Pentecost 2001: Catch the Wind – Called to a Prophetic Vocation

 

Seekers Church

A Christian Community

In the Tradition of the Church of the Saviour

 

Pentecost 2001

 Catch the Wind
Called to a Prophetic Vocation

 

REFLECTION

 

That which has bound us is now loosened. Our dancing feet, our marveling tongues and exuberant hearts are evidence that those who were bound are free. Free from what? From the images we have entertained about ourselves. Or … Pentecost is the moment in which the new Breath which has been breathed into us drives out all the poisonous fumes of negative self-images we have unwittingly inhaled from the world and from each other.

After Fr. Haughey

 

PRELUDE

 

CALL TO WORSHIP

 

One: A mighty wind is blowing!

 

Many: Tongues of fire dance!

 

One: The gifts are given.

 

Many: The Spirit is present with us.

 

All:        Prophets, visionaries, dreamers!

Come worship with courage and with hope.

 

INVOCATION

 

HYMN

 

WORD FOR THE CHILDREN

 

SILENCE

 

LITANY

One: A mighty wind is blowing in our land.

 

Many: Some say it is the Spirit come upon us;

some say that chaos reigns.

 

One: Our spirits long to fly,

to answer God’s prophetic call

more deeply in our lives and work,

and yet we cling to what we know.

 

Many: We feel the pressure of the Spirit in our faces,

pushing backwards toward the Source.

 

One: The Spirit flourishes in wilderness;

we find it close at hand when we are lost.

 

All:        We move into the wilderness together,

listening for the Spirit

in the words we offer one another,

and in the mighty wind.

 

SILENCE

 

PRAYERS

CONFESSION

One: Jesus said: "The wind blows where it chooses,

and you hear the sound of it,

but you do not know where it comes from

or where it goes.

So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

 

Voice 1: We confess to rigidity and practicality

when we choose our work.

Let the wind teach us flexibility and mystery.

 

One: We confess to being sensible and cautious

when we name our call.

Let the wind teach us abandon and risk.

 

Voice 2: We confess that we clutch and grasp

to keep a secure position.

Let the wind teach us generosity and loss.

 

One: The wind blows where it chooses,

and we hear the sound of it,

but we do not know where it comes from,

or where it goes.

 

INDIVIDUAL PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

 

ASSURANCE

One: People of the Spirit, take heart.

The wind that drives the heavens

lifts us up triumphantly into God,

fanning the spark of Soul

that burns incessantly in each of us.

 

 

CONTINUING PRAYERS

 

HYMN

 

THE WORD

SCRIPTURE

SERMON

SILENT REFLECTION

 

OFFERING

OFFERTORY MUSIC

PRAYER OF DEDICATION

 

SHARED REFLECTIONS

 

ANNOUNCEMENTS

 

HYMN

 

BENEDICTION

 

One: Living God, eternal Holy Spirit,

let your bright, intoxicating energy,

which fired those first disciples,

fall on us to turn the world again.

Thanks be to God! Amen.

 

WORSHIP SOURCES

Confession: From John 3:8

Assurance: Fox, The Revision of Work, Pg 124.

Benediction: New Zealand Prayer Book, pg 604