Pentecost

May 28, 2023
 
Prelude
Jubilee Bells
 
Greeting
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
 
*Call to Worship
Nancy Gehrung
 
Leader: Like the disciples, we gather in this space, united by our relationship with the Risen Christ.
People: We come ready to receive what God has to give.
Leader: Just as tongues of fire descended on the disciples,
People: We receive the gift of the Spirit’s power and inspiration.
Leader: Just as the resurrected Christ breathed the Spirit onto the disciples,
People: We receive the gift of the Spirit’s peace and wisdom.
Leader: As the lifegiving and peacemaking Holy Spirit blazes through us today,
People: We receive the gift of the Spirit’s fire that unites us as the Body of Christ.
Leader: This is the day that the Lord has made.
People: We shall rejoice and be glad in it!
 
*Gathering Song
Surely the Presence of the Lord
UMH #328
WORDS: Lanny Wolfe, 1977
© 1977 Lanny Wolfe Music
 
Surely the presence
of the Lord is in this place;
I can feel
his mighty power
and his grace.
 
I can hear the brush
of angels’ wings,
I see glory on each face;
surely the presence
of the Lord is in this place.  
 
*Gathering Song
I’m Goin’ a Sing When the Spirit Says Sing
UMH #333
vs. 1,2,4
WORDS: African American spiritual
 
1. I’m goin’a sing
when the Spirit says sing,
 I’m goin’a sing
when the Spirit says sing,
 
I’m goin’a sing
when the Spirit says sing,
and obey the Spirit
of the Lord.
 
2. I’m goin’a pray
when the Spirit says pray,
 I’m goin’a pray
when the Spirit says pray,
 
I’m goin’a pray
when the Spirit says pray,
and obey the Spirit
of the Lord.
 
4. I’m goin’a shout
when the Spirit says shout,
 I’m goin’a shout
when the Spirit says shout,
 
I’m goin’a shout
when the Spirit says shout,
and obey the Spirit
of the Lord.
 
Mystery Box
 
Prayer Song
Spirit of the Living God
UMH #393
WORDS: Daniel Iverson, 1926 (Acts 11:15)
© 1938, renewal © 1963 Birdwing Music
 
Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.
 
Melt me, mold me,
fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.
 
Pastor, Silent & The Lord’s Prayer
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
 
Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed 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, and the Power and the Glory forever.
 
Prayer Song
Spirit of the Living God
UMH #393
WORDS: Daniel Iverson, 1926 (Acts 11:15)
© 1938, renewal © 1963 Birdwing Music
 
Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.
 
Melt me, mold me,
fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.
 
Invitation to Offering
Nancy Gehrung
 
Offertory
Sanctuary Choir
 
Prayer of Thanks and Dedication
Pastor Donnie Sturgill
 
*Doxology
Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow
UMH #94
 
Praise God, from whom
all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures
here below:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
 
Praise God, the source
of all our gifts!
Praise Jesus Christ,
whose power uplifts!
 
Praise the Spirit,
Holy Spirit!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
Alleluia!
 
Scripture Reading
Luke 11:9-13
Nancy Gehrung
 
 “So I say to you, Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asked for a fish, would give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asked for an egg, would give a scorpion? If you, then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!”
 
Anthem
Sanctuary Choir
 
Prayer for Illumination
 
Leader: May the words of my mouth,
People: and the meditations of all of our hearts
All: be acceptable in your sight, O Lord our rock and our redeemer.
Psalm 19:14
 
Message
Rev. Larry Paulson
 
Affirmation of Faith
Nancy Gehrung
 
Nancy: Let us now say together this affirmation of faith which is loosely based on the structure of the Apostles Creed.

We believe in God, the Source of love and life,
Creator of the universe and all that is within it,
who embraces us with grace and compassion.
 
We believe in Jesus Christ, the embodiment of divine love,
born of human flesh, and a living example of kindness and justice.
 
He suffered and died for the sake of our redemption and rose again to bring hope and new life to all.

Through his teachings and example,
we learn the way of forgiveness, love, and compassion.
 
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the divine presence that guides, inspires, and empowers us daily.

The Spirit unites us as one, transcending boundaries,
and calls us to be bearers of hope, peace, and justice in the world.
 
We believe in the universal Church as a sacred community,
that nurtures our spiritual growth, supports us in our struggles,
and celebrates the diversity of God's creation.
 
We believe in the power of forgiveness, the promise of resurrection,
and the hope of eternal life,
where love and justice prevail and all are welcomed into God's embrace.
 
We are the people of God.
We are St. Paul’s United Methodist Church,
Celebrating the love of God,
Following the teachings of Jesus,
and Living in the power of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.
 
 *Sending Hymn
Sweet, Sweet Spirit
UMH #334
WORDS: Doris Akers, 1962
© 1962 Manna Music, Inc.
 
There’s a sweet,
sweet Spirit in this place,
and I know that it’s
the Spirit of the Lord;
 
there are sweet
expressions on each face,
and I know
they feel the presence
of the Lord.
 
Refrain
Sweet Holy Spirit,
sweet heavenly Dove,
stay right here with us,
filling us with your love;
 
and for these blessings
we lift our hearts in praise;
without a doubt we’ll know
that we have been revived
when we shall
leave this place.
 
Benediction
Rev. Larry Paulson
 
Postlude
Stephanie Shorden