Jesus Sent the Holy Spirit to Empower Us for Ministry
The Day of Pentecost brings the season of Easter to a close. From Advent through Pentecost believers focus on Jesus’ ministry to achieve and proclaim the good news, the forgiveness of sins. On this day we remember that Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to authorize and empower believers to be his witnesses in the world. Our work as gospel proclaimers is filled with challenges—included challenges from our own sinful nature—but it is also filled with comfort and joy.
Prayer of the Day Holy Spirit, God and Lord, come to us this joyful day with your sevenfold gift of grace. Rekindle in our hearts the holy fire of your love that in a true and living faith we may tell abroad the glory of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Father, one God, now and forever. Amen.
Readings for this Sunday
Acts 2:2-21 – The Holy Spirit descends of Jesus’ followers and inspires their preaching.
1 Corinthians12:3-11 – The Spirit distributes gifts to believers to equip them for ministry.
John 7:37-39 – The Water of Life fills believers to become life-givers.
Our Way of Worship
Our Sunday worship follows a worship pattern used in Christian churches for almost 1,500 years but in contemporary language and a variety of styles. The entire service is printed in an easy to use folder. We hear readings from the Bible and join together in prayer. We sing psalms and hymns found in a hymnal called Christian Worship which contains hundreds of well-known hymns. The high point of Sunday worship is the message or sermon, a twenty-minute explanation of a reading from the Bible and its meaning for our lives in the 21st century.
Some of our older members dress up for church, but casual dress is perfectly fine. The Lord looks at our hearts and attitudes, not our clothes. Members support the congregation’s work with offerings, but guests should not feel obligated to participate. Rest rooms are located in the lower level of the church.
On two Sundays a month we celebrate Holy Communion, a special meal that forgives our sins as we receive the Savior’s body and blood in bread and wine. The Bible teaches that receiving Holy Communion with others symbolizes our unity in faith, and so communion is offered to Trinity members and members of our denomination.
Come, let us worship the Lord
We, united by faith in Jesus and thankful for our traditions and friendships, have come together so that our faith may be strengthened by Word and Sacrament and that we may share the Savior’s love with people near and far.