June 7, 2025

Dear St. Paul’s UMC and Wesley Foundation Family,

Happy Pentecost Church! I am looking forward to celebrating the gift of Spirit tomorrow as we remember the story of Pentecost, when the Spirit, unruly and wild and surprising as she often is, came upon the early church, pushing them out into spaces and with people they (might have) preferred not to go or be. As we hear these words, I hope that we can unlock our own imaginations and dream dreams, that we might continue to live into the history of this story, as it makes and re-makes our understanding of ourselves and what it means to be the Church. I look forward to dreaming and imagining with you! 

On Pentecost you are invited to wear red as a way to celebrate and remember; following the service we will also be planting geraniums in the church flower beds. We’d love to have your help! 

Please remember that we have moved to our summer schedule with one service only at 10:00 AM, both in-person and livestreamed. We hope to see you there!

Here is our schedule for tomorrow, June 8th:

10:00 AM: Hybrid Worship Service with Holy Communion, in-person and livestreamed here.  

Please remember that since this service is filmed and live-streamed, you or your family members may be on our worship recording, which is streamed and archived on our YouTube channel.  

Please remember that there is NO discussion group today, or for the rest of the summer. We hope that you will use the following discussion questions in your family or with your friends during lunch, or on your Tuesday morning walk, or on a midweek phone call. Let’s let our worship move beyond Sunday and continue to take root in our living!

Grace and Peace,

Pastor Sarah

Discussion Questions

(1) What did you notice in our worship today? Thinking not only about the words of the sermon, where did you notice the Spirit, an unexpected connection, a flicker of life, hope, or love?

(2) “Pentecost is less of a birthday and more of a block party. It does more than celebrate a historical event; it breaks into the street and redefines the neighborhood. And every time it happens, it remakes our understanding of ourselves.” How does this image of Pentecost as “less of a birthday and more of a block party” resonate with you? In what ways does this open up different ways of understanding this event?

(3) As we hear in this passage, God has been dreaming throughout all of time, imagining anew, pouring out Spirit freely and widely that “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” What is one of your dreams for the Church? (write it down, share it with a friend)

Prelude: “Fantasia for Pentecost” (Martin Ellis)

Mary Bahnfleth

Greeting

Rev. Sarah Coker Voigt

Call to Worship 

One: Spirit of the Living God, 

All: Awaken us to imagine anew.

One: Wind and fire, breath and being, guide and nudge – 

All: Awaken us to your grace, present in all things, all people, all moments.

One: Spirit of the Living God, who goes to the very ends of the earth, 

All: Awaken us to your dream for everyone. 

Opening Hymn: “O Spirit of the Living God” (UMH 539)

Passing the Peace

Children’s Message

Liz McMillan

Scripture Lesson: Acts 2:1-21 (NRSVUE)

Pam Ford

Hymn: “In the Midst of New Dimensions” (FWS 2238)

Message: “Dream On”

Rev. Sarah Coker Voigt

Invitation to the Sacrament 

Confession and Pardon

Merciful God, 

We confess that we have not loved you with our whole heart.

We have failed to be an obedient church. 

We have not done your will, 

We have broken your law,

We have rebelled against your love, 

We have not loved our neighbors, 

And we have not heard the cry of the needy.  

Forgive us, we pray. 

Free us for joyful obedience, 

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. 

One: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven!

All: In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven. 

Glory to God. Amen. 

Offering

The Great Thanksgiving

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Lift up your hearts. 

We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give our thanks and praise.

It is right …

… and join their unending hymn:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

Holy are you …

… as we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

Pour out your Holy Spirit …

… now and forevermore.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Sharing of the Bread and Cup

Prayer After Communion

Closing Hymn: “We Are God’s People” (FWS 2220)

Announcements

Benediction

Postlude: “Tongues of Fire” (Alfred V. Fedak)

Mary Bahnfleth