First Presbyterian Church 112 South Jefferson Street Athens, Alabama 35611
WELCOME & ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN Dr. Mary Crowell & Emily Clem
CALL TO WORSHIP Melanie Newton
Wind of God, who awakened creation and stirred dry bones to life—
sweep through this space and enliven our worship.
Wind of God, who descended as tongues of flame and gave birth to the church
sweep through this space and ignite our hearts.
Wind of God, who guides our ministry and equips us for service—
sweep through this space and empower our witness.
Morning Hymn Dr. Mary Crowell & Emily Clem
CALL TO CONFESSION
God has promised that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Therefore, let us call upon the Lord, confessing our sins.
PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God of new creation, we confess that we have failed to trust your bountiful goodness. By the power of the Holy Spirit you brought forth the earth and its creatures in abundance. Yet, we hoard earth’s resources and refuse to share your gifts. We dishonor your generosity by withholding our charity to those in need. We betray your kindness by dealing harshly with our enemies. We disregard your compassion by severely judging the sins of others. Forgive us. By the power of your Spirit renew our hearts and free us from sins that we may enjoy the fullness of your blessing upon all creation.
Kyrie Eleison Lord Have Mercy Dr. Mary Crowell
DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
PASSING OF THE PEACE
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
And also with you
Almighty God, by the power of your Holy Spirit, speak to us in the language of our hearts, that we may hear your Word with understanding and answer your call with confidence. Amen.
SCRIPTURE
Acts 2:1-21 & John 7:37-39
SERMON “Are you feeling bloated?” Rev. Dayton Wilson
RESPONSE
APOSTLES’ CREED
I BELIEVE in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
INVITATION TO OFFERING AND PERSONAL DEDICATION
With thanksgiving for God’s gifts to us, let us offer ourselves and the fruits of our labor for God’s work in the world.
OFFERTORY
PRAYER OF DEDICATION
Almighty God, we have opened our hands to you, and our hands have been filled with good things. Receive the gifs we bring in gratitude for your care for us, and help us to bless you with dedication of our lives; through Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Lord of all, we are unable to gather in one place. We grieve our inability to sit beside one another, sing together and pass the peace in person. Even as we lament what is lost when we cannot be in the same physical space, we rejoice that nothing separates us from the love of Jesus Christ and there is no barrier that can prevent the Holy Spirit’s coming to us. United in Christ, bound by the Spirit, our community is real and strong, no matter where we are. Confident in your promise to never leave us alone, to hear us when we knock and give to us when we ask, we are bold to pray for those on our hearts and minds. Send the Spirit’s winds of your comfort to surround those who mourn. Stay close to those unable to be near to those they love. Grant rest to the weary and give hope to those on the brink of despair. Kindle the Spirit’s flame of reconciliation between those long estranged and peoples who call each other enemies. Bring healing to the sick and relief to those who suffer. Unleash the Spirit’s power to bring justice to the oppressed. Possess us with your Spirit so that we cannot abide the exploitation of the weak or the neglect of the vulnerable. Let your Spirit loose in your church so that we can be bearers of your love in the world. On this day of Pentecost when multiple languages resound through the universe and all kinds of people proclaim your mighty deeds, open the eyes of our hearts to take in all the glorious sounds, relish the beautiful sights, and rejoice in the precious diversity of creation. Your works and your words are too wonderful for us and yet you enlist us to participate in your divine endeavor of salvation. We are astounded, perplexed and bewildered, but eager through the gift of the Spirit to serve you with energy, intelligence, imagination and love. Come, Holy Spirit, engulf this frightening season with the live-giving, mercy-granting, joy-completing, justice-rolling deeds of our God. Open our mouths so that our lips may proclaim God’s praise. Direct our actions so the world will know we are Christ’s followers by our love. Make us one so we can be ambassadors of reconciliation. Show us your vision and empower us to make your divine dreams our earthly reality. We make our prayer in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, who taught us to say when we pray,
THE LORD’S PRAYER
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 debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
CHARGE & BENEDICTION Rev. Dayton Wilson
POSTLUDE Glory to God Whose Goodness Shines on Me
