May 2024: Spirit
Set-up:
Seven-pointed star marked out on floor. Candles at each point, tall one in the middle. One word at each point: wind / fire / wisdom / creativity / breath / prophecy / light
1. in the beginning
bible reading - genesis 1
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
light the candles
2. opening prayer
Where our lives have been so crowded with noise that we have drowned out the voice of your spirit
Lord have mercy
Where our hearts have been so overwhelmed with busy-ness that we have squeezed out the presence of your spirit
Lord have mercy
Where we have become defensive through stress and fear and we have shrugged off the touch of your spirit
Christ have mercy
Eternal God
awaken our hearts to the reality of your spirit
invigorate our senses with the purity of your spirit
break down our defences with the beauty of your spirit
fill us afresh with the presence of your spirit
In the name of Christ Amen
3. bring and share
Bible reading - 1 Corinthians 12
There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. There are different kinds of service, but the same God. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
people explain what they have brought
place it in the star
4. still small voice
after the earthquake, wind and fire comes a still small voice
let us listen in the silence for the small voice of the spirit
period of silence
5. prayer for the spirit in the world
Bible reading - Luke 4 quoting Isaiah 61
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.
ask for prayers
after each one, the refrain:
may the spirit move in power
let your love be felt and seen
6. closing prayer
after the earthquake, wind and fire comes a still small voice
let us listen for the small voice of the spirit
bringing direction not drama
perception not wishful thinking
prophecy not politics
compassion not judgement
wisdom not answers
small voice
take us to where we should be
give us the words we need to speak the vision we need to see
the actions we need to take
make us planters and weeders your light in dark places
calm presence in turmoil reality among lies
comforter
with us and strong
make us comforters with others and strong
use us for the healing of the world and the growing of your kingdom
for Jesus’ sake Amen
7. blessing
Bible reading - Joel 2 quoted in Acts 2
I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
blessing
May God send us out
in the power of the Spirit
as firestarters in the world
ablaze and yet alive
consumed and not destroyed
to be signs, dangers and comforts in the name of Christ
Amen
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