Bulletin

Welcome to United Christian Parish! Use the bulletin as guidance as you worship.
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MAY 19 ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME

SONG
“I’m Gonna Live So God Can Use Me”

CALL TO WORSHIP *
One: As we gather together on this day of Pentecost. 
All: let us strain our ears to hear the rush of wind, the crackle pop of fire.
One: We listen for your call, God of spirit and flame.
All: We take our place in your unfolding creation.
One: Rejoice, for God’s spirit flows among us!
All: Rejoice, for today the church embraces transformation.
One: In the midst of rebirth, we join our voices in praise!
All: Come, Holy Spirit. Come.

OPENING SONG *
“Come Down, O Love Divine”
bells: arr. Hart Morris
Come down, O Love divine,
seek now this soul of mine,
and visit it with your own ardor glowing;
O Comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, your holy flame bestowing.

O let it freely burn,
till earthly passions turn
to dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
and let your glorious light
shine ever on my sight,
and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.

And so the yearning strong,
with which the soul will long,
shall far outpass the power of human telling;
for none can guess its grace,
till love creates the place
wherein the Holy Spirit makes its dwelling.
A-men.

CALL TO CONFESSION *

PRAYER OF CONFESSION *
One: Our God, we come in humility, confessing who and what we are. 
All: You poured out your Spirit upon gathered disciples creating bold tongues, open ears, and a new community of faith.
One: We confess that we hold back the force of your Spirit among us.
All: We are often unresponsive for we are afraid.
One: When your Spirit speaks, we turn deaf ears, for we fear what you might call us to do. 
All: When your Spirit touches our lips, we close our mouths, embarrassed to speak your Word. 
One: When the wind of your Spirit blows, we close the windows of our hearts, afraid the breeze will disrupt our ordered lives. 
All: When the fire of your Spirit touches us, we quench the flame, afraid of the new life it might bring. 
One: We do not listen for your word of grace, speak the good news of your love, or live as a people made one in Christ.
All: Forgive us, O God. Transform our timid lives by the power of your Spirit.
One: Awaken our senses to your wondrous work in the world, and give us the courage and will to follow you.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON *
One: The psalmist writes, “O LORD, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. 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 ground.” It is through this same creative, renewing Spirit that we experience God’s grace. We give thanks as a renewed, forgiven people!
All: In Jesus Christ, we are all forgiven!

GLORIA *
Glory to God, whose goodness shines on me
and to the Son, whose grace has pardoned me,
and to the Spirit, whose love has set me free.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
World without end, without end. Amen.
As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. Amen.  

PASSING THE PEACE *

OFFERING

DOXOLOGY
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise Christ, all people here below;
praise Holy Spirit evermore;
praise Triune God, whom we adore.
Amen.

SONG
“Send Down Your Spirit, Lord”
by: Don Besig and Nancy Price

CHILDREN’S TIME

PRAYER OF ILLUMINATION

BELLS
“The Spirit in Our Midst”

MEDITATION

SONG
“God of Unexpected Moments”
by Christy Hermansen, Jerry & Petie Hebenstreit
God of unexpected moments,
first I feel you then I don't.
God within me and around me, everywhere,
Holy Spirit Holy Ghost.

God, I know You travel with me,
always present, seldom seen.
God within me and around me, everywhere,
Holy Spirit Holy Ghost.

Bright and then dim, then barely there.
Loud, then a whisper in my ear,
then it fades away.

Do I see You in the dawn’s light,
painting glory in the skies;
walking with me in majestic forests,
bid my lonely spirit rise.

Now I hear You in a friend's voice,
bringing words of hope and grace,
speaking to me in a fleeting moment,
then Your message floats away

Bright and then dim, then barely there.
Loud, then a whisper in my ear,
then it fades away.

I can feel your love then the doubts creep in;
my way's no longer clear.
I crawl; I pray; I hope because
I know You are there.

Close, then I start to drift away.
Held fast, I slowly lose my strength
and I just let go.

God of unexpected moments,
always living in my heart.
Even when it seems You are O, so far away,
we are never a part.

God who's just around the corner;
God who's with me all the way.
When I'm sure I know just where You're leading me
That's the moment You escape
That's the moment You escape.
That's the moment that I pray.
God, I know that You are there!

SCRIPTURE (Acts 2:41-42)

COMMUNION

LORD’S PRAYER

PRAYER
All: Let this meal set our hearts ablaze, O God. As we experience the real nourishment of these real elements, we long for bread and wine to transform us for the work of your love. Just as you are always creating and re-creating, make us new. And as we become more like the people you call us to be, help us shape your Church for the greater work still to come. Restore us with the hope that that the Holy Spirit is—even now—igniting new possibilities for our shared life, faith, and thriving. Amen.

SONG
“We Are the Church”

SCRIPTURE (Acts 2:43-47)

CLOSING SONG *
“Day by Day”
music: Stephen Schwartz; lyrics: Richard of Chichester
Day by day, day by day,
O, dear Lord, three things I pray:
to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,
follow thee more nearly, day by day.

Day by day, day by day,
O, dear Lord, three things I pray:
to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,
follow thee more nearly, day by day.

Day by day, day by day,
O, dear Lord, three things I pray:
to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,
follow thee more nearly, day by day.

Day by day, day by day,  
O, dear Lord, three things I pray:
to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,
to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,
to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,
to see thee more clearly, love thee more dearly,
follow thee more nearly, day by day.
Day by day by day by day by
day

CLOSING MESSAGE *
One: As we leave this place, may we go out into the world day by day as a Pentecost people, touched by fire, stirred by wind, ready to be overwhelmed with amazement.
All: May we go out into a world that needs the Spirit of God, carried on our lips and in our loving arms.
One: May the love of God create in you new life. May the peace of God fill your hearts and minds, and may the Spirit of God grant you wisdom and vision, emboldening you to proclaim the good news of God’s love to all. 
All: Alleluia! Amen.

POSTLUDE

*Rise in body or spirit