WORSHIP RESOURCES
Day of Pentecost
Romans 8:14-17
The Spirit Bears Witness
Additional Scriptures
Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; John 14:8-17, 25-27; Acts 2:1-21 (A,B,C)
Prelude
Gathering Hymn Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
“Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” CCS 87
OR “Praise to the Lord, The Almighty” CCS 101
OR “Crown Him with Many Crowns” CCS 39
Welcome and Time of Sharing and Caring
Share announcements, celebrations, and prayer needs. End with a pastoral prayer appropriate to the sharing.
Call to Worship: Psalm 104:24, 31, 33-34, 35b
Consider reading from The Message version of the Bible.
Hymn of Praise
Encourage participants to sing in languages other than their own.
“Earth and All Stars” CCS 102
OR “All Creatures of Our God and King” CCS 98
OR “Great and Marvelous Are Thy Works” CCS 118
Invocation
May we feel your presence this day, Holy Spirit, like the people gathered on that day of Pentecost. May you rush into our hearts and exhilarate our souls. May we be empowered by your Spirit to live a life more faithful to God. Amen.
Response
The Day of Pentecost
Share the story of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-21) using a children’s story Bible.
Ministry of Music or Congregational Hymn
“On Pentecost They Gathered” CCS 483
OR “Breath of the Living God/Soplo del Dios viviente” CCS 43
Encourage participants to sing in a language other than their own.
Prayer for Peace
Light the peace candle.
Peace Prayer
Reader 1: When the world divides us
Reader 2: Come, Holy Spirit, make us one.
Reader 1: When the world calls us orphaned
Reader 2: Come, Holy Spirit, make us family.
Reader 1: When the world leads us astray
Reader 2: Come, Holy Spirit, call us home.
Reader 1: Come, Holy Spirit, come! Come and fill this place!
Reader 2: Lead us out of Babel, where we claim our own languages and
cast out others.
Reader 1: Where we label family by our money status, and shirt colors
define our brothers;
Reader 2: Where we care for our own and make wars with other tribes;
Reader 1: Where we create borders, we call protection and shun those
whom we say don’t belong inside;
Reader 2: Where we earn all we can, save all we can, and look at others confused when they ask us to give all we can while we sit in our own addictive high;
Reader 1: Where we choose our houses so that we match our neighbors’ skin;
Reader 2: Where we even choose our churches so that our hues all blend;
Reader 1: Where our differences create fear and matter more than the promise you made that we were all adopted into your glory when Christ defeated the grave.
Reader 2: Lead us out of Babel where we can speak a language of "us," “ours,” and “mine.” Amen. —Based on Genesis 11:1-9
Hymn of Reflection
“As the Wind Song through the Trees” CCS 42
OR “Arabs, Romans, Jews, Gentiles” CCS 341
Scripture Reading: Romans 8:14-17
Focus Moment: We Are Children of God
Create an informal tone.
You are invited to move through the worship space, stopping to tell the people you meet why you think they are a child of God. For example, you might tell someone you count them as a child of God because of their smile, or being a good listener, or a thought-provoking preacher, or a constant presence, and so on. Allow several minutes for this exchange of affirmations.
At Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit came among the disciples and remade them into
“joint heirs with Christ.” As disciples, we are also “joint heirs with Christ”—children of God.
If time allows, ask a couple of people to share what they experienced during the exchange of affirmations.
Prayer
Close with a prayer of gratitude for the giftedness and diversity of the children of God.
Song for the Children of God
Divide participants into two, three, or four groups and joyfully sing the song in a round.
“Praise the Lord Together Singing” CCS 642
OR “Heleluyan” CCS 119
Sermon
Based on Romans 8:14-17
Disciples’ Generous Response
Statement
There are Six Principles of a Disciple’s Generous Response.
Project or print these so everyone can see.
1. Receive God’s Gifts
2. Respond Faithfully
3. Align Heart and Money
4. Share Generously
5. Save Wisely
6. Spend Responsibly
As you consider these principles, with which ones are you already engaged? Which ones could use some work? Allow time for reflection.
God’s generous compassion is limitless. As we open our hearts to courageously and generously share by placing money in the offering plates or through eTithing, we join the movement of God’s compassion in the world. God shares abundantly, we share faithfully, others share generously, and God’s love and compassion grow endlessly.
When our lives are touched deeply by God, we want to be more Christlike in our living. You are invited to a journey of whole-life stewardship in response to God’s amazing generosity in your life.
If you have participants joining the worship online, remind them that they can give through www.CofChrist.org/give or through eTithing at www.eTithing.org (consider displaying these URLs).
Blessing and Receiving of Local and Worldwide Mission Tithes
Closing Hymn
“O Breath of Life” CCS 486
OR “Wind Who Makes All Winds That Blow” CCS 485
OR “Learn from All the Songs of Earth” CCS 141
Benediction
Now we leave this space of worship, knowing so much of the road ahead is uncertain, and knowing that the path is constantly changing. We also know some things that are as solid and sure as the ground beneath our feet, and the sky above our heads.
We know God is love. We know Christ’s light endures. We know we are all children of God. We know the Holy Spirit is here, found in the space between all things, closer to us than our next breath, binding us until we meet again. Amen.
Sending Forth
May the power of the Holy Spirit transform you with the healing fire that unifies the world. Let the wind of that first Pentecost teach you of God’s grace, love, hope, and mystery. With tongues of flame, may you be marked for Christ.
Go out in faith and abiding love.
Go in peace.
Postlude
SERMON AND CLASS HELPS
Year C—Letters
Day of Pentecost
Romans 8:14–17
Exploring the Scripture
Pentecost celebrates God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the Holy Spirit, we are united with Christ, assured that we belong to God; nothing can separate us from God’s love. In this chapter from Romans, Paul has been teaching about the Spirit of God. Verses 14 through 17 speak to what it means to be gifted with the Holy Spirit.
Paul stresses what life looks like for disciples of Christ led by the Holy Spirit. He does this by contrasting slavery with adoption. Rather than living in fear as an enslaved person might, we are invited into a life of courage. The Holy Spirit walks beside us in times of anxiety and reminds us that because we are God’s children, we do not have to live in fear. As God’s children, we can be confident and fearless, knowing we have been chosen, accepted, and loved for who we are.
As disciples, we learn what it means to be in a loving relationship, free from fear. Paul uses the term Abba Father to suggest the new connection between God and God’s people when we fully accept ourselves as children of God. Whoever we have been, whatever grief or burdens we bring with us, we are changed forever when we allow the Holy Spirit to enter our lives. As God’s beloved children, free from the fear of not being accepted or loved, we can breathe the Spirit of joy, hope, love, and peace into the world.
Paul goes even a little further, stating that not only are we God’s beloved children released to love others, but we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. God loves us so deeply that God considers us worthy to receive all the blessings and favor that Christ is granted. This favor is not about gifts we might receive or status we might gain, but the blessings we receive from our relationship with God.
When we follow Christ, we become co-heirs with Christ. We begin to care about what Christ cares about and suffer what he suffers. However, because of God’s unending love for us as experienced through the Holy Spirit, we have God’s very nature within us. We have the strength, power, and capacity to tackle whatever comes our way and the courage to show God’s unconditional love to others, even in their suffering.
Despite our faults, pain, and sometimes ambivalence, we still are beloved children, filled with God’s Spirit. As those led by the Holy Spirit and transformed by God’s love, we are called from our places of fear to serve others in love, courage, and hope.
Central Ideas
- We are God’s children, deeply loved and always welcome.
- Through the power of the Holy Spirit, God is not unknown or unapproachable. Instead, we can have a personal, intimate relationship with God.
- When we recognize our role as children of God, we’re freed from fear and released to share God’s love, hope, joy, and peace with others.
Questions for the Speaker
- When have you rested in the grace of your loving heavenly Parent?
- What are some ways you know you are being led by the Holy Spirit personally or as a congregation?
- What makes you fearful as a disciple growing in God’s grace?
- Where are opportunities to show courage and serve others?
SACRED SPACE: A RESOURCE FOR SMALL-GROUP MINISTRY
Year C, Letters
Day of Pentecost
Romans 8:14–17 NRSVue
Gathering
Welcome
Pentecost means “fiftieth day.” On the fiftieth day after Passover, Jews celebrated with a festival. For Christians, Pentecost marks the fiftieth and final day of the Easter season. At Pentecost, the Spirit moves among the disciples and crowds of onlookers.
It is on Pentecost that the disciples begin their Spirit-filled ministry. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit often is depicted as flames of fire or a dove descending on the people.
Prayer for Peace
Ring a bell or chime three times slowly.
Light the peace candle.
Breather of peace, you promised us the Holy Spirit, and today we celebrate its presence among us in this very place! Thank you for this Helper, whose closeness we sometimes see, sometimes feel, but always know.
As winds signal the change of seasons,
as fire warms the cold,
as breezes carry butterflies on their migration,
as embers hold the hope of renewal,
inspire us to bring peace wherever it is needed.
As peace flows in every language, open our eyes to the small corners in need of peace. Open our arms to hold another, quiet our voices to listen in the commotion, and strengthen our shoulders for the hard work ahead.
In the gentle and just name of Jesus. Amen.
Spiritual Practice
Jesus Prayer
Read the following aloud:
Pentecost is the day when the Christian community commemorates the beginning of the Christian church. After Jesus ascended into heaven, there were groups of followers, but nothing organized as a church.
In the book of Acts, Chapter 2, we find the description of how the Holy Spirit descends upon the disciples as they share the message of Jesus. This resulted in many people being baptized and the creation of a movement called Christianity. This movement eventually became known as the church.
Today we will experience an ancient spiritual practice from Orthodox Christianity. It is a way of connecting with the gracious Spirit of Christ as we ask to receive mercy. The prayer comes from the scripture of the blind man calling for Jesus to heal him.
Center yourself and let your breath become slow and even. I will say the prayer aloud for the first few breaths, and then you will pray silently, repeating the phrases as you breathe.
As you breathe in, pray, “Lord Jesus Christ.”
As you breathe out, pray, “Have mercy on me.”
We will prayerfully repeat these words for two or three minutes, and I will close our time of prayer by saying “Amen.”
Slowly speak the prayer aloud three times. Allow two to three minutes for participants to breathe the prayer silently.
Close with “Amen.”
Invite people to share about this experience.
Sharing Around the Table
Romans 8:14–17 NRSVue
For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, “Abba! Father!” it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs: heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if we in fact suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Pentecost celebrates God’s gift of the Holy Spirit. Through the presence of the Holy Spirit, we are assured that we belong to God, and nothing can separate us from God’s love. In this chapter from Romans, Paul has been teaching about the Spirit of God and what it means to be gifted with the Holy Spirit.
Paul stresses what life looks like for followers of Jesus Christ to be led by the Holy Spirit. He does this by contrasting slavery with adoption. The Holy Spirit walks beside us in times of anxiety and reminds us that because we are not slaves, but God’s children, we do not have to live in fear. As God’s children, we can be confident and fearless, knowing we have been accepted, and loved for who we are.
As disciples, we learn what it means to be in a loving relationship free from fear. Paul uses the term Abba Father to suggest the new connection between God and God’s people when we fully accept ourselves as children of God. Whoever we have been, whatever grief or burdens we have brought with us, we forever are changed when we allow the Holy Spirit to enter our lives.
As God’s beloved children, free from the fear of not being accepted or loved, we can breathe the Spirit of joy, hope, love, and peace into the world.
Paul goes even a little further, stating that not only are we God’s beloved children released to love others, but we are heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ. When we follow Christ, we begin to care about what Christ cares about, and we suffer what he suffers.
However, because of God’s unending love for us as experienced through the Holy Spirit, we have God’s very nature with us. We have the strength, power, and capacity to tackle whatever comes our way and the courage to show God’s unconditional love to others.
Questions
- What words do you use to describe a loving God?
- What are some ways you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit around or in you?
- Where are opportunities for you to show courage in service to others?
Sending
Generosity Statement
Faithful disciples respond to an increasing awareness of the abundant generosity of God by sharing according to the desires of their hearts; not by commandment or constraint.
—Doctrine and Covenants 163:9
The offering basket is available if you would like to support ongoing, small-group ministries as part of your generous response. You also may give at CofChrist.org/give.
Pray with me.
God of passion and purpose, may your Spirit guide our decisions as we make Responsible Choices with our resources. May we be wise in spending, prudent in saving, and generous in sharing, so your purposes of healing, wholeness, and well-being might be extended to all. Amen.
Invitation to Next Meeting
Closing Hymn
Community of Christ Sings 486, “O Breath of Life”
Closing Prayer
Optional Additions Depending on Group
- Thoughts for Children
Thoughts for Children
Materials:
- A large, soft blanket or comforter.
Say: Today is Pentecost Sunday. On this special day we remember when the first Christians felt the Spirit of God, the Holy Spirit, among them.
One of Jesus’s promises to his followers is the presence of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit is described many ways: Advocate or Supporter, Teacher, Wisdom, even wind, dove, and fire.
One way Jesus described the Holy Spirit was as the “Comforter.”
We can describe the feeling of the presence of the Holy Spirit as similar to the warm, comfy blankets we snuggle in at home.
Gather as many participants as are willing to wrap in the large blanket/comforter. Giggling and crowding may occur as you help them draw close together.
Ask: How does this feel? Warm? Cozy? Snuggly? Comforting?
We can experience the Holy Spirit in groups with our family and friends, and when the Spirit surrounds us, we sense its warm, comforting presence. Like being wrapped in this blanket, the Holy Spirit wraps us in loving relationship with Jesus.
Unwrap everyone and thank the children for participating.