Welcome to the CHS Vientiane Worship Service Resources
We invite you to take time this Sunday, in families or very small groups of friends, to responsibly share space to worship God together.
If you are on your own, please be assured we are together in the Spirit and if you have needs, or just want to share concerns, please don't be afraid to reach out and share these with the CHS community. Contact details can be found on our church website at: http://www.thechs.org/
~ Pastor Tony
| Kossowski, Adam. Veni Sancti Spiritus, from Art in the Christian Tradition, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library, Nashville, TN. http://diglib.library.vanderbilt.edu/act-imagelink.pl?RC=56946 [retrieved April 11, 2021]. Original source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/8750321716 - Fr Lawrence Lew, O.P.. |
Scripture Sentence
"I am going to put breath into you, and
you will live."
(Ezekiel 37: 5)
The Collect
Almighty and ever-living God,
you fulfilled the promises of Easter
by sending your Holy Spirit
and opening the way of life eternal
to every race and nation.
Keep us in the unity of your Spirit,
that every tongue may tell of your glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns
with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen
Call to Worship
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works—
he who looks at the earth, and it trembles,
who touches the mountains, and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord all my life;
I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. (Psalm 104: 31-33)
Amen
Opening Hymn of Praise
Holy Spirit you are welcome here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zEiiZi2DKk
There's nothing worth more
That could ever come close
No thing can compare
You're our living hope
Your presence, Lord
I've tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord
Holy Spirit, You are welcome here
Come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by Your presence, Lord
Your presence, Lord
There's nothing worth more
That could ever come close
No thing can compare
You're our living hope
Your presence, Lord
I've tasted and seen
Of the sweetest of loves
Where my heart becomes free
And my shame is undone
Your presence, Lord
Let us become more aware of Your presence
Let us experience the glory of Your goodness
Our heavenly Father
thank you that you love us
and care for us all the time.
We know that this week
we have not always lived the way you tell us.
We have done wrong things
and not done all the good things we should have done.
Only you can save us,
so please forgive us
and help us to live as your friends.
We ask this in Jesus’ name.
Amen
Silence
Father forgive us
through the death of Jesus, your Son,
and strengthen us to live in the power of
your Holy Spirit
today and every day.
Amen
A prayer of affirmation
May our need for blessing bring us into the nearer presence of the Comforter God,
Sender of the Spirit, and Spirit.
May our weakness be filled by strength from beyond our own resources because we try to follow Jesus’ way in faith and commitment.
So, when we try to do the right thing, we are reminded that Spirit works for good through our lives all along.
When we muster all our courage in the face of our fears, the Spirit calms the fears of the world all along.
When we wake up tomorrow and do not relish that day, the Spirit is ahead of us walking through the cool of the evening with the troubles of the day vanquished all along.
We offer these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, who promised that Spirit to his disciples.
Sender of the Spirit, and Spirit.
May our weakness be filled by strength from beyond our own resources because we try to follow Jesus’ way in faith and commitment.
So, when we try to do the right thing, we are reminded that Spirit works for good through our lives all along.
When we muster all our courage in the face of our fears, the Spirit calms the fears of the world all along.
When we wake up tomorrow and do not relish that day, the Spirit is ahead of us walking through the cool of the evening with the troubles of the day vanquished all along.
We offer these prayers in the name of Jesus Christ, who promised that Spirit to his disciples.
Amen
Creed
We believe in God the Father,
Maker of all things.
We believe in his Son Jesus Christ,
Lord and Saviour of the world.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
giver of life and light.
We belong to the Church,
God’s family everywhere.
Amen
Bible Readings
Psalm: Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
First Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Second Reading: Romans 8:22-27
First Reading: Acts 2:1-21
Second Reading: Romans 8:22-27
(Alternative Reading): Ezekiel 37:1-14
Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Gospel: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15
Song
This I believe (The Creed)
VERSE
Our Father everlasting
The all creating One
God Almighty
Through Your Holy Spirit
Conceiving Christ the Son
Jesus our Saviour
CHORUS
I believe in God our Father
I believe in Christ the Son
I believe in the Holy Spirit
Our God is three in one
I believe in the resurrection
That we will rise again
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
VERSE
Our Judge and our Defender
Suffered and crucified
Forgiveness is in You
Descended into darkness
You rose in glorious life
Forever seated high
BRIDGE
I believe in You
I believe You rose again
I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord
CHORUS
I believe in life eternal
I believe in the virgin birth
I believe in the saints' communion
And in Your holy Church
I believe in the resurrection
When Jesus comes again
For I believe in the Name of Jesus
Prayer with and for the children
Holy Spirit,
wrap your dove wings around us,
spark your bright flame within us,
blow your refreshing wind among us,
so that we can be
your Pentecost people today.
Amen
Sermon
Song
Refiner’s fire (MP921)
[Verse 1]
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold and precious silver
Purify my heart
Let me be as gold, pure gold
[Chorus]
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
[Verse 2]
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from within and make me holy
Purify my heart
Cleanse me from my sin, deep within
[Chorus]
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Refiner's fire
My heart's one desire
Is to be holy
Set apart for You, Lord
I choose to be holy
Set apart for You, my Master
Ready to do Your will
Prayer of Dedication
As you gift your Spirit, Lord,
may our gifts return to you
in wisdom
in knowledge
in faith
in healing
may we always celebrate
and share all your gifts
here and everywhere,
now and forever
Alleluia.
Amen
Prayers of Intercession
Lord God,
we thank you that when we grieve
and find it hard to pray,
when we cannot find the words,
your Spirit intercedes,
with groans too deep for words.
Spirit intercede for us now.
we thank you that when we grieve
and find it hard to pray,
when we cannot find the words,
your Spirit intercedes,
with groans too deep for words.
Spirit intercede for us now.
Sometimes we lose heart
at all the suffering we witness,
both near and far,
but may we always see you
wherever your children suffer,
wherever the earth cries out in anguish.
You, the God of all creation,
tear open the heavens
and dwell among your people.
Give us courage
to go into all the places you already are.
Remind us that nothing done
in the name of love is ever wasted
and that all that we do
for the least of these,
we do for you.
We pray for your healing
for all of creation.
We pray for unity in your church
so that, together with you,
we may heal the world.
We pray for all who lead
and give wise counsel.
May they lead with justice and compassion,
and build on a foundation of love.
And we pray for all whom we know,
struggling this day—
with loss,
with disappointment,
with illness,
with bereavement,
with lack of hope and purpose.
In a moment of silence we remember people and situations on our hearts now...
We include in our prayers today particularly the ongoing global Covid19 Pandemic, the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and we also continue to pray for Terry Muir, who is gravely ill and for his wife Phouang and young son, James. We also remember his sons and daughter back in the UK. We pray for Patrick, Andrew and Caireen. May your blessing and protection be upon them all and may they recognise and trust in the hope of glory made known in Jesus.
Spirit of God,
blow change through our hearts,
our lives,
our world.
Your kingdom come
on earth as in heaven.
Amen
Now, let us join in the prayer our Lord himself taught us:
Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those
who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours
now and for ever.
Amen
Closing Song
Jesus hope of the nations
Jesus, hope of the nations
Jesus, comfort for all who mourn
You are the source of Heaven's hope on earth
Jesus, light in the darkness
Jesus, truth in each circumstance
You are the source of Heaven's light on earth
In history You lived and died
You broke the chains, You rose to life
You are the hope living in us
You are the rock in whom we trust
You are the light shining for all the world to see
You rose from the dead conquering fear
Our Prince of Peace drawing us near
Jesus our hope, living for all who will receive
Lord, we believe
Jesus, hope of the nations
Jesus, comfort for all who mourn
You are the source of Heaven's hope on earth
Jesus, light in the darkness
Jesus, truth in each circumstance
You are the source of Heaven's light on earth
Prayer of Sending and Blessing
Sisters and brothers in Christ,
go into the world.
Realise the visions.
Fulfil the dreams.
See new visions.
Dream new dreams.
And as you do,
know that the Holy Spirit
is guiding you and encouraging you
every step of the way
And the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with us all,
now and always.
Amen
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord,
in the name of Christ.
Amen
