cut to the heart...  

a Liturgy for Pentecost

Opening Responses
Reader             

In the beginning, earth was a formless void
and the Spirit of God moved across the chaos of the waters –
and brooded under her wings
the emerging Creation.

ALL 

COME HOLY SPIRIT,
MOVE ANEW ACROSS THE CHAOS OF REVELATION AND ACCUSATION –
OF PAIN AND DISBELIEF;
BROOD UNDER YOUR WINGS
AN EMERGING NEW CREATION.
 

Reader

Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes,
he will guide you into all the truth.

ALL

COME HOLY SPIRIT,
GUIDE YOUR CHURCH INTO THE WAY OF ALL TRUTH:
LEAD US TO THE TRUTH THAT SETS YOUR PEOPLE FREE.
 

Reader

God said, “I have put my spirit upon my chosen one:
and  he will bring forth justice to the nations.
He will not cry or lift up his voice,
or make it heard in the street;
a bruised reed he will not break,
and a dimly burning wick he will not quench;
he will faithfully bring forth justice.
He will not grow faint or be crushed
until he has established justice in the earth;
and the coastlands wait for his teaching.

ALL

COME HOLY SPIRIT,
POUR YOUR DEW ON THOSE CRUSHED BY ABUSE,
BLOW UPON WAVERING FLAMES OF FAITH –
ALL BUT QUENCHED BY REVELATION OF LIES AND CONSPIRACY;
BRING FORTH TRUE JUSTICE –
BRING FORTH YOUR HEALING.
 

Scripture Reading - from Acts 2: 14-42
Music response
   
Reflection - suggested outline:

We have come together on this Feast of Pentecost – an unusual day to gather for a service expressing penitence and sorrow.  This is the culmination of the Easter Season – fifty days in which we have celebrated the Resurrection … but the reality is that many people are still on Calvary – still suffering – still crucified by things that happened to them – unable to live life to the fullness God desires for them – the fullness promised by Jesus.

When Peter addressed the crowd on the first Pentecost, he was not speaking to the people who had condemned Jesus – or who had taken part in his torture or death. And yet, Luke tells us that they were cut to the heart and asked what they should do. Almost all of us would have had nothing to do with the abuse of children – young people – or other vulnerable people … Nor would we have taken part in covering up abuse that we knew about. But we are cut to the heart and wonder what we can do. We cannot do what most of us would wish to do and put the clock back so that the abuse never happened. We have to face the truth that our Church has not been the place of love and healing Jesus established it to be. Some have walked away – but we are here because we believe in the Resurrection – that somehow, the Holy Spirit can work to bring repentance from denial – light from darkness – hope from despair – love from hate – and forgiveness that leads to wholeness and healing. We believe that we can be in solidarity with those who have suffered – our hearts aching for them, though we cannot necessarily ease their pain. We believe that hearts can be broken by remorse for sin committed and that new beginnings are possible. We believe that this could be a moment of grace for our Church – and pray that the breath of the Spirit will blow aside all that strives to keep sin hidden – that the purifying fire of the Spirit will burn and cleanse.

Cut to the heart, we ask God what should we do…  Cut to the heart, we pray for the coming, the gift of the Holy Spirit into our hearts – our Church – our world.

As we pray the Litany of the Spirit, you are invited to come and light a candle – a tongue of flame calling anew on the Spirit to come – to kindle within us the fire of God’s love – to come again and to renew the face of the earth.

 

Litany of the Spirit
The following is an extract from the Litany of the Spirit, the full version is here.

During the Litany and lighting of candles, one or more Taizι chants could be played – Veni Sancte Spiritus, Veni Sancte Spiritus, etc. Alternatively, use the simple response.
 

God of all beginnings

God of endings

Eternal light of God

Warm breath of God

Melting touch of God

Healing hand of God

Creative love of God

Life-loving Spirit

 

Spirit of Justice

Spirit of Righteousness

Spirit of Power

Spirit of Integrity

Spirit of Mercy

Spirit of Compassion

Spirit of mercy

Spirit of hope without horizon

 

Light of our lives

Supporter in our trials

Strength in weakness

Consolation in grief

Healer of wounds

Renewer of strength

Quencher of thirst

Shelter in storms

Tenderness in distress

Safe sheltering of God

Strong guarding of God

Soft enfolding of God

Liberating challenge of God

 

 Giver of Joy

Giver of Comfort

Giver of Peace

Giver of Wisdom

Giver of Right Judgement

Giver of Good Counsel

Giver of Strength

Giver of Awe and Wonder

Giver of Love

 

Spirit of peace-making

Witness to Justice

Breaker-down of walls of division

Builder of bridges

Loosener of chains

Opener of new pathways

 

COME UPON US
     
Closing Responses  
Reader 

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful

and kindle in us the fire of your love.

ALL   

SEND FORTH YOUR SPRIT, AND THEY SHALL BE CREATED

AND YOU WILL RENEW THE FACE OF THE EARTH.

 

Reader 

Jesus said, “You did not choose me, I chose you,
and I commissioned you to go out and bear fruit.”

ALL   

COME HOLY SPIRIT AND BEAR YOUR FRUIT WITHIN US –

WITHIN OUR CHURCH –

WITHIN OUR WORLD.
 

Reader  

And may God’s blessing be upon all who have suffered –

all in need of repentance –

all who seek to redress the wrongs and ensure that our Church

is a place of grace and sanctuary for all.

ALL  THE FATHER, THE SON AND THE HOLY SPIRIT.
 
Reader  And on this day and on all days,
ALL 

MAY GOD HOLD  US AND THOSE WE HAVE PRAYED FOR

IN THE PALM OF HIS HAND.

AMEN.

 

© Wellspring 2010

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