J. Todd Bruning
May 23, 202114 min
More details available at:
https://bruningt.wixsite.com/companionship/post/how-to-zoom-worship-with-us
Rev. J. Todd Bruning, Pastor
Dolphene Davis, Minister of Music
3100 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Dallas, TX 75215
(church) 214-428-2892 (cell) 972-653-0316
We Serve as a Vehicle through which the Gospel of Jesus Christ is spread.
(Sip your coffee and discuss Galatians 5, Acts 2 and John 16 ... and how God might reach a Wide Range of People through us during the 50 Day, 8 Sunday season of Easter ... or what does COMPANIONSHIP mean for you for the final three quarters of 2021?)
Joan of Arc was captured by Burgundians near Compiègne, France.
A) PRELUDE: Hymn #298 in the Red Book: Spirit of Gentleness
B) First Lesson: Acts 2 read by #1 & #2
1) When the Feast of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Without warning there was a sound like a strong wind, gale force -- no one could tell where it came from. It filled the whole building. Then, like a wildfire, the Holy Spirit spread through their ranks, and they started speaking in a number of different languages as the Spirit prompted them. There were many Jews staying in Jerusalem just then, devout pilgrims from all over the world. When they heard the sound, they came on the run.
2) Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were blown away. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues? “They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!” Their heads were spinning; they couldn’t make head or tail of any of it. They talked back and forth, confused: “What’s going on here?” Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.”
1) That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency: “Fellow Jews, all of you who are visiting Jerusalem, listen carefully and get this story straight. These people aren’t drunk as some of you suspect. They haven’t had time to get drunk—it’s only nine o’clock in the morning. This is what the prophet Joel announced would happen: “In the Last Days,” God says, “I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams.
2) When the time comes, I’ll pour out my Spirit On those who serve me, men and women both, and they’ll prophesy.I’ll set wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth below, Blood and fire and billowing smoke, the sun turning black and the moon blood-red, Before the Day of the Lord arrives, the Day tremendous and marvelous;
C) First Hymn: Every Time I Feel the Spirit, led by Trina Renay, arranged by Trina Renay & C. MacDonald, Every Time I Feel the Spirit, led by Gaither Vocal Band, Ernie Haase, and Babbie Mason,
Please MUTE and SING (lyrics are in the video)
What is the mission of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church?
Lime GREEN is the color for Mental Health Month in MAY and the BLUES are played during Black (or BIPOC) Mental Health Month in JULY
C) SECOND LESSON: GALATIANS 5:16-26, led by #3 & #4
3) So I say, live by the Holy Spirit’s power. Then you will not do what your desires controlled by sin want you to do. The desires controlled by sin do not want what the Spirit delights in. And the Spirit does not want what the desires controlled by sin delight in. The two are at war with each other. That’s why you are not supposed to do whatever you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the authority of the law.
4) The result of sin’s control in our lives is clear. It includes sexual sins, impure acts and wild living. It includes worshiping statues of gods and worshiping evil powers. It also includes hatred and fighting, jealousy and fits of anger. Sinful desire is interested only in getting ahead. It stirs up trouble. It separates people into their own little groups. It wants what others have. It gets drunk and takes part in wild parties. It does many things of that kind. I warn you now as I did before. People who live like this will not receive God’s kingdom.
3) But the fruit the Holy Spirit produces is love, joy and peace. It is being patient, kind and good. It is being faithful and gentle and having control of oneself. There is no law against things of that kind.
4) Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed their sinful desires to his cross. They don’t want these things anymore. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become proud. Let us not make each other angry. Let us not want what belongs to others.
This is the Word of the Lord.
D) I've Got the Joy, Joy, Joy, Joy down in My Heart, led by Tanay Browne, heading into our MESSAGE for the YOUNG at HEART, a special edition for the EASTER Season.
E) KYRIE, led by Carlos Leggett
In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace from above, and for our salvation, let us pray to the Lord.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
For this holy house, and for all who offer here their worship and praise, let us pray to the Lord.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
E) LITURGY & PRAYER led by #5 & #6
5) The grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
6) We gather together and share a CREED to remember that in God, we have a Companion who will never fail us and will be with us always. It is a CREED that reminds us that death is never the final answer, and the hope springs eternal for those who follow the God of Resurrection and Life.
5) We take this moment to confess our sins: Do you confess that you are captive to sin and cannot free yourself from this trap of sin and death, at least not in this life? Do you confess that you have sinned against God in anger, rebellion, frustration, doubt and fear.
6) Do you confess that, because your neighbor fails to love in the way that God commands, that you also have not loved your neighbor as yourself? Do you confess that you struggle to love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength?
5) Do you ask, with the help of Jesus Christ, Forgive us, Lord, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy name.
6) Brothers and sisters hear this grace: In the mercy of almighty God, Jesus Christ was given to die for you and for His sake, God forgives you all of your sins. As a called disciple of Christ I declare the entire forgiveness of all of your sins, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
5) The peace of Christ be with you always.
6) We will now switch to Gallery View. As forgiven sinners, please share the peace with somebody on this call, using their name.
F) Gospel Lesson: JOHN 16:22-33, led by #7
Our Gospel Lesson comes from John 16th Chapter.
7) That is how it is with you: now you are sad, but I will see you again, and your hearts will be filled with gladness, the kind of gladness that no one can take away from you. “When that day comes, you will not ask me for anything. I am telling you the truth: the Father will give you whatever you ask of him in my name. Until now you have not asked for anything in my name; ask and you will receive, so that your happiness may be complete.
“I have used figures of speech to tell you these things. But the time will come when I will not use figures of speech, but will speak to you plainly about the Father. When that day comes, you will ask him in my name; and I do not say that I will ask him on your behalf, for the Father himself loves you. He loves you because you love me and have believed that I came from God. I did come from the Father, and I came into the world; and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.”
Then his disciples said to him, “Now you are speaking plainly, without using figures of speech. We know now that you know everything; you do not need to have someone ask you questions. This makes us believe that you came from God.” Jesus answered them, “Do you believe now? The time is coming, and is already here, when all of you will be scattered, each of you to your own home, and I will be left all alone. But I am not really alone, because the Father is with me.
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
H) SECOND SONG: Love in Any Language, written by Sandy Patty, led by the Sons and Daughters Choral Society Alumni 2006-2016, from the concert, As Long as I have Music, Mountain View Community College, Dallas, TX
Je t'aime, Te amo, Ya ti-bya, lyu blyu, Ani ohevet othka, I love you
The sounds are all as different, As the lands from which they came, And though our words are all unique, Our hearts are still the same.
Love in any language, straight from the heart, Pulls us all together, never apart, And once we learn to speak it, all the world will hear, Love in any language, fluently spoken here
We teach the young our differences Yet look how we're the same, We love to laugh, to dream our dreams, We know the sting of pain, From Leningrad to Lexington, The farmer loves his land, And daddies all get misty-eyed, To give their daughter's hand,
Oh, maybe when we realize, How much there is to share, We'll find too much in common, To pretend it isn't there,
Love in any language, straight from the heart, Pulls us all together, never apart, And once we learn to speak it, all the world will hear, Love in any language,
Though the rhetoric of government, May keep us worlds apart, There's no misinterpreting, The language of the heart
Love in any language, straight from the heart Pulls us all together, never apart And once we learn to speak it, all the world will hear Love in any language, fluently spoken here
J) SERMON: "The Pentecost Project" shared by Pastor Todd
Lime GREEN is the color for Mental Health Month in MAY and the BLUES are played during Black (or BIPOC) Mental Health Month in JULY
K) THIRD SONG: Spirit of the Living God/Holy Spirit led by Vertical Church Band and Jesus Culture at Cross Assembly
L) LITURGY of HOLY COMMUNION (Google Drive) This is the Feast of Victory (Dropbox) .... Led by Carlos Leggett & Tanya Browne
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.
Power, riches and wisdom and strength, and honor and blessing and glory are his.
Sing with all the people of God and join in the hymns of all creation.
Blessing and honor and glory and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
GREAT THANKSGIVING & Preface by #8
Please UNmute & RESPOND
The Lord be with you,
Lift up your hearts
Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
It is indeed right and salutary that we should at all times and in all places offer thanks and praise to you, O Lord, Holy Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, who on this day overcame death and the grave and by his glorious resurrection opened to us the way of everlasting life. And so with the Church on Earth and all the hosts of heaven we praise your name and join their unending hymn.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord, led by Pastor Todd
Please MUTE & SING:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY, LORD, 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.
WORDS OF INSTITUTION & Lord's Prayer, led by #8
The Words of Institution are recorded for us in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke as well as by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:
“Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night in which He was betrayed, took bread and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to His disciples saying: ‘Take and eat; this is My body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.’
“In the same way also He took the cup after supper, gave thanks, and gave it to them saying: ‘Drink of it all of you; this cup is the New Covenant in My blood, which is shed for you and for all people, for the remission of sins. This do as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.'”
When the disciples didn't know how to PRAY in the face of the challenges ahead of them, they asked Jesus for help. He said, "Pray this way!" Will you share with me the Lord's Prayer?
Please UNMute & RESPOND
Come to the Resurrection Banquet, for all is ready. We have journeyed for 40 days from Ashes and Dust to Resurrection and an Empty Tomb during Lent, and we continue that journey for 50 days from Easter to Pentecost:
1) Lamb, Of God, led by Dolphene Davis
2) Be Thou My Vision, led by Pastor Todd
Please MUTE & SING:
M) Post Communion Blessing & Prayer led by #8
Let us pray. Life-giving God, in the mystery of Christ’s resurrection you send light to conquer darkness, water to give new life, and the bread of life to nourish your people. Help us to stand with Jesus as witnesses to your Son’s resurrection, that we may show your glory to all the world, through Jesus Christ, our risen Lord. AMEN.
N) BENEDICTION: Spirit of the Living God - led by Invitation Music
O) SENDING: Led by led by #8
What is the mission of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church?
Go in Peace and Serve the Lord!
The 1969 Freedom Seder &
James Cone's 1969 book: Black Power & Black Theology
The Role of EXODUS in African American Liberation
Meet at 10 AM on Saturdays for 11 AM Distribution
May 9 (after worship): BLESSING BAG conversation
12 Months & 12 Companions - 600 Bags plus Special Gift
ST. JOHN'S, OROMO, UMOJA Churches (African & African American)
WARREN, ST. PAUL & ST. LUKE'S United Methodist Churches
2 for KING of GLORY in North Dallas (Cameron)
2 for CHRIST in University Park (Holli)
ST. LUKE'S in Richardson
RESURRECTION in Plano
PRESTON MEADOW in Plano
REJOICE in Frisco
BETHANY & CENTRAL in East Dallas & Lake Highlands
EMMANUEL & FIRST UNITED in East Dallas & Lake Highlands
GLORIA DEI & FIRST SEGRADA FAMILIA in Garland
FAITH in Flowermound or REJOICE in Coppell
HOLY TRINITY, OUR REDEEMER, NEW LIFE IN CHRIST, West of Dallas
FIRST & HIGHLAND PARK UMC Churches
Visit ALL of our Companion Congregations in 2021, starting with St. Luke's Lutheran Church on Sunday, MAY 2, 2021
3-4 Mt. Olive COMPANIONSHIP TRAINERS to go through Companionship Train-the-Trainer on May 21-22 (Pentecost Weekend) ... Tanya, Helen, Marie, Lakeesha, Corey, Holli
5/21 (6-9 PM) & 5/22 (9 AM - 5 PM): Virtual Training -Via Zoom
3-4 South Dallas COMPANIONSHIP TRAINERS go through Companionship Train-the-Trainer:
6/25 (6-9 PM) & 6/26 (9 AM - 5 PM): Virtual Training -Via Zoom
7/30 (6-9 PM) & 7/31 (9 AM - 5 PM): Virtual Training -Via Zoom
8/27 (6-9 PM) & 8/28 (9 AM - 5 PM): Virtual Training -Via Zoom
73 People from our past who will give $73 to our Short Term Building Project (more than $5000)
73 People from our present and future who will give $730 to our short term mission project (more than $50,000)
Lime GREEN is the color for Mental Health Month in MAY and the BLUES are played during Black (or BIPOC) Mental Health Month in JULY
POSTLUDE: Overcomer led by Mandisa from her "The Greatest Hits” Album