He Breathed on Them

Acts 2:1-21, Psalm 104:24-34, 35b, I Corinthians 12:3b-13

Symbols of the Season: earth, wind, flames of fire, earthquake, sea, river, breath, ships, diverse peoples and languages

Primary Color: Red

Primary Themes: Unity in Diversity, Holy Spirit, Extravagant Praise, Gifts of the Spirit, Hospitality

Liturgical Resources

Prayer in Litany Form

God of rushing wind, coming from where it wants and going to where it wants,
pour out your Spirit upon us.
God of fire, flaring on gathered disciples and burning away their stubborn pride,
pour out your Spirit upon us.
God of miraculous speaking and hearing, amazing the faithful and riveting their attention to what is about to happen,
pour out your Spirit upon us.
God of the young who see visions, of the old who dream dreams, of male prophets and female prophets,
pour out your Spirit upon us.
God of wonders above the signs below, God of blood, fire and billowing smoke,
pour out your Spirit upon us.
You raised up Peter to prophesy on Pentecost, Peter to preach straight truth to a crooked generation, Peter to accuse people he loved of complicity in the death of Jesus.
pour out your Spirit upon us.
God of wind and fire and tongues, God of visions and dreams and prophecies, God of signs and wonders,
pour out your Spirit upon us.
You raised up Peter to preach Jesus to a skeptical audience, and with the two-edged sword of Peter’s word you cut through the armor of a crooked generation, you pricked their hearts and saved them.
Great God, send your Spirit to save us too.
You sent your Spirit to assail hard hearts. You sent repentance and faith., baptism and forgiveness, teaching and fellowship, communion and prayer.
Great God, send your Spirit to save us too.

The Worship Sourcebook, Second Edition. (Grand Rapids, MI: Faith Alive Christian Resources, 2013), 712-13.

Call to Worship

One: Come! Let us bless the Lord who commands the wind!
Many: Come! Let us worship the Three-in-One who appoints fire and flame as messengers!
ALL: Come! Let us bless our great and glorious Maker, Giver of All Good Gifts!

Prayer of Confession (unison)

God of fire and wind, we confess we have missed the movement of your Spirit in our lives and in your world. We have not been a Spirit-led church. We have not pursued your anointing or your sanctifying presence. We have not lived in holiness. Forgive us, we pray. Free us from bondage to life in the Spirit, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Assurance and Pardon

One: Hear the good news! All who believe in Jesus Christ will have streams of living water flowing from within, streams of refreshing and of power. In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven and empowered.
Many: In Jesus Christ, you are forgiven and empowered.
ALL: Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Hallelujah! Amen!

Prayer for Illumination (unison)

God of All Power,
Open our ears, our eyes, and our hearts with a spirit of wisdom and revelation.
Help us to hear your voice, to see your ways, and to receive with joy your truth.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Valerie Bridge Davis, The Africana Worship Book: Year A. (Discipleship Resources, 2006), 235-236.

Prayers of Intercession

One: The earth is full of your creatures.
(Pray a short prayer for humankind and all of creation.)
Many: Renew us, O, God, with your Spirit.

One: Living things both great and small look to you for provisions.
(Pray a short prayer for the earth and all creation.)
Many: Renew us, O, God, with your Spirit.

One: Yonder is the sea great and wide.
(Pray a short prayer for the witness of the Church in the world.)
Many: Renew us, O, God, with your Spirit.

One: I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praises to my God while I have being.
(Pray a short prayer for leaders in music ministry.)
Many: Renew us, O, God, with your Spirit.

One: May our meditations be pleasing to you.
(Pray a short prayer for ministry of the Word.)
Many: Renew us, O, God, with your Spirit – in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen!

Marilyn E. Thornton, The Africana Worship Book: Year A.(Discipleship Resources, 2006), 110-11. (Paraphrase from Psalm 104:24-34).

Congregational Song Additional Options

• Holy Spirit Medley: Zion Still Sings, 80-81.
• “Holy Spirit” (chorus only) Richard Smallwood, https://youtu.be/CH0v-qrRoxY “Let Your Spirit Come,” John Chisum
• “Jesu, Tawa Pano” (“Jesus, We Are Here”), 148, Zion Still Sings,
• “Let It Rise,” 49, Zion Still Sings; https://youtu.be/lwANtAgG3B8
• “Anointing,” 87, Zion Still Sings

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