Photo: Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber ©2015. Worship format and original content: Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber ©2022.
Public Health Safety Note: Effective 5/29/2022, Sunday morning worship services will be outside in the Courtyard until increased COVID spread declines.
We Gather
“Whoever prays for the Holy Spirit to come to us, into our hearts, into our community and to our earth does not want to flee to heaven or be removed to the great beyond. He or she has hope for his or her heart, his or her community and this earth.” -Jürgen Moltmann, 21st c. German theologian
Prelude (Ian)
Welcome and Acknowledgements (pastor)
Welcome to our Celebration of Pentecost – the gift of the Holy Spirit given to followers of Jesus Christ. Everyone is welcome here! Welcome guests.
Through Jesus Christ, we are called together as the Beloved Community. We honor this holy ground, unceded territory of the Lisjan-Ohlone people, standing in non-violence with hope for the safety and well-being of all beings.
Flowers Vicky Jennings in gratitude to God
Invocation (first and second liturgists; read in sections *, first in English and then in Cantonese)
For faithfully calling us
to climb out of the bunkers we dig
inch by inch
claiming disappointment as our holy inheritance, *
For patiently chanting us forward
as we stumble onto the bright fields of vulnerability
believing our efforts find You, *
For tolerating our rituals and prayers
thinking that it is we who command
Your Holy Spirit
to descend upon us,
to dance within us,
for the benefit of us –
Forgive us, Precious One. *
You are already here!
You have always been here!
You have been graciously waiting for us to say:
“Come, Holy Spirit, Come!” *
Thank You.
Thank You.
Thank You.
Amen. *
(first liturgist, in English) As Pastor Kathryn lights the Christ Candle and Altar Votives, let us remember those who are not physically present, but with us in spirit or thought. Amen.
Light The Christ Candle and Altar Votives (pastor)
Votive Lighting Music (Ian)
Time for Children “Nesting” Being open to the Holy Spirit dwelling with us (pastor)
Passing the Peace (all share gestures and words of peace)
We Rest in God’s Grace
Prayer and Silence (pastor)
Let us shift into silence in God’s presence with this simple prayer based on Psalm 46:10.
Be still and know that I am God. (Breathe slowly)
Be still and know that I am. (Breathe slowly)
Be still and know. (Breathe slowly)
Be still. (Breathe slowly)
Be. (Breathe slowly)
(Breathe in silence) Amen.
Assurance of Grace (pastor)
When the original followers of Jesus were anxious about the future, knowing His life was in danger, Jesus promised God would send another “Advocate” who would remain forever. Such love and care of the community, such love and hope for all Christianity! The Holy Spirit is aways God’s presence with and for us.
One of the many channels God uses to offer grace is through Christian communities filled with the Holy Spirit. While we cannot make grace happen, we can open our hearts and minds, souls and bodies to God’s third manifestation. Praise God – Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit! Amen.
Special Music (Ian)
We Listen
Scripture: John 14:15-27 (first liturgist; version: TNTAP:AIV in English)
Jesus is speaking to the disciples before his betrayal and arrest.
“If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask God, who will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees nor knows the Spirit. You know the Spirit, because the Spirit abides with you and will be in you.
“I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.” Judas (not Iscariot) said to Jesus, “Lord, how is it that you will reveal yourself to us, and not to the world?” Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Whoever does not love me does not keep my words; and the word that you hear is not mine, but is from God who sent me.
“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
Scripture: John 14:25-27 (second liturgist; in Cantonese)
“I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom God will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.”
May God add a blessing to the reading and reflecting upon God’s Holy Word. Amen.
Sermon: “Indwelling God” God’s presence after the ascension of Jesus Christ – a Holy Spirit inside of us!
Sermon Hymn “Wind Upon the Waters” (Ian) Chalice Hymnal #247, all verses
We Pray
Pastoral Prayer (pastor)
Author of All Life, Prince of Peace, Holy Spirit – God with us in all these ways, today on this festival of Pentecost we ask for a renewing of Your presence here on earth. We call Your Spirit of Truth to dwell here amid all the voices, all the opinions, all the agendas. Soften us to what is truly from You. We offer ourselves, individually and as a community, as a nest for the Sweet Holy Spirit, like a dove, to roost. Come, Holy Spirit, come. Be with us. Amen.
Prayers of the People, Private Prayer, The God’s Prayer (pastor)
Offering of Praise “Doxology” (Ian; all)
We Celebrate Holy Communion
Invitation to Holy Communion, distribute Communion elements.
Gathering All Souls
Whenever we gather for Holy Communion we do so as a mystical communion of souls – those physically present and those in spirit who have passed. Let us speak the names of those with whom we share this blessed meal… (say names out loud)
Hymn of Consecration: “Sweet, Sweet Spirit” Chalice Hymnal #261 (Ian) Each person holds individual elements.
Sharing the Elements
Jesus Christ assured His disciples “The Advocate” – “The Spirit of Truth” would be given to us after His earthly presence ended. Jesus Christ also celebrated a last Passover Celebration filled with words and rites of affirmation, commitment, and soul care. The Eternal Christ is still with us, through sacred stories and rituals, through the deep knowing of our souls, and through the on-going presence of the Holy Spirit.
Come, Holy Spirit, Come!
Jesus took the bread, (lift up bread) thanked God for it, (praise God) Jesus broke it, (break the bread) and gave it to the disciples saying:
Take, eat. This is my body, which has been given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
In the same way, after they had eaten, Jesus took the cup, (fill and lift) thanked God for it, (praise God) and gave it to them saying:
Drink this, all of you. This is my blood of the new covenant, which has been poured out for you and for many, for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in remembrance of me.
On this Pentecost Sunday we share this loaf with…
- Those who are physically hungry, thirsty, sick, or unsafe…
- Those who are spiritually orphaned and vulnerable…
- Those who are in search of a Beloved Community…
- All beings…
As we receive the loaf and cup, let us savor the words of Jesus Christ: “Peace, I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.” Amen.
(all eat and drink)
Prayer of Thanksgiving
For feeding us, before we knew we were hungry; for forgiving us before we knew we had sinned, we are most grateful, Beloved God. May the grace and blessing of this sacred meal empower us to share Your love and mercy with others. Amen.
Announcements (pastor)
- Next Sunday – Trinity
Sung Blessing: “Go, My Children, with My Blessing” Chalice Hymnal #431 (Ian), all verses
Benediction (pastor; short, spontaneous)
Postlude (Ian)
The service is concluded.
Worship Resources:
(kms) All content prepared and written by Rev. Kathryn M Schreiber, unless attributed to another source.
“Pentecost Invocation” written by Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber, Pentecost 2016.
(TNTAP:AIV) The New Testament and Psalms: An Inclusive Version. Oxford University Press. ©1995.
Residency Acknowledgement: This content was written in Huichin Village, unceded territory of the Lisjan- Ohlone people, where I dwell and serve as a local church pastor. Please support indigenous rematriation efforts, the #LandBack movement, and give to Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Soghttps://sogoreate-landtrust.org/ and other non-profits that reform, balance, and heal relationships with our indigenous hosts. Thank you!
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Online Publishing Date: June 1, 2022.
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in the big love 