Pentecost. – May 23, 2021.
Facebook Livestream and Recorded Worship:
Please remember – a virtual service is still available at our Calvary Moravian Church Allentown Facebook page each Sunday. We also will try to put the service on Calvary’s Youtube Channel by Sunday at 1 p.m.
INSIDE Worship (please see the newsletter for a full listing of inside, safety precautions).
Please do not come to these services if you have a fever, do not feel well, or are simply not ready to return to the sanctuary for worship (Facebook livestream is available).
Masks will be required for the entire time you are inside the building, as well as physical distancing. Bathrooms are open if needed. Please continue to maintain appropriate social distancing.
Dining with Friends – Outside Pizza Party!
On our normal Dining with Friends date, Tuesday, May 25th, at 6 p.m., at the Allentown’s Rose Garden pavilion, we invite everyone to join us for an outside version of Dining with Friends. We’ll bring pizzas and beverages – you can just show up for a night of community outside. If you wish, you are welcome to bring your own food as well. The Allentown Rose Garden Pavilions are located on the opposite side of the park from the Rose Gardens, with the address of Honochick Dr, Allentown, PA 18104. It is Ott St. just before you get to Hamilton Blvd if you are coming from the church. Please RSVP to Sam or Sharon Spagnola.
Reading Room looking for Book Donations!
We are gearing up for several outside events this summer when we hope to share books with our community. We are looking for gently used or like new books for children, especially the “Learn to Read” level books or elementary chapter books. As you are doing your spring cleaning, please consider donating any children’s books to Calvary’s Reading Room. Please contact Pastor Janel (janelrice3616@gmail.com, 484-903-3946) to arrange for a drop-off or a pick-up, depending upon location.
Participate in the West End’s Yard Sale at Calvary!
The West End Alliance’s community wide OUTSIDE yard sale is on June 5th, starting 8 a.m. Reserve your spot on our lawn (and access to a 8 ft table) with a $10 donation! Please RSVP now to the office and start your spring cleaning!
You will need to remain at your table(s) during the sale and take anything that doesn’t sell with you. All sales are yours to keep.
CCLI Copyright License Number 2626163 and Streaming License Number 21081607.
Prelude Thanks be to Thee (G.F. Handel, 1685)
Welcome and Announcements
Introit It is Well with my Soul (Bliss)
Call to Worship
John 15:26 “When the Advocate comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father, he will testify on my behalf.
Romans 8:26-27. Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but that very Spirit intercedes with sighs too deep for words. And God, who searches the heart, knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
Liturgy for Pentecost pg. 95
TUNE: IN BABILONE
Holy Spirit, ever living, as the church’s very life;
Holy Spirit, ever striving, through us in a ceaseless strife;
Holy Spirit, ever forming, in the church the mind of Christ:
You we praise with endless worship, for your fruits and gifts unpriced.
Holy Spirit, ever working, through the church’s ministry;
Quick’ning, strength’ning, and absolving, setting captive sinners free;
Holy Spirit, ever binding, age to age and soul to soul:
In communion never ending, you we worship and extol.
Holy Spirit of God, we praise and worship you as the one who gave birth to Christ’s church. With the sound of mighty wind and flashing fire, you brought life to the church in Jerusalem.
You filled those frightened new believers with power, and they became Christ’s witnesses, speaking boldly the word of truth.
You continue to transform believers–healing, reconciling, empowering. Lives are turned around. Emptiness is filled. Drifting hearts are given direction.
You vitalize your wavering church–lavishing gifts upon us, forging unity, giving new vision. You turn our eyes from the wistful memories of yesterday to the new things you are
doing among us now.
We worship and extol you, our Teacher, Guide, and Comforter. You make Christ known to us and make us your holy temple.
By your presence, the church in all its diversity is welded together in unity.
(Kneeling or sitting)
Interceding Spirit, we do not know how to pray as we ought; but you understand our deepest needs and present them with love to the Father. Lead us now to repentance and confession.
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.
(Repeat)
Silent Prayer of Confession
Spirit of holiness, we confess that we are a sinful people. In thought, word, and deed, we quench the fire of your love and dissipate the power of your presence. You long to restore us to the image of God; but we let it tarnish as we nurse selfish attitudes. You nurture unity, but we sow discord. You come to make our bodies your temples, but we desecrate them. We dishonor your good intentions for us. Forgive us, merciful Spirit. Burn away our impurities, and forge us into renewed and useful instruments in your service. Amen.
There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. The law of the Spirit of life in Christ has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
(Sitting)
We believe God’s promise in these last days: I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams. Upon both men and women in those days I will pour out my Spirit; and they shall speak my message.
The Spirit of God dwells in us if we belong to Christ. The Spirit bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.
When the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we receive power, and we become God’s witnesses.
The fruit that the Spirit brings to the lives of those who follow Christ is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
The diverse and empowering gifts of the Spirit are given to each one for the common good. None of us is useless to God. None of us is sufficient by ourself. We serve through the body of Christ, and we depend on the people of Christ.
The Spirit’s gifts are given to equip believers for the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God.
Prayers of the People
(Standing)
Come, heavenly Dove, and alight upon us. Anoint us to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release, recovery, and freedom to those in need.
Empower us to work for God’s kingdom in such a way that life becomes a Jubilee, for us and for all people.
Lift up the lonely, the neglected, the outcast. Comfort the grieving. Restore the lost. Be the advocate of the afflicted.
Teach all your people. Remind us of Jesus, and lead us into all the truth.
Keep us on the edge of dynamic living, wrapped in the flames of new beginnings, and filled with power for personal renewal.
Form us in the likeness of Christ, that we may glorify God’s name.
Renew your church. Fill stagnant and empty lives with the breath of God. Overcome our apathy, and energize us with your engaging presence.
Give your church new vision, new hope, and a driving desire to claim the promise of new birth.
Spirit of power, work in all who confess the risen Christ to spread your message of hope, love, and salvation to every person and nation.
Hasten the day when every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!
Spirit of truth, and grace, and power, Blow through your church, we pray.
Transform us from this very hour, In all we do and say.
Anoint us all to be good news, To sad and weak and poor.
Make us the instruments you use, To praise the Savior more.
Pour out your gifts, wrap us in flames, Of energy and drive;
And make our goal, our guiding aim, That Jesus’ church would thrive.
Scripture What is the Holy Spirit? Exploration into Acts 2:1-21 and Ezekiel 37:1-14.
Message
Special Music. Spirit of the Living God Allesyn Wesner, solo.
Holy Communion for Pentecost pg. 222 (using only selected hymns)
Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, be with you all.
Amen.
Hymn (Sharing Right Wave of Fellowship). pg. 222
I come with joy to meet my Lord,
forgiven, loved and free,
in awe and wonder to recall
his life laid down for me.
As Christ breaks bread and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
The love that made us makes us one,
and strangers now are friends,
Prayer of Thanksgiving
(The Lord’s Prayer may be used as a conclusion to this prayer.)
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, gave it to his disciples, and said: Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
Hymn. pg. 223
Holy Spirit, light divine,
Shine within this heart of mine;
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn my darkness into day.
Holy Spirit, pow’r divine,
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine;
Long hath sin, without control,
Held dominion o’er my soul.
Holy Spirit, joy divine,
Cheer this saddened heart of mine;
Bid my many woes depart,
Heal my wounded, bleeding heart.
Holy Spirit, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine;
Cast down ev’ry idol-throne,
Reign supreme–and reign alone
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: Take, eat, this is my body which is given for you.
(All partake together.)
Silent prayer
By your divine presence,
By the holy sacraments,
By all the merits of your life, sufferings, death, and resurrection,
Bless and comfort us, gracious Lord and God. Amen.
In the same way, after supper our Lord Jesus Christ took the cup, gave thanks, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Drink from this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sin. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.
Hymn pg. 226
Holy Spirit, come, confirm us
in the truth that Christ makes known;
We have faith and understanding
through your helping gifts alone.
Holy Spirit, come, console us,
come as advocate to plead;
Loving Spirit stand beside us,
grant in Christ the help we need.
Holy Spirit, come, renew us,
come yourself to make us live;
Make us holy through your presence,
holy through the gifts you give.
Holy Spirit, come, fulfill us,
you the love of Three in One;
Bring our lives to full completion
through your work in us begun.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said: Drink from this, all of you. Do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me.
(All partake together.)
Silent prayer
Christ, the Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world;
Grant to us your peace. Amen.
Whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death,
Until he comes.
Hymn (Sharing Right Wave of Fellowship). pg. 230
I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ’s communion bread,
Together met, together bound,
we’ll go our different ways,
and as his people in the world,
we’ll live and speak his praise,
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you;
The Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace;
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
Reprinted or adapted from the 1995 Moravian Book of Worship with the permission of the Interprovincial Board of Communication, Moravian Church in America. © 1995 IBOC. www.moravian.org; e-mail: pubs@mcnp.org. All rights reserved.
Calvary Moravian Church 