Cycle A Pentecost

6/8/2014 Confession

Sunday Title:  Spirit Sunday

Sermon Title: “It actually takes God’s power to do life right!”

Previously:

Sunday Title:  Living Waters Sunday

Sermon Title: “Containment”

Sunday Title:  Holy Spirit Sunday

Sermon Title: “Disciples=>Apostles”

Sunday Title:  Affirming our Baptism -

Sermon Title: “Peace be with you!”

Scripture Cuttings:

Numbers 11:24-30 And a young man ran and told Moses, "Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp." And Joshua son of Nun, the assistant of Moses, one of his chosen men, said, "My lord Moses, stop them!" But Moses said to him, "Are you jealous for my sake? Would that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit on them!"

-or-

Acts 2:1-21 And suddenly from heaven there came a sound

like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Psalm 104:24-35 May the glory of the Lord endure forever;

Acts 2:1-21

-or-

1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 ...no one can say "Jesus is Lord" except by the Holy Spirit.... For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

John 7:37-39 “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’”

-or-

John 20:19-23 "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."

Confession:

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Let us draw near and be honest with ourselves and God.

 (honest reflection)

  Almighty God...

C: it is You who pours out Your Holy Spirit,

  but we act as managers of your gift.

We recognize your power in our leaders,

  and the ones who bear our name and tradition.

But you have breathed your Holy Spirit so all would know,

  not just those gathered under our tent.

Still we count the Spirit’s gift to us as the whole of your plan

  and we can not recognize the gifts of others.

So our faith stops short at discipleship: following only.

  We do not press on be apostles: sent to your people.

How slow we are to recognize our own sin, forgive us Lord.

How quickly we hide what we don’t like, save us Lord.

    (pause self-examination)

P:  God’s will, will not be denied. The Holy Spirit has come upon us, not just on this day, nor just on our baptismal day, but in each moment. This is so that we might proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of sins to all peoples. Our sins are forgiven. We are sent into the world to proclaim God’s grace for the glory of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!

-or-

All may make the sign of the cross in remembrance of baptism

as the presiding minister begins:

P:  In the Name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

P:  Let us reconfirm our faith with the God who expects our best.

    (pause)

  Heavenly Father...

C: we know your deeds of power:

we know you give us the Holy Spirit,

  we know you baptize us as many members in one body,

    and we know you give each of us unique and special gifts,

but in our weakness we remain inactive:

  we are insecure in the work we would do for you,

    we isolate those outside and unlike us,

ignoring the unity of faith,

  and we belittle our own abilities

as inadequate and unsuited for your ministry.

Save us Lord from the sins we know in our hearts.

Save us Lord from the sins we hide.

    (pause for reflection and self-examination)

P:  Our God is a powerful God and loves us even in on our weakness. So much so as to send Jesus Christ, God’s own Son to die for our sins. It is for Christ’s sake that our sins are forgiven. God continues to abide in each of us through the power of the Holy Spirit poured out upon us at our baptism, uniting us and sanctifying the gifts we offer to God. In the name of the Father, and the Son, + and the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen. -wjw

P:  The peace of the Lord be with you always!

C: And also with you!