Receiving the Holy Spirit, Who is the Present Tense of Christ in the World
Worship
Lectionary Worship Workbook
Series II, Cycle B
Consider this:
On the previous two Sundays, ask people to bring their symbols which depict for them the Holy Spirit. In addition, this might be a good time to change the headings within the order of worship.
Begin with:
The Community Celebrates Pentecost
The Coming of the Holy Spirit of God
into
the Lives of Christ's people
in order to
Transform Them from Cowards to Cross-bearers.
Then, use these to identify the parts of worship:
Celebrating The Presence of God
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Celebrating The Act of Forgiveness
We Receive New Life!
Celebrating The Word
We are Listening!
Celebrating Our Gifts
We are Accountable!
Celebrating Our Departure
We Leave for Ministry!
Celebrate Through Praise
Music for Preparation
Have all of your instrumentalists play, with much energy and enthusiasm, a medley of Pentecost hymns. Print the hymn numbers in the bulletin so people can follow the words and join in the singing. Invite them to move around the sanctuary greeting each other in the name of the Present Tense of Christ. From the beginning, make this a festive celebration, unencumbered by the mass media.
Pastoral Invitations
In the name of the Present Tense of Christ, welcome to the church's birthday celebration. Before setting foot in the sanctuary, how many of you knew that we were having a party today? Well, we are. So, the symbol for worship today is joyous celebration.
Choral Response
(With energy): "O Holy Spirit," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
Verbal Response (Pastor and Ministers)
P: God has given a new sound throughout the world!
M: We're listening. We hear it! What does it mean?
P: Keep on listening! Experience it! Respond to it! It's meaning is newness ... newness of life.
M: But where is God's Christ in it? How do we know that newness is of him?
P: God is ever creating, and creation is newness. Keep on listening. Experience it. Respond to it.
M: And how do we respond when we have heard?
P: We begin by spending a few moments sharing with each other what the symbols of wind and fire mean to us. (Invite them to share with three or four people.) Now, we continue by making some joyful sounds.
Hymn of Praise
"Spirit of God, Unleashed on Earth," John W. Arthur, 1972; alt.; attr. Elkanah Kelsay Dare, as in Pilsbury's United States Harmony, 1799.
Prayer of Praise
Invite the people to shout out words or phrases of praise. Invite the congregation to affirm each one with its favorite praise word.
Response
"Come, Holy Spirit," words and music by Jim Manley, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Celebration Through Confession And Forgiveness
Introduction to the Act of Confession.
Have you ever noticed the fanaticism of fans at sporting events? Their demeanor, their dress, their screams often are outrageous. Yet, often when we show enthusiasm for our faith, we are called fanatics, in the negative meaning of that word. M. G. Kyle once said, "The trouble with most of us is that when the tongues of flame appear, we run for the fire department." Silently identify ways that we allow the world to stifle our enthusiasm and obedience. Write down your responses. Invite people to share in double-dyads.
Unison Prayer
God, Author of wind and fire, we do a great deal of talking in the church, about the church, its programs, policies, people, pastor. As you know, we are extremely busy in the church, doing churchly things; and these activities supposedly are concerned about you and your will. Instead of our talking about you and each other, grant that the Holy Spirit shall give us the courage to share our experience of you with the world that desperately needs to hear of you through each of us. Forgive us for our failures, concessions, reservations, rationalizations, and outright premeditated violations of your will which have marred our discipleship and tarnished our hope. We want to begin again to do your will. In silence we name our specific sins and violations, to claim afresh new life through your merciful forgiveness. (Two minutes of silence. At the beginning of the silence, ask the people to be aware of the sins they are not bringing for pardon.)
Introduction to the Act of Forgiveness
Invite the congregation to sing, using all of your musical instruments, Malotte's version of "The Lord's Prayer." Before singing, point out that we are forgiven only to the extent that we are willing to forgive. God will forgive us only to the extent that we are willing to let God forgive us.
Celebration Through The Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Ask them what they know about symbols of wind and fire, and how they relate to Pentecost. Ask them about the qualities of wind and fire in everyday life, and how they can see those qualities applied to their faith.
Reading of the Gospel
Have one of your instrumentalists play background music as the pastor, or a good lay reader, reads the passage. We need to spend considerable time reading the scripture well.
Proclamation of the Good News
If the Holy Spirit is "the Present Tense of God," then you may want to consider these ideas: (1) The church's center. Around what or whom does the local church center itself: around the presence of the Holy Spirit through the Word and Sacraments; or around a pastor's personality, a choir's singing, an impressive building, an organizational reputation? (2) The church's inclusiveness. Does the local church positively express the unity of Holy Spirit amidst the diversity of its membership; or does only one type of person really feel at home? (3) The church's outreach. Does the fellowship of the local church depend strictly on the fact that most people are outside it, and can stay outside, so far as most are concerned; or is it, individually and corporately, Christ's witnessing community 24 hours a day?
Response
Sing again, "Spirit of God, Unleashed on Earth." After singing, ask the people if the hymn means more now than earlier in worship.
Celebration Through Thanksgiving And Intercession
Pastor and people offer prayers of thanksgiving and intercession. Invite the people to express their favorite form of "amen" after each prayer.
Celebration Through Commitment
Stewardship Challenge
What would happen to us, to the whole church, if we permitted the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to work freely and openly in and through us, including our pocketbooks, this coming week? For the next seven days, each morning for fifteen minutes, while getting ready for work, school, shaving, combing our hair, seek the Holy Spirit's direction for your life. Conclude each petition with these words: "Not my will but your will be accomplished in me, today!"
Charge to the Congregation
One author has written, "Just as atomic energy represents the release of hidden forces in the physical world, so Pentecost represents the release of hidden, invisible force in the realm of the personality." So, if we allowed the Holy Spirit to envision and enliven us, would we be less concerned about the church as a building, and more concerned about building the church; less concerned about institution, and more concerned about restitution? Would we continue to insist on so many luxuries, while many lack barest necessities? Would we go on littering, polluting, raping our natural resources? Would we face, realistically, the differences between Americanism and Christianity, and stop identifying the two? (Add your own.)
Response
"Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow," Thomas H. Troeger, 1983; Joseph Parry, 1879.
Pastoral Benediction
"The Presence and Power of Christ are yours today and every day."
Meditation
The Holy Spirit is God in action in human life. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to direct and lead your human life?
Note
As the people leave the sanctuary, give them a copy of "The Best Gift," Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2:1-47; and ask them to read it each day this coming week.
On many occasions, have your liturgical dancers interpret the hymns as the congregations sing them. This will add an exciting dimension to the worship.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Pentecost hymns; or, "The Blessed Damozel," Debussy.
Response to the Pastoral Invitation: "Come, Share the Spirit," words and music by Kent Schneider, 1976, Agape Division of Hope Publishing Co. (See Appendix I for address.)
Hymn of Praise: "On Pentecost They Gathered," Jane Parker Huber, 1981; adapt. Felix Mendelssohn, 1847, from A Singing Faith. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Message with Children: "There Is a New Wind Blowin'," words and music by David Yantis, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Proclamation: "You Are God," Carlton T. Russell.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Cantique," Stravinsky.
Response to the Offering: Use one by Richard Avery and Don Marsh.
Hymn of Commitment: "Come, Holy Spirit, Our Souls Inspire," attr. Rabanus Maurus, ninth century; trans. John Cosin, 1627; alt.; arr. Healy Willan (1880-1968).
Response to the Benediction:
Pastor: Be Christ to one another and to the world.
Hymn: "Blest Be the Tie That Binds."
Passing the Peace: "Christ takes form through you."
On the previous two Sundays, ask people to bring their symbols which depict for them the Holy Spirit. In addition, this might be a good time to change the headings within the order of worship.
Begin with:
The Community Celebrates Pentecost
The Coming of the Holy Spirit of God
into
the Lives of Christ's people
in order to
Transform Them from Cowards to Cross-bearers.
Then, use these to identify the parts of worship:
Celebrating The Presence of God
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Celebrating The Act of Forgiveness
We Receive New Life!
Celebrating The Word
We are Listening!
Celebrating Our Gifts
We are Accountable!
Celebrating Our Departure
We Leave for Ministry!
Celebrate Through Praise
Music for Preparation
Have all of your instrumentalists play, with much energy and enthusiasm, a medley of Pentecost hymns. Print the hymn numbers in the bulletin so people can follow the words and join in the singing. Invite them to move around the sanctuary greeting each other in the name of the Present Tense of Christ. From the beginning, make this a festive celebration, unencumbered by the mass media.
Pastoral Invitations
In the name of the Present Tense of Christ, welcome to the church's birthday celebration. Before setting foot in the sanctuary, how many of you knew that we were having a party today? Well, we are. So, the symbol for worship today is joyous celebration.
Choral Response
(With energy): "O Holy Spirit," Richard Avery and Don Marsh, from The Second Avery and Marsh Songbook. (See Appendix I for address.)
Verbal Response (Pastor and Ministers)
P: God has given a new sound throughout the world!
M: We're listening. We hear it! What does it mean?
P: Keep on listening! Experience it! Respond to it! It's meaning is newness ... newness of life.
M: But where is God's Christ in it? How do we know that newness is of him?
P: God is ever creating, and creation is newness. Keep on listening. Experience it. Respond to it.
M: And how do we respond when we have heard?
P: We begin by spending a few moments sharing with each other what the symbols of wind and fire mean to us. (Invite them to share with three or four people.) Now, we continue by making some joyful sounds.
Hymn of Praise
"Spirit of God, Unleashed on Earth," John W. Arthur, 1972; alt.; attr. Elkanah Kelsay Dare, as in Pilsbury's United States Harmony, 1799.
Prayer of Praise
Invite the people to shout out words or phrases of praise. Invite the congregation to affirm each one with its favorite praise word.
Response
"Come, Holy Spirit," words and music by Jim Manley, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Celebration Through Confession And Forgiveness
Introduction to the Act of Confession.
Have you ever noticed the fanaticism of fans at sporting events? Their demeanor, their dress, their screams often are outrageous. Yet, often when we show enthusiasm for our faith, we are called fanatics, in the negative meaning of that word. M. G. Kyle once said, "The trouble with most of us is that when the tongues of flame appear, we run for the fire department." Silently identify ways that we allow the world to stifle our enthusiasm and obedience. Write down your responses. Invite people to share in double-dyads.
Unison Prayer
God, Author of wind and fire, we do a great deal of talking in the church, about the church, its programs, policies, people, pastor. As you know, we are extremely busy in the church, doing churchly things; and these activities supposedly are concerned about you and your will. Instead of our talking about you and each other, grant that the Holy Spirit shall give us the courage to share our experience of you with the world that desperately needs to hear of you through each of us. Forgive us for our failures, concessions, reservations, rationalizations, and outright premeditated violations of your will which have marred our discipleship and tarnished our hope. We want to begin again to do your will. In silence we name our specific sins and violations, to claim afresh new life through your merciful forgiveness. (Two minutes of silence. At the beginning of the silence, ask the people to be aware of the sins they are not bringing for pardon.)
Introduction to the Act of Forgiveness
Invite the congregation to sing, using all of your musical instruments, Malotte's version of "The Lord's Prayer." Before singing, point out that we are forgiven only to the extent that we are willing to forgive. God will forgive us only to the extent that we are willing to let God forgive us.
Celebration Through The Word
Message with the Children of All Ages
Ask them what they know about symbols of wind and fire, and how they relate to Pentecost. Ask them about the qualities of wind and fire in everyday life, and how they can see those qualities applied to their faith.
Reading of the Gospel
Have one of your instrumentalists play background music as the pastor, or a good lay reader, reads the passage. We need to spend considerable time reading the scripture well.
Proclamation of the Good News
If the Holy Spirit is "the Present Tense of God," then you may want to consider these ideas: (1) The church's center. Around what or whom does the local church center itself: around the presence of the Holy Spirit through the Word and Sacraments; or around a pastor's personality, a choir's singing, an impressive building, an organizational reputation? (2) The church's inclusiveness. Does the local church positively express the unity of Holy Spirit amidst the diversity of its membership; or does only one type of person really feel at home? (3) The church's outreach. Does the fellowship of the local church depend strictly on the fact that most people are outside it, and can stay outside, so far as most are concerned; or is it, individually and corporately, Christ's witnessing community 24 hours a day?
Response
Sing again, "Spirit of God, Unleashed on Earth." After singing, ask the people if the hymn means more now than earlier in worship.
Celebration Through Thanksgiving And Intercession
Pastor and people offer prayers of thanksgiving and intercession. Invite the people to express their favorite form of "amen" after each prayer.
Celebration Through Commitment
Stewardship Challenge
What would happen to us, to the whole church, if we permitted the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to work freely and openly in and through us, including our pocketbooks, this coming week? For the next seven days, each morning for fifteen minutes, while getting ready for work, school, shaving, combing our hair, seek the Holy Spirit's direction for your life. Conclude each petition with these words: "Not my will but your will be accomplished in me, today!"
Charge to the Congregation
One author has written, "Just as atomic energy represents the release of hidden forces in the physical world, so Pentecost represents the release of hidden, invisible force in the realm of the personality." So, if we allowed the Holy Spirit to envision and enliven us, would we be less concerned about the church as a building, and more concerned about building the church; less concerned about institution, and more concerned about restitution? Would we continue to insist on so many luxuries, while many lack barest necessities? Would we go on littering, polluting, raping our natural resources? Would we face, realistically, the differences between Americanism and Christianity, and stop identifying the two? (Add your own.)
Response
"Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow," Thomas H. Troeger, 1983; Joseph Parry, 1879.
Pastoral Benediction
"The Presence and Power of Christ are yours today and every day."
Meditation
The Holy Spirit is God in action in human life. Are you allowing the Holy Spirit to direct and lead your human life?
Note
As the people leave the sanctuary, give them a copy of "The Best Gift," Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 2:1-47; and ask them to read it each day this coming week.
On many occasions, have your liturgical dancers interpret the hymns as the congregations sing them. This will add an exciting dimension to the worship.
Music Possibilities In Addition To Those Already Suggested
Music for Preparation: Medley of Pentecost hymns; or, "The Blessed Damozel," Debussy.
Response to the Pastoral Invitation: "Come, Share the Spirit," words and music by Kent Schneider, 1976, Agape Division of Hope Publishing Co. (See Appendix I for address.)
Hymn of Praise: "On Pentecost They Gathered," Jane Parker Huber, 1981; adapt. Felix Mendelssohn, 1847, from A Singing Faith. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Message with Children: "There Is a New Wind Blowin'," words and music by David Yantis, from New Wine. (See Appendix I for address.)
Response to the Proclamation: "You Are God," Carlton T. Russell.
Response to the Stewardship Challenge: "Cantique," Stravinsky.
Response to the Offering: Use one by Richard Avery and Don Marsh.
Hymn of Commitment: "Come, Holy Spirit, Our Souls Inspire," attr. Rabanus Maurus, ninth century; trans. John Cosin, 1627; alt.; arr. Healy Willan (1880-1968).
Response to the Benediction:
Pastor: Be Christ to one another and to the world.
Hymn: "Blest Be the Tie That Binds."
Passing the Peace: "Christ takes form through you."
