Worship Service – May 23, 2021

The Building is Closed and the Church is Open

While we have restricted access to the building, Peace Church is very much open to ministry—working to respond to our own congregation, as well as the needs of our neighbors and community.  Please consider giving either to Peace Church general fund or the Gabriel Fund – which is used to meet the needs in the community.

We recognize that in this time, people’s financial situations may have changed. We ask you to prayerfully consider what you can give.  If you use electronic giving, we thank you for your constancy of support.  If you would like to give through our online form, we would be grateful. For all the contributions from our members and friends—whether financial, time, or prayer—we ask God’s blessings on those gifts that Peace Church may be healing balm in this time when we are living in our own Gilead.

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May 23, 2021 ⁂ 10:30am

Pentecost Sunday
Liturgists
The People of Peace Church
Maggie Fink, ASL Interpreter
Phyllis Cook, Lay Reader
Jim Pospisil, Music Director
Sharon Dawson, Children’s Ministry Coordinator
Nathan Holst, Faith Formation Minister
Rev. Sara Olson Dean, Guest Preacher

Prelude by Crystal Kaczmarczyk

Announcements and Ringing of the Peace Bells

God is Revealed as We Gather

*Responsive Call to Worship  

Leader:  Powerful Spirit, strong Wind —
People:  Stir us to new life and breathe hope into our despair.
Leader:  Warming Spirit, dancing Flame —
People:  Kindle joy within our hearts and fill us with courage.
Leader:  Comforting Spirit, gentle Breeze —
People:  Refresh our weariness and soften our grief.
Leader: Wise Spirit, blazing Fire —
People:  Illumine our path and show us the way home.
Leader:  Holy Spirit, soaring Dove —
People:  Call us to worship and remind us that we are your people.

Opening Hymn   “Every Time I Feel the Spirit”   (#282)

Unison Prayer of Confession

Spirit of God: you know what lurks deep within us. We confess that we have not loved one another as Christ has loved us. 
We are quick to find fault and spread gossip, sins that undermine your beloved community. 
We have left the strangers and seekers among us feeling like outsiders. 
We have been timid and half-hearted in proclaiming the good news of your love and shalom beyond these walls.
Source of Love: Show us another way.
On this day of Pentecost, we pray that your Spirit would set us free from all that binds us.
Set us free to be your church.
Renew a right spirit within us.
Remake us, again and again, to be your body for the world.
Amen.

Assurance of Pardon

Story for All Ages by Sharon Dawson

Special Music 

God is Revealed in the Word

God’s Word in the Gospel: John 20:19-22

God’s Word in the Epistles: Acts 2:1-4

God’s Word in the Prophets: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Sermon by Rev. Sara Olson Dean

Hymn   “Holy Spirit, Ever Dwelling”   (#59)

We Respond to God’s Presence

Sharing Our Prayer Concerns, Silent Prayer, Pastoral Prayer, Lord’s Prayer, and Choral Amen

Mission Moments
Spiritual Life: Gudrun Witrak and Susan Larson Kidd
Christian Ed:  Penny Cragun and Sharon Dawson

Sharing our Offerings & Strengthen the Church Special Offering

Offertory

*The Thanksgiving    (Doxology)

*Prayer of Dedication

Closing Song   “God, We Thank You for Our People”   (#376)

Benediction 

Postlude