Pentecost
The word ‘Pentecost’ comes from the Greek meaning simply ‘fiftieth.’ Pentecost Sunday ends the season of Easter and symbolizes a new beginning. It celebrates the unleashing of the Holy Spirit on the world and the empowering of the church to reach the world with the gospel. In remembering Pentecost and living in light of this powerful turning point the church expresses gratitude to Christ for sending “another counselor” (John 14:16), celebrates the work of the Spirit in the renewal of all creation, and professes its confidence and security in knowing the Spirit’s power is available for its mission.
- Calling -
O Lord, open our lips.
And our mouth shall proclaim Your praise.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit:
as it was in the beginning, is now and will be forever. Amen. Alleluia!
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
O come, let us adore him.
- Constitution -
Read/Listen, Meditate, Pray, and Contemplate on God’s Word, remembering that God is with you and ready to speak to you because he loves you.
Praying the Psalms
Psalm 75
To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.
[1] We give thanks to you, O God;
we give thanks, for your name is near.
We recount your wondrous deeds.
[2] “At the set time that I appoint
I will judge with equity.
[3] When the earth totters, and all its inhabitants,
it is I who keep steady its pillars. Selah
[4] I say to the boastful, ‘Do not boast,’
and to the wicked, ‘Do not lift up your horn;
[5] do not lift up your horn on high,
or speak with haughty neck.’”
[6] For not from the east or from the west
and not from the wilderness comes lifting up,
[7] but it is God who executes judgment,
putting down one and lifting up another.
[8] For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup
with foaming wine, well mixed,
and he pours out from it,
and all the wicked of the earth
shall drain it down to the dregs.
[9] But I will declare it forever;
I will sing praises to the God of Jacob.
[10] All the horns of the wicked I will cut off,
but the horns of the righteous shall be lifted up.
Psalm 76
To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of Asaph. A Song.
[1] In Judah God is known;
his name is great in Israel.
[2] His abode has been established in Salem,
his dwelling place in Zion.
[3] There he broke the flashing arrows,
the shield, the sword, and the weapons of war. Selah
[4] Glorious are you, more majestic
than the mountains full of prey.
[5] The stouthearted were stripped of their spoil;
they sank into sleep;
all the men of war
were unable to use their hands.
[6] At your rebuke, O God of Jacob,
both rider and horse lay stunned.
[7] But you, you are to be feared!
Who can stand before you
when once your anger is roused?
[8] From the heavens you uttered judgment;
the earth feared and was still,
[9] when God arose to establish judgment,
to save all the humble of the earth. Selah
[10] Surely the wrath of man shall praise you;
the remnant of wrath you will put on like a belt.
[11] Make your vows to the LORD your God and perform them;
let all around him bring gifts
to him who is to be feared,
[12] who cuts off the spirit of princes,
who is to be feared by the kings of the earth.
Psalm 77
To the choirmaster: according to Jeduthun. A Psalm of Asaph.
[1] I cry aloud to God,
aloud to God, and he will hear me.
[2] In the day of my trouble I seek the Lord;
in the night my hand is stretched out without wearying;
my soul refuses to be comforted.
[3] When I remember God, I moan;
when I meditate, my spirit faints. Selah
[4] You hold my eyelids open;
I am so troubled that I cannot speak.
[5] I consider the days of old,
the years long ago.
[6] I said, “Let me remember my song in the night;
let me meditate in my heart.”
Then my spirit made a diligent search:
[7] “Will the Lord spurn forever,
and never again be favorable?
[8] Has his steadfast love forever ceased?
Are his promises at an end for all time?
[9] Has God forgotten to be gracious?
Has he in anger shut up his compassion?” Selah
[10] Then I said, “I will appeal to this,
to the years of the right hand of the Most High.”
[11] I will remember the deeds of the LORD;
yes, I will remember your wonders of old.
[12] I will ponder all your work,
and meditate on your mighty deeds.
[13] Your way, O God, is holy.
What god is great like our God?
[14] You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
[15] You with your arm redeemed your people,
the children of Jacob and Joseph. Selah
[16] When the waters saw you, O God,
when the waters saw you, they were afraid;
indeed, the deep trembled.
[17] The clouds poured out water;
the skies gave forth thunder;
your arrows flashed on every side.
[18] The crash of your thunder was in the whirlwind;
your lightnings lighted up the world;
the earth trembled and shook.
[19] Your way was through the sea,
your path through the great waters;
yet your footprints were unseen.
[20] You led your people like a flock
by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
Old Testament Reading
Lamentations 5
[1] Remember, O LORD, what has befallen us;
look, and see our disgrace!
[2] Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers,
our homes to foreigners.
[3] We have become orphans, fatherless;
our mothers are like widows.
[4] We must pay for the water we drink;
the wood we get must be bought.
[5] Our pursuers are at our necks;
we are weary; we are given no rest.
[6] We have given the hand to Egypt, and to Assyria,
to get bread enough.
[7] Our fathers sinned, and are no more;
and we bear their iniquities.
[8] Slaves rule over us;
there is none to deliver us from their hand.
[9] We get our bread at the peril of our lives,
because of the sword in the wilderness.
[10] Our skin is hot as an oven
with the burning heat of famine.
[11] Women are raped in Zion,
young women in the towns of Judah.
[12] Princes are hung up by their hands;
no respect is shown to the elders.
[13] Young men are compelled to grind at the mill,
and boys stagger under loads of wood.
[14] The old men have left the city gate,
the young men their music.
[15] The joy of our hearts has ceased;
our dancing has been turned to mourning.
[16] The crown has fallen from our head;
woe to us, for we have sinned!
[17] For this our heart has become sick,
for these things our eyes have grown dim,
[18] for Mount Zion which lies desolate;
jackals prowl over it.
[19] But you, O LORD, reign forever;
your throne endures to all generations.
[20] Why do you forget us forever,
why do you forsake us for so many days?
[21] Restore us to yourself, O LORD, that we may be restored!
Renew our days as of old—
[22] unless you have utterly rejected us,
and you remain exceedingly angry with us.
- Communion -
Pray for yourself, others, our church, our neighbors, and the world.
Pray the Lord’s Prayer & the collect of the week:
Our Father who art in heaven...
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
- Commission -
The LORD bless you and keep you; the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the LORD turn his face toward you and give you peace.
(Numbers 6:24-26)
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord and our neighbors.