Worship Service (at home)
May 31, 2020 (during the season of COVID-19 Virus Quarantine)
Faxon-Kenmar United Methodist Church, Williamsport, PA
May 31, 2020 Order of Worship
Pentecost Sunday (Prepare for our worship together. Today we celebrate Pentecost-the birthday of the church! Many gathered together and were filled by the Holy Spirit. Invite God to come to you today as you ready yourself for worship. Light your candle or say your prayer and take a deep breath.. Collect your bible for reading scripture.)
PRELUDE “Come, Holy Spirit, God and Lord” – Vulpius/Smith
CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Come, Holy Spirit. Inspire our hearts with your fiery presence!
P: Let your flame burn within us, stirring us to action.
L: Come, Holy Spirit. Energize our lives to work for God.
P: Let your wind of hope swirl around us, lifting and moving us from complacency.
L: Come, Holy Spirit. Pour your blessing on us.
P: Let your presence challenge us to proclaim God’s presence and love in everything we say and do. AMEN.
OPENING PRAYER
Almighty God, your Holy Spirit came to Jesus’ disciples, hidden in an upper room in Jerusalem. A violent wind and tongues of fire were the symbols of a new thing happening in their lives. May your Holy Spirit burst into our lives today, encouraging and inspiring us to proclaim boldly the good news of Jesus Christ who offers healing and hope to all people. AMEN.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
We aren’t ready, Lord. It is easier for us to hide in the upper rooms of our lives, to let the world go by and not acknowledge your presence. But you have challenged us to come alive again with your love and words of healing mercy. Forgive our hesitant witness and our complacent spirits. Heal our fears and our wounds. Help us to be agents of healing and hope for others. Challenge and inspire us to overcome our feelings of inadequacy and remind us that you have called us beloved and have given us what we need to proclaim your Good News. In Jesus’ Name, we pray. AMEN.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Don’t be afraid! God’s Holy Spirit brings you healing comfort and hope. You are being prepared to serve God in some mighty ways. Rejoice! God’s Holy Spirit is with you always. AMEN.
SPECIAL MUSIC “God’s Way of Love” – Schell Performed by Scott Schell
PASTORAL PRAYER
Knock us off our seats, O Lord, with the wind of your Holy Spirit. Don’t let us just sit back and rest as though nothing important was happening. Remind us that you have come to bless and prepare us for your service. Now is the time of proclamation and celebration! Now is the birth of your church, not as an exercise in futility, but as a dynamic group of people who know you and love you as you know and love each of us. Flame up our hearts! Make us so joyful that we find it difficult to sit back and watch. We want to be part of your healing love and mercy. We want to be people who bear the word that your love for us is eternal; that Jesus Christ, our Savior, proclaimed and taught that love in all that he did and said, modeling for us a new way to live. Pick us up and propel us forward into your world. Help us to remember that you have given to us what we need to be your disciples. We just need to say a resounding “Yes!” to you. Thank you for all the wondrous patience and blessings you pour into our lives each and every day, as we offer our lives back to you in joy and hope. AMEN.
NEW TESTAMENT READING Acts 2:1-21
MESSAGE WDJD (What Does Jesus Do series) Part 5: “Jesus Shows” John 7:37-39
MEDITATION “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” – Atkinson/Larson
TITHES AND OFFERINGS
(Your gifts may be sent to the church office or you may set up electronic giving through different options).
BENEDICTION
God, out of God’s great love, has created you. Jesus Christ, out of his great love, has redeemed you. The Holy Spirit, out of great love, has lifted and inspired you to go in peace and service throughout God’s world, proclaiming the good news of peace, love, hope, and joy to all. Go in peace. AMEN.
POSTLUDE “Let All Who Have Breath Praise the Lord” – Wagner
Click here to see our congregation celebrating at home in our Pentecost Project!
Rev Susan Halverstadt, Pastor
David Koskey, Director of Music
Scott Schell, Special Music
Faxon-Kenmar UMC is using CCLI Streaming License 3356248 Exp. 3.31.21.
