Spirit
of Life, blowing through our world,
on
this Pentecost Day we open ourselves to your power.
God
who calls us to be the church, to share our lives with you and with
each other,
on
this Pentecost Day we hear again the call, the challenge to be the
church in the world.
And
so, as Paul encourages us, we Rejoice in your presence always.
God
whose Spirit moved over the world at the beginning,
you
blew the breath of life into our lungs and let loose our borning cry,
you
have been with us ever since.
All
that we have been, and are, and ever will be is in and through you.
And
we Rejoice.
Creator,
source of wonders that appear throughout the world,
creator
of those things that leave us awestruck,
we
stop and say WOW!
Wow
for the beauty of fresh spring flowers
Wow
for the joy of children’s laughter
Wow
for the times when we overcome our differences and hear each other as
if we all spoke the same way.
For
the wonders of life we share our awe...
and
we Rejoice.
Gift-giver,
God who offers us so much throughout our life’s journey.
We
join with your faithful children of many colours and races and faiths
to
share our songs of praise and thanks giving.
For
all that makes life wonderful and full and abundant we say thank
you...
And
we Rejoice.
God
of presence, God who will never leave us alone,
amongst
the abundant gifts and the wonders of life come struggles.
And
yet you are there.
And
so we join our voices with the voices of all those around the world
who struggle:
struggle
with shootings in schools
struggle
with the reality of racism and prejudice
struggle
with conflict between nations
struggle
with the reality of bodies or minds that no longer work the way they
once did,
struggle
with anxiety, or fear, or grief...
In
our times of struggle may we know the peace that surpasses all
understanding.
And
so we can Rejoice.
God
who calls us to move into the world.
As we
go forth to be the church in a world aching for the Gospel of Love,
help
us remain focused on those things that are true, just, honourable,
pure, pleasing and commendable.
May
we continue to share the Good News with all, may we never forget that
you are with us,
may
we rejoice in your presence always, and again we say REJOICE!
Amen.
