WEDNESDAY WORSHIP

[Divide the congregation into 3 or 4 groups. When they get to the circle chorus, have one group begin with “And suddenly from heaven…” and then the next group begins “And suddenly from heaven…”  Each group begins and keeps reading the sentence three times so that it becomes a roar while ends with a quiet, “and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.”  The leader will have to cue each group as if it were a choir coming in at different points.  The leader will say, “And suddenly from heaven…” with each group.  If they begin to fade before it’s over, come in with another “And suddenly from heaven…”

*Singing          “It Can Be a Girl”  #112 Global Praise 2

*Call to Worship in the Power of the Holy Spirit

Voice:             When the day of Pentecost had come they were all together in one place

Circle Chorus:  And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.

ABSOLUTE SILENCE

DEEP BREATH TOGETHER

All Whisper:   Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them and a tongue rested on each of them.

ALL LOUD:   ALL OF THEM WERE FILLED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BEGAN TO SPEAK IN OTHER LANGUAGES, AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM ABILITY

*Song of Many Languages:      “Amazing Grace” Have different groups sing different languages then sing all the languages at once in a kind of Pentecost  multi-language experience.  Sing just verse one.

#378 United Methodist Hymnal  See what other languages might be present in your group.

Scripture: Acts 2:36-47

Voice 1:          “Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Voice 2:          Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles,

Voices:            “Brothers, what should we do?”

Voice 1            “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.  Save yourself from this corrupt generation!”

Voice 2            So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.  They devoted themselves to the apostles teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Voice 3:          Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles.

Voice 1:          All who believed were together and had all things in common:  they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need.

Voice 2:          Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts.

Voice 3:          They praised God and having the good will of all the people, day by day, the Lord added to their number those were being saved.

Love Feast Hymn:       “There are Tables in Our City” #19 Global Praise 2

Love Feast of Bread and Water: 

The love feast was adopted from the Moravians into Methodism by John Wesley who wanted Christians to love God and each other whenever they bread was shared.  This expresses love for the world in the simple foods of survival.

LEADER:        Christians in Acts pooled their resources and shared with others according

to their need.  We live in a time when it is as important as ever to share with those according to their needs.  But this is not common.  We need to read Acts again and be inspired by the possibilities of sharing.

One way of reminding ourselves to share is through a love feast.  John

Wesley borrowed the practice from the Moravians.  A love feast reminds us that Jesus fed people spiritually.  He feasted with friends and sinners

alike, and, when people on the hillside were hungry, he gave them loaves and fishes.

We are his followers and we are hungry‑‑‑hungry for more people to share so that suffering will decrease.  Come today to share a simple feast of water and crackers. Come with a neighbor and give her a cup and cracker with the words, “Take this water and cracker as a sign of love in action.”

[People can come forward or water cups and crackers can be passed.]

Prayer for those who serve:  Prayer Calendar and the naming of people in mission.

Song to Inspire Us:  “Wind Who Makes all Winds that Blow”

 #538 United Methodist Hymnal (alternate tune: #302)

Bible Study:                Aruna Gnanadason

Song of Commitment:  “With Passion in our Hearts” #122 Global Praise 2

Sending Forth:             Go forth to witness by lives to the possibilities of new life in Christ.  In Christ, we are set free!   Free to do the will of God!  And the people said, AMEN!

WEDNESDAY VESPERS

Song of Celebration:   “Jump with Joy” Global Praise 2

100^th Psalm to Praise God

Left:     Make a joyful noise to the Lord all the earth!

Right:  Worship the Lord with Gladness!

Left:     Come into his presence with singing!

Right:  Know that the Lord is God!

Left:     It is God that made us and we belong to God.

Right:  We are a people of God, the sheep of God’s pasture.

Left:     Enter God’s gates with thanksgiving!

Right:  And enter the courts of God with praise!

Left:     Give thanks to God, bless God’s very name!

Right:  God is good! 

Left:     God’s steadfast love endures forever!

Right:  And God’s faithfulness is for all generations!

Psalm 46 “I Will Bless the Lord” # 46 Global Praise 2

Blessing:         Go and rest, let the joy and love of Jesus, the first born of God, be in your heart, tonight and always!  And the people said, AMEN!