We encourage you to read and reflect on these scriptures, songs, notes, and prayers as we look forward to our time of worship together this coming Sunday.

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Please print this guide or have it handy in digital format for use during the service.

And don’t forget to join us Sunday immediately following the service in our virtual foyer for a group video chat! https://us04web.zoom.us/j/202653556

SERMON SCRIPTURE

In the days leading up to our Sunday gathering, please read through the sermon scripture as the Holy Spirit prepares your heart for the sermon inspired by this passage.

Acts 2:1-8 (NRSV)

CALL TO WORSHIP

Bold lines to be read aloud corporately.

We’ve come to worship God,
who makes streams flow from rock,
who turns the parched earth into springs of water,
who sends the rain from heaven
and makes the wilderness blossom and flourish.
As the deer thirsts for flowing streams,
so we thirst for You, O God.
Fill us once again!

Come, let’s worship our life-giving God,
who pours out living water on all who thirst,
and the Holy Spirit upon all who cry out.

(Written by Christine Longhurst)

We are so thrilled to be singing together this week. Join us if you are comfortable or simply allow the music and lyrics bring comfort and peace to your soul.

CONFESSIONAL PRAYER

Bold lines to be read aloud corporately.

Almighty God,
who sent the promised power of the Holy Spirit
to fill disciples with willing faith:
We confess that at times we resist Your Spirit among us,
that we are slow to serve You
and reluctant to spread the good news of Your love.

God, have mercy on us.
Forgive our divisions
and by Your Spirit draw us together.
Inspire us with a desire to do Your will
and be Your faithful people
for the sake of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.

(Adapted from The Worship Sourcebook)

ASSURANCE OF FORGIVENESS

I will sprinkle clean water upon you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. (Ezekiel 36:25-27 NRSV)

All: Thanks be to God

MUSIC

Holy Spirit
Written by Bryan Torwalt and Katie Torwalt ©2011, CCLI #6087919
Performed by Emmaus Road Worship Team

Verse 1
There’s nothing worth more
that will ever come close
No thing can compare
You’re our living hope, Your Presence

Verse 2
I’ve tasted and seen
of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
and my shame is undone
In Your Presence Lord

Chorus
Holy Spirit You are welcome here
Come flood this place
and fill the atmosphere
Your glory God is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your Presence Lord

Bridge
Let us become more aware of
Your Presence
Let us experience the glory of
Your goodness (Lord)
(REPEAT)

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

As we pray together, we invite you to share your own requests and testimonies with us this week. If you have a request you can share it live in our video stream chat, or you may email us at emmausroadfc@gmail.com

WORD

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Pentecost
Acts 2:1-8 (NRSV)

We have a lot in common with the first disciples despite the centuries that separate us.

  • We must seek to properly understand the implications of Jesus’ teaching for our lives and culture, just as they did.
  • We gather around a table in unity with God and one another, just as they did.
  • In many ways, the challenges and joys of following Christ are the same as our brothers and sisters in the faith from so long ago.

There is, however, one primary difference; they could see Jesus’ physical body and we cannot. What’s interesting is that the Apostle John records Jesus as saying that actually gives us an advantage.

“It is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Advocate will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.”

John 16:7

Today is Pentecost Sunday which celebrates the outpouring of the Spirit of Christ on the world. 

BABEL IN REVERSE

With this miracle of language the Spirit of God reverses the sin of Babel.

In the story of the Tower of Babel (recorded in Genesis 11), ancient Babylonians tried to grasp godlike powers by building a tower to the heavens using bricks. It’s the first example in history of an empire trying to bring unity through uniformity. Empires have always understood unity as everyone looking the same and doing what you are supposed to do to embody the cultural norms of that empire. This all began at ancient Babel – one language, one culture and look what we can accomplish!

But, God opposes these imperial ideals at Babel by multiplying their language and scattering their people.

Pentecost reverses Babel!

This time the Spirit of God brings incredible unity through the miracle of languages. The invigorating Spirit of God shows us at Pentecost that it’s not unity without diversity or diversity without unity; there is a powerful third option: unity and diversity in harmony! There is incredible unity in the Spirit of God, but not at the cost of diversity!

WE NEED THE SPIRIT

We need to consistent, unifying, work of the Spirit in us to help us live this out.

The Apostle Paul talks about three primary identifications with Christ that represent our life of being led by the Spirit. (from Romans 6) We share in Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.

First, as we commit to following the ways of Jesus and trusting in him, we turn from our old habits and patterns. Our “old self” with its pride, anger, prejudice, greed, etc. dies with Christ.

Then, we join Jesus in his burial. For us, this is symbolized by baptism. Burial is a place of silence and rest. When we are baptized, we join the new creation community of God that is committed to not be driven by fear. Instead, we enter into the confident rest of God who is making all things new.

Finally, we join Christ in his resurrection life! This is both a future hope and a current reality. Having let go of our old life and entered into the rest of Christ, we are open to the new life he brings.

“At the core of Jesus’ life and message was this good news: the Spirit of God, the Spirit of aliveness, the Wind-breathfire-cloud-water-wine-dove Spirit who filled Jesus is on the move in our world. And that leaves us with a choice: do we dig in our heels, clench our fists, and live for our own agenda, or do we let go, let be, and let come….and so be taken up into the Spirit’s movement?”

Brian McLaren, We Make the Road By Walking, pg. 205

TABLE

Prepare the elements of “bread” and “wine” for use as we gather around The Lord’s Table. These can be any items convenient around the home that symbolize these for you. 

CONFESSION OF FAITH

Leader: In unity with the Church throughout the ages, we confess our faith: 
All: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

THE LORD’S PRAYER

Our Father in heaven,
        hallowed be your Name,
        your kingdom come,
        your will be done,
        on earth as in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins
        as we forgive those
        who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, 
        and deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, 
        and the power,
        and the glory for ever and ever.
Amen.

BENEDICTION

As we go from this time of worship,
we acknowledge that much of the road ahead is uncertain,
the path forward constantly changing.
Yet this we know with all our hearts;
We know God is love.
We know Christ’s light endures.
We know the Holy Spirit is with us,
found in the space between all things,
closer to us than our next breath,
binding us to each other,
until we may meet again.
Go in peace.

(Written by Rev. Nora Vedress, adapted)