Pentecost Sunday: Spirit of the Living God

Sunday, May 24, 2026
10:30 AM 11:30 AM 10:30 11:30

Union Presbyterian Church 200 E Main St Endicott, NY, 13760 United States (map)

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“Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh on me…
Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me…”

On Pentecost we share a memory of the church: the Spirit being unleashed upon the earliest disciples, and being experienced by crowds of people who can suddenly understand even the Aramaic of the Galileans in their own languages. It’s vibrant, it’s shocking, it’s unmistakeable!

But the hymn I’ve quoted above offers a meditation on the role of the Spirit in our own lives. Here. Now. How have we gotten here? What is the meaning of the Spirit being with us, always?

You can join us in our beautiful sanctuary at 200 East Main Street in Endicott, NY. Or, you can join us online by clicking on the livestream, right here, on Sunday morning at 10:30. You are invited. We would love to see you!

Pentecost Sunday: Spirit of the Living God

Psalm 139:7-14; Acts 2:1-18

May 24, 2026 

Union Presbyterian Church 

Sharing the Light of Christ, Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow 

Liturgist: Peg Corwin Preacher: Rev. Pat Raube   

Welcome

Please show on screen as soon as we go live:

This is the day that the Lord has made!

Let us rejoice and be glad in it! ~Psalm 118:24

Announcements          Peg Corwin

Prelude Tower Ringers

“Come, Thou Almighty King,” Kevin McChesney

@1993, Lorenz Publishing Co., All rights reserved.     

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

* Call to Worship

The Spirit descends like a dove,

bringing peace to unite the world in a just and caring community.

Spirit of the Living God, Come!

The Spirit comes like a breath,

bringing life to renew the people of God.

Spirit of the Living God, Come!

The Spirit spreads like fire,

bringing energy for God’s people to witness to the love of God.

Spirit of the Living God,
come to us and transform our lives by your power!

* Hymn # 280

“Come, O Spirit, Dwell Among Us,” Janie Alford

@1979, Hope Publishing Company, All rights reserved.     

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Come, O Spirit, dwell among us;
Come with Pentecostal power;
Give the church a stronger vision;
Help us face each crucial hour.
Built upon a firm foundation,
Jesus Christ, the Cornerstone,
Still the church is called to mission
That God's love shall be made known.

We would raise our alleluias
For the grace of yesteryears;
For tomorrow's unknown pathway,
Hear, O Lord, our humble prayers.
In the church's pilgrim journey
You have led us all the way;
Still in presence move before us,
Fire by night and cloud by day.

Come, O Spirit, dwell among us;
Give us words of fire and flame.
Help our feeble lips to praise you,
Glorify your holy name.
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
Three in One: what mystery!
We would sing our loud hosannas
Now and through eternity.

* Call to New Life

Jesus said,
You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.
But we fear the Spirit’s power.

Let us confess our slowness to embrace the new life of the Spirit.

* Prayer for Wholeness and Peace (unison)

We admit to you, God of our life, that our celebration of the coming of your Spirit can be an empty ritual. Through the Spirit, you offer us life, but we can cling to the ways of death. Through the Spirit, you offer us freedom, but we cling to our chains. Through the Spirit, you offer us unity, but we continue to build walls between ourselves and others. Through the Spirit you offer us power, but we shrink away in fear and doubt.

~time for silent prayer~

Forgive us, O God, that we refuse the gifts you offer. Allow us to touch the risen Christ, that our doubts may be overcome. Let us sing and dance with joy, truly celebrating your presence. Let us move with courage into the world with the word of your love on our lips. We pray in your many holy names. Amen.

* Words of Assurance

People of God, leap up! Dance!
The Spirit is here in healing power!

The love of God heals us, and makes us whole!
Rise up in the new life of the Spirit!

* Sharing of the Peace

May the peace of God be with you.

And also with you.

Let us share with one another a sign of God’s peace.

Scripture Psalm 139:7-14

Where can I go from your spirit?

Or where from your presence can I flee?

If I ascend to the heavens, there you are;

if I recline in Sheol, see, it is you!

If I take up dawn’s wings

if I settle at the farthest reaches of the sea,

even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me fast.

If I say, “Surely darkness shall cover me,

and night will become light behind me,”

even darkness is not dark to you;

night is as daylight,

for dark is the same as light.

For it was you who crafted my inward parts;

you wove me together in my mother’s womb.

I praise you, for I am awesomely and marvelously made.

Wondrous are your works;

that my soul knows full well.

Time for Young Disciples Rev. Pat Raube

Music: “Hail Thee, Festival Day!” (Hymn #277)

(Public Domain)

Anthem Choir

“Breath of God,” Marianne Forman

@2024, Beckenhorst Press, All rights reserved.     

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Breathe on me, breathe on me,

Breathe, breathe on me, breath of God.

Breathe on me, breath of God,

Fill me with life anew,

That I may love what thou dost love,

And do what thou wouldst do.

Breathe on me, breath of God,

Until my heart is pure,

Until with thee I will one will,

To do and to endure.

Breathe on me.

Breathe on me, breath of God,

Till I am wholly thine,

Until this earthly part of me

Glows with thy fire divine,

Breathe on me, Holy Spirit,

Breathe on me.

Breathe on me, breath of God,

So shall I never die,

But live with thee the perfect life,

But live with thee the perfect life

Of thine eternity.

Breathe on me, breathe on me,

Breath of God.

Scripture Acts 2:1-18

When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in the same place. And there came suddenly from heaven a sound like the sweeping of a mighty wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Then there appeared among them divided tongues, as of fire, and one rested on each of them. And all of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in other tongues just as the Spirit gave them to speak.
(Individual Slides for the following four sentences)

Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem devout Jews from every nation under heaven.
(Joan Kellam: German)

Now at this sound the crowd gathered and was confused because each heard them speaking in the native language of each.
(Cindy Surrena: French)

Amazed and astounded, they asked, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans?
(Ellie Rivera: Spanish)

And how do we hear, each in our own native language?
(Barb Lustgarten: Russian)

Parthians and Medes and Elamites, and those who live in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjacent to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs, we hear them speaking in our own tongues about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and questioning to one another saying, “What does this mean?” But others mocking said, “They are filled with new wine.”

But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Judeans and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you all, and attend to my speech: For, these persons are not drunk as you suppose; it is only the third hour 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 daughters and your sons shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your elders shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both women and men,

in those days I will pour out my Spirit;

and they shall prophesy.

Response Holy Wisdom, Holy Word.

Thanks be to God.

Sermon “Spirit of the Living God” Rev. Pat Raube

Affirmation of Faith A Brief Statement of Faith PCUSA

We trust in God the Holy Spirit, everywhere the giver and renewer of life. The Spirit justifies us by grace through faith, sets us free to accept ourselves and to love God and neighbor, and binds us together with all believers in the one body of Christ, the Church. The same Spirit who inspired the prophets and apostles rules our faith and life in Christ through Scripture, engages us through the Word proclaimed, claims us in the waters of baptism, feeds us with the bread of life and the cup of salvation, and calls women and men to all ministries of the Church. In a broken and fearful world the Spirit gives us courage to pray without ceasing, to witness among all peoples to Christ as Lord and Savior, to unmask idolatries in Church and culture, to hear the voices of peoples long silenced, and to work with others for justice, freedom, and peace.

* Hymn # 288

“Spirit of the Living God,” Daniel Iverson

Used by Permission.  CCLI License #CSPL068847 

(Sing twice:)

Spirit of the living God,

Fall a-fresh on me;

Spirit of the living God,

Fall a-fresh on me.

Melt me, mold me, fill me, use me.

Spirit of the living God,

Fall a-fresh on me.

Celebration of Claire Bombard’s Ministry

Bell Anthem

"Hyfrodol,” Cynthia Dobrinski Community Bell Choir

@1989, Shawnee Press, Inc., All rights reserved.     

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Prayers of the People 

In the communion of the Holy,

we call upon the name of the Lord, saying,

By your Spirit, O God, transform our lives.

God of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ you promise to hear us when we pray to you in his name. Confident in your love and mercy, we offer our prayer. By your Spirit, O God, transform our lives.

Empower the church throughout the world in its life and witness.

Bread down the barriers that divide, that, united in your truth and love, the church may confess your name, share one baptism, sit together at one table, and serve you in one common ministry.
By your Spirit, O God, transform our lives.

Guide the rulers of the nations. Move them to set aside their fear, greed, and vain ambition, and bow to your sovereign rule. Inspire them to strive for peace and justice, that all your children may dwell secure, free of war and injustice.
By your Spirit, O God, transform our lives.

Hear the cries of the world’s hungry and suffering. Give us, who consume most of the earth’s resources, the will to reorder our lives, that all may have their rightful share of the food, medical care, and shelter, and so have the necessities of a life of dignity.
By your Spirit, O God, transform our lives.

Restore among us a love of the earth you created for our home.
Help us put an end to ravishing its land, air, and waters, and give us respect for all your creatures, that, living in harmony with everything you have made, your whole creation may resound in an anthem of praise to your glorious name.
By your Spirit, O God, transform our lives.

Renew our nation in the ways of justice and peace.

Guide those who make and administer our laws to build a society based on trust and respect. Erase prejudices that oppress free us from crime and violence. Give all citizens a new vision of a life of harmony.

By your Spirit, O God, transform our lives.

Strengthen this congregation in its work and worship. Fill our hearts with your self-giving love, that our voices may speak your praise, and our lives may conform to the image of your son. Nourish us with your word and sacraments, that we may faithfully minister in your name from generation to generation, and witness to your love and grace for all the world.

By your Spirit, O God, transform our lives.

Look with compassion on all who suffer. Support with your love all those we named this morning in our prayer requests, and those we name in our hearts. Support with your love, those with incurable and stigmatized diseases, those in prison, those denied dignity, those who live without hope, those who are homeless or abandoned. As you have moved toward us in love, so lead us to be present with them in their suffering by the power of your Spirit.

By your Spirit, O God, transform our lives.

Sustain those among us who need your healing touch.

Make the sick whole. Give hope to the dying. Comfort those who mourn. Uphold all who suffer in body or mind, not only those we know and love, but also those known only to you, that they may know the peace and joy of your supporting care.

By your Spirit, O God, transform our lives.

True and only Light, from whom comes every good gift:

Send your Spirit into our lives with the power of a mighty wind.

Open the horizons of our minds by the flame of your wisdom.

Loosen our tongues to show you praise,

For only in your Spirit can we voice your words of peace and acclaim Jesus as Lord.

We pray in Jesus name, and in the words he taught us,

The Lord’s Prayer  (Unison) 

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen. 

Prayer Response # 587

“Alleluia!” Fintan O’Carroll, Christopher Walker

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Call for Offering     

* Doxology # 606

“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow”

(Public Domain)

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,

Praise him, all creatures here below:

Praise him above, ye heavenly host;

Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

* Dedication of Offering 

* Hymn # 300

“We Are One in the Spirit,” Peter Scholtes

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord;

We are one in the Spirit; we are one in the Lord,

And we pray that all unity may one day be restored:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand;

We will walk with each other; we will walk hand in hand,

And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

We will work with each other; we will work side by side;

We will work with each other; we will work side by side,

And we’ll guard human dignity and save human pride:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,

And all praise to Christ Jesus, God’s only Son,

And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one:

And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love;

Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.

* Benediction 

Musical Benediction Community Bell Choir

“The Blessing,” Paul A. McKlveen

@1995, Lake State Publications, All rights reserved.     

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Postlude Community Bell Choir

“To God Be the Glory,” Cynthia Dobrinski

@1994, Hope Publishing Company, All rights reserved.     

Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE.     

Where an * is indicated, please rise in body and/or in spirit.     

Scripture Translations are from A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church, Year A, by Wilda C. Gafney, unless otherwise noted.

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Pentecost Sunday: Spirit of the Living God