Holy Spirit, Rain Down on This Place: 21st Century Resource for the Day of Pentecost

Call to Worship

Holy Spirit, rain down on this place
Let our souls drink your goodness
Let our hearts overflow
Holy Spirit, rain down on this place!

Opening Prayer

May we feel your presence this day, Holy Spirit, like the people gathered on that Day of Pentecost. May you rush into our hearts and inebriate our souls. May we be empowered by your Spirit to live a life more faithful to God. Amen.

Litany: Come Holy Spirit

When the world divides us
Come, Holy Spirit, make us one.
When the world calls us orphaned
Come, Holy Spirit, make us family.
When the world leads us astray
Come, Holy Spirit, call us home.
Come, Holy Spirit, come! Come and fill this place!

Litany: Lead Us Out of Babel
(Based on Genesis 11:1-9)

ALL: Lead us out of Babel, where we claim our own languages and cast out others.

Reader 1: Where we label family by our money status, and shirt colors define our brothers;

Reader 2: Where we care for our own and make wars with other tribes;

Reader 1: Where we create borders we call protection and shun those whom we say don't belong inside;

Reader 2: Where we earn all we can, save all we can, and look at others confused when they ask us to give all we can while we sit in our own addictions high;

Reader 1: Where we choose our houses so that we match our neighbors' skin;

Reader 2: Where we even choose our churches so that our hues all blend;

Reader 1: Where our differences create fear and matter more than the promise you made that we were all adopted into your glory when Christ defeated the grave.

All: Lead us out of Babel where we speak a language of "us," "ours," and "mine."
Pour out your spirit upon all flesh, Lord, and make your children wholly thine.

*Optional Version of "Lead Us Out of Babel" for use as a monologue, a prayer, or a gathering meditation.

Prayer of Confession

We confess we have fired our tongues to wound others. We divide ourselves and forget to live in the peace you promise us in Christ. Forgive us, we pray. Free us to praise you in our words and our deeds.

Words of Assurance

Like the rush of a violent wind, the Holy Spirit filled the house, changing each language and making them one. With this same Holy Spirit, God will make us one.
In the name of Jesus Christ, praise God! You are forgiven!
In the name of Jesus Christ, praise God! You are forgiven!

Passing the Peace of Christ
(accompanied by the djembe)

Drums of war separate us, create fear and name enemies.
But where the Spirit of the Lord is, our hearts beat to a different song of peace and hope — a song where enemies become friends, friends become brothers and even strangers become sisters.

Turn now to your family in Christ and share signs of the peace of the Holy Spirit.

Offertory Prayer

O Lord — giver of life, of salvation, of the Holy Spirit — we thank you for the gifts you continue to pour upon us. Take these gifts we return to you, and use them for your glory now and forever more. In Christ's name, Amen.

Ciona Rouse is a freelance writer and a former staff member of the Discipleship Ministries, Nashville, TN.