Let the fire of your Spirit shed light on your word, O God. As we open these pages, may we find a breath of fresh air, a word for our hearts, a light for our path. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL
Pentecost
dedication: the Spirit’s vision
Spirit of life, you long for the world’s transformation. Your vision is grander than anything we can imagine, and so we thank you for the privilege of participating in your mission. May these gifts be a blessing that speaks the language of this community, and may that blessing multiply out to every place. Breathe in us again this day, that our whole lives may be an offering for your glory. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL
Pentecost Prayer: freed for
On this day of Pentecost, the church is born and re-born.
The Holy Spirit is poured out
and sends us out together, aflame with new life.
God, we pray that your Spirit would set us free
from the prisons of pettiness, jealousy, and greed.
Set us free to be Your church.
We are freed to free others.
We are forgiven to forgive others.
We are loved to love others.
You call us to be the church,
and you send us to feed the hungry,
clothe the naked, heal the sick,
and to be alleluias even when there is no music.
Fill us with your Spirit,
make us again into your body for the world. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL. Originally used in place of a confession sequence.
confession: we explain away
Call to Confession
When we come together to confess our sin, we find that the closed room of our minds and the locked door of our spirits burst open, making room for the Spirit of God to run wild. When we think we can contain God, we deceive only ourselves—the Spirit is here, and calls us to join the dance. Before God, with the people of God, let us lay down our burdens of brokenness and join what God is doing. Let us pray.
Confession
The wind blows and we hear the sound of it, but we do not know where it comes from.
We try to explain it away, but even our own breath speaks of new things we cannot understand.
We may be together in one place, but we do not speak with one voice, we do not listen with one heart.
We hear, and dismiss, your deeds of power, your call to love those who are different, your insistence that the whole world be included.
You pour out your Spirit, and we squash the vision—it is too big, too unrealistic, too uncertain, too unruly.
You send visions of a future with hope, and we look back instead.
You light the way, and we look for a fire extinguisher, trying to keep ourselves (and you!) safe.
Forgive us, O God. We long for your new life, but we do not know how to live it.
~silence~
Rush into this place again, and fill every nook and cranny with dreams and visions of possibility.
Turn our hushed whispers into proclamations of your grace, in every language of the world.
Lead us out into your future.
Amen.
Assurance
This is the promise: “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh—young and old, men and women, rich and poor—and all people will see.” This promise is for you, and for us. No matter who we are or where we have been, the Spirit of the Living God falls fresh, with mercies new every morning. Know that you are forgiven, and let the Spirit speak through you!
Thanks be to God. Amen.
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL
CTW: come together
We come together from many places—
from north and south, from east and west, just as God calls.
We come together in one place—
piece by piece, becoming the Body of Christ.
We come together in one place—
not always understanding, not always courageous, not always ready,
and the Spirit rushes in!
Let us rejoice, and proclaim God’s power in this place!
Submitted by Rev. Teri Peterson, the Presbyterian Church of Palatine, IL
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