whole life long.
Let us worship God!
Prayer of the Day
Come, Holy Spirit, come!
How grateful we are, O God,
that you have poured out your Spirit upon us.
The arrival of the Advocate that Christ promised
is yet another sign of your unending love.
Seep into our hearts, Holy Spirit.
Open our eyes to the reality of your presence.
In you, we have been given
all that we could ever need.
Praise be to God for all these good gifts! Amen.
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Thanksgiving for Baptism
At the baptismal font:
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Creator God,
you drew out life-giving water from a desert rock.
We give you thanks for the water of baptism.
In being joined with Christ,
we die to what destroys
and are raised to new life with Christ.
As streams rush into rivers,
may our lives flow into yours,
joining your creative work for a world in need.
In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
The promise of Pentecost
lies in the relentless, irresistible activity of God,
whose Spirit comes among us with power and grace.
God refuses to leave us alone,
but rather keeps showing up with mercy and love.
In confidence, let us confess our sin.
God of fire and wind,
holy and powerful,
mighty and mysterious,
we are drawn by your Spirit to this place.
As we gather and behold your glory,
we become aware of our sin.
We have ignored your word.
We have rejected your gifts.
We have failed in your work.
Ignoring the truth of Pentecost,
we exclude those different from us.
We divide our loyalties,
and we divide our hearts.
Let your Spirit burn away our sins
and fill us with faith and courage,
so that we might live into the promise of this day
and receive the fullness
of all that you have prepared for us
in Jesus Christ.
Lifting water from the font:
The Holy Spirit animates our lives,
lifting us into the presence of Christ,
and sealing our hearts
in the promise of his faithful love.
This is good news!
In Jesus Christ we are forgiven!
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
Gracious God, Living Word,
as you revealed yourself to Mary
that Easter morning,
so reveal yourself to us.
By the power of your Spirit,
give each of us faith,
that hearing your Word
we, too, may proclaim,
“I have seen the Lord!” Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
Testimony for the church
from Jesus, the Alpha and Omega.
Revelation 22:13–14
After the readings:
These words are trustworthy and true.
Thanks be to God.
Revelation 21:5
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
Blessing and glory and wisdom
and thanksgiving and honor
and power and might be to our God
forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 7:12
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
God the Holy Spirit
fulfills the work of reconciliation in human life.
The Holy Spirit creates and renews the church
as the community in which people are reconciled
to God and to one another.
The Spirit enables people to receive forgiveness
as they forgive one another
and to enjoy the peace of God
as they make peace among themselves.
In spite of their sin,
the Spirit gives people power
to become representatives of Jesus Christ
and his gospel of reconciliation to all.
Adapted from the Confession of 1967, 9.20
Prayers of Intercession
Rejoicing in God’s promise of new creation,
let us pray to the Maker of heaven and earth,
saying: God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the church . . .
Pour out your Spirit on your people,
so that we may dream and prophesy,
bearing witness to your saving love.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for the world . . .
Scatter the plans of the proud
and disrupt the schemes of the wicked.
Establish your reign of justice and peace.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for this community . . .
Help us to listen with understanding
to the voices of our neighbors,
so that we may learn to live as one.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
We pray for loved ones . . .
Open your hand to those in need.
Breathe with mercy upon the broken.
Renew and restore their lives.
God of new life, hear our prayer.
Gracious God, keep us working and praying
for the coming of your holy realm of peace,
when we will share abundant life with you;
through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
As God gave us Christ,
the firstfruit of creation,
let us humbly offer
the substance of our lives
in thanksgiving to our God.
Prayer of Dedication
At the communion table:
Eternal God, take and use these gifts
for your purpose in the world—
giving food to the hungry,
hope to the despairing,
and new life to the dead.
Teach us to live each day for you,
so that future generations
will know your goodness
and praise your glory;
in the name of Christ our Lord. Amen.
Psalm 22:25–31
Great Thanksgiving
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.
Blessed are you, O Lord our God:
In every age, you have anointed leaders
with your Spirit.
Now all of your people—
men and women, young and old—
are empowered to speak your truth
and show your glory.
Therefore we praise you, joining the song
of the universal church and the heavenly choir:
A Sanctus (“Holy, holy, holy”) is sung.
Blessed is Jesus Christ, our Savior:
Jesus has promised
that you will abide with us forever
through an Advocate,
your Spirit of truth, the Holy Spirit.
That same Spirit has become our teacher,
our hope, our peace.
The words of institution are included here.
Remembering your goodness and grace,
we offer ourselves to you with gratitude
as we share this joyful feast.
A Memorial Acclamation
(e.g., “Christ has died”) is sung.
Pour out your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and cup;
make us one in the body and blood
of Jesus Christ our Lord.
By your Holy Spirit,
accept us as your beloved children,
joint heirs with Christ
through his suffering and glory.
Help us to live not in fear,
but in faith and freedom.
Through the Lord Jesus Christ,
in the unity of the Spirit,
we bless you, God of glory,
now and forever.
An Amen is sung.
Lord’s Prayer
Breaking the Bread
Communion of the People
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Prayer after Communion
At the communion table:
At your table, Giving God,
we have been fed;
our thirsty spirits have been quenched.
We give you thanks
for this taste of your kingdom meal
when wolf and lamb will feed together
and peace will reign
on your holy mountain;
in Jesus’ name. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
The blessing of the eternal, triune God—
Alpha and Omega,
first and last,
beginning and end—
be with you all. Alleluia!
Revelation 22:13
Come, Lord Jesus! Amen.
Revelation 22:20
Veni Sancti Spiritus
Adam Kossowski
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
-
On Pentecost They Gathered (AOEG) MUNICH GTG 289, PH 128
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Come, O Holy Spirit, Come (AG) WA EMIMIMO GTG 283, STF 2124
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Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire (AG) VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS GTG 278, PH 125
WORD
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Gracious Spirit, Heed Our Pleading (AOEG) NJOO KWETU, ROHO MWEMA GTG 287
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Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove (AO) ST. AGNES GTG 279, PH 126
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Loving Spirit (EG) OMNI DEI (Corner) GTG 293, PH 323
EUCHARIST
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Holy Spirit, Come to Us (AEG) VENI SANCTE SPIRITUS GTG 281, STF 2118
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Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness (AE) SPIRIT GTG 291
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As the Wind Song (A) WAIRUA TAPU GTG 292
SENDING
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Come, O Spirit, Dwell among Us (AOEG) EBENEZER GTG 280, PH 129
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O Day of Joy and Wonder! (AEG) JONATHAN’S TUNE GTG 290
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Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song (AG) BRIDEGROOM GTG 285, PH 314
Psalms and Canticles
Psalm 104:24–34, 35b
Metrical
-
Bless the Lord, My Soul and Being! [RUSTINGTON]; GTG 34, PH 224
-
O Lord, How Marvelous Your Works [CM]; PCW 104b
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My Soul, Praise the Lord! [HANOVER]; PAS 104E (stanzas 9–12 with refrain)
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How Many and Wise [STOWEY]; PP 195 (with refrain)
Responsorial
-
Send Forth Your Spirit, O Lord; PAS 104D
-
Lord, Send Out Your Spirit; PAS 104G
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Creator Spirit, Come We Pray [VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS]; PAS 104G (alt. refrain)
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Lord, Send Out Your Spirit; PSA 105
Organ Music
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“Fantasia in G major,” BWV 572, J. S. Bach, IMSLP.org (A)
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“Tongues of Fire,” VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS, Tongues of Fire: Organ Music for Pentecost, Alfred Fedak, LOR (M)
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“Come Down, O Love Divine,” DOWN AMPNEY, Tongues of Fire: Organ Music for Pentecost, Alfred Fedak, LOR (M)
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“Chorale Prelude on VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS,” Chris Kovarik, SMP (M)
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“Finale,” Symphony I, Louis Vierne, IMSLP.org (A)
Piano Music
-
“Every Time I Feel the Spirit,” PENTECOST, Spirituals We Love, Pepper Choplin, LOR (MA)
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“The Comforter Has Come,” COMFORTER, Wondrous Love, Marty Parks, Lillenas Publishing (M)
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“Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire,” VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS, Hymn Tunes A to Z, Lani Smith, LOR (M)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
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“Veni, Sancte Spiritus,” Andrea Ramsey, HAL, SSAA or TTBB, acap, djembe (M)
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“A Canon of Praise,” Natalie Sleeth, CGA, SSA or SAB, keybd, hb (E)
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“Oh, How Can I Keep from Singing?” Robert A. Harris, OUP, SATB, acap (M)
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“Pentecost,” Tom Shelton, MSM, SAB, keybd, opt vln, vc, solo, children (M)
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“The Spirit Brooding Hovered There,” Joel Martinson, GIA, SATB, org (M)
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“Like A Mighty Wind,” Karen Marrolli, MSM, SATB, keybd, opt vln, vc (ME)
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“Come, Dove of Heaven,” Mark A. Miller, MSM, SATB, opt solo (E)
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“I Will Not Leave You Comfortless,” Everett Titcomb, CF, SATB, acap (M)
Art
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Pentecost, Sadao Watanabe, 1965 (VCS)
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Beauty Explodes, James Fissel, 2016 (EYE)
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Pentecost, John August Swanson, 2016 (EYE)
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Pentecost 4, Lucinda Naylor, 2106 (EYE)
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fol. 76v, Sacramentary of St. Gereon, illuminated manuscript, 996–1002 (Index of Medieval Art, https://theindex.princeton.edu)
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The Pentecost, from the Benedictional of St. Aethelwold, illuminated manuscript, 963–84 (VCS)
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Descent of the Holy Spirit, El Greco (Dominikos Theotokopoulos), 1604–14 (VDL)
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Veni Sancti Spiritus, mosaic, Adam Kossowski, 1965 (VDL)
