Picture of Cross

First Presbyterian Church - 346 Broadway - Haverhill, MA 01832 - Telephone (978) 374-8029

Pentecost ~ May 11, 2008

 

PREPARATION

(*All who are able, please stand)

MEDITATION FOR PREPARATION (in silence) 

Come, join the flight of the Spirit.

Come, spread your wings and rise,

For the promise of God is a life filled with flight.

Come away, why stay behind?

Come, fly.

Choral Introit

WELCOME  (Lay Leader:  Shannon Croteau)

*CALL TO WORSHIP (responsive)

Holy Spirit, rain down on this place
Let our souls drink your goodness
Let our hearts overflow
Holy Spirit, rain down on this place!

*HYMN OF PRAISE                                   Spirit, Now Live in Me”                     (insert)

  CALL TO CONFESSION

The flames of the Spirit set our hearts on fire. They inspire us to sing, dance and praise God. They also illuminate our lives so we may see where we have fallen short. And then that same Spirit melts our hearts so they can be shaped again. Let us then, confess our sins before God and one another using the prayer of confession in our order of worship.

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (unison)

We confess we have fired our tongues to wound others. We divide ourselves and forget to live in the peace you promise us in Christ. Forgive us, we pray. Free us to praise you in our words and our deeds.

SILENT PRAYER

Musical Prayer Response

WORDS OF ASSURANCE (Responsive)

Like the rush of a violent wind, the Holy Spirit filled the house, changing each language and making them one.

With this same Holy Spirit, God will make us one.
In the name of Jesus Christ, praise God! You are forgiven!
In the name of Jesus Christ, praise God! You are forgiven!

*GLORY TO THE FATHER                             

            Glory be to the Father,

            And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost,

            As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,

            World without end. Amen, Amen.

A CONVERSATION WITH OUR YOUNG PEOPLE

*HYMN                                                  It’s Beginning to Rain”                                            (insert)

PROCLAMATION OF THE WORD

SCRIPTURE READINGS

Psalm 104:24-34, 35b                                                                             (pgs. 555-556, OT)

Joel 2:28-29                                                                                                     (pg. 848, OT)

Dramatic Reading of Acts 2

INTERPRETATION OF THE WORD                  Dream On!”                 Pastor Tedrow

RESPONSE TO THE WORD

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH  (responsive) From “Belonging to God: A First Catechism”

What were the results of Pentecost?

The Holy Spirit filled the first Christians with joy revealing what Jesus had done for us. The Spirit inspired them to understand and proclaim the gospel, and to live a new life together in thanksgiving to God.

How do these results continue today?

The Holy Spirit also moves us to understand and believe the gospel, gives us strength and wisdom to live by it, and unites us into a new community called the church.

What else does the Holy Spirit do for the church?

The Spirit gathers us to worship God, builds us up in faith, hope, and love, and sends us into the world to proclaim the gospel and to work for justice and peace.

*HYMN                                    “Holy, Holy  Vs. 1, 4 and 5                                     No. 69

THE PRESENTATION OF OUR TITHES AND OFFERINGS
OFFERTORY ANTHEM  
                    Rejoice and Sing!                        -Rollo Dilworth

Rejoice and sing!  Lift your voices and let’s join the celebration.  Let freedom ring in your hearts as a source of inspiration.  When the Spirit says, “Sing,” I will sing.  Celebrate!  Celebrate!  Celebrate and rejoice!  Celebrate!  Celebrate and sing!  When the Spirit says, “Sing,” I will sing.  I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says, “Sing.”  I’m gonna sing when the Spirit says, “Sing,” and obey the Spirit of the Lord!  Rejoice and sing.  Lift your voices and let’s join the celebration.

*THE DOXOLOGY            

Praise God from whom all blessing flow;

            Praise Him all creatures here below;

            Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts;

            Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen

*PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

*THE LORD’S PRAYER

Choral Prayer Response

 

THE GIFTS OF THE SPIRIT (Based on Isaiah 11:1-3)

            As each of the candles is lit, representing each of the seven gifts, you are invited

            to reflect on which gift of the Spirit you believe is most important for your life

            right now. As we go through the litany, you will have the opportunity to stand and

            receive a candle representing that gift.

LITANY (responsive)

With the gift of wisdom which can handle the problems of daily living:

Let us work for a better life for all.

(Please stand if you wish to receive the gift of wisdom.)

With the gift of understanding which gives us clarity of truth:

Let us see others not with our eyes, but with our hearts.

(Please stand if you wish to receive the gift of understanding.)

With the gift of courage which will not stay still:

Let us speak for those who have no voice.

(Please stand if you wish to receive the gift of courage.)

With the gift of knowledge which teaches us how to search and learn:

Let us look for solutions to the problems of our world.

(Please stand if you wish to receive the gift of knowledge.)

With the gift of reverence which moves us to whole-heartedly worship the Lord:

Let us no longer be afraid to express our joy at being children of God.

(Please stand if you wish to receive the gift of reverence.)

With the gift of wonder which causes delight for all the mysteries in this world and beyond:

Let us truly find ways to glorify God and enjoy God forever.

(Please stand if you wish to receive the gift of wonder.)

CONRGREGATIONAL CONCERNS

*HYMN                                                    Every Time I Feel the Spirit”                            (insert)

*BENEDICTION

*MUSICAL RESPONSE                            Shackles”                     (Sung by Mary Mary)

Take the shackles off my feet, so I can dance. I just want to praise you, I just want to praise you! You broke my chains, now I can lift my hands. And I am gonna praise you, I’m gonna praise you!  In the corners of my mind I just can’t seem to find the reason to believe that I can break free. You see, I have been down so long and that all my hope is gone but as I lift my hands, I understand I can praise you through my circumstance! Everything that could go wrong, all went wrong at one time. So much pressure fell on me, I thought I was gonna lose my mind. Lord, I  know you want to see if I will hold on through these trials. But I need you to lift this load ‘Cause I can’t take it no more.  Been through the fire and the rain, more than every care to take. God, you broke my chains today!  So, let me go right now!

                                

END OF WORSHIP – BEGINNING OF SERVICE

 

PRAYER LIST

    Please send your prayer list by Wednesday at 1:00pm. Call the church office (978) 374-8029 and leave a message on the voice mail, or send an e-mail to the church at firstpres_hav@verizon.net Thank you!

Pastor:  The Rev. Tricia Tedrow

Clerk of Session: Shannon Croteau   

Music Director:  Yakov Presayzen

Chair of Deacons: Rob Heinze

Sexton:  Charlie Jardine

 

    FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF HAVERHILL

    346 Broadway, Haverhill, MA 01832      Tel. No.978-374-8029

    Web Site--www.FirstPresbyterianHaverhill.org

    firstpres_hav@verizon.net/

     

    All announcements for the bulletin should be to the office by Wednesday at 1:00pm. Please call the church office (978) 374-8029 and leave a message on the voice mail, or send an e-mail to the church at firstpres_hav@verizon.net.  Thank you!