First Presbyterian Church

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Pentecost Sunday

May 31, 2009  -  10:30 A.M

GATHERING MUSIC                    “God is Spirit”                 James Southbridge (b. 1941)

                                                    “The Breath of God”                       Ray Landis (1970’s)

                                             Prelude on “Come, O Spirit”          Robert J. Powell (b. 1932)

 WELCOME, GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

                                          Please sign the friendship pads at this time

 MEDITATION IN PREPARATION FOR WORSHIP

You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I, the LORD, am your God and there is no other. And my people shall never again be put to shame.  Then afterward I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.  Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit.  (Joel 2:27-29 NRSV) 

 PRELUDE                            “It Is Well With My Soul”                           Judy East Wells

ASSEMBLE IN GOD’S NAME

 *CALL TO WORSHIP                                                                             Lon Anderson

Leader:  In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters.    (Genesis 1:1-2 NRSV)

People:  The spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.        (Job 33:4 NRSV)    

Leader:  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.  Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.        (Psalms 51:10-11 NRSV) 

People:  The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners.    (Isaiah 61:1 NRSV)        

*PRAYER OF ADORATION AND LORD’S PRAYER (unison)

Eternal God of Pentecost, what a delight it is to let our burdens of life slide away during this time of worship and prayer, as we find respite and hope in your comforting presence.  Like a safe place from the storm, like a cool spot in the shade, you protect and soothe our hope-parched lives.  In your loving mercy, grant that we may hear your voice, feel your touch, and receive your calm into our hectic.… Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen

 *HYMN OF PRAISE           #127    “Come, O Spirit”                        BOUNDLESS MERCY

 CALL TO CONFESSION

 PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

You overpower us in the Holy Spirit, Lord, in order to make us one with you. Instead of rushing to meet your winds of renewal, we stay inside our comfort groups.  Instead, we lead selfish lives. Save us, O Lord. Without your grace, we die. With your holy breath, speak new life into our bleached-bones sin. Stir up the embers of our compassion that we might rise to proclaim your love for all people, trusting in an understanding that only you can bring. Through Christ we pray.[1]

 TIME OF SILENT CONFESSION AND REFLECTION

 ASSURANCE OF GOD’S LOVE AND MERCY

Leader:   You have set your hands upon us in the anointing of Holy Spirit, feeding us as your children upon the goodness of your grace. Thank you, Lord.  It is in your grace alone that all our sin has been forgiven and we are empowered to live righteous lives.

People:  May we rise now in your Spirit to live out your care for all the world with whatever gifts you have given us so that many different people might come to understand your grace through Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.

 RESPONSE  (remain seated)   # 126   “Come, Holy Spirit, Heavenly Dove”     ST. AGNES

PRESENTATION OF GOD’S TITHES AND OUR OFFERINGS

 Offertory                             “He Said Oh Come Unto Me”                                    

Words and music by Caroline B. Darr[2]

Sung by Arnold D. McMillan

*Offering Response   # 326  “Spirit of God, Descend Upon My Heart”      MORECAMBE     

*Prayer of Dedication

 GOOD NEWS TIME WITH YOUNG DISCIPLES                                Mark Hellman

A church school program and a nursery are provided for preschoolers in Branigan Hall. There is a video program for elementary children in the Reeves Hall cinema (except on Communion Sundays.) Please leave children’s bags on the pews.

PASTORAL PRAYER

 SPECIAL MUSIC       “How Can I Thank You Enough, Lord!”                              

Words and Music by Caroline B. Darr, and sung by Arnold D. McMillan

PROCLAIM GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE LESSON      Ezekiel 37:1-14        Acts 2:1-12, 38-39

Leader:           This is the word of the Lord.

People:      Thanks be to God.

 SERMON                         “Hope Needs a Bigger Container”              Rev. Norm Story

* HYMN RESPONSE    # 319            “Spirit”                                   

Cantor: Sings refrain the first time 

 GO IN GOD’S NAME

 *BENEDICTION                   

 *BENEDICTION RESPONSE       “Sweet, Sweet Spirit”

      (vs. 1)

                    There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place,

                    and I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord;

Refrain:          Sweet Holy Spirit, sweet heavenly Dove,

                    stay right here with us, filling us with your love;

                    and for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise;

                    without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived

                    when we shall leave this place.

 *POSTLUDE                                “March Heroic”                      Norwood Dale (ca. 1929)            

 We invite you to join us for fellowship in the courtyard hosted by Vacation Bible School, registration Sunday.

 Greeting after Worship Service:

Lon Anderson – E      Rev. Norm Story  – W    Mark Hellman   - S

Pianist – Lynn Lawson-Jones                  Liturgist – Lon Anderson

Cantor – Dan Molloy                     Sound System – Austin Breck              

 Restrooms are located in Jones Hall, out the west door and across the breezeway; in the choir room, at the left and the right of the choir loft; and in the Narthex, one in the Brides’ room and one in the Deacons’ room.

Welcome!

          We come together as a community at worship to experience the grace of God, who is present in our midst. This is a time to open ourselves to Him and to each other. Expect great things of God and His grace will come to you! Please take a moment to fill out the friendship pads so we can greet you by name. Thank you for coming to First Presbyterian Church; we are glad that you are here. If you are not active in a church home in this community, we invite you to consider joining our fellowship and sharing in this ministry of Christ. We also have CD’s of our worship services or printed copies of the sermons available. If you would like to have a copy, please contact the office at 526-5559.

 For prayer requests during the week, call the church office to get your request on the Church-wide Prayer Chain or e-mail Linda Ramirez at fpclinda@zianet.com

 First Presbyterian Church’s mission is to emulate the work, the word, and the way of Jesus Christ in ministering to the needs of its members and preparing them for Christian outreach to people within and outside the Church of Jesus Christ.

Our Vision Objectives are:

1.      To clearly and courageously communicate the Good News of Jesus Christ to all within reach.

2.     To develop spiritual leadership that recognizes and ministers to those in need.

3.     To develop and maintain specific ways for members to reach out and draw the community into our fellowship.

4.     To create a God-centered atmosphere for worship that will attract and bind individuals, families and youth into Christian community.

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Last update 2009-05-24 04:15:47