Let the Fire of the Holy Spirit Rest on Us

Call to Worship
(Based on Ezekiel 37:1-14; Acts 2:1-21)

One: Like the people of Ezekiel's day, we have grown apart from God.

Many: We want what we want, ignoring God's desires for us.

One: We have made our dreams and our desires more important to us than God.

Many: We have drifted away from the faith of our forebears. And now we wander blindly in a valley of dry, dusty bones, seeking refreshment for our thirsting souls.

One: Answer the deep longing of our hearts with the fullness of your love, so that once again we will know the sufficiency of life with you.

Many: Let the fire of the Holy Spirit rest on us, as it did on the faithful at Pentecost. Touch us, Lord, set our souls on fire with a burning that cannot be quenched.

Opening Prayer
(Based on Acts 2:1-21)

Lord, we are here, together in this place, just as your followers gathered together on the day of Pentecost.
Send the rushing wind to fill this place, blow away our transgressions and set our souls on fire for you.
Do it again, Lord, just like you did in the valley of dry bones.
Do it again, Lord!
We know that you can revive us.
We believe that you can make us new.
We believe, Lord. Help our unbelief. Amen.

Offering Prayer

Thank you, God.
You have blessed us through another week.
Thank you, God.
You have continued to breathe the breath of life into us, regardless of our unworthiness.
Thank you, God.
You have placed in our hearts the desire and the will to present our tithes and offerings today.
Bless us as we give, bless all that we bring,
and bless those who will receive because of our faithfulness.
In the name of Jesus we ask it all. Amen.

The Rev. Dr. LaGretta Bjorn is the pastor of the United Methodist Church of Spring Valley in Spring Valley, New York. She is a clergy member of the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.