ST. LUKE'S UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST

MAY 24, 2026                                                                                                  

PENTECOST

SILENT MEDITATION: 

“I cannot cause light; the most I can do is try to put myself in the path of its beam. It is possible, in deep space, to sail on solar wind. Light, be it particle or wave, has force: you rig a giant sail and go. The secret of seeing is to sail on solar wind. Hone and spread your spirit till you yourself are a sail, whetted, translucent, broadside to the merest puff.”—Annie Dillard, Pilgrim at Tinker Creek

GATHERING MUSIC
GREETING

PRELUDE “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”                                     
James K. Manley

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 603 “Come, Holy Ghost, Our Hearts Inspire”                  

WINCHESTER OLD

Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire, let us thine influence prove;
source of the old prophetic fire, fountain of life and love.

Come, Holy Ghost (for moved by thee the prophets wrote and spoke,
unlock the truth, thyself the key, unseal the sacred book.

Expand thy wings, celestial Dove, brood o'er our nature's night;
on our disordered spirits move, and let there now be light.

God, through the Spirit we shall know if thou within us shine,
and sound, with all thy saints below, the depths of love divine

CALL TO WORSHIP

One:  Come, Holy Spirit, from heaven shine forth with your glorious light.

All:    Come from the four winds, O Spirit. Come breath of God.

One:  Disperse the shadows over us.

All:     Renew and strengthen your people.

One:  You are the only comforter, Peace of the soul.

All:    In the heat you shade us; in our labor you refresh us, and in trouble you are our strength.

One:  Kindle in our hearts the flame of your love.

All:    That in the darkness of the world it may glow and reach to all forever.

Veni Sancte Spiritus

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Unison)

God of Power and of Might, we sit with unrecognized potential and yearn for something new to happen. We fail to have a vision for your potential for our lives, for our church, and for our community. Forgive us and awaken us to an anticipation of what your Spirit has power to do in our lives and through our church. Amen.

ASSURANCE OF PARDON

GLORIA PATRI       

Glory be to the Father and to the Son       
and to the Holy Ghost;                                 

as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be,                                 

world without end. Amen. Amen.

MOMENTS WITH MINNIE                                                                                                             

PASTORAL PRAYER and THE LORD’S PRAYER          

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 sins as we forgive those
who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever.  Amen.

SPECIAL MUSIC “Send Us Your Spirit”                                                     

David Haas                                                                                                                                                                                                 
SCRIPTURE  Acts 2:1-21

SERMON “What Does It Mean?”

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 420 “Breathe on Me, Breath of God”                                            

TRENTHAM

Breathe on me, Breath of God, fill me with life anew,
that I may love what thou dost love, and do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, until my heart is pure,
until with thee I will one will, to do and to endure.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, till I am wholly thine,
till all this earthly part of me glows with thy fire divine.

Breathe on me, Breath of God, so shall I never die,
but live with thee the perfect life of thine eternity.

 STEWARDSHIP REFLECTION
CALL TO STEWARDSHIP  
THE BEAUTY OF SHARED GIFTS “Spirit Song”                                                    

John Wimber

CELEBRATING STEWARDSHIP — DOXOLOGY                                                                     

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;                                        

Praise God, all creatures here below;                                             

Praise God above, ye heavenly host:                                      

Creator, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

PRAYER OF DEDICATION (In Unison)                                                           

God of wind and fire, may new life be breathed into the world because of these gifts we return to you.  Grant us enhanced capacity to carry your revelation to others in ways they can understand. We seek to be to one another channels of your love and peace, both in person and through the outreach of our offerings.  Amen

CONGREGATIONAL HYMN No. 393 “Spirit of the Living God” (Sing Twice)                                 

LIVING GOD

Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me. Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me.

BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE “Come, Holy Spirit”                        

William J. and Gloria Gaither

The Liturgist is Marita Ray
Thank you to Carol Lyon for accompanying the hymns today.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

STRENGTHEN THE CHURCH OFFERING
The Strengthen the Church offering will be taken TODAY. It supports the expansion of ministry and growth
of UCC local congregations. Support of this offering helps the UCC fulfill its commitment to creating a just
world for all by investing in new ministries and practices that meet the emerging needs of local communities.

INDEPENDENCE PRIDE
Join St. Luke’s UCC on June 13th for Independence Pride. It will be from 11-5 in the Englewood Arts back parking lot. There will be booths, food trucks and more. Additional information will be given as soon as we know the times and different events. You are welcome to participate and/or volunteer in any or all of the activities. There is a volunteer sign up sheet in the hallway.

Summer Reading Program – Sign Up Now!
We’re inviting all kids to join our Summer Reading Program! Participants will read 15 minutes a day,
5 days a week and earn tickets to spend in our Reading Store filled with fun prizes.
As a group, we’re working toward a goal of 3,000 total minutes read,
which will earn a special end-of-summer celebration for everyone involved!
Sign your child up today and help them stay engaged in reading all summer long.
We’re also collecting donations of small prizes (stickers, snacks, toys, etc.) for our Reading Store.
Interested in contributing? Contact Mariah to get involved.
Let’s work together to make this a fun and impactful summer for our kids!

SCHOLARSHIPS
Scholarship forms are now available online (in the menu click on About Us. In the drop down menu click on Policy/Forms. Then, click on Scholarship Fund for Local Congregation Application Form). The deadline to turn in the application is June 15th. See the form for qualifications.
If you have problems accessing this form, please contact the church office

SHARING TABLE
Take time on Sundays, or anytime during normal office hours, to SHOP at the sharing table. There are Bibles and some old hymnals available if you would like to take one or even more.