Worship Service
Download a printable version of the worship service written for the Day of Pentecost, May 11, 2008. This download includes the Children's Sermon, a brief message to help children engage in and understand the Day of Pentecost.

Pentecost is an exciting time of year! It’s the time we celebrate the birth of the church! We celebrate the Holy Spirit, who brings new life and hope. In keeping with this new life brought by the Spirit, plan to involve the children and youth of your congregation. Their energy and vitality will add a surprising and joyful element to the service.

Call to Worship Psalm 104
O Lord, how great and wonderful are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
They all look to you to give them their food in due season.
When you give to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are filled with good things.
When you send forth your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth.
Therefore, I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have breath.

Prayer of the Day Joel 2 and Acts 2
God of all people and nations,
you come to us in every time and place,
and you speak to us in our own language.
Pour out your Holy Spirit, here and now,
upon all your people—sons and daughters,
young and old.
Let us see visions and dream dreams
of the new creation you have promised,
so that we may tell the world of your saving power
and teach all your children to call upon your name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Opening Hymn/Song
On Pentecost They Gathered
The Presbyterian Hymnal, #128
Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song
The Presbyterian Hymnal, #314
Every Time I Feel the Spirit
The Presbyterian Hymnal, #315
Spirit
The Presbyterian Hymnal, #319
The Lone, Wild Bird
The Presbyterian Hymnal, #320
Open My Eyes That I May See
The Presbyterian Hymnal, #324
Holy Spirit, Come to Us (Taizé) Sing the Faith, #2118
Come, O Holy Spirit, Come (Wa Wa Wa Emimimo)
Sing the Faith, #2124

In The Presbyterian Hymnal you will find additional hymn selections related to Pentecost (124–131) and the Holy Spirit (313–326). See numbers 2117–2125 in Sing the Faith as well.

Call to Confession John 7:37
It is recommended that you lead this Call to Confession from the baptismal font. You may wish to add water to the font—pouring it generously, visibly, and audibly—at this time or during the Declaration of Forgiveness.
Jesus said, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me,
and let the one who believes in me drink.
As the scripture has said,
‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of
living water.’”
With confidence in the grace of Jesus Christ
and with hope in the life-changing power of the
Holy Spirit,
let us confess our sins before God and one another.

Confession of Sin
Gracious God, by your Spirit you have called us to live as one body, the body of Christ— feeding the hungry and welcoming the stranger; healing the sick and comforting those in sorrow; seeking the lost and caring for the least.
We confess that we have not lived according to your Word, failing to love one another as Christ loves us.
Teach us to love and care for all your children.
Fill us with your Spirit of compassion and joy; through Jesus Christ our Savior.

Declaration of Forgiveness John 20:19
On the same day he rose from the dead, Jesus came and found his disciples locked in a house, and terrified.
And he stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.”
He showed them the wounds in his hands and side, and he breathed on them, saying “Receive the Holy Spirit.
If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven.”
Friends, I declare to you by the power of the Holy Spirit: in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!
Thanks be to God!

The Peace
As forgiven people, washed in water and born of the Spirit, let us share the peace of Christ with one another.
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.

Prayer for Illumination
God of all wisdom and truth, by the power of
your Holy Spirit
open our hearts and minds to hear your Word in
fresh ways,
so that we may share in the dreams of the prophets,
and proclaim the good news of salvation to
all the world;
through Jesus Christ our redeemer.

A Time with Children
If the children have made kites, have them bring them down to the front of the sanctuary for the Children’s Sermon and the responsive reading of the Kite Litany. The children may take the kites with them as they leave or put them at the front of the sanctuary for the remainder of the service.

Children’s Sermon
Have you ever flown a kite? (wait for response)

Children and adults all over the world make kites
out of different materials; sticks, paper, fabric, paint, glue, and tape. Some kites are very fancy and some are very simple.

What makes a kite fly? (wait for response) That’s right. It’s the wind. Have you ever felt the wind? (wait for response)

In the book of Acts in the Bible, we read that when the disciples were gathered together on the Day of Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon them with a sound like the rush of a mighty wind. Now that must have been very exciting because they could hear and feel this mighty wind and they were inside their house, not outside. So they knew that this was not the type of wind they were used to. It was something new. It was God’s wind.

How do you think they felt after God’s wind had blown inside their house? (wait for response)

They felt happy and excited. Because God’s wind filled them with the Holy Spirit and the Holy Spirit is love. So God’s wind was love. And they were so full of God’s love that they wanted to go right out and start sharing with other people how wonderful God’s love was.

So the next time you fly a kite, or feel the wind, think about God’s wind, the Holy Spirit. And remember how much God loves you all the time, no matter what. Let’s pray together.

A Kite Litany
Kites need the wind to lift them off the ground and send them skyward.
We need God’s Holy Spirit to lift us out of our daily routine, inspiring us and allowing us to inspire others.
Lord, send forth your Spirit of wonder.
Sometimes the world really can be made better with just some sticks, tape, paper, and paint.
Lord, send forth your Spirit of creativity.
The children have carefully crafted these kites to fly.
We too have been given everything we need to soar in safety and with assurance.
Lord, send forth your Spirit of trust.
People in despair cannot always feel the lift of the wind and the healing warmth of the sun.
Lord, send forth your Spirit of comfort.
Too many remain grounded by fear, prejudice, and poverty and do not remember how it feels to soar free.
Lord, send forth your Spirit of justice.
All kites should fly freely in fresh air above clean water and a healthy planet.
Lord, send forth your Spirit of healing.
The breath of the Spirit blows away all conflict and anger, and replaces them with understanding and compassion.
Lord, send forth your Spirit of peace.
The arc of the Holy Spirit holds us up and keeps us from falling as we strive to remain faithful.
Lord, send forth your Spirit of love.
It is a natural thing to ride freely on the wind as the power of the Holy Spirit lifts us up with the risen Christ.
Lord, send forth your Spirit of life everlasting.

The children may return to their seats or process from the sanctuary with their kites as this song is sung.

A SONG: “I’ll Fly Away” (see Sing the Faith, #2282 for music and original words)

1. In the Holy Spirit I will soar (I’ll fly away);
   to a place of peace forevermore (I’ll fly away).
   Refrain: I’ll fly away, O glory, I’ll fly away (in the morning).
   Through the sky, hallelujah, by and by, I’ll fly away.
2. Come with me and sail upon the wind (I’ll fly away);
   follow Christ our Savior and our friend (I’ll fly away).
   (Refrain)
3. will send my spirit like a dove (I’ll fly away);
   showing, sharing God’s amazing love (I’ll fly away). (Refrain)

Sermon

Prayers of the People Psalm 104:30
Let us pray for the needs of the church and the world,
saying, Lord, send forth your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.

For the whole church of Jesus Christ, born at Pentecost,
and for all those who offer their lives in Christ’s service;
Lord, send forth your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.

For this community of God’s people, young and old,
for its mission and ministry in Christ’s name;
Lord, send forth your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.

For the leaders and people of this and every nation,
that new voices of wisdom and understanding may emerge;
Lord, send forth your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.

For peace and justice throughout the world,
and especially for young people in war-torn lands.
Lord, send forth your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.

For the preservation and healing of this fragile planet,
that our children may know the beauty and goodness of your creation.
Lord, send forth your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.

For all who suffer through poverty and injustice,
and especially those whose lives are just beginning.
Lord, send forth your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.

For the sick, the sorrowful, the lonely, the dying;
for the very young and very old among us.
Lord, send forth your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.

For those special needs and concerns we present to you now,
aloud or in silence …
Lord, send forth your Spirit,
and renew the face of the earth.

Living God, we give thanks for the love of your Spirit who intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words.

Let these prayers contribute to the building up of the body of Christ and to your saving purpose for all the world; through Jesus Christ and in the unity of the Holy Spirit we pray.

An alternate idea for the Prayers of the People would be to use the song “Lord, Listen to Your Children Praying” (Sing the Faith, #2193) as the congregational response to each petition.

Offering 1 Corinthians 12:4–7
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord;
and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
To each is given a manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
Let us return to God the offerings of our life and the gifts of the earth.

Great Thanksgiving
If the Lord’s Supper is to be celebrated, refer to pages 343–347 in the Book of Common Worship.

Closing Hymn/Song
Come, O Spirit
The Presbyterian Hymnal, #127
Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us
The Presbyterian Hymnal, #129
Let Every Christian Pray
The Presbyterian Hymnal, #130
Spirit of the Living God
The Presbyterian Hymnal, #322
There’s a Spirit in the Air
The Presbyterian Hymnal, #433
The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve
Sing the Faith, #2241

Charge and Blessing Jude 20–21
Beloved, build yourselves up in faith;
pray in the Holy Spirit;
keep yourselves in the love of God;
look for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ
that leads to eternal life.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit
be with you all.

Written by David Gambrell, associate for worship in Theology Worship and Education, PC(USA), and Jean Sniffen, associate for mission interpretation resources, PC(USA)