Welcome and Opening Prayer
Good morning and welcome everyone.
You may like to light a candle as a reminder that Christ is present.
Today is Pentecost Sunday, when we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit and the birthday of the church. We read about this event in Acts chapter 2. Centuries before this though (in the time of the Old Testament) the prophet Joel predicted the day when God would pour out his Spirit. From Joel chapter 2 we read…
17 ‘This is what I will do in the last days, God says:
I will pour out my Spirit on everyone.
Your sons and daughters will proclaim my message;
your young men will see visions,
and your old men will have dreams.
18 Yes, even on my servants, both men and women,
I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
and they will proclaim my message.
May the Lord bless the reading of his word.
Prayer
We thank you Father God for the work of your Holy Spirit who draws us to you and makes Jesus real in our daily lives. Bless this service of worship we pray. Amen.
Sung Worship
Listen and/or sing along to the following songs – on YouTube or Spotify.
- Be still for the presence of the Lord, the Holy One is here
- There’s nothing worth more (Holy Spirit)
Prayer of Thankfulness
When we pray it is important to acknowledge what is true. Part of acknowledging the truth is thanking God for the good things. Following is a prayer of thankfulness. Some of these things may or may not be true for you. In any case, use the words to inspire your own prayer of thankfulness to God. Let us pray…
Living God, thank you for the little things which open a window on your goodness and love.
Thank you for freshly baked bread, the smell, taste and texture of it.
Thank you for cold blue sky days and rainbows on grey drizzly days.
Thank you for the right word in season offered unconsciously.
Thank you for the big things that remind us you are in control.
Thank you that the earthquakes earlier in the week did not wreak destruction.
Thank you for limiting the spread of Covid-19 in NZ through wise government and a responsible public.
Thank you for rain in those parts of the country which have suffered drought.
But Lord, not everything in this past week has been welcome or pleasant. Some things have hurt us. Some things we regret. Some things have made us sad, other things have made us angry. Yet, when bad things happen it makes us want your goodness, your will, your kingdom to come even more.
So we thank you God for your wisdom and power to bring good out of any situation.
We thank you for not wasting anything; for redeeming your creation.
We thank you for your Spirit, the Spirit of Jesus, who intercedes for us with groans and sighs too deep for words and who helps us to glorify you and enjoy you forever. Amen.
More Sung Worship
Listen and/or sing along to the following songs on YouTube or download on Spotify.
- Great are you Lord (You give life…)
- When I look into your holiness (I worship you)
- This is the air I breathe
Sermon
You can either read the sermon notes on the ‘Sermons’ page of this website. Or, listen to an audio recording of the sermon via the following link:
Prayer
Let us pray. (You could pray this prayer responsively if you like.)
Lord Jesus, you are generous. Help us to enjoy your kindness and pay it forward.
Gracious Spirit, dwell with me.
Lord Jesus, you are wise. Help us to be honest with ourselves and to listen.
Truthful Spirit, dwell with me.
Lord Jesus, you are gentle. Help us to guard our hearts and let you in.
Tender Spirit, dwell with me.
Lord Jesus, you are courageous. Help us to harness hope and go the distance.
Mighty Spirit, dwell with me.
Lord Jesus, you are enough. Help us to serve your purpose in the present moment, with love.
Holy Spirit, dwell with me. Amen.
Song – Gracious Spirit, dwell with me
Listen and/or sing along to the song ‘Gracious Spirit, dwell with me’, on YouTube or Spotify.
Benediction / Blessing
Proclaim the following blessing…
‘The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift up his countenance on you and give you his peace. Amen.’
Tawa Baptist 