Theme: filled to overflowing
Preparation
Opening
Opening Hymn: CP178 Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire
Come, Holy Spirit; fill us with your peace.
Come, Holy Spirit; unite us in our worship.
Come, Holy Spirit; raise us by your power.
Come, Holy Spirit, come now.
Pour out your Spirit, loving Lord,
that your sons and your daughters may hear your prophetic word.
Pour out your Spirit, loving Lord,
that your sons and your daughters may know how to live according to your ways.
Pour out your Spirit, loving Lord,
that your sons and your daughters may worship you
in Spirit and in Truth.
Amen.
A Confession at Pentecost
Spirit of compassion, we bring you our hearts.
Spirit of discernment, we bring you our choices.
Spirit of wisdom, we bring you our minds.
Spirit of boldness, we bring you our word.
Spirit of fulfilment, we bring you our longings.
Spirit of abundance, we bring you our resources.
Spirit of creation, we bring you our lives.
Forgive us where we have looked in the wrong places for those things.
Amen.
Readings
Psalm 104
R: Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth
The Gospel: John 15.26-27; 16.4b-15
Questions for Reflection or Discussion:
- When have you experienced the power of the Holy Spirit?
- How might God’s Spirit be prompting you to care for creation?
Prayer
R: Breath of God – breathe on them now.
For those around us, Lord, we pray. Breath of God…
For the lost and the lonely…
For the ill and the dying….
For the bewildered and confused…
For the tortured and trafficked…
For the abused and neglected…
For the grieving and broken…
For …
And for ourselves. Breath of God – breathe on us now.
Amen.
Holy Spirit sent by the Father ignite in us your holy fire;
strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love and
renew the face of the earth through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
An Affirmation of Faith:
We believe in God the Father
From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son
Who lives in our hearts through faith and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit
Who strengthens us with power from on high.
We believe in one God
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.
based on Ephesians 3
Choir Anthem: If ye love me (Thomas Tallis)
Closing
A Sending Prayer
I asked for health that I might do great things:
I was given infirmity that I might do better things…
I asked for riches that I might be happy:
I was given poverty that I might be wise
I asked for power that I might have the praise of men:
I was given weakness that I might feel the need of God.
I asked for all things that I might enjoy life:
I was given life that I might enjoy all things…
I got nothing that I asked for but everything that I hoped
for almost despite myself:
My unspoken prayers were answered
I am among all ‘men’ most richly blessed.
ANON
A Prayer of Blessing at Pentecost
May the power of the Spirit challenge you.
May the peace of the Spirit comfort you.
May the presence of the Spirit enable you to live in love and service in the name of Christ.
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing through the power
of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Dismissal at the closing of the Easter Season
Filled with the Spirit’s power go in the light and peace of Christ. Alleluia Alleluia.
Thanks be to God Alleluia Alleluia.
Closing Hymn: CP198 There’s a spirit in the air
Organ Voluntary: