Pentecost – Whit Sunday
We welcome you to this written service for Pentecost – Whit Sunday. It’s the fiftieth day after Easter when the Holy Spirit came with tongues of fire and touched the Apostles, helping them to preach with confidence.
We open with a prayer for peace in our world :
Almighty God, from whom all thoughts of truth and peace proceed: on this Day of Pentecost, kindle, we pray, in the hearts of all, the true love of peace and guide with your pure and peaceable wisdom those who take counsel for the nations of the earth that in tranquillity your kingdom may go forward, till the earth is filled with the knowledge of your love; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Opening Hymn 342
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The Collect
God, who as at this time 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 judgement in all things and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our Saviour, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
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Hymn 138
Come Holy Ghost, our souls inspire
The Readings
Acts 2: 1-21
1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
John 20: 19-23
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The Psalm
The Anthem
Holy Spirit, truth divine – Andrew Carter
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Hymn 137
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The Intercessions
As we are gathered together here in hope and in faith, we ask you to minister to our needs. Send the Holy Spirit to fill the hearts of your faithful people and kindle in them the fire of your love.
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
We pray for our church leaders, that they will be guided in their ministry by the influence of the Holy Spirit and that the Church, in the power of the Spirit, may make the Gospel understandable to people of every race, language, and culture. That the Holy Spirit of Peace may unite and reconcile the peoples and nations of the earth, bringing an end to war, hatred, and discrimination.
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
We pray for our own church family, that each of us will be open to the opportunities to give of our individual talents enabling each of us to flourish as a witness to the “One Body” of the church. We pray that our newly baptized brother and sister may develop more fully their response to all the gifts which the Spirit bestows for the service of the Body of Christ in the church.
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
We pray for all those who have died: give them a place at your banquet in heaven. May the Holy Spirit, who purifies us of sin and raises the dead, bring all our departed loved ones into the fullness of your presence.
(Short Silence)
Lord, in your Mercy: Hear our Prayer
Everlasting God, on this Day of Pentecost, we rejoice in the wonderful gift of your Spirit. Send it again into our hearts, into our lives, and into our world.
Merciful father: accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen
Hymn 362
Glorious things of thee are spoken
Closing Prayers
Faithful God, who fulfilled the promises of Easter by sending us your Holy Spirit and opening to every race and nation the way of life eternal: open our lips by your Spirit, that every tongue may tell of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The peace of God, which passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God, and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.
