5/31/20 Pentecost - Online Worship

Welcome
It looks like we are going to be continuing on with things as they have been for a while. The Governor extended Phase 1 of his plan until June 15th. We’ll be continuing to worship online, outside, and at home until we get to at least Phase 2 of his plan. At that point we’ll decide if we continue as we are, or if we begin to come back inside the Sanctuary.

This is a very different season than we are used to, but through it we are learning more about what we are capable of. This Sunday is Pentecost, and it was the first time that the church did something different, and then figure out how to live in that moment. We are in the middle of our own season of Pentecost as we are working through many of the same lessons that the early church did.

​You can follow along in this bulletin for the service. If you are on a computer, phone, or other mobile device, then you can click on each of the videos as they come up. If you  have a smart tv or streaming device connected to your tv, go to our YouTube channel and then go to playlists. Every Sunday We’ll have a new playlist set up with prayers, songs, and a message. As you come to each of those in the service you can play that video. With a playlist, as soon as one finishes, the next video starts so that all you have to do is hit pause until you’re ready to play again.

​My prayer is that even in this format, we can worship together, and still see God at work.

Peace,
Pastor John

​The video that comes next is a welcome, has a few announcements, and an opening prayer.

Announcements
Monday: Food Pantry from 3pm-5pm in the Fellowship Hall
Tuesday: Centering Prayer at 4pm on our church Facebook Page

Will you join us in our first song today, 

Joys & Concerns
Take a moment to share your joys and concerns. Check the bottom of this devotion each week for new ones. If you have any that you would like to add, please contact Pastor John.

When you pray today, keep in our prayers all the folks around us who are making hard decisions about what activities will, or won’t be happening this Summer. There are no easy decisions and many of our leaders are working very hard to figure out what to do.

​We will continue to share our joys and concerns, as well as our prayer requests. Simply follow the link below and fill out the form. If you need to add more, you can fill the form out again. These will be shared with the congregation via email on Monday morning.
Share a joy, concern, and/or prayer request

Prayer
Start the next video, and enter into a time of prayer.
When directed, take a few moments of silent prayer. Please lift up our community as we continue in our cancellations, shut downs, and the challenges they bring. There will be a pastoral prayer, then you are invited to join in the Lord's Prayer which is below.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory forever. Amen

Children’s Message
​This is one of those times when our Children’s message isn’t available to put on our YouTube Playlist, but you can find it in our eBulletin for today.

For us (and our kids) this is a reminder that the story doesn't end at Pentecost, but that there is still more to it. Most importantly, we're reminded that Jesus gives us a great gift in the Holy Spirit that goes with us every day.

Offering 
The offerings we give are a part of our everyday faith. Its not a special thing we do on Sundays, but its how we give of ourselves through each day of our life. Sometimes that's giving on Sunday mornings, other times that's giving during the week, and sometimes that's sharing something you didn't know you could do. How are you giving an offering everyday?

Thank you for your continued offerings to the church, and to the many other places around us that you’ve been giving of your time and your money. Remember that you can mail in your offerings, or you can give online. Your gifts and commitment to your faith help us reach out and tell Jesus’ story in so many different ways.  Will you pray with me,

Let us pray,
Holy God, thank you for sending your Spirit, the Spirit of the risen Christ, from heaven. Help us to be like the early disciples, praying patiently as we wait for your guidance and power. Fill our hearts and minds with your gifts of faith, hope, and love. May our conversations with people of every language and culture around us witness to your grace and mercy. We dedicate ourselves and our offerings to your good purposes in the world through our church’s mission by the power of your Spirit. We pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-16 (click the link to keep reading the rest of the chapter)
1When Pentecost Day arrived, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound from heaven like the howling of a fierce wind filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be individual flames of fire alighting on each one of them. 4They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit enabled them to speak.
5There were pious Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. 6When they heard this sound, a crowd gathered. They were mystified because everyone heard them speaking in their native languages. 7They were surprised and amazed, saying, “Look, aren’t all the people who are speaking Galileans, every one of them? 8How then can each of us hear them speaking in our native language? 9Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; as well as residents of Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the regions of Libya bordering Cyrene; and visitors from Rome (both Jews and converts to Judaism), 11Cretans and Arabs—we hear them declaring the mighty works of God in our own languages!” 12They were all surprised and bewildered. Some asked each other, “What does this mean?” 13Others jeered at them, saying, “They’re full of new wine!”
14Peter stood with the other eleven apostles. He raised his voice and declared, “Judeans and everyone living in Jerusalem! Know this! Listen carefully to my words! 15These people aren’t drunk, as you suspect; after all, it’s only nine o’clock in the morning! 16Rather, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
(when you get the chance, continue to read through the rest of Acts 2)
 
Liturgist: This is the word of God, for the people of God
Congregations’ Response: Thanks be to God!

Will you join in singing our next song 

Reflection
How is your everyday impacted by your faith?
As you go through this week, take some time to reflect on how your daily life has been changed by our current crisis and by your faith.
Where would you be right now if you didn't have faith?
​How can you continue to live that faith out?

Benediction
Read this prayer from the end of Jude

To the one who is able to protect you from falling,
and to present you blameless and rejoicing before his glorious presence,
to the only God our savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
belong glory, majesty, power, and authority,
before all time, now and forever. Amen.