Grace United Church | United Church in Thornbury, ON

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May 24, 2026

Day of Pentecost

Find this service at www.graceunitedthornbury.ca/live

Leading us today in Worship:

Minister: Rev. Dr. Brian Goodings

Guest Musician: Camryn Ruthven

Lay Reader: Sandy Eagles

Leader: regular font ~ All: bold font ~ Sung words: bold italics.

Asterisk * Indicates when the congregation may stand if able.

Scripture for meditation:

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place and suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Acts 2: 1,2

We Gather Together in Community

PRELUDE: Improvization by Camryn Ruthven

“A Stewardship Second:”

And here God does it again! Fire and wind and the gift of the Holy Spirit upon us! What radical generosity is this?

WELCOME:

LIGHTING the CHRIST CANDLE:

RESPONSE HYMN: Psalm 100 VU # 820

“Make a joyful noise all the earth!”

Refrain:

Make a joyful noise all the earth!

Worship your God with gladness.

Make a joyful noise all the earth.

Come to this place with a song!

1 Know that your God has made you.

Know it’s to God we belong.

And come to this place with joyfulness and praise.

Worship your God with a song

Make a joyful noise all the earth!

Worship your God with gladness.

Make a joyful noise all the earth.

Come to this place with a song!

2 Enter these gates, thanks giving.

Enter these courts with praise.

Sing thanks to your God and bless the holy Name.

Worship your God with a song!

Make a joyful noise all the earth!

Worship your God with gladness.

Make a joyful noise all the earth.

Come to this place with a song!

3 Ages through endless ages,

seasons of endless years,

the love of our Maker ever shall endure.

Worship your God with a song!

Make a joyful noise all the earth!

Worship your God with gladness.

Make a joyful noise all the earth.

Come to this place with a song!

OUR COMMITMENT to SAFER SPACE & ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the LAND:

Grace United Church celebrates diversity and inclusivity. Inspired by the life and

teachings of Jesus, we work towards justice and affirm our welcome for people of all

gender identities and sexual preferences.

In gratitude and respect, The United Church of Canada gathers, worships, and works on Indigenous lands across Canada.

SCRIPTURE READING:

Act 2: 1-21 (Story of Pentecost)

New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

The Coming of the Holy Spirit

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.

Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs—in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

Peter Addresses the Crowd

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o’clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:

‘In the last days it will be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams.

Even upon my slaves, both men and women,

in those days I will pour out my Spirit,

and they shall prophesy.

And I will show portents in the heaven above

and signs on the earth below,

blood, and fire, and smoky mist.

The sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood,

before the coming of the Lord’s great and glorious day.

Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

*HYMN: MV# 23 “Come, O Holy Spirit”

1. Come, O Holy Spirit, set the Church on fire;

strike it as the lightning hits a posing spire.

Burn away the structures and

consume the sham of our holy systems:

Come, in Jesus’ name!

Refrain:

Come, come, come, in Jesus name!

Take our hearts by storm.

All the world lies open

Pentecost is now!

I said a. Repeat refrain

2. Blow away the cobwebs of our stubborn past.

Come, send flying from us myths unfit to last.

Wind of change, refresh us and disturb our calm;

teach us what true love is,

take our hearts by storm.

Refrain:

Come, come, come, in Jesus name!

Take our hearts by storm.

All the world lies open:

Pentecost is now!

3. Free us from the babble of our Babel mind;

spark in us a language all can understand.

Lighten then our darkness,

Come and show us how all the world lies open:

Pentecost is now!

Refrain:

Come, come, come, in Jesus name!

Take our hearts by storm.

All the world lies open now!

Amen!

Lighting the Children’s Lantern

Theme Conversation: Pentecost

We Listen Together

MUSICAL INTETRLUDE:

“Holy Spirit You are Welcome Here”

(Bryan and Katie Torwalt, 2012)

SERMON: “Eschewing Complexity” Rev Brian Goodings

PASTORAL & THE LORD’S PRAYER:

(alternate words…new language)

O Breathing Life, your Name shines everywhere!

Release a space to plant your Presence here.

Imagine your possibilities now.

Embody your desire in every light and form.

Grow through us this moment's bread and wisdom.

Untie the knots of failure binding us,

as we release the strands we hold of others' faults.

Help us not forget our Source,

Yet free us from being captive in the Present.

From you arises every Vision, Power and Song

We dare in hope and trust that your glory and presence know no end. We are boldly claimed by your love.

So be it!

*HYMN: VU #375 “Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness”

Refrain:

Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,

blow thro’ the wilderness calling and free,

Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,

stir me from placidness,

Wind, Wind on the sea.

1 You moved on the waters, you called to the deep,

then you coaxed up the mountains from the

valleys of sleep;

and over the eons you called to each thing:

wake from your slumbers and rise on your wings.

Refrain:

Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,

blow thro’ the wilderness calling and free,

Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,

stir me from placidness,

Wind, Wind on the sea.

2 You swept thro’ the desert, you stung with the sand,

and you goaded your people with a law and a land;

and when they were blinded with their idols and lies,

then you spoke thro’ your prophets to open their eyes.

Refrain:

Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,

blow thro’ the wilderness calling and free,

Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,

stir me from placidness,

Wind, Wind on the sea.

3 You sang in a stable, you cried from a hill,

then you whispered in silence when the whole world

was still;

and down in the city you called once again,

when you blew through your people on the rush

of the wind.

Refrain:

Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,

blow thro’ the wilderness calling and free,

Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,

stir me from placidness,

Wind, Wind on the sea.

4 You call from tomorrow, you break ancient schemes,

from the bondage of sorrow the captives dream dreams,

our women see visions, our men clear their eyes,

with bold new decisions your people arise.

Refrain:

Spirit, Spirit of gentleness,

blow thro’ the wilderness calling and free,

Spirit, Spirit of restlessness,

stir me from placidness,

Wind, Wind on the sea.

We Respond to God’s Word

INVITATION to the OFFERING:

God’s generous Spirit knows no bounds. Wouldn’t it be amazing if our gifts flowed so boundlessly that people thought we were out of our minds? What new beginning could that kind of generosity bring about? Let’s find out!

PRAYER of DEDICATION of OUR OFFERINGS:

God of fire and power, when we give from that deep place, we feel ourselves turned inside out. New things are possible. Lives are transformed. The world is changed. Bless these gifts and use them in our local community and across the world through Mission and Service. Amen.

DEDICATION VERSE: VU #218 “We Praise You O God” v.1

We praise you, O God, our Redeemer, Creator;

in grateful devotion our tribute we bring.

We lay it before you; we kneel and adore you;

we bless your holy name, glad praises we sing.

Donate online: www.graceunitedthornbury.ca, select “Donate” or contact the office by email: accounting@graceunitedthornbury.ca or phone: 519-599-2438 to arrange a cheque pick-up, or an e-transfer.

Mail: Grace UC, 140 Bruce St. S. PO Box 219, Thornbury, ON N0H 2P0

or Offering Plate at the back of the sanctuary.

Tap your debit card at the door of the church, or Donate to Grace United Church Thornbury through CanadaHelps.org. Our account is set up with them now and it is easy to register. Tax receipts are given automatically at the time of giving. Care, Prayer, Share

What’s up at Grace?

We Begin our Service in the Name of Christ!

*HYMN: VU #232 “Joyful, Joyful We Adore You”

1. Joyful, joyful we adore you,

God of glory life and love;

hearts unfold like flowers before you,

opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness,

drive the gloom of doubt away;

giver of immortal gladness,

fill us with the light of day.

2. All your works with joy surround you,

earth and heaven reflect your rays,

stars and angels sing around you,

centre of unbroken praise.

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

flowering meadow, flashing sea,

chanting bird and flowing fountain,

sound their praise eternally.

3. You are giving and forgiving,

ever blessing ever blest,

well-spring of the joy of living,

ocean depth of happy rest!

Source of grace and fount of blessing,

Let your light upon us shine;

teach us how to love each other,

lift bus to the joy divine.

4. Mortals join the mighty chorus

which the morning stars began;

God’s own love is reigning o’er us,

joining people hand in hand.

Ever singing march we onward,

victors in the midst of strife;

joyful music leads us sunward

In the triumph song of life.

*COMMISSIONING:

*BENEDICTION: (unison) (Celtic Blessing)

May God be with us in every pass,

Christ be found on every hill,

Holy Spirit in every babbling brook and dancing stream.

Each lying down and rising up

In the troughs of waves and on the crest of billows,

On each step of the journey we travel together,

May we know we are never alone.

Thanks be to God! AMEN (Choral)

POSTLUDE:

Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow

(Doxology) (by Hillsong Worship, 2019)

SOURCES: The following are used with permission:

Stewardship Second & Invitation to the Offering & Prayer of Dedication of our Offerings from: © 2024 The United Church of Canada/L’Église Unie du Canada. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial Share Alike License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/2.5/ca. Any copy must include this notice.

The Lord’s Prayer: alternate words…new language.

Benediction: a Celtic blessing.

HYMNS and SUNG VERSES:

-“Make a Joyful Noise:” Refrain 1 Music: J. Jefferson Cleveland. From Psalms for Singing © 1984 by the Upper Room, 1908 Grand Ave., P.O. Box 340004,Nashville, TN 37203-0004, USA. tel. 615-340-7200. Refrain 2: Arthur H. Messiter 1883. Refrain 1 Words: Public Domain. Music: The Upper Room. Refrain 2: Public Domain

-“Come, O Holy Spirit:” Words: Fred Kaan, 1972, rev. 1998; French trans. David Fines,

_”Spirit, Spirit of Gentleness:” Words, Music: James K. Manley © 1978 James K. Manley, 747 Plymouth Rd., Claremont, CA 91711, USA. French Translation: © 1995 Andrew Donaldson, Seraph Music, 14 Hambly Ave., Toronto, ON M4E 2R6. Words, Music: J. Manley Publishing. French Translation: Andrew Donaldson, Seraph Music . One License $608577.

-“We Praise You O God:” Words: Julia Cory. Music: Netherlands melody. Harmonized by Edward Kremser. Descant: © 1980 G.I.A. Publications, Inc. Words, Music, Harmonization: Public Domain. Descant: G.I.A. Publications, Inc. One License #608577

Words, Music, Adaptation: Public Domain. Descant: G.I.A. Publications, Inc.

Scripture Readings: New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition.

Prelude: Improvization

Musical Interlude: “Holy Spirit You are Welcome Here” (Bryan and Katie Torwalt,2012

Postlude:” Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow.” (Doxology) (by Hillsong Worship, 2019)

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