May 24, 2026 - Pentecost
Prelude: We Pray Now to the Holy Spirit
Buxtehude
Welcome & Call to Worship
The wind of God blows across the waters; the breath of God gives life to the world!
Come, Holy Spirit, and fill our hearts with Your light!
On this Pentecost morning, God pours out the Holy Spirit upon all flesh.
We come to be ignited by Your truth and united WITH Your love.
On this Memorial Day weekend, we also remember those who gave their lives in service.
We bring our grief, our gratitude, and our deep longing for Your peace.
In a world fractured by war and divisions, the Comforter stands right WITH US.
You are with us in our memories, our losses, and our brightest hopes.
Let us worship the God who binds our wounds and breathes new life into our souls!
Let us worship the God whose BEING is WITH US!
Come Down, O Love Divine (Hymn 313)
Bianco da Siena/Williams
Come down, O Love divine, seek out this soul of mine
And visit it with Your own ardor glowing;
O comforter, draw near, within my heart appear,
And kindle it, Your holy flame bestowing.
O let it freely burn, till earthly passions turn
To dust and ashes in its heat consuming;
And let Your glorious light shine ever on my sight,
And clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
And so the yearning strong with which the soul will long
Shall far outpass the power of human telling;
For none can guess God’s grace, till Love creates a place
Wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.
Confession
Merciful God, we confess that we often fail to recognize Your presence WITH US. You promise to never leave us nor forsake us; yet, we live as though we are completely on our own. Lord, on this Memorial Day weekend, we also confess our short memories as we take for granted the freedoms we have in our life and faith bought by the sacrifices of others while we easily ignore the brokenness of war. Help us to become peacemakers. Awaken our hearts to the reality of Your constant love that is WITH US. Comfort those who carry the heavy burden of loss this weekend. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Silence
Breathe on Me, Breath of God (Hymn 316)
Hatch/Jackson
Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew,
That I may love what Thou dost love, and do what Thou wouldst do.
Breathe on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly Thine,
Until this earthly part of me glows with Thy fire divine.
Forgiveness in Jesus Christ
Peace
The peace of Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Doxology (Hymn 592)
Ken/Genevan Psalter
Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
Prayer for Illumination
Scripture Readings
John Yoder
Luke 10:38-42
John 12:1-8
Spirit of the Living God (Hymn 322)
Iverson
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Spirit of the living God, move among us all;
Make us one in heart and mind, make us one in love.
Humble, caring, selfless, sharing –
Spirit of the living God, move among us all.
Sermon: Love is “being with.”
Rev. Pamela Starbuck
Response: How Deep the Father’s Love
Townend
How deep the Father's love for us, how vast beyond all measure
That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss. The Father turns His face away
as wounds which mar the chosen One bring many sons to glory.
Behold the Man upon a cross, my sin upon His shoulders.
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life; I know that it is finished.
I will not boast in anything: no gifts, no power, no wisdom.
But I will boast in Jesus Christ: His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward? I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart: His wounds have paid my ransom.
Pastoral Prayer & The Lord's Prayer
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, and deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen.
Call to Stewardship
Let each of you look not to your own interests, but to the interests of others. -Philippians 2:4
Sending: We are One in the Spirit
Scholtes
We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord;
We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord;
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
Refrain:
And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand;
We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand;
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
(Refrain)
We will work with each other; we will work side by side;
We will work with each other; we will work side by side;
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.
(Refrain)
All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, God’s only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:
(Refrain)
Charge & Benediction
Postlude: Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling
Dutch melody/Burkhardt
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