Bulletin

Welcome to United Christian Parish! Use the bulletin as guidance as you worship.
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JUNE 8 ORDER OF WORSHIP

PRELUDE

WELCOME

SONG
“Spirit Song”
John Wimber setting by Cynthia Dobrinski

CALL TO WORSHIP *                                             
One: The day of Pentecost has arrived, and we are ready to remember and celebrate the birthday of Christ’s Church and UCP! As we gather together this day, ready to receive again the gift of the Holy Spirit
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! God, bless us that we will truly be your Church,
All: on fire with Your Holy Spirit!
One: And work through us in all we do as a church
All: that we might truly be a gift to the world.
One: In the midst of rebirth, we join our voices in praise!
All: Come, Holy Spirit. Come.

OPENING SONG *
“Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness” (#291)
Refrain: Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,
blow through the wilderness calling and free.
Spirit, spirit of restlessness,
stir me from placidness,
wind, wind on the sea.

You moved on the waters;
you called to the deep;
then you coaxed up the mountains
from the valleys of sleep;
and over the eons
you called to each thing,
"Awake from your slumbers
and rise on your wings." [Refrain]

You swept through the desert,
you stung with the sand,
and you goaded your people
with a law and a land.
When they were confounded
with idols and lies,
then you spoke through your prophets
to open their eyes.  [Refrain]

You sang in a stable;
you cried from a hill;
then you whispered in silence
when the whole world was still.
And down in the city,
you called once again
when you blew through your people
on the rush of the wind. [Refrain]

You call from tomorrow;
you break ancient schemes;
from the bondage of sorrow
the captives dream dreams.
Our women see visions;
our men clear their eyes.
With bold new decisions
your people arise. [Refrain]

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.

WORDS OF FORGIVENESS *
(from Psalm 104, verses 24, 28, and 30)
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.

CHILDREN’S TIME

SONG
“Send, O God, Your Holy Spirit”
(Bob Moore and Sylvia G. Dunstan)

SCRIPTURE (Acts 2)

MEDITATION

SONG
“My Sisters and My Brothers”
by Charles Johnson

COMMUNION

LORD’S PRAYER
All: 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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

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 the Holy Spirit is—even now— igniting new possibilities for our shared life, faith, and thriving. Amen. 

SONG
“We Are The Church”

CLOSING SONG
“Breathe on Me, Breath of God” (#286)
Breathe on me, Breath of God;
fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love,
and do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
until my heart is pure,
until with thee I will one will,
to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
till I am wholly thine,
until this earthly part of me
glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God,
so shall I never die,
but live with thee the perfect life
of thine eternity.

CLOSING MESSAGE
One: As we go now to our daily living, may the Spirit come to us in new and exciting ways:
All: as a gentle whisper, in dreams, in silence, in prayer; as a strong wind, in lives filled with love and compassion; as a mighty storm, in exuberant hearts of joy.
One: So let us go now, filled with the Spirit all our days! 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.

SONG
“Every Time I Feel the Spirit”

POSTLUDE

*Rise in body or spirit