Day of Pentecost
**Please note this service is based on the format of the Anglican Church of Canada. Unless otherwise indicated, all prayers come from the Book of Alternative Services (BAS) and the hymns from the Book of Common Praise (BCP). Other hymns and prayers have been sourced to give appropriate credit.
**NRSV translation used for the readings, unless otherwise stated.
**This is for personal use at home as the church is unable to gather in our houses of worship but together we can worship in our own homes.
Opening Prayer
O God of
eternal light, heaven and earth are the work of your hands, and all creation
sings your praise and beauty. As in the beginning, by your Spirit, you gave
life and order to all that is, so by the same Spirit redeem us and all things.
Amen.
Opening Hymn – O God, the Holy Ghost (BCP #254)
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love
of God,
and the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
Alleluia! Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
May his grace and peace be with you.
May he fill our hearts with joy.
Collect for Purity
The Gloria
Collect of the Day
Let us pray.
Almighty and
everliving God, who fulfilled the promises of Easter by sending us your Holy
Spirit and opening to every race and nation the way of life eternal, keep us in
the unity of your Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Readings
A reading from
the Book of Acts 2:1-21
When
the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. 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. Divided tongues, as of fire,
appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were
filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the
Spirit gave them ability.
Now
there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And
at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard
them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they
asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we
hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and
residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and
Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from
Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear
them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed,
saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They
are filled with new wine.”
But
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. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine
o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
‘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.
Even
upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
And
I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The
sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord’s great
and glorious day.
Then
everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be the God.
Psalm 104:25-35
A reading from the Letter of Paul to the Romans 8:22-27
We
know that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now; and
not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the
Spirit, groan inwardly while we wait for adoption, the redemption of our
bodies. For in hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who
hopes for what is seen? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it
with patience.
Likewise
the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we
ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God,
who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the
Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Gradual Hymn – Spirit of the Living God (BCP #647)
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John 15:26-27, 16:4b-15
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
“When
the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of
truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf. You also are to
testify because you have been with me from the beginning.
But
I have said these things to you so that when their hour comes you may remember
that I told you about them.
I
did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But
now I am going to him who sent me; yet none of you asks me, ‘Where are you
going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your
hearts. Nevertheless I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go
away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go,
I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will prove the world wrong about
sin and righteousness and judgment: about sin, because they do not believe in
me; about righteousness, because I am going to the Father and you will see me
no longer; about judgment, because the ruler of this world has been condemned.
“I
still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the
Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth; for he will not
speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears, and he will declare to you
the things that are to come. He will glorify me, because he will take what is
mine and declare it to you. All that the Father has is mine. For this reason I
said that he will take what is mine and declare it to you.
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Sermon
Guest Preacher - Joan Merton
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of our hearts be acceptable in Thy sight O Lord, our Strength and our Redeemer. Amen
I have had the privilege of attending a virtual evening prayer service, Monday to Friday, led by the priests and congregation of St. Benedict’s Table in Winnipeg. Often the priest, Jamie Howison will read passages from books written by Biblical Scholars and many of these passages are awesome! Today I have chosen to read a poem by Malcolm Guite and I believe it is very appropriate for today’s readings.
”Today we feel the wind beneath our wings
Today the hidden fountain flows and plays
Today the church draws breath at last and sings
As every flame becomes a Tongue of praise.
This is the feast of fire, air, and water
Poured out and breathed and kindled into earth.
The earth herself awakens to her maker
And is translated out of death to birth.
The right words come today in their right order
And every word spells freedom and release
Today the gospel crosses every border
All tongues are loosened by the Prince of Peace
Today the lost are found in His translation.
Whose mother-tongue is Love, in every nation”
Dictionary.com defines Pentecost as “a Christian festival celebrated on the seventh Sunday after Easter, commemorating the descent of the Holy Ghost upon the apostles; also known as Whitsunday.” For the Christian church it is a time of not only being uprooted but deeply grounded as well. In order to experience Pentecost we must be able to search for change and allow ourselves to be changed. We need to search our souls and hearts looking for things that need to be changed.
In the text from John Jesus tells his disciples that he will not be with them much longer. I imagine the disciples are as perplexed as I am by his farewell speech. It appears that none of the disciples ask Him where he is going and He really doesn’t give them an answer just that an Advocate will come who will take care of them. John 15:13 tells us, “He will guide you into all the truth; for he will not speak on his own, but will speak whatever he hears and he will declare to you the things that are to come.”
“When the day of Pentecost had come, they 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 nation 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? 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?” (Acts 1-12)
Acts 2:1-21 describes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples. This scene in Acts is often admired for its vision of unity. Perhaps we may benefit from taking a fresh look at what this vision of unity entails. The disciples have been instructed to remain in Jerusalem and they do as they are instructed. It is “Pentecost” an agricultural festival that also goes on commemorate the giving of the Law but it is unsure if this is the case when Acts was written. Just as the Sinai covenant was a foundational event for the people of Israel, so also is this Pentecost a foundational moment in the formation of the church.
Since this festival in Jerusalem brings people from many other areas to participate in the festival the author of Acts is able to highlight the effects of the Holy Spirit in spreading the Gospel with very little difficulty. The ability of the disciples to speak in different languages Joel says, “proclaims that, whereas formerly granted to individual prophets and kings, God’s Spirit will now pour out onto “all flesh,” regardless of gender (sons/daughters), age (young men/old men), or social status (male/female slaves) (Acts 2:17-18).
Every time I read this passage I try to imagine what it would have been like to be present in that moment with the wind rushing through the house, tongues of fire descending on each disciple and each speaking in a different language. It would have been an awesome sight! Unlike the Tower of Babel story the languages they were speaking were intelligible and familiar to all standing in the crowd. Thinking about the tongues of fire makes me think about one of my favourite flowers, Celosia, and if we were actually in church this morning I would be displaying a picture of this beautiful plant. It has long stems with beautiful flame like red, orange and yellow flowers that blow gracefully in the wind but stand strong against even the strongest wind, yet another one of God’s gracious gifts to us.
I read an interesting commentary by Gilberto Ruiz and his closing paragraph really made me think. I quote, “Calls for unity have always been strong. In thinking with this passage for the purposes of sermon preparation, perhaps we can ask what unity means for the church. Does Acts’ famous Pentecost scene call us to imagine a unity that is monolingual and univocal, a church with only one language and one voice? Or, as Barreto suggests, can we strive for unity without erasing difference, but rather affirming it? Is the Spirit found in a church where all members look, think, and act alike, or in a church that works together and takes difference as a starting point for manifesting the Spirit?
I believe that we have to strive for unity without erasing difference and even encouraging it. I definitely don’t believe that the Spirit is found only in a church where all members look, think and act alike! We need to strive for a universal church where all are welcome and have a voice even if we are not always in agreement with that voice. We must remember we are all God’s children!
Amen
Let us confess
the faith of our baptism, as we say the Apostles’ Creed:
I believe in God,
the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord.
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and born of the Virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried.
He descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again
to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Prayers of the
People
In the peace of the risen Christ let us
offer our prayers to the Lord, saying: Hear us Lord, Alleluia!
The Spirit of peace has been breathed on the church. May the church inspire peace throughout the world.
And to this let us say:
Hear us
Lord, Alleluia!
Our land has completed the Passover from winter into spring. May the earth be restored to the freshness of creation.
And to this let us say:
Hear us
Lord, Alleluia!
The Lord has appeared on Sinai amid fire and wind. May all peoples, Jew and Gentile together, climb the holy mountain and see the face of God.
And to this let us say:
Hear us
Lord, Alleluia!
The confusion of Babel has been undone with the gifts of Pentecost. May our community mature in wisdom as we come to understand the language of the Spirit.
And to this let us say:
Hear us
Lord, Alleluia!
Our week of weeks is accomplished. Our Fifty Days are complete. May all of us, both the living and the dead, be raised into the splendor of endless Easter. May we hold before God’s life all in need.
And to this let us say:
Hear us Lord,
Alleluia!
Please take time to offer your own intercessions or to pray in silence.
Creator God, our Lenten ashes have become life-giving fire. We are whole and new again. Help us, like the disciples in Jerusalem, to spill out into the streets to proclaim your wonderful words. This we ask through Christ our Lord. Amen.
(Intercessions
for the Christian People)
Confession and Absolution
Dear friends
in Christ,
God is
steadfast in love and infinite in mercy;
God welcomes
sinners and invites them to the table.
Let us confess
our sins, confident in God’s forgiveness.
Most merciful
God,
We confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbours as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
for the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us,
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your name. Amen.
As we speak the truth of our lives, God who is faithful and just, restores us and brings us home again and again.
Almighty God have mercy upon you,
pardon and
deliver you from all your sins,
confirm and
strengthen you in all goodness,
and keep you
in eternal life;
through Jesus
Christ our Lord.
Amen.
The Peace
The peace of
the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Offertory Hymn – Breathe on Me, Breath of God (BCP #649)
Prayer over the Gifts
**Although not physically at our church buildings to share
our offering together I would encourage you to set your offering of money aside
so that it can be dropped off or placed in the church once services resume, to
mail your offering to the church, or to make donations online. Please remember
ministry is still taking place.
Let us pray.
Giver of life,
receive all we offer you this day. Let the Spirit you bestow on your Church
continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe. We ask
this is the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
This service was created for live worship on Zoom. For those worshiping on your own, you may either read the Eucharistic prayer, or skip ahead to the Lord's Prayer and then the Doxology.
Eucharistic Prayer 2
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.
We give you thanks and praise, almighty God,
through your
beloved Son, Jesus Christ,
our Saviour
and Redeemer.
He is your
living Word
through whom
you have created all things.
By the power
of the Holy Spirit
he took flesh
of the Virgin Mary
and shared our
human nature.
He lived and
died as one of us,
to reconcile
us to you,
the God and
Father of all.
In fulfilment
of your will
he stretched
out his hands in suffering,
to bring
release to those who place their hope in you;
and so he won
for you a holy people.
He chose to
bear our griefs and sorrows,
and to give up
his life on the cross,
that he might
shatter the chains of evil and death,
and banish the
darkness of sin and despair.
By his
resurrection he brings us into the light of your presence.
Now with all
creation we raise our voices
to proclaim
the glory of your name.
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed are they who come in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy and
gracious God,
accept our
praise,
through your
Son our Saviour Jesus Christ;
who on the
night he was handed over
to suffering
and death,
took bread and
gave you thanks,
saying, “Take,
and eat:
this is my
body which is broken for you.”
In the same
way he took the cup,
saying, “This
is my blood which is shed for you.
When you do
this, you do it in memory of me.”
Remembering,
therefore, his death and resurrection,
we offer you
this bread and this cup,
giving thanks
that you have made us worthy
to stand in
your presence and serve you.
We ask you to
send your Holy Spirit
upon the
offering of your holy Church.
Gather into one
all who share
in these sacred mysteries,
filling them
with the Holy Spirit
and confirming
their faith in the truth,
that together
we may praise you
and give you
glory
through your
Servant, Jesus Christ.
All glory and
honour are yours,
Father and
Son,
with the Holy
Spirit
in the holy
Church,
now and for
ever.
Amen.
And now, as our Saviour Christ has taught us,
we are bold to
pray,
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
This is the
body of Christ.
Behold what
you are.
Become what
you receive.
Amen.
Communion
This is the
table of Christ. It is made ready for those who love him, and for those who
want to love him more. Come, whether you have much faith or little, have tried
to follow, or are afraid that you have failed. Come. Because it is Christ's
will that those who want to meet him, might meet him here.
These are the gifts of God for the People of God.
Thanks be to God.
Share in the Eucharist
Prayer After Communion
As we have
feasted around the table, let us pray.
O God, may we
who have received this Eucharist live in the unity of your Holy Spirit, that we
may show forth his gifts to all the world. We ask this in the name of Jesus
Christ our Lord. Amen.
Doxology
As a
congregation, we declare our doxology, as we say together,
Glory to God,
whose power, working in us,
can do infinitely more
than we can ask or imagine.
Glory to God from generation to generation,
in the Church and in Christ Jesus,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Blessing
The peace of
God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the
knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord: and the
blessing of the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Sanctifier be among you and
remain with you always. Amen.
Closing Hymn – Holy Spirit Come with Power (BCP #643)
Dismissal
Go forth into the world, rejoicing in
the power of the Spirit. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia!
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