A Traditional Service For Pentecost

The following service is a creative adaptation of the traditional pattern and texts for worship for Pentecost Sunday. It will be of particular help for those who plan a more formal Pentecost service. For others interested in worship renewal, the commentary included with this service will provide a guide to thoughtful planning.

Commentary: The order of the following service varies from most traditional Protestant services, especially in the sections that open the service and immediately precede the Lord's Supper. Each of the traditional acts of worship are present, but are reordered as indicated below. The commentary which accompanies the following service will explain the reasons for each change in order. If a more traditional order is desired, the readings, hymns, and prayers suggested here may easily be placed in a more traditional form of service, following the outlines of other services in this series (e.g., Advent service). CELEBRATING THE COMING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT Commentary: The visual artists of the church can make several meaningful contributions to the setting for Pentecost worship. They can design banners, paraments, vestments, clothe streamers, and covers for printed liturgies, bulletins, or newsletters that reflect the colors and symbols of the celebration. The traditional Pentecost colors are all associated with the primary symbol of the day: the flame. Bright red and gold hues should be used most pervasively. In addition to the flame, other appropriate symbols include the descending dove or the rushing wind, symbolizing the Holy Spirit, or various symbols for the church, such as a ship. Gathering of the Congregation (with organ, piano, or instrumental prelude) Commentary: The order of this opening section is designed to mirror the believer's response to the Pentecost gospel. The service begins with a reading of the promise of the Spirit's coming. The response of the believer is to pray for the fulfillment of that promise in the present gathering. Then, the account of the fulfillment of that promise is read, using passages that refer both to the first advent of the Spirit on Pentecost and to the continued presence of the Spirit with us. The appropriate response of the believer is then to celebrate and offer praise for this gift. The sermon text, the text on which the prelude music is based, or another thematically important verse in the service may be printed at this point in the order of service to guide the meditation of the people as they gather for worship. Gospel Promise Lay Reader or Pastor: People of God, gathered now in the name of Jesus Christ, before our Lord ascended into heaven, he left us with this promise: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). We join now in prayer that this promise may be fulfilled even in this place and hour. Prayer for God's Spirit: (Hymn) "Breathe on Me, Breath of God" "Spirit Divine, Inspire Our Prayer" "Eternal Spirit, God of Truth" "Holy Spirit Truth Divine" "Spirit of the Living God" "Creator Spirit, By Whose Aid" "Come Down, O Love Divine" Commentary: Each of these hymns are prayers of petition for the presence of the Holy Spirit. It is important that the congregation be aware that these are not primarily hymns of praise (as are most opening hymns), but of petition. The hymn of praise follows the greeting in this service. Gospel Fulfillment Pastor: (reads Acts 2:1–4) People: Praise God for the gift of the Spirit! Pastor: (reads Romans 5:5) People: Praise God for the gift of the Spirit! Greeting Pastor: The Spirit of the Lord be with you. People: And also with you. All: Thanks be to God! Hymn of Praise: "For Your Gift of God the Spirit" Commentary: This hymn of praise may be used as a processional for the choir and other worship leaders. The festive nature of the occasion may be heightened by including liturgical banners in the procession or beginning the procession with liturgical dancers, who may carry red streamers or fabrics that can be added to the paraments or banners. Another appropriate acclamation of praise used in many traditions is the hymn, "Hail, Thee Festival Day," which features several stanzas appropriate for use on Pentecost. HEARING THE PROCLAMATION OF GOD'S WORD Prayer for Illumination Leader: Let us pray for the presence of the Spirit as we listen to the Word of God. People: Come, Holy Spirit, lead us into all truth. Amen. Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 37:1–14, Joel 2 Psalm: Psalm 104:24–34 Commentary: This psalm may be sung by the congregation or choir. Metrical settings of this and other psalms can be found in A New Metrical Psalter (New York: Church Hymnal Corporation, 1984; The Psalter Hymnal (Grand Rapids: CRC Publications, 1987); Rejoice in the Lord (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1985); Trinity Hymnal (Atlanta: Great Commission Publications, 1990); and The Presbyterian Hymnal (Louisville: Westminster/John Knox, 1990). Responsorial settings can be found in The Celebration Psalter (St. Louis: Cathedral Music Press, 1991); Psalm Refrains and Tones (Carol Stream, Ill.: Hope Publishing, 1988); Lead Me, Guide Me (Chicago: GIA Publications, 1987); Psalms for the Church Year, vols. 1–4 (Chicago: GIA Publications); and United Methodist Hymnal (Nashville: Abingdon, 1989). Additional settings of the Psalms can be found in Psalms for Today and Songs from the Psalms (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1990). New Testament Readings: John 15:26–27, 16:4–15; Acts 2:1–21 Commentary: Another possibility for the Pentecost readings consists of surveying the themes of either the entire Christian year or the entire account of Christ's passion, resurrection, and ascension. This would be appropriate when the sermon is designed to relate the coming of the Spirit with these events of Christ's life, pointing to how the Spirit's presence with us is an extension of Christ's presence (see John 14). Response Leader: The Word of the Lord, by the power of the Spirit. People: Thanks be to God. Sermon RESPONDING IN TESTIMONY AND PRAYER Statement of Faith: The Apostles' Creed Leader: Do you believe in God the Father? People: I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. Leader: Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God? People: I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he descended to hell. The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended to heaven and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty. From there he will come to judge the living and the dead. Leader: Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit? People: I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen. Commentary: This division of the Apostles' Creed highlights its Trinitarian structure. It also suggests the important link between the Holy Spirit and the Spirit's work in the holy catholic church, which may be appropriately emphasized on Pentecost Sunday. Hymn Commentary: The creed may be followed by a doxology or by a hymn which addresses the specific theme of the sermon. Especially appropriate are hymns which focus on the mission of the church, offering both petitions for the Spirit's presence with the church and promises of commitment to that service by the people. This hymn may also follow the testimonies of faith. Testimonies of Faith or of Church Mission Commentary: This would be a most appropriate time for representatives of various church ministries to give testimony to the presence of the Spirit in their life and work throughout the past year. A congregation wishing to emphasize its unity with the worldwide church may wish to invite representatives of neighboring churches, missionaries, or members of overseas churches to join them for the service or give words of welcome at this time. Other concerns and occasions for prayer may also be mentioned at this time. Prayers of Petition "¢ for renewal of the church Leader: We pray for the church, … "¢ for the mission of the church, … Commentary: At this point or other appropriate points in the prayer, specific references to the testimonies and reports of church ministries that were just heard should be made. "¢ for the unity of the church, "¢ for the holiness of the church, "¢ for the faithfulness of the church. Commentary: Each phrase may be followed by a period of silence or by sentences spoken by various members of the congregation which elaborate on the specific nature of each petition. People: Come Holy Spirit, renew the church, we pray. "¢ for renewal of the earth Leader: We pray for our earth, for the sustaining resources of water, soil, and air, for the enriching resources of minerals, for the gifts of living creatures, for the gifts of natural beauty, People: Come Holy Spirit, renew the earth, we pray. "¢ for renewal of human culture Leader: We pray for our culture, that governments may provide justice and protection, that businesses may provide helpful goods and services, that fine arts may stimulate us to creativity in expressing the truth, that entertainment may delight us. People: Come Holy Spirit, renew our culture, we pray. Prayer of Confession People: Almighty God, we have fractured your church, we have wasted the resources of this earth, we have corrupted our culture, Forgive us, we pray, renew us by the power of your Spirit, and draw us to you as we now approach your table. Amen. Commentary: This prayer of confession is modeled after the structure of the prayers of the people that precede it. Declaration of Pardon Pastor: (reads Titus 3:3–7) Call to Discipleship Pastor: Walk now in the power of the Holy Spirit: (reads Galatians 5:22–25) People: We will walk in the power of the Spirit. Passing of the Peace Pastor: As you walk in the Spirit's power, may the peace of Christ be with you. People: And also with you. People: (to each other) God's peace be with you. Commentary: The confession, declaration of pardon, and call to discipleship are placed at this point in the service as a way of focusing the attention of the worshiper on the personal challenge of living with the Spirit, even as the prayers move from worldwide to very personal concerns. This act of penitence is also very appropriate just before the celebration of the sacrament. CELEBRATING THE SACRAMENT OF THE LORD Offertory Leader: People of God, as a pledge to our commitment to walk in the power of God's Spirit in service to him, we bring our gifts to God. People: Amen. (the gifts are received) (People sing doxology) Commentary: The doxology sung at Pentecost can appropriately be a Trinitarian expression of praise, such as the final doxological stanza of the Pentecost hymn, "O Holy Spirit, by Whose Breath," or any other translation of the ancient Pentecost hymn "Veni Creator Spiritus." During the singing of the doxology, the elements for Communion and the gifts which have been received may be brought forward. The following Communion liturgy is replete with references to the work of the Spirit and is therefore appropriate for use on Pentecost and other Sundays on which the sermon text of the day may focus on the Spirit's work among the church. Invitation to the Table Leader: Jesus said, "I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth." Friends in Christ, today we celebrate the fulfillment of this promise. We know that Christ is with us through his Spirit and now we realize this presence at his holy meal. As we approach his table, let us bring our praise to God. Prayer of Thanksgiving Commentary: The divisions of the following prayer of thanksgiving highlight the Trinitarian pattern that the prayer follows. Though often unnoticed, many Communion liturgies and prayers of thanksgiving follow this Trinitarian pattern. Use of these division calls this feature of the structure to the immediate attention of the worshiper and is especially appropriate for Pentecost and Trinity Sundays. In Praise of God, the Father, Our Creator Leader: Blessed are you, God most high, creator of heaven and earth. You fashioned us in your image that we might live in joyous fellowship with you. Even after we broke the bonds of that fellowship, you loved and sought us. Therefore, we offer our praise to you and sing with joy: People: Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Most hymnals include a setting of this traditional canticle. For a list of service music found in a representative group of hymnals, consult the commentary to the Communion liturgy of the Advent service in this series. In Praise of God, the Son, Our Redeemer Leader: Blessed are you, Jesus Christ, Son of God, our Lord. You came to be our Immanuel, God with us. You brought us again into fellowship with God by your victory over sin and death. You promised that you would not leave us, and indeed you sent the Spirit to be our comforter and sustainer. You gave us this joyful feast, by which we realize again our union with you and proclaim to the world your death and resurrection. Therefore, we offer our praise to you and sing with joy: People: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. Commentary: In this Communion liturgy, the "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" is separated from the "Holy, Holy, Holy," contrary to most traditional forms. Given the strict Trinitarian structure of this liturgy, this separation allows the "Holy, Holy, Holy" to be sung as an acclamation of praise to God the Father and "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord" to be sung to God the Son. These and other portions of the Communion liturgy may be sung. A representative list of musical resources is included in the commentary with Advent service in this series. [Institution] Leader: People of God, remember that the Lord Jesus, on the night when he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, he took the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes." [Memorial] People: We shall do as our Lord commands. We celebrate this feast, proclaiming to the world that our Lord died, is risen, and is coming again, and until that day is with us, through the power of his Spirit! In Praise of God, the Spirit, Our Comforter Leader: Blessed are you, Holy Spirit, our comforter. At Creation you brought order out of chaos and breathed into humankind the breath of life. You led Abraham and Sarah to the chosen land and through them called a people to be your very own. You overshadowed Mary, and she conceived a Son who would save his people from their sins. At Pentecost you came like the rush of mighty wind, filling the apostles with power from on high, making of their many tongues the one new tongue of witness to you. You have been present with the church through many ages and in many lands, inspiring her witness to the gospel of Jesus Christ. Therefore, we offer our praise to you and sing with joy: Commentary: This section of the prayer recites many of the aspects of the Spirit's work. Other aspects that may have been referred to in the sermon or in church education classes could be added to this list. People: We give you thanks, God of power and might, that you send your Spirit to us now, breathing life into your people and strengthening us with these gifts, that we may receive again Christ's own life. Prayer of Consecration Leader: Spirit of God, descend upon us now, we pray. Breath into your people and strengthen us with these gifts. By your power, unite us with our Lord, that we may remember his death and celebrate his resurrection. Then may we live in your power, as a bold witness to the world of the gospel of our Lord. Amen. Breaking of the Bread Pastor: When we break the bread, is it not a sharing in the body of Christ? Pastor: When we give thanks over the cup, is it not a sharing in the blood of Christ? Commentary: These sentences should be spoken as the pastor prepares the elements for Communion, breaking the common loaf and pouring the common cup. Invitation Pastor: Friends in Christ, the Lord has prepared his table for his church and has given us his Spirit to guide us into all truth. All who love him and trust in him alone for their salvation are now invited to come to the table of the Lord. People: We come with gladness. Thanks be to God! Pastor: The gifts of God for the people of God. The Sacrament Pastor: (as the people take the bread) The body of Christ, the bread of heaven, for you by the power of the Spirit. Pastor: (as the people take the cup) The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation, for you by the power of the Spirit. Commentary: During the sacrament, appropriate hymns or anthems may be sung. Many Pentecost hymns are prayers for the presence of the Holy Spirit and are most appropriate for use during the sacrament. The Thanksgiving Leader: Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless his holy name! People: Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits. (Ps. 103:1–2) DEPARTING TO SERVE Charge to the People Pastor: Go now in the power of the Spirit to love and serve the Lord. Prayer of Dedication People: Gracious God, we praise you for this feast of victory. By your Spirit, we are strengthened for life in your service. With thanksgiving and joy, we dedicate ourselves to you. We promise to walk in your ways, clinging to your promise that your Spirit will never depart from us. We offer ourselves to you, Lord God. Amen. Hymn of Dedication (Recessional) Commentary: The closing hymn may be chosen from the list of petitioner hymns listed at the beginning the service. Especially appropriate are hymns that either ask for the Spirit's presence in the daily lives of the worshipers or that allow worshipers to make a declaration of their commitment to God's service by the power of the Spirit. Benediction Pastor: Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you overflow with love and joy. or Pastor: May the Spirit of truth lead you into all truth, that you may confess that Jesus is Lord, and may proclaim the wonderful works of God. May the blessing of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, remain with you always. People: Amen. Commentary: The benediction may be given in several languages, pointing to the many languages that were unified on the day of Pentecost and the diversity that is brought together under Christ's lordship through the power of the Spirit. The use of other languages may also accompany the Scripture readings or a portion of the prayers of the people. Worship planners should take care that everyone present fully understands, through printed text or by respeaking the text in English, what is being said. The portions of the service spoken in more than one language should be kept very brief so as not to interfere with the worship of the people. Dispersal of the Congregation (with instrumental, piano, or organ postlude or congregational singing) Commentary: The service could appropriately conclude with triumphant instrumental or organ music that points to the power of the Spirit that accompanies the worshiper into the world. Another option consists of following the service with a time of congregational singing, which would encourage worshipers to linger, to sing psalms and hymns about the mission of the church, and even to participate in informal discussions about the mission of the local congregation.