Theme: ‘Let anyone’

Preparation

Opening

Opening Hymn: CP178 Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire

Opening Prayers for Pentecost

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

The Spirit of the Lord fills the world and knows our every word and deed.
Let us then open ourselves to the Lord and confess our sins in penitence and in faith…..

God, your love is unconditional;
your gifts are offered with measureless generosity;
your peace is all-encompassing.
We are sorry for times
when we have put conditions on our willingness to care;
when we have kept what we have for ourselves and refused to share with others;
when we have failed to seek peace and have caused discord.
Forgive us; restore us; renew us by your Spirit of life.
Amen.

Readings

Psalm 104

R: Send forth your Spirit, O Lord, and renew the face of the earth

The Gospel John 7.37-39

On the day of Pentecost Jesus’ disciples experience being filled dramatically with God’s Holy Spirit, the culmination of many centuries of waiting for the fulfilment of God’s promise, made known through Old Testament prophets.

Audio Reflection for Pentecost

Reflection:

We often focus on wind and flames of the Acts story – but why might ‘water’ be a good picture to help us think about what the Spirit is like ?
Where or how is the power of the Spirit perceptible in your own life ?

Reflective Hymn: CP175 Come down, O Love divine

Prayer

We pray for God to fill us with his Spirit:

Generous God we thank you for the POWER of your Holy Spirit. We ask that we may be strengthened to serve you better. Lord come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the WISDOM of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to make us wise to understand your will.
Lord come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the PEACE of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to keep us confident of your love wherever you call us.
Lord come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the HEALING of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to bring reconciliation and wholeness where there is division, sickness, sorrow. Lord come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the GIFTS of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to equip us for the work which you have given us.
Lord come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the FRUIT of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to reveal in our lives the love of Jesus. Lord come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.

We thank you for the BREATH of your Holy Spirit.
We ask you to keep the whole Church living and departed in the joy of eternal life.
Lord come to bless us and fill us with your Spirit.

Generous God you sent your Holy Spirit
upon your Messiah at the river Jordan and upon the disciples in the upper room:
in your mercy fill us with your Spirit hear our prayer and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.

The Collect for Pentecost:

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

Live your faith action

A faith action based on this week’s Gospel reading:
Jesus says: Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink
Scripture says: Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water

-Pay particular attention to how you use water this week, and think about how you might change your habits to conserve it more. Each time you use water, pray that God’s Spirit might be like living water in your life.

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