Pentecost Story Singalong Acts. 2.1-21
It is time for a sweet spirited Pentecost Story Singalong.
Here is how this is going to work. I am going to guide us through the story of the first Pentecost according to Acts 2. At certain points there are going to be lyrics to a familiar song that are going to appear on our screen. Rush & Christine going to lead us, as we sing our way through this Pentecost story. So, do not be shy- join in and sing along.
We begin listening to a piece of music and some sounding drums that tells us that something is in the air:
1. “Can you feel it coming in the air tonight….”
These are the words of the iconic song by Genesis sung and drummed by Phil Collins. “Can you feel it coming in the air…? I have been waiting for this moment all my life, Lord.” That could have been the words spoken by the disciples as they were gather in Jerusalem on that first Pentecost. Can we feel it?
Our story begins in the book of Acts. According to the text, when the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples 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.
This wind was the presence of the Holy Spirit and the disciples were so inspired and so attuned to the moment, and so overwhelmed by this holy wind that they turned to each other and proclaimed something like…
2. {Wind Beneath my Wings by Bette Midler}
“Did you ever know that you're my hero,
and everything I would like to be?
I can fly higher than an eagle.
For you are the wind beneath my wings”
Then the scriptures go on to say that divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. This must have been very confusing, I am wondering if once they saw these strange burning tongues of fire, there is a very good chance that they wondered, where this fire came from and what these tongues meant. I am sure that they were turning around and looking up and looking at other and saying…
3. The answer is blowing in the wind
By Peter, Paul, and Mary
How many roads must a man walk down?
Before they call him a man?
How many times must a man look up
Before he can see the sky?
The answer, my friend, is blowing' in the wind
The answer is blowing' in the wind.
The answer is blowing' in the wind
The answer was truly blowing in and with the wind that first Pentecost morning. And the book of Acts says that all of them were then filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability. What a mind-blowing experience to just all the sudden to be able to communicate in another language. There was at the time many devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem, which means that even though they all shared the same faith, they spoke a lot of different languages. So, suddenly the disciples were able to communicate in other languages to spread their good news. What an amazing gift… and I am quite sure they sang….
4.{Amazing Grace
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
That saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but how am found
Was blind but now I see.
Pastor: A large crowd gathered and was amazed and bewildered, because each one heard the disciples speaking in the native language of each. Perplexed 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?”
This is so amazing! In fact, it is almost as if Love is in the air.
5. Neal Young: Love is in the air.
Love is in the air everywhere I look around
Love is in the air every sight and every sound
And I don't know if I'm being foolish
Don't know if I'm being wise
But it's something that I must believe in
And it's there when I look in your eyes.
Pastor: 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. This is quite amazing! And all were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "Clearly they have been drinking some…
6.Vi sejler op ad åen sejler nedad igen.
Det var vel nok en dejlig sang,
den må vi ha' endnu engang. (og vi)
sejler op ad åen, sejler nedad igen,
bare frem og tilbage, hæng i min gamle ven.
Pastor: But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea 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 they will sing, something like:
7. Beatles: “Let it be”
Let it be, let it be. Let it be, let it be
Yeah, there will be an answer
Let it be
Let it be, let it be. Let it be, let it be
Whisper words of wisdom
Let it be
Pastor: In fact, the words of the prophesy was giving the disciples the strength to believe and to stand strong….
8. Josh Groban: You raise me up.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up, to more than I can be
Pastor: And the words of the old Prophet sounded new and the discipled listened anew to the old words “…before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day. Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Which made all of them want to jump up and sing…
9.Joyful, Joyful.
Joyful, joyful, Lord we adore thee
God of glory, lord of love
Hearts unfold like flowers before thee
Opening to the sun above
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness
Drive the dark of doubt away
Giver of immortal gladness
Fill us with the light of day
Pastor: And so, ends the story of the first Pentecost. The birthday of the church. May we once again be inspired to believe, and may God continue to put joy in our hearts and a song upon our lips. And remember that….:
10. Beatles: All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love.
All you need is love, love.
Love is all you need.
Apostle Creed.
Reflections:
Pentecost. Pinse.
This is indeed a spirited day in the history of Christianity and our church. It is indeed a day of fire, passion, tongues, languages: a mysterious day of questions and answers blowing in the wind.
Pentecost is the celebration of the Holy Spirit, God’s Holy Spirit, that moves the earth, the nature and us. The Holy Spirit that moves around us and within us. The Spirit of God that makes us alive and living and loving.
This year, 2020, we also celebrate the blowing wind and spirit, but we certainly do it in a different way than we could have anticipated or planned.
As we are slowly preparing and planning how to reopen the church buildings for in person services, with social distances, wearing masks, hand sanitizers at hand, no communion and lunch yet….
As we are longing to meet again in what ever form that may be, - we should also be grateful for the unexpected gifts and the unexpected ways of the Holy spirit in this pandemic.
Under the lockdown and the social distance, we have come to appreciate the very things that we so often take for granted: a walk in the park or in the hills, time spend with family, a phone call, a homecooked meal, a good book, listening to music and gardening. At home and within families we have experienced new ways of connecting with family, friends, and colleagues through Facetime, Zoom or Google Meet.
Here in church – which was never closed just open in a different way – we added the ministry of technology to our portfolio.
WE have learned to adapt our ministry and outreach needed social distance and care, to phone, Zoom and live streaming on Facebook.
Many of you at home right now, have developed skills for technology use in ways you would have considered unimaginable or unimportant before.
This happened in many many churches and house or worships. Individual gifts came into focus as church council, committees, musical staff, volunteers learned to lead in new ways.
Who knew our ushers had skills for ringing the bells so forceful, or that cheer committee delicious pastries deliveries would bring so much joy?
Who knew that with these live streaming we suddenly worship with people who would not be able to join for a regular in-person service, new worshippers from other states and from Denmark?
The Holy Spirit has surely been blowing freely outside our church buildings and through Facebook live streaming that surely has been spirited services appreciated by so many – including us here in church. Even if the pews have been empty, we have felt your presence and our community. So, the church was never closed, just the buildings!
Writing to the congregation in Corinth, Paul described the manifestations of the Spirit as many different gifts and talents for leadership and service. “To each is give the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.” He wrote.
The past months have illustrated how true this is. Paul names wisdom, knowledge, faith, and healing, among others. We might celebrate gifts for offering comfort despite distance or the gifts of technology in a time of crisis.
In the time of Paul and the congregation of Corinth, and in our time, - the gifts of each one is useful for the whole community.
However, we gather for Pentecost today, it feels like a fitting time to acknowledge the surprising, moving, spiritual gifts that we have discovered in a time of crisis.
So, let us celebrate Pentecost with the sense of gratitude, wonder, amazement, joy, and hope.
There are so many new things to see and discover, so many gifts to give and receive, so many miracles to be amazed by, - if only we pay attention, if only we let the Sprit of God, the Holy Spirit, surprise us and let God catch our breath.
Let us pray:
God, the Holy Spirit,
You are the restless breath of love that sweeps through the world.
You move where you will, breaking down barriers, stirring hearts to change, making all things possible and new.
Inspire each one of us to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God all the days of our lives. Amen.