Order of Worship for Sunday, May 19th 2024

One: From many places, we gather
All: From many backgrounds, many experiences, we gather

One: Each with our own stories, each with our own prayers
All: Each with our own hopes. Each given with power to achieve God’s purpose

All: We are one in the Spirit.

You move among us, breathing life into our bodies and gifts into your Body the Church. By your Spirit you equip us for your work in the world. We confess that we sometimes assume others have gifts, but we don’t.  Forgive us when we fail to recognize what you have given us.

We confess that we compare gifts and find some lacking — looking down on those who don’t have gifts we have or admire, looking with envy on the gifts other churches seem to have. Forgive us when we fail to recognize the value of what you have given. We confess that we hold our gifts back, waiting to be asked before we volunteer… and we confess that we don’t always ask for or welcome the gifts of others.

Forgive us when we fail to allow your Spirit to work fully among us, and so impoverish your Body and leave your kingdom work incomplete. Renew us in your one Spirit today, and empower us to faithful living that reveals your glory. Amen.

The same spirit that raised Jesus from the dead, also empowered and equipped the disciples to spread the Good News. That same Spirit is at work in the world today conquering sin, providing assurance of forgiveness, and empowering us to use our gifts to spread the good news today. By this Spirit, may you know that your sins are forgiven.

All: Glory to God, Amen.

Heavenly Father, as we gather on this Pentecost Sunday, we are reminded of the transformative power of your Spirit, breathing life into dry bones and igniting the hearts of your people. Just as you enlivened the early church with the wind and fire of your presence, empower us to prophesy life into the brokenness of our world. May our offerings today be a testament to our faith in your promise of renewal and restoration. Amen. (Ezekiel 37:1-14)