From Rev. Ben –
Happy Pentecost to you! This week’s celebration observes the holy day that tradition calls the Church’s birthday. It is a day when we remember that God speaks every language, and that the people of God come from every place. It’s also a Sunday when people wear red to church, and so if you are coming to our online family hour, I hope you will wear red.
You can submit comments and prayer requests via our Comments Form at mpcfamily.org/comments . We’d love to hear from you!
If you are visiting today, we hope you’ll fill out our online Visitor Card at mpcfamily.org/hello .
View May 23rd Celebration online
- Kim will present our prelude, “We Are One in the Spirit”,
- I will welcome us to celebration,
- Jan Stites will call us to celebration using an orthodox prayer that has been adapted for Protestant use,
- The opening hymn is “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”,
- Kel Bowen and their dog will lead us in a prayer for peace,
- Claire Kelly will read Acts 2:1-21, which may be the most difficult passage read regularly in church (she does a great job),
- I will preach a Pentecost sermon,
- The choir will sing “Come Down, O Love Divine”,
- I will lead us in prayer, using an adaptation of selected verses from Psalm 96,
- The closing hymn is “Go to the World!”,
- I will close by presenting a family life video and benediction.
In addition to the spiritual meaning of Pentecost, this also is the Sunday when Presbyterians collect the Pentecost Offering, which supports Presbyterian ministries with children and youth (more information below). I hope you will join me in being generous in supporting this good work.
Please stay tuned as we roll out our new way of gathering for worship. Starting June 6 we will be doing hybrid in person and online celebrations on Sunday mornings. This means that many of us will be able to join together for outdoor celebration in person, and those who cannot meet in person for whatever reason will still be able to join using a computer, tablet or smart phone. There are still details yet to be worked out (some of which will be dictated by Alameda County’s various rules about wearing masks and gathering), and we’ll do our very best to keep you posted.
The Charge (say together) Go out into the world in peace. Have courage; hold on to what is good. Return no one evil for evil. Strengthen the faint-hearted, support the weak, and help the suffering. Honor all people. Love and serve God, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit.