Witness Communion & Pentecost 23 May 2021 Knox Bayfield Rev Dolson
The Lord be with you … and also with you.
Land Acknowledgement
The people of Knox Bayfield acknowledge that our community worship, live, play, and work on the traditional lands of the Anishinabewaki, Attiwonderonk (Neutral), and Mississauga peoples within Treaty 29, of 1827.
HYMN #389 Breathe on me, breath of God
Call to Worship Psalm 1
Happy are those who do not ridicule and scoff. Happy are those who delight in God’s teachings and meditate on them day and night. They are like trees planted by streams of water. They yield fruit in due season, and their leaves do not wither.
Call to Confession and Assurance of Pardon
Psalm 1, John 17
Join me in prayer for with the call to confession,
God, you call us to delight in your teachings, yet we can become cynical and doubtful. We pray for your healing and restoration. Guard us and protect us. Sanctify us in truth and teach us to recognize and reject evil. We pray all this in the name of Christ, amen.
We are children of the Holy God, the God who forgives and loves eternally.
By the power of God’s Spirit, forgive yourself and others as God in Christ forgives you.
May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. And also with you.
Hymn #290 Immortal, immortal God only wise
Prayer For Illumination
John 17
O holy One, may the reading of your Word sanctify us in the truth and bring us to joy with you. Amen.
Readings
Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b;
Acts 2:1-21; Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26 – 16: 15
May God bless our understanding of God’s holy word. The word of the Lord.
Witness
It can be difficult and challenging to live in the midst of change. Yet, change is continual throughout our lives. Change occurs during every life transition – when we transition from one part of our life to another or when external factors significantly impact our well being. We experience change when we begin or end relationships, fall in love, start a family, watch children grow and leave home. The death of a loved one brings great change as they continue their journey home to be with the Creator.
The scripture readings this morning speak of times of major transitions. The prophet Ezekial is speaking to the people of Judah who had been exiled to foreign lands. In the book of Acts and gospel of John the disciples lived during the tumultuous time during and after Christ’s physical presence among them. These stories provide rich imagery of rushing wind with the many voices of Pentecost and the re-animation hope as dry bones come to life. The re-birth of hope and faith with the Spirit of Truth as guide.
In the book of Acts, the physician Luke wrote about the disciples gathering to celebrate Pentecost, Shavuot as it is known in the Jewish tradition. Shavuot is a festival that happens fifty days after Passover to celebrate the time of God giving the Torah to Moses. Christians celebrate Pentecost fifty days after Easter Sunday; fifty days after the resurrection, when the Spirit arrived as we wait for Christ. Pentecost is the reversal of the effects of the tower of Babel, when the languages of the world were “confused” and people were scattered. (Genesis 11)
There is a rabbinic tradition that tells of when the Ten Commandments were given. There was a single sound, yet when that sound went out … it divided into seven voices and then seventy , so that every people received the law in their own language. The law was meant to share the will of God, to guide the people of creation. In giving the Spirit on Pentecost, the church received God’s Spirit to guide the people. The Spirit is intended for all… to unite us with prophecies, visions, and dreams. ..united in diversity…the diversity of age, gender, and social status …united by the great outpouring of the Spirit.
A memory came to mind as I read and re-read the scripture. I recalled walking in Hebron, watching a group of children passing through a checkpoint controlled by the Israeli military armed with automatic guns. In the fall of 2014 I travelled with a small group in a Presbyterian Church study tour in the Middle East. During the tour of Hebron, the guides from the Ecumenical Accompaniment Programme in Palestine and Israel (EAPPI – pronounced “yappie”) walked with us. They shared stories of their work in Palestine. This organization offers a vital demonstration of God’s love in the world.
EAPPI, coordinated by the World Council of Churches, is a mission effort supported in part by the PCC. It was developed when Churches in Jerusalem identified the need to bring an international presence to the West Bank. Their vision is a future when the Palestinian occupation has ended, a future where Palestinians and Israelis enjoy a just peace with freedom and security based on international law.
Their mission is to witness life under occupation; to engage with local peoples pursuing peace; to change the international community’s involvement in the conflict; and to urge others to take action against injustice in the region. They have a core set of values of love, truth, justice, peace, and reconciliation. EAPPI is a response of the global Church to the call of the local Church. The organization works with people of all faiths and of no faith.
Their goal is to walk with the Palestinians, live directly with the local community, and work with local and international organizations. The volunteers spend 3 months living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Their placement allows them to experience life under occupation. EAPPI advocates for change when they help to focus global attention on the situation. It is a biblical model for acting justly in the way of Christ. The volunteers gather from around the world, from many cultures, with many languages. They seek to understand the truth and then share the truth of their experience when they return to their communities.
The gospel is proclaimed for everyone; repentance and forgiveness are offered to all who call on the name of the Lord. Within our church tradition we recognize Pentecost completing the cycle that begins with Ash Wednesday and continues through Lent, Holy Week and Easter. It is the capstone of a journey that moves symbolically from ashes to fire. Pentecost helps us to better understand the gospels: Jesus Christ offers salvation to all, and the church exists to proclaim it. Pentecost affirms our participation as disciples in the body of Christ. We are challenge to live into its promise of the witness of the church. Praise be to God.
Hymn # 626 Lord of all power
The Offering Of Our Life And Labour To The Lord
Quote: Gentleness, self-sacrifice and generosity are not the exclusive possession of one race or religion. Mahatma Ghandi (1849–1968), lawyer, social activist
God invites us to give the testimony of our hearts in practical offerings of money and time. We testify to God’s love in many ways including our gifts. 1 John 5:10
Blessing Of Gifts & Prayers Of The People
John 17:6, Acts 1:25, Psalm 1
Join me in prayer:
Holy God, this world is peopled by those who delight in your teachings and those who scoff at your ways. Guide us to meditate on you day and night, that we may be an influence for good in the world. We pray for the people and the leaders of this diverse world. Sanctify them in your truth, that there may be peace and harmony on earth.
Jesus has made God known and we belong to God. We dedicate these gifts to God’s service and to the glory of God’s name. Let us pray for the world and ask that we may be given the grace to be faithful disciples of Jesus.
We pray for those who are sick or suffering, that they may know your protection and care. We pray for your church, that by the marriage of your grace and our faith we may serve you and our neighbors.
We pray for Earth itself, your marvelous creation. Inspire and help us to be good stewards, now and for the future. Make holy all for which we pray— the poor, the infirm, the church, the world— for holiness and wholeness come from you.
There are many within our church family in need of your special care at this time. We lift up Ron, Sandy, Rudy, Jane, Bonnie, Rob, Courtney and Kyla. We lift up all those who prefer to remain un-named as they face immense challenges of health and finances.
O holy One, we pray for clarity, passion, and true fellowship to awake us to your presence. We pray all this in the name of Jesus the Christ, who taught his disciples to pray…Our Father who art in heaven, hallow’ed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.
Invitation to the Table
Hymn #534 All who hunger, gather gladly
Affirmation of Faith
#539 The Apostles’ Creed* [in unison]
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Communion Prayer
(Responsive in Bold)
As we are called to come to The Table, we remember that this is the table of Jesus Christ, who has prepared a banquet for everyone.
All who seek to be nourished and sustained in the journey of faith, all who seek wholeness and compassionate paths to peace and justice, and all who walk in love and charity with your companions on the Way are called to gather around the Table.
The Lord be with you. And also with you.
Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Blessed and holy are you, O God, creator of all things. In the beginning, you spoke… and at your word your Spirit moved over the waters, bringing order, light, and life out of chaos. You knit together our inward parts, made us in your image and breathed breath and life into us. When we turn away from you and our love fails, your love remains constant. When we wander off and follow ways of sin and death you call us from our scattered lives to repentance, unity and peace.
Therefore, with choirs of angels and archangels and with those of every time and place, we give you praise and glory:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Holy, mighty and tender God, in time you sent word to Mary that she would conceive a son and call him Jesus and in him we saw your promises made flesh. Dwelling among us we heard and saw Good News: he preached reconciliation and the Kingdom of God, he healed the sick, fed the hungry, and ate with sinners. In his suffering, death and resurrection, he delivered us from sin and death and revealed your living and redeeming hope for all people. And when he ascended into heaven, your Holy Spirit came to be our Counsellor and Comforter.
And so, remembering Christ’s life, love, death, and resurrection, we proclaim the mystery of faith
Christ was promised. Christ was born.
Christ has died. Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
Gracious God, pour out your Holy Spirit upon us and upon these your gifts of bread and wine, that the bread we break and the cup we share may be the communion of the body and blood of Christ. Through Christ, with Christ, in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor are yours, almighty God, world without end.
O Holy One, although we are apart and we join our voices together across space and time to speak the words that Christ taught his disciples … Our Father who art in heaven, hallow’ed be thy name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil, for thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and ever. Amen..
Words of Institution and Invitation
Jesus, in the night in which he was betrayed, took bread; and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, ‘This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me.’ In the same way, he took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in my blood: as often as you drink of it, do this in remembrance of me.’ We break this bread, the communion in Christ’s body once broken. We drink this cup, communion in Christ’s blood once shed. These are the gifts of God for the people of God. Thanks be to God.
Prayer after Communion
Join me in prayer…
Eternal God, we thank you for this holy mystery in which you have given yourself to us and we praise you for breaking into the world. Send us out in peace for we have seen, have heard, and been fed by your grace. Keep us faithful and alert for signs of Christ’s coming and lead us to live lives marked by truth and light, in the name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
Hymn* # 556 Now let us from this table rise
Benediction
Living in the love of Christ, be open to God calling you into a new ministry. Go in the Spirit of peace. Jesus Christ has given us into the arms of a loving God. May God bless you and keep you this day and forevermore.
Postlude #389 Holy, Holy, Holy
Questions for Reflection
In the first chapter of Acts, when the eleven seek to replace Judas with a new apostle, they ask God to reveal who that should be by casting lots. How do you think God’s will is revealed to us today? Is it revealed in more than one way?
Morning Prayer
Holy One, thank you for the ability to begin my day in prayer. Guide my path today. No matter what happens, help me to feel that I belong to you, and bring me home to you at the end of the day. Amen.
Evening Prayer
Loving God, thank you for claiming me as your own. I have been in the world all day, but I also know that I am in you. Give me the grace to let go of this day and entrust it to your care. Be with me as I sleep this night and continue to sanctify me in your embrace. Amen.
Daily Prayer
Holy One, open us to the possibility that we are being chosen to be new disciples with new ministries in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Scripture readings next week
Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17
389 Breathe on me, breath of God
Breathe on me, breath of God; fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love and do what thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, breath of God, until my heart is pure,
until with thee I will one will, to do and to endure.
Breathe on me, breath of God, till I am wholly thine,
until this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine.
Breathe on me, breath of God, so shall I never die,
but live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.
623 Holy, holy, holy Words: traditional Music: F Schubert
Refrain: Holy, holy, holy, God almighty Lord!
Holy, holy, holy, everywhere adored!
God without beginning, God eternal One
reigns and rules forever all beneath the sun Refrain
Power and love and wonder circling round God’s throne
Praise our God most holy, Lord of Life alone Refrain
290 Immortal, immortal God only wise
Immortal, invisible, God only wise, in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.
Unresting, unhasting and silent as light, or wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; Thy justice like mountains high soaring above Thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.
To all life thou givest, to both great and small; In all life thou livest, the true life of all; We blossom and flourish like leaves on the tree, And wither, and perish, but naught changeth thee.
Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, Thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; All laud we would render: oh help us to see ‘tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.
626 Lord of all power
Lord of all power, I give you my will in joyful obedience your tasks to fulfil.
Your bondage is freedom, your service is song, and, held in your keeping, my weakness is strong.
Lord of all wisdom, I give you my mind, rich truth that surpasses our knowledge to find. What eye has not seen and what ear has not heard
is taught by your Spirit and shines from your word.
Lord of all bounty, I give you my heart; I praise and adore you for all you impart: your love to inspire me, your word to obey, I walk in your freedom to the end of the way.
Lord of all being, I give you my all. If e’er I disown you, I stumble and fall;
but, sworn in glad service your word to obey, I walk in your freedom to the end of the way.
534 All who hunger, gather gladly
All who hunger, gather gladly; Holy manna is our bread.
Come from wilderness and wandering. Here, in truth, we will be fed.
You that yearn for days of fullness, All around us is our food.
Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.
All who hunger, never strangers, Seeker, be a welcome guest.
Come from restlessness and roaming. Here, in joy, we keep the feast.
We that once were lost and scattered in communion’s love have stood.
Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.
All who hunger, sing together; Jesus Christ is living bread.
Come from loneliness and longing. Here, in peace, we have been led.
Blest are those who from this table Live their days in gratitude.
Taste and see the grace eternal. Taste and see that God is good.
| #556
Now let us from this Table Rise Now let us from this table rise Renewed in body, mind and soul; With Christ we die and live again, Whose selfless love has made us whole.
With minds alert, upheld by grace, To spread the Word in speech and deed, We follow in the steps of Christ, At one with all in hope and need.
To fill each human house with love, It is the sacrament of care; The work that Christ began to do We humbly pledge ourselves to share.
Then give us grace, companion-God, To choose again the pilgrim way, And help us to accept with joy The challenge of tomorrow’s day.
|