Liturgy–Receiving the Holy Spirit

Prayer Celebration Directions

GATHERING SONG
GATHERING PRAYER
Leader		We give thanks to God the Father and Jesus for sending the Holy Spirit to us. We rely on the Spirit’s strength as we learn to give Christian witness in our lives daily.
All		Amen.
READING
Leader		A reading from the Book of Acts. (Read Acts 8:14-15) The word of the Lord.
All		Thanks be to God.
RESPONSE
Side 1		O Lord, make your ways known to me,      teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth, teach me,      for you O Lord are my savior.
All		Teach us your ways, O Lord.
Side 2		Be merciful, O Lord      and steadfast in your love. Remember me,      because of your goodness.
All		Teach us your ways, O Lord.
Side 1		Lord, you are good and upright,      you instruct sinners. Lord, you lead the humble      toward rightness.
All		Teach us your ways, O Lord.
Side 2		All the paths of the Lord offer steadfast love and faithfulness to those who keep God’s covenant.
All		Teach us your ways, O Lord. (based on Psalm 25:4-10)
RITUAL
Leader		We gather as community to promise to live as Christian witnesses, to spread the good news of Jesus by our actions.
(Instrumental music plays as each participant comes forward to offer his or her promise.)
Leader		Do you,   [name]  , promise to give witness by your actions?
Each Participant		I do promise.
(After all participants have presented their promises, the Leader continues...)
Leader		Spirit of God, we thank you for the opportunity to show others our love for God by our right and just actions toward others.
All		Amen.
CLOSING PRAYER
All		We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead and the life of the world to come. Amen.
CLOSING SONG