May 19, 2002 - Pentecost
Food Bank Sunday, Baptism, Communion
& Volunteer Appreciation
With this festival of Pentecost we enter the Season of Pentecost in which we consider myriad ways the Spirit sustains, directs, challenges, empowers, and unites the whole people of God upon which it is poured. Where will the season of the Spirit now lead?
Prelude “Spirit of God” by Atkinson
A time of silent preparation—Lighting the Christ Candle
Call to Worship (Responsive)
One: Something amazing is happening among us!
All: God is in our midst, calling us to be the church.
One: Let the Holy Spirit fill us with visions of faithfulness.
All: We worship knowing that we will be forever changed! Praise be to God!
Hymn #644 “I Was There to Hear Your Borning Cry” vs. 1-3
(During the singing of this hymn – those sharing in the service of Baptism please join James on the Chancel. Children, please come forward and sit at the front, on the steps so you can share in the baptismal service.)
Jane: On behalf of the Board of Westminster United Church, I present the following children for initiation into the body of Christ through Baptism:
Samantha Brynn Reichert daughter of Jennifer & Blake Reichert
Adrianna Lorraine West daughter of Trevor & Lana West
“Do you desire to have your child baptised and do you accept the responsibility of acting and speaking on your child’s behalf?”
…I do, by the Grace of God.
“Do you believe in the love of God?
…Yes, I do.
Do you believe that God is made known to us in Jesus of Nazareth, who lived and died and lives again?
…Yes, I do.
Do you believe that the Spirit of God is active in the world to direct and strengthen you?
…Yes, I do.
Will you endeavour to explore the Christian life with your child and to journey along side your child in search of ever deepening spiritual realities?
…I will, God being my helper.
Baptismal Promises of the Congregation (Please stand)
Do you receive these children with love and concern?
…Yes, I do
As a baptised and baptising church, do you commit yourselves to support and nurture these persons within a community which worships God, resists evil and seeks justice?
…I do, God being my helper
Do you promise to assist in the Christian education of the children who seek the spiritual guidance and nurture of this church by providing the learning, resources, leadership and opportunities that will be required?
…Yes, I do so promise, God being my helper. (Please be seated)
Let us Pray
Benevolent and holy God, we bless you for the gift of life, and, within it, the gift of
water. Over its unshaped promise your Spirit hovered at creation; by water comes the growth of the earth. Through water you led the children of Israel to freedom; in the waters of the Jordan your Child, Jesus, was baptised. Now may your Spirit be
upon us and what we do, that this water may be a sign for all of new life in Christ, in whose name we pray. Amen.
The Baptismal Elder pours the water.
The Baptism (All relatives and friends of the children who are being baptised are asked to stand where they are seated in the pew).
_____________________, “I baptise you in the name of the Father, the Son & the Holy Spirit, the God who has created and is creating; Jesus Christ, the word made flesh; and the Holy Spirit who works in us and others. With the sign of the Cross, you are marked as Christ's forever.”
People Respond: “Amen.”
Laying on of Hands
(The parents, elder, and minister place their hands on the person baptised to indicate the action of the Holy Spirit.)
____________________, “the power of the Holy Spirit work within you, that being born of water and the Spirit, you may be a faithful witness of Jesus Christ.”
People Respond: “Amen.”
The Blessing
The Lord bless you and keep you,
May the Lord’s face shine upon you, and be gracious unto you
The light of the Lord’s countenance be upon you, and give you peace.
Hymn #644 “I Was There To Hear Your Borning Cry” vs. 4-7
The Sunday School & Youth leave for their classes.
We Remain in God’s Presence Through Confession
Generous God, you give us the gift of your Spirit, but at times we have not known how to use it. You send us the Spirit of courage, but we are sometimes afraid. You send us the Spirit of healing, but it can be difficult to let go of our hurts. Holy Spirit of forgiveness, come to us again: shake our hearts, set our souls on fire with your love: send us out into the world rejoicing in your power…(Silent Confession)
Assurance of Pardon (One)
Hear the Good News: We have been embraced as dearly loved children of God. God’s Spirit has set us free!
Biblical Notes
Filled with new wine
Anthem “Grace Us, O Lord” by Joseph M. Martin
John 20:19-22 From the Christian Scriptures Pg. 146
Receive the Holy Spirit (Read from the New Revised Standard Version)
One: This is the Good News of Jesus Christ
We Respond In Giving And Gratitude
Offertory “Holy Spirit, Truth Divine” by Hegarty
In the just reward of labour, God’s will is done.
In the help we give our neighbour, God’s will is done.
In our world-wide task of caring for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvest we are sharing, God’s will is done.
God, we return our gifts to you, and ask that you will use them with Love, to bring compassion to those in need, and to bring closer your Realm of justice and mercy. Amen.
Invitation to the Service of the Table
This Communion liturgy was written by some of the youth of St. Jude’s Church in Oakville, Ontario and is used with only slight modification.
Hymn #510 “We Have This Ministry”
Service of the Table
One: Feel safe with God.
All: We are safe in God’s hands. Yahweh!
One: Be excellent to each other.
All: We will try with all our hearts.
One: Praise the Holy One.
All: Today and forever!
One: May the Holy One be praised all the days and nights of our lives. We remember our parents and all they have done for us. We know they have been a big influence in our lives. We remember our friends who stand by us in troubled times. We remember we are united with God and will always be safe within the family of God.
God’s with you. God’s with me.
God is alive in our community.
Holy God, you are our Creator, our Maker, our Protector, our Helper. When things were getting desperate, you sent Jesus to help us fix that mess. Jesus is our friend; He is part of our family. Jesus is the Healer. One night, after Jesus had been with his friends awhile, they all got together. Some knew that this was good-bye. Jesus shared a special gift. He talked about his body and the body of community around him. He broke bread with his friends: food for the journey; food to keep the body alive.
We share this bread of Life with one another.
When they were finished eating together, Jesus poured another cup of wine. He told them stories which at the time, they could not understand. He talked about the vineyard and the vine; the planting and the harvesting; the making of the wine. He talked about labour and love and forgiveness. Then he lifted the cup before them and blessed it. “This is the cup of my being and the promise of kinship.”
We are one family sharing in the being of Christ.
This was an amazing thing to do! Jesus could only do this with the energy of the Spirit. He went around the table and said good-bye to each of his friends. There were many tears. But…some knew that this was not good-bye.
Amen!
(The Bread and the Cup are shared)
Prayer after Communion (Unison)
We give thanks, almighty God, that you have refreshed us at your table by granting us the presence of Jesus Christ. Strengthen our faith, increase our love for one another, and send us forth into the world united in courage and peace, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Hymn #202 “O Breath of Life” tune 437
Commissioning
God of power, may the boldness of your Spirit transform us, may the gentleness of your Spirit lead us, may the gifts of your Spirit equip us to serve and worship you now and always.
Choral Amen
Remits
#884 “You Shall Go Out With Joy”
You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace;
the mountains and the hills will break forth before you;
there'll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field
will clap, will clap their hands!
And all the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands, (clap, clap)
the trees of the field will clap their hands (clap, clap)
while you go out with joy.
Thought For Today
And all who told it added something new,
And all who heard it made enlargements too.
by Alexander Pope