May 31 Worship Guide
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prayer for Pentecost Sunday
When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Acts 2:1-4
Dear heavenly Father, on this Pentecost Sunday, we praise you for the gift of your Holy Spirit, whose ministries are as multiple as they are magnificent. Though invisible, the evidence of his work is everywhere.
It is only by your Spirit that we even believe the gospel. He convicted us of our sins, gave us eyes to see Jesus and faith to trust him. Indeed, by the Spirit, we’ve been born again, and are no longer dead in our sins and trespasses. Father, we praise you for the new birth and new life in Jesus. And yet there’s so much more for which to be grateful.
By the Spirit, you sealed us forever as your beloved people. He’s the firstfruits of our final redemption—the guarantee that one Day we’ll live with the whole family of God, in the new heaven and new earth. He’s the wedding ring wrapped around our hearts—the sign and security of our betrothal to Jesus—our loving Bridegroom.
It’s by the Spirit we hear you telling us we’re your beloved children—guiltless and condemnation free. Through the Spirit we learn more of the glory and grace of Jesus, for he is constantly drawing attention to our Savior. And by the Spirit’s power, we’re enabled to put to death everything in us that contradicts the gospel. Oh, the peace we have knowing the Spirit is making us more and more like Jesus—for it wouldn’t happen otherwise.
We can pray and worship you acceptably, Father, only through the Spirit; and we’re comforted to know he ceaselessly prays inside of us—even when we’re too distracted, or too broken, to pray. And through the Spirit, you’ve gifted for service and empowered for mission. Hallelujah, many times over.
Father, on this Pentecost Sunday, we hear afresh your command that we be filled with the Spirit. So may it be, to your glory and our growth. So very Amen we pray, in Jesus’ exalted and loving name.
(written by Scotty Smith)
Prayer of Confession
Call to Confession, from Acts 2:21
“Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Come, then, let us confess our sins to the one who is faithful to forgive. Come, then, let us adore the one who is mighty to save!
Merciful and gracious God,
Our hearts cry out for you to make us whole again.
Even as we celebrate that you have come to dwell within us,
We have sinned against you and abandoned your commandments.
We have been jealous, possessive, ambivalent, and impulsive.
We have not heeded your Word and we have not cherished your covenant.
Help us to glorify you in all times and in all places.
As our souls thirst for your living waters,
Quench our needs and satisfy our love.
That we may come back to you and be sent forth
To fill the world with your mercy and grace.
In the name of your son, Jesus Christ,
And by the power of the Holy Spirit who is at work within us,
Amen.
scripture reading
John 14:15-20
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Yet a little while and the world will see me no more, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
HOW AWARE ARE YOU OF THE PRESENCE OF GOD IN YOUR DAILY LIFE?
HOW EASY IS IT FOR GOD TO GET YOUR ATTENTION?
WHAT IS A SIMPLE PRAYER TO USE THROUGHOUT THE DAY TO DEPEND ON THE HOLY SPIRIT?
BENEDICTION
As you enter this week, may you experience the presence of God.
May the Holy Spirit fall down upon your life in wind and fire.
May the Holy Spirit lead your thoughts and your deeds.
May the Holy Spirit speak truth to your feelings and emotions.
May the Holy Spirit put into action all that God desires for you.
Donate
Let us worship through generosity. We need to keep the church strong in this time. We need to continue the work God has given us locally and globally. Generosity is part of declaring together that our giving is in obedience and thankfulness to God for His overwhelming generosity toward us.
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SACRED PATHWAYS - TRADITIONALIST
FOR FURTHER STUDY THIS WEEK LEN THOMPSON HAS GIVEN INSIGHT ON HOW TO PRACTICE THE SACRED PATHWAY OF THE TRADITIONALIST