For Your Planning Team

In the Series

Today’s series finale also functions as segue into the next series, “And in the Power of the Holy Spirit.” With this new series also comes the start of formation groups to help persons discern their gifts for ministry and the ministry/ministries into which they may be commissioned at Pentecost. You may even want to begin those groups this week, before next Sunday. We commend using DIY Tools for Spiritual Gifts Discernment and Ministry Deployment as guide for each session.

So today end this series well, with confident, bold celebration of Christ’s power to save at work in and around you. The opening action of this service and the prayer for illumination highlight persons who have experienced God’s saving love within your congregation during the past year. If you have fewer than three persons in these categories since this time last year, move the timeframe back until you have at least three. Be sure to invite these persons to be in worship today, and note they’ll be recognized at the opening of worship. This could be a good opportunity to call and visit with newer members who have not been in worship lately and help them reconnect. Note I said “call and visit.” Ministry with persons who have become inactive is one on one work, not through social media, email blasts or newsletters, or the US Mail. Call, visit, initiate the connection from your side, and see what response may be possible for them at this time. You are not in charge of their response. You are in charge of making sure there is an appropriate point of reconnection and invitation.

The music and language in the ritual provided for this service already creates a bit of a segue to the next series. Be sure to highlight the upcoming series, “And in the Power of the Holy Spirit” through multiple means in worship and throughout the coming week. And be sure your formation group leaders are ready, eager, and scheduled to work with those they may see starting next week.