Happy Sunday Church.
I hope each of you will feel the embrace of God’s grace today as we remember and give thanks for His gift of the Holy Spirit. Don’t forget we begin a new study today at 9:00.
Together we will study the book of Acts. Our focus today is Acts 2:1-41. This study is offered through zoom and will be facilitated by Mark Wilson. I look forward to growing from God’s word with you.
For those who are able to join me for outdoor worship today, please consider these guidelines and recommendations:
– You are encourage to bring all you need to be comfortable for the duration of the service. i.e. lawn chairs, sun protection, water.
– The lawn has indicators for where family should consider gathering. We are mindful of the healthy distances necessary to keep people safe.
– Face coverings must be properly worn at all times throughout the service.
– We will refrain from singing as a congregation
– The church buildings will be closed. This includes the restrooms.
Thank you for your understanding and willingness to go the extra mile in these ways to ensure that we all stay safe.
Below is brief order of worship for your personal worship. Thank you for allowing me to share in your day in this way. Remember the blue links will redirect you to YouTube. You may have to watch an advertisement prior to the hymns.
Come, Now is the time to Worship.
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Order of worship for Sunday, May 31 – Pentecost Sunday
Call to Worship:
Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful.
And kindle in us the fire of your love.
Send forth your Spirit and we shall be created.
And you will renew the face of the earth.
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Song of Praise: Shine, Jesus, Shine
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Opening Prayer:
God of mercy, we bestow our thanks for the abundant grace you continue to give. Fill us anew with Your love and Your Spirit, increase our compassion, and make us fit to spread good news by caring for those in need. May Your love and Your law be written on our hearts as we now offer you our gift of praise. In the name of Christ Jesus, we pray. Amen.
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Scripture Lesson: 2 Timothy 1:6-10
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, — 2 Ti 1:6-10
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Pastoral Prayer:
Almighty God, our hearts rejoice in who you are and who you are shaping us to become. Thank you for your sustaining presence in our live through you Spirit.
Increase our faith, so that in all our ways we may place our trust in you. Allow us to see beyond our current circumstance and discover your grace in the midst of our lives. We pray to day for our world, remembering the countless lives that have been lost because of the coronavirus.
Strengthen our resolve, that we may extend compassion, solace, and hope to the sick and hurting. Pour out your wisdom on our leaders, across this community and around the globe. Bless our efforts to keep one another safe. Above all, allow each of us to witness the transforming power of Your Spirit as you equip your people to build your kingdom.
Hear our prayers today as we pray as Jesus has taught us, . . . Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by thy name. Thy Kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the Kingdom, and the power, and glory, forever. Amen.
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Scripture Lesson: John 15:26-27
“But when the Helper comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceeds from the Father, he will bear witness about me. And you also will bear witness, because you have been with me from the beginning. — Jn 15:26-27
John 16:4b-13
But I have said these things to you, that when their hour comes you may remember that I told them to you.
“I did not say these things to you from the beginning, because I was with you. But now I am going to him who sent me, and none of you asks me, ‘Where are you going?’ But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you. And when he comes, he will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment: concerning sin, because they do not believe in me; concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father, and you will see me no longer; concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world is judged.
“I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth, for he will not speak on his own authority, but whatever he hears he will speak, and he will declare to you the things that are to come. — Jn 16:4-13
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Message: Help has Arrived!
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Hymn: Spirit of the Living God
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Benediction:
Now, may Jesus Christ, the way, the truth, and the Life be with each of you. May the Holy Spirit empower you to follow and serve in Christ’s name. And may Almighty God, who raised Jesus from the dead, keep you in his presence forevermore. Alleluia! Amen.
Blessings,
Pastor Kent
Kent Smith, Pastor
Salem United Methodist Church
Weaverville, NC
(828) 645-6014
