St. Matthew Lutheran Church

Sunday, May 31, 2020

Day of Pentecost

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Song  O Day Full of Grace” LBW # 161, vs 1- 5

Confession & Forgiveness

Greeting & Kyrie

Canticle of Praise  Glory to God…”

Prayer of the Day

First Reading, Numbers 11:24-30

Psalm # 25

Second Reading, Acts 2:1-21

Holy Gospel, John 7:37-39

Sermon

Hymn of the Day “Jesus Call Us, O’er the Tumult” – LBW # 494, vs 1 - 5

Nicene Creed

Prayers of the Church

The Lord’s Prayer

Blessing & Response

Dismissal

Sending Song  Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart” - LBW # 486, vs 1 – 4

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Service Supplement

(Congregational responses are in bold print)

Welcome and Announcements            Pastor John

 

Gathering Song “O Day Full of Grace”   LBW # 161, vs 1 - 5

O day full of grace that now we see Appearing on earth’s horizon, Bring light from our God that we may be Replete in his joy this season. God, shine for us now in this dark place; Your name on our hearts emblazon.

 

O day full of grace, O blessed time, Our Lord on the earth arriving; Then came to the world that light sublime, Great joy for us all retrieving; For Jesus all mortals did embrace, All darkness and shame removing.

 

For Christ bore our sins, and not his own, When he on the cross was hanging; And then he arose and moved the stone, That we, unto him belonging, Might join with angelic hosts to raise Our voices in endless singing.

 

God came to us then at Pentecost, His Spirit new life revealing, That we might no more from him be lost, All darkness for us dispelling. His flame will the mark of sin efface And bring to us all his healing.

 

When we on that final journey go That Christ is for us preparing, We’’ gather in song, our hearts aglow, All joy of the heavens sharing, And walk in the light of God’s own place, With angels his name adoring.

 

Confession & Forgiveness       

Blessed be the holy Trinity, one God, who forgives all our sin, whose mercy endures forever. Amen.

 

God of all mercy and consolation, come to the help of your people, turning us from our sin to live for you alone. Give us the power of your Holy Spirit that we may confess our sin, receive your forgiveness, and grow into the fullness of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another. Gracious God, have mercy on us. We confess that we have turned from you and given ourselves into the power of sin. We are truly sorry and humbly repent. In your compassion forgive us our sins, known and unknown, things we have done and things we have failed to do. Turn us again to you, and uphold us by your Spirit, so that we may live and serve you in newness of life through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Amen.

 

God, who is rich in mercy, loved us even when we were dead in sin, and made us alive together with Christ. By grace you have been saved. In the name of Jesus Christ, your sins are forgiven. Almighty God strengthen you with power through the Holy Spirit, that Christ may live in your hearts through faith. Amen.

 

Greeting

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all. And also with you.

 

Kyrie         

In peace, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy. For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.  Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord. Amen.

 

Canticle of Praise  “Glory to God…”

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to God’s people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

 

Prayer of the Day           

Let us pray…O God, you taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit. Grant us, by the same Spirit, to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

 

First Reading:                                     Numbers 11:24-30

The Lord took some of the power of the Spirit from Moses and shared it with seventy men in the Israelite’s camp so they would share the job of prophesying to the people the Word of the Lord. There were two men outside of the camp who had been given the Spirit and they prophesied but did not stop like the others. Not understanding that it was a good thing, Joshua asked Moses to make them stop.

 

24Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered seventy men of the elders of the people and placed them around the tent. 25Then the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to him, and took some of the Spirit that was on him and put it on the seventy elders. And as soon as the Spirit rested on them, they prophesied. But they did not continue doing it. 26Now two men remained in the camp, one named Eldad, and the other named Medad, and the Spirit rested on them. They were among those registered, but they had not gone out to the tent, and so they prophesied in the camp. 27And a young man ran and told Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp.” 28And Joshua the son of Nun, the assistant of Moses from his youth, said, “My lord Moses, stop them.” 29But Moses said to him, “Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord’s people were prophets, that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” 30And Moses and the elders of Israel returned to the camp. This is the word of the Lord, thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm # 25:1-15           

The psalmist proclaims his trust in the Lord. He waits and longs for the wisdom of God who leads the humble in his ways.

 

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul; my God, I put my trust in you; let me not be humiliated, nor let my enemies triumph over me.

Let none who look to you be put to shame; let the treacherous be disappointed in their schemes.

Show me your ways, O Lord, and teach me your paths.

Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; in you have I trusted all the day long.

Remember, O Lord, your compassion and love, for they are from everlasting.

Remember not the sins of my youth and my transgressions; remember me according to your love and for the sake of your goodness, O Lord.

Gracious and upright is the Lord; therefore he teaches sinners in his way.

He guides the humble in doing right and teaches his way to the lowly.

All the paths of the Lord are love and faithfulness to those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

For your name’s sake, O Lord, forgive my sin, for it is great.

Who are they who fear the Lord? he will teach them the way that they should choose.

They shall dwell in prosperity, and their offspring shall inherit the land.

The Lord is a friend to those who fear him and will show them his covenant.

My eyes are ever looking to the Lord, for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Turn to me and have pity on me, for I am left alone and in misery.

 

Second Reading:                                Acts 2:1-21

As followers of Christ from all over gathered together after his ascension into heaven, the Spirit came to them as tongues of fire and a mighty wind. All were amazed at how everyone understood everything that was said, even when it was not in their own language. This was the beginning of the Church of Christ.

 

1When the day of Pentecost arrived, the disciples were all together in one place. 2And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians — we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.” 12And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” 13But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.” 14But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. 15For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. 16But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: 17‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; 18even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. 19And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; 20the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. 21And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” This is the Word of God, word of life, thanks be to God.

 

Holy Gospel: The Holy Gospel according to St. John, the 7th Chapter. Glory to you, O Lord. John 7:37-39: On the last day of the Feast of Tabernacles, which was a pilgrimage to Jerusalem to remember what God had done for his people in Egypt, Jesus spoke to his followers about the coming of the Holy Spirit. Jesus promised the disciples that anyone who believed in him would have living water flowing from them. This Living Water was nothing less than the Spirit of the living God.

 

37On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. 38Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’” 39Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. This is the gospel of the Lord, praise to you, O Christ.

 

Sermon                                             Pastor John

 

Hymn of the Day  Jesus Call Us…”      ELW # 494, vs 1 - 5

Jesus calls us; o’er the tumult Of our life’s wild, restless, sea; Day by day his clear voice sounding, Saying, “Christian, follow me.”

 

As of old Saint Andrew heard it By the Galilean lake, Turned from home and toil and kindred, Leaving all for his dear sake.

 

Jesus calls us from the worship Of the vain world’s golden store, From each idol that would keep us, Saying, “Christian, love me more.”

 

In our joys and in our sorrows, Days of toil and hours of ease, Still he calls, in cares and pleasures, “Christian, love me more than these.”

 

Jesus calls us! In your mercy, Savior, make us hear your call, Give our hearts to your obedience, Serve and love you best of all.

 

Nicene Creed:                                                      

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

 

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven; by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

 

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

 

Prayers of the Church:   

(P): Made alive in Christ and filled with his Spirit, let us pray for the church, the world, and all of God’s creation. A brief silence.

(W): Lord of Creation, you have placed us in a wondrous world that reflects your creative glory and power. We pray that you would look with kindness on all that you have made, and that the hearts of all living things may sing their thanks for generations to come. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Grant to your Church, O Lord, your Holy Spirit, and the wisdom which comes down from heaven, that your Word may not be bound, but be preached and heard with joy. Touch our hearts with the fire of your Spirit, that we may serve you in steadfast faith and, in the confession of your name, abide to the end. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Holy Spirit, fill us with your power that comes to us as faith and remove all doubt from our hearts.  Open our minds to understand the Scriptures and the work of Christ among us. Empower us to move beyond the walls of your holy church to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, crucified and risen from the dead, so that others might come to have life in his name. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(W): Holy Lord, through your Son you offer us Living Water that quenches our thirst for true life. Grant that we would daily drink of this water, putting all our trust in your promises. We lift up to you all those who are in need of your healing power and the water that slakes all thirst. Lord in your mercy, hear our prayer.

(P): Receive our prayers, merciful God, and dwell in us richly, through Jesus Christ, our life and our redeemer. Amen.

 

The Lord’s Prayer:                            

Lord, remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray…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 trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever and ever. Amen.

 

Blessing:    

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord’s face shine on you with grace and mercy. The Lord look upon you with favor and give you peace. Amen.

 

Dismissal:   (WA)

Go in peace. Christ is with you. Thanks be to God.

 

Sending Song  Spirit of God…”   LBW # 486, vs 1 – 4

Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; Wean it from earth; through all its pulses move; Stoop to my weakness, strength to me impart, And make me love you as I ought to love.

 

I ask no dream, no prophet ecstasies, No sudden rending of the veil of clay, No angel visitant, no opening skies; But take the dimness of my soul away.

 

Have you not bid me love you, God and King; All, all your own, soul, heart and strength and mind? I see your cross; there teach my heart to cling. O let me seek you, and oh, let me find!

 

Teach me to love you as your angels love, One holy passion filling all my frame; The baptism of the heaven descended dove, My heart an altar, and your love the flame.

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Scripture References to Ministry of the Holy Spirit

Old Testament:

 

Genesis 1:2-3 – at creation

Numbers 11:24-30 – the 70

Exodus 31:1-3 – filling with the Spirit of God

Exodus 35:30-35 – Bezalel with the Spirit of God for building crafts and teaching

Judges 3:9-10 – Othniel, raised up as Judge

Judges 6:34 – Gideon, taken possession

Judges 11:29 – Jephthah

Judges 13:24-25 – Sampson

Judges 15:14 – Sampson’s escape

 

New Testament:

 

1 Corinthians 2:9-12 – divine revelation

2 Peter 20:21 – inspiration of scripture

Luke 1:30-36 – conception of Christ

John 3:5-6 responsible for regeneration

Romans 8:9 – in dwelling at baptism

Matthew 3:14 – baptism of Jesus

Romans 8:14-16 – assurance of salvation

Galatians 5:16-25 – enablement of spiritual salvation