Sulphur Grove Church
GREETING
L: We are a church that's committed to...
C: GROWING DISCIPLES, LIVING AND SHARING GOD’S LOVE.
THE PEACE
L: May the grace and peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you always!
C: AND ALSO WITH YOU!
PRELUDE | Bryon Dobbs - Piano
“Amazing Grace”
arr. by Robert Vandall
CALL TO WORSHIP
L: Like the disciples, we gather in this space, united by our relationship with the Risen Christ.
C: We come ready to receive what God has to give.
L: Just as tongues of fire descended on the disciples,
C: We receive the gift of the Spirit’s power and inspiration.
L: Just as the resurrected Christ breathed the Spirit onto the disciples,
C: We receive the gift of the Spirit’s peace and wisdom.
L: As the lifegiving and peacemaking Holy Spirit blazes through us today,
C: We receive the gift of the Spirit’s fire that unites us as the Body of Christ.
L: Let us join together now in praise and worship of God who dwells in the hearts of those who love the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
HYMN
“Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire” #603
1. Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire,
let us thine influence prove;
source of the old prophetic fire,
fountain of life and love.
2. Come, Holy Ghost (for moved by thee
the prophets wrote and spoke),
unlock the truth, thyself the key,
unseal the sacred book.
3. Expand thy wings, celestial Dove,
brood o'er our nature's night;
on our disordered spirits move,
and let there now be light.
4. God, through the Spirit we shall know
if thou within us shine,
and sound, with all thy saints below,
the depths of love divine.
UNISON PRAYER
O Lord, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. Open Your hand to us, O God, giver of good things. Do not hide Your face from us. Should You remove Your Spirit from us, we shall surely return to the dust. Send forth Your Spirit in this worship service today and let us be re-created. Renew us, O God, with the fire of Your Spirit. Create in us a desire to do Your will and be Your faithful people for the sake of Your Son, our Lord, Jesus Christ. It is in His holy name we pray. Amen.
HYMN (8:30)
“Holy Spirit, Truth Divine” #465
1. Holy Spirit, Truth divine,
dawn upon this soul of mine;
Word of God and inward light,
wake my spirit, clear my sight.
2. Holy Spirit, Love divine,
glow within this heart of mine;
kindle every high desire;
perish self in thy pure fire.
3. Holy Spirit, Power divine,
fill and nerve this will of mine;
grant that I may strongly live,
bravely bear, and nobly strive.
4. Holy Spirit, Right divine,
King within my conscience reign;
be my Lord, and I shall be
firmly bound, forever free.
ANTHEM (10:30) | Chancel Choir
“John the Revelator”
arr. by Paul Caldwell and Sean Ivory
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Breakthrough Prayer:
God of peace, whose Holy Spirit enters our lives and transforms our
community of faith, come to us now, whether we have opened or locked our doors. Lead us to faith beyond sight, trust beyond doubt, deeds beyond words, that we may live as Your forgiven and forgiving children, leading the way for realization of Your hope and peace among us, in our community, and in all the world.
Sharing our Prayer Requests
Silent Prayer
Pastoral Prayer
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 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. Amen.
Response
RECOGNITION OF GRADUATES (10:45)
OFFERTORY | Charlie Garland, Peter Veley - Duet
“Sound the Trumpet”
by Henry Purcell
The Doxology #94
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God all creatures here below
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Praise God the Source of all our gifts
Praise Jesus Christ whose power uplifts
Praise the Spirit Holy Spirit
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Prayer of Dedication
CHILDREN'S MOMENT (10:45)
Acts 2:1-21 NRSV
RESPONSE
"O Spirit of the Living God" #539
1 O Spirit of the living God,
thou light and fire divine,
descend upon thy church once more,
and make it truly thine.
Fill it with love and joy and power,
with righteousness and peace;
till Christ shall dwell in human hearts,
and sin and sorrow cease.
2 Blow, wind of God! With wisdom blow
until our minds are free
from mists of error, clouds of doubt,
which blind our eyes to thee.
Burn, winged fire! Inspire our lips
with flaming love and zeal,
to preach to all thy great good news,
God's glorious commonweal.
3 Teach us to utter living words
of truth which all may hear,
the language all may understand
when love speaks loud and clear;
till every age and race and clime
shall blend their creeds in one,
and earth shall form one family
by whom thy will is done.
4 So shall we know the power of Christ
who came this world to save;
so shall we rise with him to life
which soars beyond the grave;
and earth shall win true holiness,
which makes thy children whole;
till, perfected by thee, we reach
creation's glorious goal!
MESSAGE | Pastor Barry
When God Came Down Like a Fire
COMMISSIONING OF YOUTH & CHILDREN'S MINISTERS (10:45)
POSTLUDE | Sonnie Clifton
“When the Roll Is Called Up Yonder”
by James M. Black