Worship Bulletin—May 28, 2023

Prelude: God of Grace and God of Glory (arr. Paul Manz)

Call to Worship—Rev. Tom Elson, Mia Wijsen, Evon Wahba, Sandra Ramos, Rosemarie Eichner-Raja

One (English): Holy Spirit, in the beginning
you moved over the waters.
From your breath all creation drew life.
Without you, life turns to dust.

All (English): Come, Holy Spirit!

One (Dutch): Heilige Raadgever, door Uw inspiratie spraken de profeten, en handelden in geloof en vertrouwen. U kleedde ze in macht, om dragers te zijn van Uw woord.

Holy Counselor, by your inspiration the prophets spoke and acted in faith. You clothed them in power to be bearers of your Word.

All (English): Holy Counselor, come!

One (Arabic):
!يا روح القوة
.لقد نزلت كنارٍ على تلاميذ يسوع
لقد منحتهم أن ينطقوا [بالحق] أمام حُكَّام هذا العالم

Spirit of Power, you came as fire to Jesus’ disciples; you gave them voice before the rulers of this world.

All (English): Strengthen us, Spirit of Power!

One (Spanish): Espíritu Santificador, tu nos haces un templo vivo de tu presencia; tu intercedas dentro de nosotros con suspiros demasiado profundos para las palabras.

Sanctifying Spirit, you make us the living temple of your presence; you intercede within us with sighs too deep for words.

All (English): Be alive in us, Sanctifying Spirit!

One (French): Saint-Esprit, tu guides l’Église que tu as créée. Tu nous fais des dons—
L’esprit de sagesse…

Holy Spirit, you guide the Church that you have created. You give us gifts—
The spirit of wisdom…

One (Dutch): Geest van moed…

The spirit of courage…

One (Arabic):
يا روح القداسة

The spirit of holiness…

One (Spanish): El espíritu de reverencia…

The spirit of reverence…

One (French): …pour que la création entière devienne ce que tu désires qu’elle soit.

…so that the whole creation may become what you want it to be.

All (English): Holy Spirit, guide us and be with us.

One (English): True and only Light, who gives us every good gift,
send your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind.
Open our minds by the flame of your wisdom.
Loosen our tongues to praise you,
for only in your Spirit can we embody your peace
and proclaim Jesus as Lord.

All (English): Come, Holy Spirit!

Song: Holy Spirit Ever Dwelling (#289)

Holy Spirit ever dwelling
in the holiest realms of light
Holy Spirit ever brooding
o’er a world of gloom and night
Holy Spirit ever raising
sons of earth to thrones on high
Living life imparting spirit
thee we praise and magnify

Holy Spirit ever living
as the Church’s very life
Holy Spirit ever striving
through her in a ceaseless strife
Holy Spirit ever forming
in the Church the mind of Christ
You we praise with endless worship
for your fruit and gifts unpriced

Holy Spirit ever working
through the Church’s ministry
Quickening, strengthening, and absolving
setting captive sinners free
Holy Spirit ever binding
age to age and soul to soul
In a fellowship unending
you we worship and extol

“Holy Spirit Ever Dwelling” by Julius Rontgen, Timothy Rees. © Public Domain. CCLI License # 133385

Prayer of Confession—Rev. Mark Stryker

Merciful and gracious God,
our hearts cry out for you to make us whole again.
Even as we celebrate that you have come to dwell within us, we confess that
we have sinned against you and abandoned your commandments.
We have been jealous, possessive, ambivalent, and impulsive.
We have not heeded your Word and we have not cherished your covenant.
Help us to glorify you in all times and in all places.
As our souls thirst for your living waters, refresh us with your Spirit
and satisfy us with your love to do what is just and what is merciful.

Assurance of Pardon

One: Friends, believe the good news of the gospel.
All: In Jesus Christ we are forgiven and are being made whole. Amen.

Passing the Peace

One: The peace of Christ be with you.
All: And also with you.

Regathering Music: I’m Gonna Sing

I’m gonna sing when the spirit says 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

I’m gonna shout when the spirit says shout
I’m gonna shout when the spirit says shout
I’m gonna shout when the spirit says shout
And obey the spirit of the Lord

I’m gonna preach when the spirit says preach
I’m gonna preach when the spirit says preach
I’m gonna preach when the spirit says preach
And obey the spirit of the Lord

I’m gonna pray when the spirit says pray
I’m gonna pray when the spirit says pray
I’m gonna pray when the spirit says pray
And obey the spirit of the Lord

I’m gonna sing when the spirit says 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

“I’m Gonna Sing When the Spirit Says Sing” Traditional. © Public Domain

Welcome—Rev. Dr. Charlene Han Powell

Scripture: Ephesians 1:1-14—Joshua Daniel

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God,

To the saints who are in Ephesus and are faithful in Christ Jesus:

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved. In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and insight he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you had heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.

One: The word of the Lord.
All: Thanks be to God.

Sermon: Why Do We Exist?—Rt. Rev. Dr. Zac Niringiye

Musical Reflection: Spirit Song

Oh let the son of God enfold you
with his spirit and his love
let him fill your heart and satisfy your soul
oh let him have those things that hold you
and his spirit like a dove
will descend upon your life
and make you whole

Jesus oh Jesus
come and fill your lambs
Jesus oh Jesus
come and fill your lambs

Oh come and sing this song with gladness
as your hearts are filled with joy
lift your hands in sweet surrender to his name
oh give him all your tears and sadness
give him all your years of pain
and you’ll enter into life
in Jesus’ name

“Spirit Song” by John Wimber. © 1979 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing. CCLI License # 133385

Lord’s Prayer—Rev. Michelle Vecchio-Lyzenga

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.

Call to Give

Song: Sweet Sweet Spirit

There’s a sweet, sweet spirit in this place
and I know that it’s the spirit of the Lord
There are sweet expressions on each face
and I know they feel the presence of the Lord

Sweet Holy Spirit
sweet heavenly dove
stay right here with us
filling us with your love
and for these blessings
we lift our hearts in praise
Without a doubt we’ll know
that we have been revived
when we shall leave this place

There are blessings you cannot receive
till you know him in his fullness and believe
You’re the one to profit when you say
I am going to walk with Jesus all the way

“Sweet Sweet Spirit” by Doris Akers. © 1962, Renewed 1990 Manna Music, Inc.

Benediction—Rev. Dr. Charlene Han Powell, Rt. Rev. Dr. Zac Niringiye

Postlude: VI. Poco vivace from Kleine Praludiem un Intermezzi (Hermann Schroeder)

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