Lectionary Readings
If Ezekiel 37 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 Ezekiel 37:1–14
In a valley of dry bones, Ezekiel has a vision of hope for Israel.
Psalm 104:24–34, 35b
The Lord of creation sends forth the Spirit to renew the earth.
Romans 8:22–27
Creation groans in labor pains; the Spirit intercedes for us.
or Acts 2:1–21
On the day of Pentecost, God pours out the Spirit upon the earth.
John 15:26–27; 16:4b–15
Jesus promises: I will send you an Advocate, the Spirit of truth.
— Gathering —
Opening Sentences
Come! Let us speak plainly and boldly of our faith.
The Spirit of God descends upon us,
and Christ’s promise to us is fulfilled.
The expression of the Spirit’s power
in our community is a wonder to behold.
We each have a different voice,
yet we witness God’s joy together! Amen.
Prayer of the Day
How can this be, wonder-working God?
You bring the gift of the Spirit to be with us.
Our Comforter, our Advocate.
Our Counselor, our Wisdom.
These are but a few of the names we give
as the Spirit speaks to our hearts.
We give you thanks
for the unending gifts of the Spirit.
How can this be,
that we have what we need when we need it?
You, O God, are one and all things to us,
and we raise our Hallelujahs. 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.
O Lord our God, we give you thanks
for the new life you raise up in us
through the mystery of our baptism—
the sorrow of the heavy cross,
the surprise of the empty tomb,
the love that death could not destroy.
By the power of your Holy Spirit,
poured out upon us in baptism,
fill us with the joy of resurrection,
so that we may be a living sign
of your new heaven and new earth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Confession and Pardon
At the baptismal font:
The Spirit of God helps us in our weakness,
interceding with sighs too deep for words.
Romans 8:26
Trusting in God’s grace, let us confess our sin.
O God, as your Spirit filled the church
on the first Pentecost day,
so fill this house of worship with your presence,
and fill us with your passion.
You are doing a new thing, actively moving in the world.
Forgive us when we act as if your stories have all been written.
You hear the prayers of every language
and call us to hear each other.
Forgive us when we act as if your Spirit
only spoke our native tongue.
Wash us in your grace, O God,
and illumine us with your fire.
Send us out to follow your spirit
and teach us to hear the prayers of all your people.
Lifting water from the font:
Hear the good news of God’s promise:
I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.
Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.
Acts 2:17, 21
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are forgiven!
Thanks be to God.
— Word —
Prayer for Illumination
At the lectern or pulpit:
God of power and grace,
fill us with the wisdom of your Word
and the understanding of your Spirit
so that we may be your church:
a people with dreams and visions
at work in all the world;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Scripture
Before the readings:
O dry bones,
hear the world of the Lord.
Ezekiel 37:4
After the readings:
This is the good news
which we have received,
in which we stand,
and by which we are saved.
Thanks be to God.
1 Corinthians 15:1–2
Sermon
Ascription of Praise
After the sermon:
All authority and power and dominion
to the name that is above all names—
Jesus Christ our Lord—
now and in the age to come. Amen.
Ephesians 1:21
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Affirmation of Faith
Season of Easter, Day of Pentecost
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 the People
In the blessed hope of the resurrection,
we pray to the Lord of endless life, saying:
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Life-giving God, we pray for the church . . .
Pour out your Spirit’s power anew on us today,
so that we may dream dreams and see visions
of your coming realm of goodness and glory.
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Life-giving God, we pray for the world . . .
Send forth your Spirit to renew the face of the earth,
feeding the hungry, healing this hurting planet,
and uniting all creatures in a song of praise to you.
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Life-giving God, we pray for this community . . .
Breathe new life into dry and dusty places.
Empower us with hope, deep in our bones,
so that we may arise and dance with joy.
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Life-giving God, we pray for loved ones . . .
Intercede in the lives of those who are sick or weak,
groaning for redemption, longing for peace.
Give them healing, help, and the hope of salvation.
By your grace, O God, raise us from death to life.
Eternal God, show forth in us and in our world
the good news of your saving power and love,
so that all may believe and have life in you;
through Jesus Christ, who is risen indeed. Amen.
— Eucharist —
Invitation to Offering
At the communion table:
How does God’s love abide in anyone
who has the world’s goods
yet refuses to help a sister or brother in need?
Remembering God’s great love for the world,
let us offer our lives to the Lord.
1 John 3:16–17
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:
You sent Jesus to show us the way of truth and life.
Now we listen for his word through the voice of your Spirit,
watching for the day when he will return in glory to reign.
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, help us in our weakness.
Encourage and empower us to live according to your will,
until at last you come to redeem the whole creation.
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:
Holy God, by the gift of your Spirit
you have nourished and filled us.
Now send us out to share the vision
of new creation you have begun;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— Sending —
Hymn, Psalm, or Spiritual Song
Blessing and Charge
At the doors of the church:
May the love of the holy triune God—
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—
abide with you forever. Alleluia!
1 John 4:13–16
Now go forth in Jesus’ name,
remembering his new commandment
to love one another,
just as he has loved us. Amen.
1 John 3:23
Birds of the Apse
New Kilpatrick Parish Church, Bearsden, UK, 2013
Additional Materials
Congregational Song
GATHERING
- Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us (AEG) EBENEZER GTG 280
- Come, O Holy Spirit, Come (Wa wa wa Emimimo) (AG) WA EMIMIMO GTG 283
- On Pentecost They Gathered (AG) MUNICH GTG 289
- O Day of Joy and Wonder! (AG) JONATHAN’S TUNE GTG 290
WORD
- As the Wind Song (AG) WAIRUA TAPU GTG 292
- Blow Wild and Blow Freely (Sopla, sopla fuerte) (OG) SOPLA FUERTE LUYH 244, SSS 255
- Come Down, O Love Divine (AG) DOWN AMPNEY GTG 282
- Every Time I Feel the Spirit (AEG) PENTECOST GTG 66
EUCHARIST
- What Is This Place (A) KOMT NU MET ZANG GTG 404
- Come, Holy Ghost, Our Souls Inspire (G) VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS GTG 278
- Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether (AG) UNION SEMINARY GTG 529
- Breathe on Me, Breath of God (OA) TRENTHAM GTG 286
SENDING
- Christ Is Coming! (E) UNSER HERRSCHER GTG 360
- Let Us Build a House (All Are Welcome) (AG) TWO OAKS GTG 301
- My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less (AE) SOLID ROCK GTG 353
- Now Go in Joy (AG) JUNKANOO GTG 745
Psalms and Canticles
Metrical
- Bless the Lord, My Soul and Being! [RUSTINGTON]; GTG 34, PH 224
- O Lord, How Marvelous Your Works [CM]; PCW 104b
- My Soul, Praise the Lord! [HANOVER]; PAS 104E (sts. 9–12 with refrain)
- How Many and Wise [STOWEY]; PP 195 (with refrain)
Responsorial
- Send Forth Your Spirit, O Lord; PAS 104D, PND 38
- Lord, Send Out Your Spirit; LP 32
- Lord, Send Out Your Spirit; SFTS2 34
- Lord, Send Out Your Spirit; OLOF 687
- Lord, Send Out Your Spirit; PAS 104G
- Creator Spirit, Come We Pray [VENI CREATOR SPIRITUS]; PAS 104G (alt. refrain)
- Lord, Send Out Your Spirit; PSA 105
Organ Music
- “He Is Risen!” Passion and Glory, Esther Megargel, LOR (ME)
- “VENI, CREATOR SPIRITUS,” Augsburg Organ Library: Easter, Flor Peeters, AF (ME)
- “Dance Prelude on UNSER HERRSCHER,” Come, Christians, Join to Sing, Neil Harmon, MSM (ME)
- “Chorale Prelude on MUNICH,” Andrew Clarke, MSM (MA)
Anthems for Adult Choirs
- “Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether,” Harold Friedell, JM, SATB, org (M)
- “Like a Murmur of the Dove Song,” Peter Cutts, SEL, SATB, org (M)
- “Come Down, O Love Divine,” David Ashley White, SEL, SATB, trump, org (M)
- “Creator Spirit, Heavenly Dove,” Robert J. Powell, PAR, SATB, hb, org (A)
- “Dry Bones,” Brandon Waddles, GIA, SATB div, acap (A)
- “Introit for Pentecost,” John Weaver, BH, SATB (M)
Handbell Music
- “Come Down, O Love Divine,” Sondra Tucker, 3–5 oct, opt hc, LOR, 202097L, Level 2+
- “When the Day of Pentecost Came (Every Time I Feel the Spirit),” Brian Childers, 4–7 oct, opt aux bells, opt train whistle, FTM, FM20712, Level 4
- “As the Wind Song,” Carol Lynn Mizell, 5–6 oct, opt hc, opt SATB/fl/perc, CGA, CGB836 (hb), CGB835 (FS/inst), CGA1362 (choral score), Level 3
Art
- Birds of the Apse, Bearsden, UK (VDL)
- Pentecost, Jan Richardson (JR)
- Descent of the Holy Spirit, Greco (VDL)
- Veni Sancti Spiritus, St Aloysius Somers Town (VDL)
- Fire and Breath, Jan Richardson (JR)
- Acts 2:1–4, Timothy Botts (EYE)
