SUNDAY MAY 31
ONE MAN'S ONGOING ENCOUNTER WITH GOD
"In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people."
Acts 2:17
A WARM WELCOME
In the bible book of Acts we learn that 50 days after Jesus death and resurrection during the Jewish Feast of Pentecost God kept his ancient promise to pour out his Spirit on all people. Ever since that day all who have put their trust in Jesus Christ God’s Son have received this most wonderful gift from God – the promised Holy Spirit.
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.
Titus 3:4-8
Today is 50 days since we celebrated together (online!) Jesus death and resurrection at Easter time. Today is traditionally celebrated as Pentecost Sunday when we mark with great gratitude to God the blessing of his Holy Spirit poured out as promised in the new covenant established by Jesus death. We may be celebrating Pentecost in our homes and away from our church families, but despite the shifting sands of our world, we know that our faith in the Lord Jesus is secure. Please enjoy and join in this wonderful video of the Nicene Creed being recited by Christian brothers and sisters from among the different nations of the world. And remember "…everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." Acts 2:21
Let’s pray and then sing asking God to take us and use us to love and serve all people in the power of His Spirit and in the name of his Son.
Almighty God,
at the feast of Pentecost
you sent your Holy Spirit to the disciples,
filling them with joy and boldness to preach the gospel.
Empower us with that same Spirit
to witness to your redeeming love
and draw all people to you,
through the merits of Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
Here is some teaching for young and old courtesy of Quizworx Puppets reminding us that it is ‘the Holy Spirit who empowers Jesus Mission.’
For those who know God - the physical world we live in cries out with one voice ‘the hand who made us is divine!’ There is only one God and he made everything there is.
A prayer for hearing God’s word read and taught
Almighty God,
all good things come from you.
help us now to hear and obey your precious word,
that we may know and speak the truth;
and honour you in all we do.
Deliver us from all that is false
and renew us by your Holy Spirit,
that we may know life in all its fullness.
This we ask in Jesus’ name. Amen.
BIBLE READING
Psalm 19
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
2 Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they display knowledge.
3 They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
4 Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
5 It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
6 It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is hidden from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are sure,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from wilful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
SERMON
Discussion/Reflection Questions
1. Are you a ‘diary/journal’ keeping person? If so how has this helped in your life? How generally do you go about processing your innermost thoughts and life’s experiences and relationships?
2. What is one conviction you have about the bible that is very precious to you?
3. ‘How we live reveals what our true convictions are, more than just what we think our convictions are.’ Give an example of how this might be true in your relationship with your bible?
4. Share one way you long to be more like God that others can be praying for you? (Remember the descriptions of God’s word in vs 7-10 are also descriptions of God)
SONG
SOME CLOSING PRAYERS
Heavenly Father,
we have heard your word this day.
Give us grace to receive it,
understanding to know it,
faith to believe it
and, in this coming week,
the will to obey it;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Give wisdom to those in authority in every land,
and give to all peoples a desire for righteousness and peace,
and the will to work together in trust, to seek the common good
and to share with justice the resources of the earth.
Father, hear our prayer,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
We commend to your keeping, Father,
ourselves and each other,
our families, our neighbours and our friends.
Enable us by your Spirit to live in love for one another and for you.
Father, hear our prayer,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Comfort and heal, merciful Father,
all who are in sorrow, need, sickness or any other trouble.
Give them a firm trust in your goodness;
help those who minister to them;
and bring us all into the joy of your salvation.
Hear us, Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.