A call to worship:
We are different but united in our commitment to Jesus. Let us stand together, using the gifts he has given us. Let us worship him and receive his commands, responding to his call and being a blessing to others.
Amen.
StF 364 - O for a thousand tongues to sing
O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great Redeemer’s praise,
the glories of my God and King,
the triumphs of his grace!
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim,
to spread through’ all the earth abroad
the honours of your name.
Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease,
’tis music in the sinner’s ears,
’tis life and health and peace.
He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
he sets the prisoner free.
his blood can make the foulest clean.
his blood availed for me.
To God all glory, praise, and love
be now and ever given
by saints below and saints above,
the Church in earth and heaven.
Bible Readings
Psalm 104 : 24-34, 35b
In wisdom you made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
25 There is the sea, vast and spacious,
teeming with creatures beyond number –
living things both large and small.
26 There the ships go to and fro,
and Leviathan, which you formed to frolic there.
27 All creatures look to you
to give them their food at the proper time.
28 When you give it to them,
they gather it up;
when you open your hand,
they are satisfied with good things.
29 When you hide your face,
they are terrified;
when you take away their breath,
they die and return to the dust.
30 When you send your Spirit,
they are created,
and you renew the face of the ground.
31 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works –
32 he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,
who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
34 May my meditation be pleasing to him,
as I rejoice in the Lord.
Praise the Lord, my soul.
Praise the Lord.
Acts 2:1-21
The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost
2 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. 7 Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language? 9 Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11 (both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs – we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!’ 12 Amazed and perplexed, they asked one another, ‘What does this mean?’
13 Some, however, made fun of them and said, ‘They have had too much wine.’
Peter addresses the crowd
14 Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: ‘Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:
17 ‘“In the last days, God says,
I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
your young men will see visions,
your old men will dream dreams.
18 Even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will prophesy.
19 I will show wonders in the heavens above
and signs on the earth below,
blood and fire and billows of smoke.
20 The sun will be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood
before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord.
21 And everyone who calls
on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Reflection:
Acts 2: 1-21 describes the Pentecost, where the Holy Spirit descends on the disciples as wind and fire, enabling them to speak in foreign tongues and marking the birth of the church.
Acts 2: 1-2 –The Promise. Pentecost came when people were all gathered, the day of Pentecost was 50 days after Passover and Pentecost came when people were all gathered together. The disciples were waiting as Jesus had told them to do.
Therefore, when the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. This reminds us that meeting with other people is important.
Acts 2 3-13 – The Holy Spirit. Let us not stop learning and sharing our faith with others. The Holy Spirit arrives, not quietly, but with sound of wind and fire, indicating a new era. There were signs of transformation, God no longer dwells in a temple, but in people. The Spirit unites, breaking down language and cultural barriers. The crowd have a mixed reaction, some people are amazed, but some mock suggesting that people are drunk, a clear explanation is needed.
Acts 2 14-21– Peter’s Explanation. Pentecost gave the people an explanation. The crowd’s reaction was a mix of bewilderment and amazement, with some mocking the display as drunkenness before Peter explained its spiritual significance. Peter, transformed by the Spirit, steps up to explain what is happening and explains it is the fulfilment of Joel 2 28-32, This is not drunkenness, but the promised “last days” outpouring of the Spirit on all flesh—young and old, men and women.
Conclusion – Pentecost is a call to live a life transformed by the Spirit, not just a historical event. It can empower Christians to share the good news of Jesus as well as reminding us that there can be unity among difference and diversity.
The Spirit gives us the boldness to share the good news with others. The Church is one body, where there is unity but not necessary uniformity. There can be unity and diversity in the Church, where Unity exists on core gospel message, while allowing diversity in expressions, music, and perspectives.
Prayer –
Thank you for your extraordinary love shown to us in Jesus. Help us to live each moment of each day in gratitude, loving those around us and witnessing to the ways of your Kingdom. Refresh us continually in the power of the Holy Spirit to be people of the Way.
Amen.
Holy Spirit, rain down upon us we pray. Fall upon your church just as at that first Pentecost, when your Mighty outpouring of power transformed lives and ignited the life of the church.
At Pentecost your tongues of fire settled on the disciples enabling them to communicate in all languages. Holy Spirit, you impart the language of love and eternal life. You are not restricted to any race or a particular group of people. Jesus’ salvation is open to all.
Holy Spirit, we pray for all who communicate the gospel to the world. Give them words people can relate to and understand. Open ears and hearts to receive. Empower Christians the world over.
Come Holy Spirit, with your tongues of fire,
and fall upon us in power today.
We pray for wisdom, unity and truth in our government. We pray that the voices of all Christians in parliament will be heard. And that they will be effective witnesses in the corridors of power.
Holy Spirit, your power is above all. Transform this nation.
Come Holy Spirit, with your tongues of fire,
and fall upon us in power today.
Holy Spirit, you are the breath of life. Come breathe new life into our communities today. Speak into the lives of the young people who hang about the streets, easy targets for those who seek to groom, manipulate and entice our youngsters into drink, drugs, prostitution and crime. Make our streets safe places to walk.
Strengthen the vulnerable and purify with your living water those who seek to corrupt.
Come Holy Spirit, with your tongues of fire,
and fall upon us in power today.
We pray that with each new dawn all creation will be refreshed. Fill us to overflowing that we may boldly speak your powerful language of love and point the way to Jesus in a way others will understand and receive.
May the thirsty drink deeply of you and find their lives changed by your Mighty power. Empower and reignite your church this day.
Come Holy Spirit, with your tongues of fire,
and fall upon us in power today.
Amen.
The Lord's Prayer
Please use the version that you prefer
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 trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Our Father in heaven,
Hallowed be your name,
Your kingdom come,
Your will be done,
On earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
As we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial
And deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power
and the glory are yours
Now and for ever.
Amen.
StF 566 - Take my life and let it be
Take my life and let it be
consecrated, Lord, to thee:
Take my moments and my days;
let them flow in endless praise,
let them flow in endless praise.
Take my hands and let them move
at the impulse of thy love;
Take my feet and let them be
swift and beautiful for thee,
swift and beautiful for thee.
Take my voice and let me sing
always, only, for my King;
Take my lips and let them be
filled with messages from thee,
filled with messages from thee.
Take my silver and my gold;
not a mite would I withhold;
Take my intellect and use
every power as thou shalt choose,
every power as thou shalt choose.
Take my will and make it thine;
it shall be no longer mine;
Take my heart – it is thine own;
it shall be thy royal throne,
it shall be thy royal throne.
Take my love; my Lord, I pour
at thy feet its treasure store;
Take myself, and I will be
ever, only, all for thee,
ever, only, all for thee.
A sending out prayer:
Jesus, grow your gifts in us so that we might work for the good of those around us. Please give us the courage to share our gifts with others, knowing that all good things have come from you.
Amen.
