May 26, 2024 – Pentecost Sunday
Order of Worship – Grace United Church
Worship led by the Grace Choir, Groovin’ with Grace, Meridian Ukeleles,
Rev Cathy Kinsman, Rev. George Mafuleka, Lois Sonnega and Garnet Weaver
GOD CALLS US TOGETHER
GATHERING
WELCOME
CALL TO WORSHIP (used with permission – Gathering 2024. Pentecost 1B, pg. 37, David Sparks)
The Spirit is at work in this faith community,
bringing us together in joy, comforting us in grief.
The Spirit is discovered in this faith community,
helping those bereaved, listening to those who are troubled.
The Spirit is with any who are downhearted in this faith community,
the voice of hope, the unseen good deed.
The Spirit will not be overcome, because in this faith community,
the Spirit is inspiring, the Spirit is eternal.
Come, Holy Spirit come!
Come, be with us and empower us today!
Come, let’s gather as we remember Pentecost, the birth of the church,
the first community of believers, seeking the wind and fire of the Spirit!
NARRATOR – Setting the Scene
WE OFFER OURSELVES TO GOD
Mary “I Want to Hold Your Hand” Adrienne Christopherson
John Winston Lennon / Paul James McCartney
CANDLE LIGHTING
CENTERING PRAYER
PRAYER OF HEALING
Gracious God, your Spirit moves over the waters.
We prefer to splash in the puddles of temptation.
You would breathe life into us in every moment.
We hold our breath until we turn blue, wanting to get our way.
You would give us the words to bring hope to the despairing, to offer healing to the broken,
to share hope in the places of anger and violence.
We often turn them into accusations towards those around us.
God of gusty grace, in your mercy, heal us.
May your Spirit sing in our hearts, so we may invite others to dance in joy.
(Silent prayer-reflection or meditation)
WORDS OF COMFORT AND GRACE
In every breath we take, there is the Spirit; in every word we speak, there is the Spirit;
in every heart we touch, there is the Spirit; in every person we welcome, there is the Spirit.
Refreshed and renewed through prayer,
we are given words to speak courage, ways to reach out,
open hearts to offer the breath of life to share with others.
Thanks be to God, for this comfort and grace! Amen.
THE SCRIPTURES AND MUSIC SPEAK TO US
NARRATOR – Acts 2 Community
SONG “I Get by With a Little Help” Choir & Congregation
McCartney/Lennon
NARRATOR – Peter and Simon
Simon the Zealot Ben Loney
SONG “A Real Nowhere Man” Choir, Ukelele’s and Band
John Lennon
Peter “You Say You Want a Revolution” Karen Fawcett & Band
John Lennon
NARRATOR
Susannah “Yesterday” Men’s Choir
Paul McCartney
Prayer
Mary to Simon “Blackbird” Adrienne, Karen & Hunter Crone
Paul McCartney
Simon “While My Guitar Gently Weeps” Dan Smallhorn
George Harrison
NARRATOR
Susannah “Help” Meridian Ukeleles, Grace Choir & Band
McCartney/Lennon
Passing Peace
Narrator
Acts 2:14-17 Rev. George Mafuleka
Congregational Song “Here Comes the Sun” Grace Choir & Groovin’ with Grace
George Harrison
GOD INVITES US TO RESPOND
OFFERING INVITATION
SUNG RESPONSE “Can’t Buy Me Love” Paul McCartney
OFFERING PRAYER
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
WE GO OUT IN FAITH
ANNOUNCEMENTS – LIFE AND MINISTRY OF THE CHURCH
BLESSING
CLOSING SONG “All You Need is Love” John Lennon
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE EXTRA Instrumentalists TODAY: Hunter Crone (guitar), Derek Pendree
(drums), Dan Smallhorn (guitar), Craig Schmalz, (bass guitar), our ever-steady piano accompanist
Lois Sonnega, and our fear-less music director, Karen Fawcett
Hymns from More Voices and Voices United are used with permission. One License #A-7252