A Concord Pastor Comments: Pause for Prayer: PENTECOST SUNDAY

The lilies in this post belong to the family Gloriosa - nature's nod to the tongues of fire that descended on the apostles' heads on the Pentecost Sunday! The photos are interspersed with the scriptural account of the first Pentecost, as recorded in Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11. Then you'll find today's Pause for Prayer and music for praying on this feast...

"When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled,
they were all in one place together...

"And suddenly there came from the sky
a noise like a strong driving wind,
and filled the entire house in which they were...

"Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire,

which parted and came to rest

on each one of them...

"And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit...

And they began to speak in different tongues,
as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim...

Acts of the Apostles 2:1-11

Lord,

the tongues of fire at Pentecost,
   didn't singe or scorch or burn
       those they touched
but rather anointed them
   to be faithful to you
       and the truth of your gospel...

In the same way, Lord,
send your Spirit upon me:
   anoint, bless, charge and send me
       to be faithful to you
            and your holy word...

And because I'm weak, Lord,
I pray your Spirit will
   strengthen and heal me,
   inspire and counsel me
   and give me the courage

and wisdom I need
to be faithful to you

       and your rule of love...

Come, Holy Spirit!
   Anoint, heal and fill my heart
       with the fire, the flame

of your holy presence...

Send forth the gifts of your Holy Spirit
and recreate me

with your strength and grace;
make me faithful, Lord,

to your wisdom and will
and the work you call me to do...

Send forth your Holy Spirit, O Lord,
and renew the face of the earth...

Amen.

Two musical offerings this morning: a joyous, uplifting choral rendition of a great American spiritual and a powerful, haunting organ improvisation on the chant piece: Veni Creator Spiritus.

If two widgets don't appear below, click here!

Every Time I Feel the Spirit by

Tuskegee University Golden Voices Choir

arranged by William Dawson

Every time I feel the Spirit
moving in my heart I will pray.
Yes, every time I feel the Spirit
moving in my heart I will pray.

1) Up on the mountain, my Lord spoke,
out of his mouth came fire and smoke.

Looked all around me, it looked so fine,
till I asked my Lord if all was mine.

2) Jordan River, chilly and cold,
it chills the body but not the soul.
There is but one train upon this track;
it runs to heaven and then right back.

Improvisation on Veni Creator Spiritus

by Alfred V. Fedak