Celebrating Pentecost Sunday

[Russell Metcalfe]

In my thinking Pentecost is one of three great days in the church year, equally important with Christmas (the Incarnation) and Easter (Passion and Redemption/Resurrection) as the Outpouring of the Promise of the Father, or Birthday of the Church as such.
Christmas and Easter are celebrated/observed/even commercialized- recognized as holidays. The secular community has not plugged into the Coming of the Holy Spirit, at least in our culture. But many churches will pass tomorrow and never know it is 'special.' (This is especially true the years it may happen to fall on Mothers' Day.)
How is your church celebrating? Maybe I should say 'observing'? Have we 'anticipated'-- waited?
Russ

[Barb Bouldrey]

Our Sunday School lesson is on Ezekiel and the "dry bones."

The music and sermon are centered around the Holy Spirit and John is preaching from Ezekiel...about a clean heart.

Barb

[Marsha Gupton]

We are having baptisms and receiving new members and after sunday school (we have church then SS) a covere dish dinner.

[Jon Twitchell]

We are also having a baptism as part of our Pentecost celebration.

[Jeremy D. Scott]

We've begun a small little column in our weekly worship folder entitled "...in spirit and truth...". The hope is that each week we will feature something about worship to be able to explain what we do, how we do it, or why we do it (to be able to worship "in truth"). It's amazing what we take for granted in our churches and worship services. We need to teach each other and subsequent generations what we do - to be true to who we are. Past weeks have explained things like the colors of the church year or what the Feast of the Ascension is. Dennis Bratcher's website (www.crivoice.org) has been an invaluable resource for us.

This week, Pentecost was the obvious choice. Space is limited though, and we put a whole lot more on the back of the worship folder.

In addition, we utilize the revised common lectionary, and the readings certainly pertain to Pentecost (including the passage from Ezekiel that Barb already mentioned). As such, the spoken word (aka "sermon") will be focused around the power of the spirit (entitled "Where the Spirit of the Lord is...") and will re-cap the events of Ezekiel and Acts 2, leading into the Spirit's work in us today.

I've attached our worship folder this week to show what I mean...

We're not missing out on Pentecost!

[Gord Evans]

How is your church celebrating? Maybe I should say 'observing'? Have we 'anticipated'-- waited?
Russ

Each week we have a prayer meeting Sunday evening and Wednesday evening ... this week we met for prayer each night of the week, waiting, anticipating, praying for fresh wind, fresh fire, fresh faith, fresh power ...

This Sunday morning our musical worship will recognize our hunger and thirst for Him, the coming of the Holy Spirit ... our preaching will do the same.

Come Holy Spirit ...

Cedardale worship - Sunday, June 4th (http://www.cedardalechurch.ca/worship.html)

[Edith K. Thurmond]

We've begun a small little column in our weekly worship folder entitled "...in spirit and truth...". The hope is that each week we will feature something about worship to be able to explain what we do, how we do it, or why we do it (to be able to worship "in truth"). It's amazing what we take for granted in our churches and worship services. We need to teach each other and subsequent generations what we do - to be true to who we are. Past weeks have explained things like the colors of the church year or what the Feast of the Ascension is. Dennis Bratcher's website (www.crivoice.org (http://www.crivoice.org)) has been an invaluable resource for us.

This week, Pentecost was the obvious choice. Space is limited though, and we put a whole lot more on the back of the worship folder.

In addition, we utilize the revised common lectionary, and the readings certainly pertain to Pentecost (including the passage from Ezekiel that Barb already mentioned). As such, the spoken word (aka "sermon") will be focused around the power of the spirit (entitled "Where the Spirit of the Lord is...") and will re-cap the events of Ezekiel and Acts 2, leading into the Spirit's work in us today.

I've attached our worship folder this week to show what I mean...

We're not missing out on Pentecost!

Jeremy, just a note to encourage you and let you know that I appreciate what you are doing and teaching in your pastoral ministry. Having watched you on NN and another forum, I do value your insights and know that you will continue to teach us all. Your platform is wide - your influence is great! The future of the church is bright with young men like you as leaders. Can't wait to see how God uses you in the next 20 years!

Blessings to you and yours,

[Russell Metcalfe]

Thanks for the (attractive) bulletin. For what it is worth, I've been thinking I could sit under your ministry and enjoy growing in grace! Good for you!
Russell M.

[Edith K. Thurmond]

Thanks for the (attractive) bulletin. For what it is worth, I've been thinking I could sit under your ministry and enjoy growing in grace! Good for you!
Russell M.

Dr. Metcalfe, you said it so well! My thoughts were, "Where were pastors like Jeremy when I was young?" Sitting under Jeremy's ministry would be a wonderful privilege but for now NN and CRI will have to be how he ministers to those of us outside that little town in New England.

Thanks ever so much for starting this thread on Pentecost!

God's continued blessings to you,

[Michael B. Ross]

I was guest preacher this morning at a Nazarene church. The large congregation was comprised of friendly folks who seemed to enjoy worshipping.

It was clear, however, that generally they were not aware of it being Pentecost Sunday. They also seemed unaware of a Christian calendar. (My conclusions are based on some private conversations I had with church leaders and some comments I made during the sermon.)

I am preaching there the next two weeks, also. Several mentioned to me that two weeks from today is Father's Day and that they hope I will focus on it. I told them I probably would not be doing that.

In my thinking Pentecost is one of three great days in the church year, equally important with Christmas (the Incarnation) and Easter (Passion and Redemption/Resurrection) as the Outpouring of the Promise of the Father, or Birthday of the Church as such.
Christmas and Easter are celebrated/observed/even commercialized- recognized as holidays. The secular community has not plugged into the Coming of the Holy Spirit, at least in our culture. But many churches will pass tomorrow and never know it is 'special.' (This is especially true the years it may happen to fall on Mothers' Day.)
How is your church celebrating? Maybe I should say 'observing'? Have we 'anticipated'-- waited?
Russ

[G R 'Scott' Cundiff]

We had a good Pentecost Sunday at Alvin Nazarene. This morning I preached on the Holy Spirit and heart purity. We sang some of the old songs out of the hymnal -- "How the Fire Fell" and "Let Thy Mantle Fall on Me" and "Holy Spirit, Be My Guide."

Last Wednesday I handed out two pages of Scriptures about the Holy Spirit and asked people to come prepared to tell us something they know about the Holy Spirit in the Sunday evening service. We sang contemporary songs that talked about the Holy Spirit, finishing up with "Breath." People shared their thoughts about the Holy Spirit and hearts were warmed.

I finished the sermon telling about Dave and Linda McClung's experience in Africa and told the congregation that I don't necessarily long to hear the sound of the rushing, mighty wind, but I do long for a fresh anointing of the Holy Spirit.

It was a good Pentecost Sunday for us!

[Edith K. Thurmond]

All hymns sung in church today were centered around Pentecost or Whitsunday. The following was my favorite and I have been singing it a good bit this afternoon as it is still 'speaking' to me. The theology is profound and I pray for God to continue his work in this heart.



Whitsunday Hymn by Cowley


1. Hail thee! Spirit, Lord eternal,
Love omnipotent, supernal.
Honor meet to thee we render,
Veneration deep and tender:


REFRAIN: Hail, Lord God the Holy Ghost!


2. Hail, free Spirit, all transcending,
Yet to mortals condescending!
At this festal tide we laud thee,
Praise and homage we accord thee:


REFRAIN: Hail, Lord God the Holy Ghost!


3. Gracious Spirit, light diffusing,
Breath of life in man infusing;
Blessed are the souls that know thee,
Joy and peace thy children owe thee:


REFRAIN: Hail, Lord God the Holy Ghost!


4. Eternal truth, wise Creator,
Fallen man's illuminator!
Light of reason, hope, ambition,
Fire of love and true contrition:


REFRAIN: Hail, Lord God the Holy Ghost!


5. Spirit, man for sin reproving,
Wayward hearts most gently moving;
When by sin we sorely grieve thee,
Naught but pleading love perceive we:


REFRAIN: Hail, Lord God the Holy Ghost!


6. Purest Spirit, sanctifying
Quickened souls, on grace relying;
Cleanse, renew thy creatures lowly,
Guide, inspire, and make us holy:


REFRAIN: Hail, Lord God the Holy Ghost!


7. Spirit, Comforter indwelling.
Mightiest earthly aid excelling;
Lord, who in thy Church abidest,
There to us thyself confidest:


REFRAIN: Hail, Lord God the Holy Ghost!


8. Paraclete, anointing, sealing,
Secret things of God revealing;
Souls by inner light transforming,
Heart and will to Christ conforming:


REFRAIN: Hail, Lord God the Holy Ghost!


9. Lord, to thee who all sustaineth,
God, with Father, Son, who reignest,
Glory be from all creation,
Worship, love and adoration:


REFRAIN: Hail, Lord God the Holy Ghost! Amen.

[Marsha Gupton]

We had a wonderful service at Nashville First church today. We had baptism, receiving of new members and communion. Pastor preached from Acts 1: 1-12 and we had an all church covered dinner after an abreviated sunday school time.

We sang such songs as Revive Us O Lord, The Comforter Has Come, Revive Us Again, Holy Spirit Rain Down.

[Charlene Clevenger]

We sang Pentecostal Power and the Pastor preached from Ezekiel 37. It was a great sermon.