On the 50th day of Easter, we celebrate that third, mysterious aspect of the Triune God, the Holy Spirit. We hear of the Holy Spirit being poured out and remember that this Spirit brings mercy to places we would probably otherwise not expect it. In this week’s readings a crowd of strangers speaking in many languages, a valley of dry bones, and our weak hearts are buoyed by the Spirit’s abiding presence, incitement toward love, and revelations of truth. We too are sent out by the Spirit to go beyond our comfort zones, beyond our ideas of what the church is to spread the message of God’s unequaled love.
Readings
Here are our appointed readings for this week for you to read and meditate on as you prepare your hearts for worship this weekend.
Acts 2:1-21
Filled with the Spirit to tell God’s deeds
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Send forth your Spirit and renew the face of the earth
Romans 8:22-27
Praying with the Spirit
John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Christ sends the Spirit of truth
Worship Music
Music this week includes Spirit of Gentleness which sings of the many ways the Spirit has guided the God’s people throughout the ages. Moving on the waters, calling to the deep, coaxing up mountains, sweeping through the desert, singing from a stable, and calling from tomorrow, the Spirit seems to be everywhere in this song. Not only do we sing of all the times and places the Spirit acts, we sing of HOW the Spirit acts in God of Tempest, God of Whirlwind. The action verbs in this hymn are simply amazing. The Spirit descends, drives out, sweeps in, purges, surges, kindles, shakes loose, breaks, sets free, crumbles walls, makes one, stirs restlessness, rouses, and claims.
Reflection Questions
Where do you see the Holy Spirit acting in our world today?
What difficult place or thing is the Holy Spirit calling you to?
