Here are the resources you need for this Sunday. Please feel free to choose what is suitable for your congregation’s needs. You will notice that the orders of service are available in different formats: choose the “pdf” format if you want something that is ready to print and photocopy, the “doc” or “rtf” format if you wish to change the formatting yourself or the “ppt” format if you use PowerPoint.
Some ideas for decorating the church for Pentecost:
SYMBOLS OF THE SPIRIT
Just as few ceremonies have been developed for Pentecost, so also there are very few symbols for the Spirit. The following include some common, and some not so common, images:
* The descending dove: from the stories of Christ’s baptism, the dove is one of the oldest and the best known symbols for the Spirit. The dove is usually drawn in a conventionalised or stylised manner, rather than realistically; it is always white and occasionally shown with a three-rayed nimbus. Seven doves have been used to depict the ‘sevenfold’ Spirit of Isaiah 11:2-3a.
* The flame of fire: from the story of Pentecost (and Sinai), fire is also a popular symbol. This may be depicted as a single flame, or as seven flames.
* Seven burning lamps or torches (or a seven-branched candle stick): from Revelation 1 and 4:5.
* The seven-gift scroll: In order to depict the sevenfold gifts of the Spirit, a scroll may be used with the names of the seven gifts on it. The Old Testament form is given in Isaiah 11:2,3a, where the Latin Vulgate interepreted 3a as another ‘gift’ of the Spirit. The gifts are: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, piety, fear. The New Testament list is taken from Revelation 5:12 (though these are not commonly recognised as ‘gifts of the Spirit’ today, they were once more common than the OT list): blessing, glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honour, power and might.
* The nine fruits of the Spirit: Again, often written on a scroll, these are taken from Galatians 5:22,23a: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
DECORATION
There are various possibilities for decoration:
* Use red and white flowers in the sanctuary. Could use poinsettias (like flames) or strelitzia (bird of paradise). Could include white dove and/or red candles (see last point below) in the arrangement.
* A flame design could be created using red/orange flowers.
* Arrange twelve torches (candles on high stands) at the end of the pews along the aisle (as sometimes done for carols by candlelight at Christmas), but use either red candles or red chimney glasses.
* Decorate the church with red, yellow, and orange streamers. Arrange the streamers so that they highlight the places where the Spirit works through the means of grace: the altar, the baptismal font, the pulpit/lectern.
* Decorate the church with the flags of different nationalities, especially those represented by congregational members.
* Candles in the church are usually white. This is said to be because they symbolise Christ. However, on this occasion the candles on the altar and in the sanctuary could be red, to symbolise the fire of the Spirit.
- Altar colour: Red
- Bible readings:
FIRST READING Acts 2:1-21 The coming of the Holy Spirit
OR Genesis 11:1-9 The tower of Babel and confusion of tongues
PSALM Psalm 104:24-34, 35b *For musical settings of this Psalm, please see the song suggestions below*
SECOND READING Romans 8:14-17 The Spirit makes us God’s children
OR Acts 2:1-21 The coming of the Holy Spirit (if not read as the first reading)
GOSPEL John 14:8-17 (25-27) Jesus promises the Holy Spirit - Sermons:
Lay-readers please note: the linked sermons have not been edited for general use. As part of your preparations, keep in mind that they have been written for specific people in a specific context, and for this reason the issues they address or the examples they use may not be entirely suitable for people in your congregation. If you feel this is the case, you may need to make minor adjustments or find another sermon
Based on Romans reading: Pr Tim Stringer
Based on Acts reading: Pr Roger Atze
Based on Genesis reading: edited for lay reading sermon – genesis 11 1-9 – year c – pentecost
- Orders of service:
Pentecost Sunday Word & Prayer ( pdf / doc / ppt )
Service of the Word (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Morning Praise (pdf / rtf / ppt)
Service without communion (pdf / doc / ppt) - Prayer of the Day (Collect): Choose one of the following
Traditional
O God,
since you taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit:
Grant us by the same Spirit
to have a right judgment in all things
and always rejoice in his holy comfort;
through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, modernised traditional
Lord God,
you taught the hearts of your faithful people
by sending them the light of your Holy Spirit.
Fill us with the same Spirit,
so that we may love what is right
and always rejoice in his comfort.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.OR, new (revised alternative)
(Let us pray for the power of the Holy Spirit. [silence])
Almighty and merciful God,
you sent your Holy Spirit at Pentecost,
making the disciples bold to preach the good news.
Send us out with the power of the same Spirit
to spread the fire of your love.
We ask this through your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever.
Amen.
- Prayer of the Church/ General Prayer: Prayer of the Church – Pentecost C
- Offering Prayer:
Holy God,
may the Spirit you give us
make us more and more like your Son,
loving and self-giving.
Amen. - Visual images for the day: His Word in Pictures
- Song/Hymn suggestions: * = Modernised version available (please click here to download the text file) ;G3, G4 . . . = Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .; GS = Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH
First reading(a): Acts 2:1-21
LHS
116 Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove* G8
117 Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire
119 Come down, O Love divine G8
121 Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord* G4
124 O Holy Spirit, enter Thou* G3
128 O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God* G5
129 Breathe on me, Breath of God G5
227 O Spirit of the living God G5
229 Revive Thy work, O Lord* G5
505 Father, who the light this day G4
773 Filled with the Spirit’s power G7
775 Let every Christian pray G7
779 My Lord of light, who made the worlds G8
AT
218 Spirit, Spirit of gentleness
249 As a dream receive your history
264 Spirit of God, you’re with me
299 Pour it all out, Jesus
334 Wa wa wa Emimimo
358 Holy Spirit, living water
TIS
186 Alleluia (v 6)
396 Come, Holy Spirit, our souls inspire
397 Come, Spirit blest, Creator, come
398 Come down, O love divine
399 Come, Spirit of God, holy Lord
400 O Holy Spirit, enter in
401 O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God
404 Lord God, the Spirit blest
405 O Spirit of the living God
406 Spirit divine, attend our prayers
407 Breathe on me, Breath of God
409 O breath of life, come sweeping through us
411 Filled with the Spirit’s power
415 Praise the Spirit in creation
416 Great God, your Spirit like the wind
420 Holy Spirit, go before us
422 Come, Holy Spirit, come
423 Christians, lift up your hearts
572 O thou who camest from above
711 Wa wa wa EmimimoFirst reading (b) : Genesis 11:1-9
LHS
121 Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord* G4
AT
218 Spirit, Spirit of gentleness
264 Spirit of God, you’re with me
TIS
399 Come, Spirit of God, holy LordSecond reading (a): Romans 8:14-17
LHS
109 Draw us to Thee* G5
121 Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord* G5
128 O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God* G5
134 Come O come, Thou quickening Spirit* G3
142 We all believe in one true God* G3
160 Arise, my soul, arise G9 (esp v 1,4,5)
277 Baptized into Thy name most holy* G4
423 Jehovah, let me now adore Thee* G5 (esp v 1,4,5 – v5 not revised)
441 With joyful hearts your praises bring* G3
777 Father in heaven G5
798 Eternal ruler of the ceaseless round G6
805 We are heirs of the Father GS
850 O Father, my Father GS
AT
6 O Father, my Father
12 We are heirs of the Father
115 Father in heaven
223 When your Spirit moves
251 God sends us his Spirit
393 A child of God
TIS
399 Come, Spirit of God, holy Lord
401 O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God
412 God sends us his Spirit
435 We all believe in God who made
465 Father in heaven
481 Baptised into your name most holy
493 Wash, O God, your sons and daughtersSecond reading (b): Acts 2:1-21
See suggestions for first readingGospel: John 14:8-17 (25-27)
LHS
116 Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove* G8
118 O Holy Ghost, to Thee we all pray* G3
122 O Holy Ghost, Thou gift divine* G5
124 O Holy Spirit, enter Thou* G3
125 Come gracious Spirit, heavenly dove G5
128 O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God* G5
130 O enter, Lord, Thy temple* G4
131 Holy Ghost, with light divine* G5
175 Thou art the way, to Thee alone* G6
188 Built on a rock the Church doth stand*
512 Lord, Thy blessing send us* G7
513 Peace to soothe all grief and woe G5
AT
184 Love is the law
240 My peace I give
251 God sends us his Spirit
264 Spirit of God
406 Peace
410 Peace be with you
487 Make your home in me
496 Don’t be afraid
TIS
226 Thou art the way, by thee alone
400 O Holy Spirit, enter in
401 O Spirit of Life, O Spirit of God
402 Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly dove
412 God sends us his Spirit
413 Holy Spirit, come confirm us
426 Spirit of truth, essential God
509 Come now, everlasting Spirit
529 By your priestly power, O risen Lord
601 O Master, let me walk with thee
713 Dona nobis pacem (verse John 14:27)
778 Shalom to you now
OTHER SONGS FROM THE ‘ALL TOGETHER’ SONGBOOKS
The following songs from the ‘All Together’ books are suitable for Pentecost.
99 Pentecost Prayer
105 Spirit of God
192 Spirit of Peace
202 Move when the Spirit say move
217 Shine, Jesus, shine
218 Spirit
223 When your Spirit moves
249 Dreams and visions
251 God sends us his Spirit
264 Spirit of God
276 Into your death
299 Pour it all out, Jesus
334 Wa wa wa Emimimo
359 Holy Spirit, living water
469 Wind is movingPSALM 104
TIS 65, Praise the Lord, O my soul, is a version of Psalm 104:1,24,27-31,33.The following metrical version of Psalm 104:24-34, 35b by David Schütz may be sung to the tune of ‘What wondrous love is this’ (LHS 794, ATA 145). If reproducing this version, please put ‘Words (c) David Schütz’ at the beginning or the end of the psalm.
How many are your works, O Lord God, and how wise!
Your creatures fill all parts of the earth.
Where ships sail to and fro, on seas so great and wide,
there countless creatures live, and the whales have their sport,
and you have made them all, great and small.See how they look to you for their food in due time.
You open up your hand, they are filled.
But when you hide your face, they suffer in dismay.
You take away their breath, and they die and decay;
they all return again to the dust.You send your spirit out to create life again,
and you renew the face of the earth;
rejoice, Lord, in your works, your glory evermore!
You look upon the earth, and it trembles and quakes;
the mountains pour out smoke at your touch.So I’ll sing to the Lord, for as long as I live;
I’ll sing my praise to God all my life.
And may my words and thoughts be pleasing to the Lord,
for in the Lord alone will my soul find its joy:
O bless the Lord, my soul! Praise the Lord!Music Resources Vol. 3– Psalm settings: Psalm 104 p174 , Psalm 104 p175
