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The day of Pentecost is May 24th this year and it is rapidly approaching. Each year I like to post a new list of resources for special days in the lectionary like this. Enjoy and share it with your friends
This is the day when we celebrate:.
- The coming of the Holy Spirit and the infilling of Jesus’ disciples with the power to go out and change the world
- The great multi cultural gathering that we catch a glimpse of as we watch the spirit fall and suddenly everyone is able to understand each other – not all speaking the same language but able to understand each other in their own languages. Acts 2:11.
- Pentecost is traditionally the time that many churches pray for the peace of our world in which at times there seems to be so little cross cultural understanding.
So what kinds of resources do we need? First I think we need to provide our congregations with resources that help them see Jesus from other cultural perspectives. In a visual society like ours art is one very powerful way to do this. Liturgy is another powerful tool because as we read the words aloud they resonate deep within our souls and take root.
So to get yourself in the mood watch this wonderful video from Africa – it immediately took me back to some of the wonderful worship services I attended in Ghana, Togo and Cote d’Ivore when I worked on the Mercy Ship Anastasis
I have written several pentecost prayers in the past but the following litany is probably my favourite:
God, the light of your Spirit has fallen upon us,
The seal of your ownership is on us,
You have placed the Holy Spirit in our hearts.
Like tongues of fire it has renewed and restored.
In our rising and our sleeping,
In our working and our playing,
In our joys and in our sorrows,
Your Spirit’s brightness has dispelled the darkness,
In our loving and caring,
In our touching and our listening,
In our thoughts and in our actions,
God’s Spirit has brought life out of death.
Read the entire prayer here: A Prayer for Pentecost:
Living In Between Ascension and Pentecost
I have also been uploading Pentecost images on Facebook and Pinterest.
Paul Neeley at Global Christian Worship has an excellent array of articles, liturgies and songs for pentecost.
Pentecost: True Spiritual Unity and Fellowship in The Holy Spirit
10 Global Pictures & Prayers for Pentecost
Pictures & Prayers of Pentecost
‘Pentecost’ by Shadow Play Puppets
African Pentekoste by Frombach & Lantz
Gina Tuck – ‘Hymn to the Holy Spirit
Pentecost Songs: An Entire Album! from Cardiphonia
Another of his links was to this beautiful song by Keith and Kristyn Getty but I loved it so much I wanted to incorporate it in the list.
From Australia & New Zealand
The Billabong has a great list of ideas for Pentecost.
Laughing Bird Liturgical Resources
From Bosco Peters in New Zealand
Matt Stone at Glocal Christianity still has the best collection of art from different cultural contexts.
A great pentecost liturgy/reflection from Steve Taylor – a kiwi who now lives in Australia.
From South Africa
Sacredise.com always produces wonderful resources
From U.K
Jonny Baker always provides great resources in his worship tricks. You check out the general list for pentecost here.
I particularly like this link to a great Pentecost meditation by Mark Berry.
And I love these pentecost prayers and this liturgy with a Celtic flavour by John Birch
Proost is a great U.K site for worship resources. Here is the link to Pentecost resources
And if you are looking for some fun food ideas for the day check these out.
From Canada
Re-worship always provides excellent resources and this Pentecost list is no exception
From U.S.
The Text This Week has some of the most comprehensive resource lists around. Their pentecost list is well worth visiting.
Proost resources are now also available in the U.S. Here is the link to Pentecost resources
From Lent and Beyond is an Episcopal site with more great resources. I was particularly appreciative of their link to this site for celebrating Pentecost with kids.
Christine Longhurst at re:Worship also lists hymns, readings, prayers and liturgies for the season.
And a great Pentecost liturgy from Work of the People
Another good list is Resources from the Calvin Institute
A beautiful Pentecost poem from Outside the Box
And for a short meditation I enjoyed this video by Franklyn Shaefer
Or if you are looking for an introduction to the season for kids this is hard to beat
Or this from Busted Halo
Many of you have already heard that our beautiful building, at the site of the Mustard Seed Village on Camano Island, has been violated by vandals. All the windows and doors have been smashed to smithereens. We are devastated. We have had vandalism before but usually nuisance interference. This is the first time it has been malicious and deliberately destructive.
Compared to the earthquake devastation in Nepal where some of my friends are now working, and to the tornado destruction in Van, Texas where I once lived, this seems minor. However, as you can imagine we are devastated and angry, initially wanting to lash out and demand retribtion. Yet as we prayed we realized that this is not God’s path for us. Our current emphasis as an organization is reconciliation and as the chair of our Board J.Paul Fridenmaker asked, the important questions for us are: What does a gospel reconciler do? and How do we approach reconciliation when the abusers are unseen?
Our inspiration for this year’s Celtic retreat August 7-9th is St Columba of Iona, known as a great diplomat and reconciler. One of his beautiful prayers that has endured through the centuries is posted above.
It reminds me that the place we too need to begin is with silence and listening, seeking to discern what God is saying to us in the midst of our heartache.
What is your response.
I ask you to sit and listen with me this morning. Sit quietly and take some deep breaths in and out. Ask yourself: What does a gospel reconciler do? and How do we approach reconciliation when the abusers are unseen?
Future Mustard Seed Village Aerial View
Loa Tzu: “New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings…”
One of my Facebook friends posted this quote last week and it really caught my attention as I began my own process of discernment. I am sensing that we need to be open to the painful miracle of a new beginning.
The rest of the MSA team and Board have also begun the discernment process. Team member Forrest Inslee reflects:
I am convinced that, instead of the physical building being the first step, we need to establish the presence of people on the land. We need to plant the seeds of community. I think that this is an exciting and very achievable prospect. (Read more of Forrest’s thoughts here)
As part of the Mustard Seed community, we invite you to discern with us. Please take time to sit in silence and listen to God with us.
What is Your Response
Watch the video below from our last Celtic retreat and ask yourself: How do we establish the presence of people on the land and plant seeds of community?
We look forward to hearing from you as we discern and move forward together.
Help us rebuild
if you feel prompted to contribute to the costs of rebuilding we would really appreciate your support.
Today’s post is in response to the Godspace invitation Let’s Get Creative With Our Prayers. It is contributed by Emma Morgan at Eastern Hills Community Church in Sydney Australia. I am anxious to give it a go.
A way of prayer that all ages have enjoyed in our church community is engraving tin foil crosses.The materials are cheap, the process simple and the result very beautiful.
You may like to do this as a prayerful reflection on a reading, blessing or hymn.
We made these crosses for our doorways after sharing in some celtic house blessings. Once finished, we held them as we prayed peace and welcome on the places we live.
You can find those blessings here:
Materials:
Tin foil / Aluminium disposable baking tray.
Scissors.
Knitting needle or chopstick with pointed end.
A soft but firm-based surface. This works particularly well on carpet or on a towel over a table. For a large group we used the cardboard lids that came with our trays.
Optional: Relaxing music.
Preparation:
Cut out the shape of a cross from the flat base of the tin foil baking tray. You can fold the edges over to make a seam if you wish.
Method:
Listen to some relaxing music and be open to God’s presence as you engrave patterns or pictures into the foil. Lines, dots, cross-hatching and pictures all work well in the soft metal. You can work on the front and from the back – creating a relief effect.
Optional: Puncture a hole in the top for hanging.
We were inspired by ideas here
Today’s prayer was inspired by my continued reflections on Matthew 11:29,30 and the theme of my Monday Meditation Is It Worth The Weight. I would encourage you too to continue to reflect on the unforced rhythms of God’s grace. Allow God to speak to you and let me know what God says.
STRESS has a particular effect on the soul; it subdues, it suffocates, and it separates us from God — unless we, as his disciples, conform the materials for destruction, via the mediatory cross, into a blessing, and thereby grow. But we do all have a limit to how much stress we can handle — acknowledging that stress can be, and often is, the antithesis of spirituality.
So hear; we can understand life in its contemplative nature as a continuum between the poles of stress and spirituality — two outcomes, as polar opposites, of being distant from God and being irrevocably near. And, still, there is a third condition possible in one’s contemplative nature: that of being stressed, but of also having accepted it as inherently part of God’s plan for the extension of his Kingdom, as Paul often was, for instance, in 2 Corinthians 6:3-10. We don’t glory in these sufferings; we endure them for God’s glory and for his Kingdom’s sake. Because we can.
There is a rhythm of breathing out and of breathing in, through the cycle of stress and spirituality.
Breathing Out
To breathe out as an initial movement is to breathe all those stresses out into an atmosphere of receipt. We breathe out the condemnation, the confusion, the complexity, and all that confounds us, in preparation for what we will soon breathe in, through the agency of God’s peaceful Spirit of Shalom. Breathing out is necessary for making space. Making space is necessary for spiritual reformation. Spiritual reformation is necessary.
Breathing out anticipates breathing in.
Breathing In
Breathing in can only happen once we’ve breathed out. We can only receive what we have now made space for. Having breathed out all those stressful toxins, our lungs are empty enough to receive clean air — the sweeping wind of the Spirit.
To breathe in is to respire. To take healthy oxygenated air into our lungs is to receive respiration — so every cell may be fed on what every cell needs. There is only a subtle difference between respiration and inspiration — and both are connected to the Spirit; to wind. Wind is our life force. It proves we are alive. Physically, on one level, yet spiritually on another.
***
Breathing Out, Breathing In
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Breath of the Holy Spirit,
Giver of Life,
Give.
Provide, Lord, what I cannot do of myself — to breathe out.
Enable me to exhaust all that is in me that is not of You — make this real.
Help me let go.
Help me to let go of that which I wish to keep.
Restore my soul with Your very glorious sustenance of pure breath.
As my lungs empty, make space.
As space is made for new air, prepare me, O Lord, for better.
Purge me of the darkness that assails; bring thought through me of the light to receive.
Give my lungs energy to respire.
Help me heave upon the air, drawing it backward and deep.
Revive me by Your Word of inspiration so my respiration would not be devoid of You.
By the Lord Jesus Christ,
My Saviour, My Rock, My Redeemer,
I pray.
AMEN.
———————————————————————————————
Steve Wickham is a Baptist pastor serving in Perth, Western Australia. His passions are discipleship and reconciliation. He holds Degrees in Science, Divinity, and Counselling. He writes three blogs: Epitome, ex-ceed, and TRIBEWORK. Steve also ministers actively through social media.
I had not planned to post a new resource list for Ascension Day this year but was made aware of this excellent list that Paul Neeley put together and asked permission to repost it from his blog Global Christian Worship. Paul is an “ethnodoxologist” involved in the study and creation of Christian worship around the world. He teaches at the Robert Webber Institute for Worship Studies and co-founded the International Council of Ethnodoxologists.
The Ascension celebrates the day that Christ, in the presence of His apostles, ascended bodily into Heaven. The Ascension occurred on the 40th day of Easter, so it falls on a Thursday, and thus is often called Ascension Thursday.However, in many churches, the celebration of the Ascension has been transferred to the following Sunday, six weeks after Easter 2015 – so May 17 in 2015.
1. History: Although no documentary evidence of the Feast of the Ascension exists prior to the beginning of the 5th century, St. Augustine says that it is of Apostolic origin, and he speaks of it in a way that shows it was the universal observance of the Church long before his time. Frequent mention of it is made in the writings of St. John Chrysostom, St. Gregory of Nyssa, and in the Constitution of the Apostles.
2. Zac Hicks says we can ask, “Why do we give a special day to that event that seems nothing more than Jesus’ travel plans between earth and heaven?” He then goes on to suggest this symbolic theological reason:
When we think about the rituals associated with atonement and reconciliation between humanity and God, we see this (summarized) pattern:
- Sacrifice outside the Holy of Holies
- Entry into the Holy of Holies
- Fellowship with God in the Holy of Holies
The cross is obviously the sacrifice. The resurrection enables the sacrifice’s perpetual, living intercession. But without the ascension, there is no approach to God. There is no entry. The sacrifice (and we along with it) remain outside the Holy of Holies, outside rich, deep union and communion with God.
Put simply, then, ascension-less Christianity is like the priest never walking into the Holy of Holies. There’s no journey into intimate fellowship with God. It would be as if the whole sacrificial progression were at a stand-still, because, though the sacrifice were made, no further movement of intercession and mediation were made. The blood of the sacrifice stays outside, and it doesn’t sprinkle the altar.
In other words, the ascension (and session [Christ’s seating at the right hand of the Father]) helps seal for us what the crucifixion and the resurrection did. Christ is interceding, pleading His blood, and praying for us in the very presence of God the Father right now and ongoingly because the ascension happened (Heb 7:25).
3. Ron Man gives a related quote:
Although the critical point in Jesus’ ministry comes at the cross, the climatic point, as far as Hebrews is concerned, happens at the ascension. For Hebrews the ascension is the great liturgical moment for humanity. It is the pinnacle of Christ’s redemptive work because a human being enters the heavenly place of God’s presence and sits at his right hand.
(Christopher Cocksworth, Holy, Holy, Holy, p. 157)
4. Another aspect of the Ascension is that it is leads to Christ’s coronation as King of the Universe in specific fulfillment of Daniel 7:13, 14: I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.
5. John Piper – 6 reasons Jesus’s ascension matters
* Jesus continues to work after the ascension.
* The ascended Lord Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to his people.
* Jesus’s ascension is his heavenly enthronement as King.
* Jesus’s ascension is his return to his Father.
* The ascended Lord Jesus is our heavenly mediator and high priest.
* The ascended Lord Jesus will return as King and Judge in the same manner.
Here are some links to ideas and (non-musical) resources to celebrate the Ascension.
6. Read about a fascinating “visual representation of the Ascension” using kites in an outside service.
7. A service using the teachings of the Heidelberg Catechism on the Ascension of Christ coordinated with Scripture readings and songs.
8. You’ll find art from various cultures depicting the Ascension in my previous blog posts
Ascension day paintings and the triumphant Christ in Ascension Sadao
9. An excellent responsive reading
10. Psalm 47 is commonly used in this context:
God has ascended amid shouts of joy,
the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.
Sing praises to God, sing praises;
sing praises to our King, sing praises.
For God is the King of all the earth;
sing to him a psalm of praise.
God reigns over the nations;
God is seated on his holy throne.
The nobles of the nations assemble as the people of
the God of Abraham,
for the kings of the earth belong to God;
HE IS GREATLY EXALTED.
—Psalm 47:5-9 (NIV)
11. Lifted Up to Glory and Power: A [lengthy] Dramatic Reading with Four Voices for Ascension Sunday
12. ‘With a Shout,’ a day-long conference held in 2006, explored the meaning of the Ascension – materials are posted online
13. An issue of ‘Worship Notes’ by Ron Man, with an essay, an “Ascension Concordance,” relevant quotes, a model service, and song texts.
14. Malcolm Guite – A Sonnet for Ascension Day
15. A responsive reading Litany by Christine Sine,
Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God,
a new world has broken into ours –
a world in which justice does come for the poor,
freedom comes for the prisoners,
and healing for the sick.
Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God,
a new community has been formed –
a community that loves and cares for all members,
a family that welcomes all who are abandoned and rejected,
a place where all find a place of belonging.
Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God,
a new creation has begun –
all that was distorted is being restored,
all that is corrupted is being renewed,
all that was broken is being made whole.
Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God, God’s new world has begun.
16. Christine Sine posted a number of helpful links to resources in this blog post
A pair of responsive readings that I really like includes
* Ride on King Jesus: A Gathering Litany for Ascension Day
* An Affirmation for Ascension Day (Based on Ephesians 1:15-22)
17. Suggested books:
– Ascension Theology by Douglas B. Farrow
– Jesus Ascended: The Meaning of Christ’s Continuing Incarnation by Gerrit Dawson
– The Ascension: Humanity in the Presence of God by Jonny Woodrow & Tim Chester
– Space, Time and Resurrection by Thomas Torrance
18. Resources from Steve Taylor added by Christine Sine
I also wanted to add these great resources from my friend Steve Taylor. Ascension day in worship And Ascension day theology
We celebrate Ascension day on May 21st, 2020. What on earth is this you may ask? This is not a celebration that I grew up with, nor is it one that I have taken much notice of. It is not a celebration that most of us outside liturgical churches have ever heard of or ever really celebrated, but it is very important and I would highly recommend that you consider incorporating it into your worship cycle.
This is the fortieth day after Easter Sunday and we are celebrating the ascension of Christ into heaven. The day is also and, in some ways more importantly, a celebration of the new creation that Jesus’ resurrection brought into being. What beautiful imagery to carry with us for the rest of the season until Pentecost (May 24th). It seems such an appropriate celebration for those of us who are interested in sustainability and creation care.
Ascension day is a day of hope and promise. Jesus has ascended into heaven but we are not abandoned. Jesus has ascended into heaven but there is still much to do as we await his return. Jesus has ascended into heaven and a new world has begun but there is still injustice, oppression, suffering and death that needs to be overcome. Jesus stands beside God the creator as our cheerleader, our advocate, encouraging us to enter the world with his spirit blazing within us.
Last year I wrote this litany which I am reposting here because it gives me encouragement and strength to believe that God is bringing a new world into being. I find that reading a litany like this aloud really resonates in my inner being and increases my faith for the journey ahead.
Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God,
a new world has broken into ours –
a world in which justice does come for the poor,
freedom comes for the prisoners,
and healing for the sick.
Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God,
a new community has been formed –
a community that loves and cares for all members,
a family that welcomes all who are abandoned and rejected,
a place where all find a place of belonging.
Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God,
a new creation has begun –
all that was distorted is being restored,
all that is corrupted is being renewed,
all that was broken is being made whole.
Because Jesus ascended and sits at the right hand of God,
God’s new world has begun.
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