J. Todd Bruning
May 31, 202017 min
Meeting ID: 619 327 455
More details available at:
https://bruningt.wixsite.com/companionship/post/how-to-zoom-worship-with-us
Harmony on Pentecost - 50th Day after Easter (Pentecost Sunday)
(The Message - MSG)
19-23 Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily BECOME A SERVANT to any and all in order to reach a WIDE RANGE OF PEOPLE: the religious as well as the nonreligious, [the conservative as well as the progressive, the loud speakers as well as the quiet listeners, the well connected and the disconnected] -- whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I ENTERED THEIR WORLD and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every SORT OF SERVANT there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life.
A) FIRST SONG: Every Time I Feel the Spirit, (Anonymous, written before 1861) led by Dolphene Davis and Pastor Todd
Chorus: Ev’ry time I feel the spir-it, Mov-ing in my heart, I will pray, Ev’ry time I feel the spir-it, Mov-ing in my heart, I will pray. (Repeat)
Up-on the moun-tain, when my Lord spoke, Out of His mouth came fire and smoke, Looked all a-round me, It looked so fine, I asked the Lord if all were mine. (Chorus)
The Jor-dan Riv-er, is chil-ly and cold, It chills the bo-dy but not the soul, There ain't but one train, upon this track, It rolls to heaven, ain't turnin' back. (Chorus)
ANNOUNCEMENTS
What is the mission of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church?
Prayer of Martin Luther King, Jr.
1) 1st Corinthians 9 Companionship COVENANT
Wednesday, June 3 @ 7 PM, - Learn an easy Faith Five Approach to Bible Studies
Thursday, June 4 @ 7 PM, - Contacting and Confirming our FIRST FIFTEEN
2) 10 FAMILY REUNION Music Tracks for SEPTEMBER (Mt. Olive Birthday Party)
4) In JUNE & JULY: Build a Companionship TREE & Deliver Companionship KITS
FIRST FIFTEEN start on June 10/11 on Wednesdays & Thursdays
SECOND SIXTEEN in July & August on Wednesdays & Thursdays
5) In JULY & AUGUST: Adapt Companionship Kits for MEMBERS to give out to our NEIGHBORS & discuss FOOD PANTRY Plans for the Future
B) FIRST LESSON: John 20:19-23, led by Josh Bowers
Our First Lesson comes from the Gospel of John in the 20th Chapter.
19 On the evening of that first day of the week, when the disciples were together, with the doors locked for fear of the Jewish leaders, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you!” 20 After he said this, he showed them his hands and side. The disciples were overjoyed when they saw the Lord.
21 Again Jesus said, “Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” 22 And with that he breathed on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit. 23 If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
C) MESSAGE for the YOUNG at HEART, led by Yarlette Bryant, Sydney Brown and the gracious Goffney Girls
F) SECOND LESSON: Acts 2:1-11
The Second Lesson comes from Acts, the 2nd Chapter.
X LAZARUS: 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.
PASTOR JAMIE'S RECORDING: 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. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were thunderstruck. 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? Parthians, Medes, and Elamites; Visitors from Mesopotamia, Judea, and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene; Immigrants from Rome, both Jews and proselytes; Even Cretans and Arabs! “They’re speaking our languages, describing God’s mighty works!”
Y MARY: 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?”
Z MARTHA: Others joked, “They’re drunk on cheap wine.” That’s when Peter stood up and, backed by the other eleven, spoke out with bold urgency:
GUY 1: “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.
GUY 2: 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:
GAL 1: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; Your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams.
GAL 2: When the time comes, I’ll pour out my Spirit On those who serve me, men and women both, and they’ll prophesy ... IAnd whoever calls out for help to me, to God, ... will be saved.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
G) Pentecost: Everyone's Talkin', by Andrea Burton
(adjusted for ZOOM production as 'Everyone's Singin' 'Bout Pentecost' by Pastor Todd)
Corey: X LAZARUS – Podcast Host
Holli: Y MARY – Sister and Podcast Co-Host
Jackie: Z MARTHA – Sister and Podcast Co-Host
Pastor Todd: DIRECTOR for ZOOM, instead of a CHOIR
Carlos: GUY 1 & Drake: GUY 2 – Row, Row, Row Your Boat Singers
Tanya: GAL 1 & Alicia: GAL 2 – My Bonnie Lies Over the Ocean Singers
X LAZARUS: Good morning, everyone. I’m Lazarus, and I am pleased to welcome you to another edition of E-RACE, our online podcast connecting you with the most current events on the internet. Shalom.
This morning, in honor of Pentecost, we’ll be exploring Fruits of the Spirit frozen beverages and other summertime treats. But first let’s look at that springtime celebration of our faith: The Day of Pentecost.
Today we have with us my sisters Mary and Martha. I’m sure most of our listeners remember them from that day before Easter when Jesus came to our home in Bethany.
Y MARY: We all know about Palm Sunday and Holy Week.
Z MARTHA: We know how Jesus was betrayed and died on the cross and was buried with a stone rolled in front of the tomb.
Y MARY: We know how he rose up from the dead on Easter and rose up into heaven only 40 days later. But is that the end of the story?
Z MARTHA: Why is everybody all around the world wearing Red today?
Y MARY: And what is this day of Pentecost that everyone keeps talking about?
X LAZARUS: Well, my sisters were there on that first day of Pentecost. And I have some questions for them. Don’t you?.
Y MARY: Sure. What would you like to know?
X LAZARUS: Well, Pentecost is an important day, isn’t it? How come?
Y MARY: Well, it’s the end of the Easter season. Plus a week.
Z MARTHA: Come on, Mary. Easter was ages ago.
Y MARY: Martha, don’t you ever pay attention in Sunday school? Honestly! You see, Lazarus, the season of Easter lasts several weeks. Forty days, to be exact. Then you have Ascension Day — that’s when Jesus ascended into heaven. And then, a little more than a week later you get Pentecost.
Z MARTHA: Never mind our sister, Lazarus. She’s way too smart for her own good. Let ME tell you about Pentecost.
Y MARY: Excuse me, Miss Martha. Lazarus asked ME the question. You see, a long time ago, after Jesus ascended ...
Z MARTHA: Keep it simple, Mary. He WENT to heaven ...
Y MARY: After Jesus ascended, he sent the AGIOS PNEUMATOS or PARACLETUS to be with us, his disciples.
Z MARTHA: You don’t have to use all of that fancy GREEK, Mary. Just call us his FOLLOWERS. And just say, he sent us the HOLY SPIRIT. And there was fire. Lots of flaming fire. Flaming tongues of fire.
Y MARY: Martha, you make it sound like it was a Hollywood action adventure movie full of car chases and explosions!! Our doctor friend, Luke wrote in the book of Acts that on the day of Pentecost, the disciples were all together in the Upper Room and ... and there was a breath of wind … and tiny flames of fire …
Z MARTHA: C’mon, Mary, it was more like a straight wind tornado and HUGE flashing flames of fire …
Y MARY: Martha, it was dramatic, but there’s no need to embellish …
Z MARTHA: (Full of DRAMA) Well, then let me read what cousin Luke wrote … “And SUDDENLY from heaven there came a ... RUSH of ... wind, and it FILLED the ENTIRE house where they were sitting. DIVIDED tongues, as of FIRE” Now, you tell ME, Lazarus. That’s the good stuff, isn’t it? Action adventure to the MAX!!
Y MARY: (Softly) Or you could read it quietly, like this: And then tongues “APPEARED among them, and a tongue RESTED on each of them. All of them were FILLED with the Holy Spirit and began CONVERSING in other languages ... And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered ... 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?’”
X LAZARUS: Interesting. Can you tell us more?
Y MARY: Well, it says the disciples spoke in tongues. That means that everyone UNDERSTOOD what the disciples said even though it maybe should have sounded like gibberish to them. But, thanks to the Holy Spirit, divisions in language ceased to be a problem.
X LAZARUS: And that’s important? How come?
Z MARTHA: Well, have you ever noticed how sometimes words get in the way of a message? I mean, it could be something as simple as “HELLO.”
X LAZARUS: Sure, I suppose.
Y MARY: Well imagine you have a Choir, and the director says, Say HELLO.
DIRECTOR: (Singing to ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT tune)
GUY 1: Hola!
GUY 2: Gutentag?
GUY 1: Hola?
GUY 2: Gutentag!
GUY 1: (louder) HOLA!
GUY 2: (louder) GUTENTAG!
GUY 1: (frustrated) HOLA!!
GUY 2: (lfrustrated) GUTENTAG!!
GUY 1: (Singing to ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT tune)
GUY 2: (Singing to ROW, ROW, ROW YOUR BOAT tune)
Z MARTHA: That’s what should have happened on the first day of Pentecost
Y MARY: But instead, on that day, because of the Holy Spirit, everyone understood the apostles, no matter what language they spoke.
X LAZARUS: Okay, I see. I liked that little song. Cute.
Y MARY: But that’s not the only way language trips us up. Sometimes it’s a little more complicated.
Z MARTHA: Complicated? Right up your alley, huh, Mary. You see, Lazarus, sometimes, because of language we can’t find a way to work together. And we actually work at cross purposes.
Y MARY: Even when we’re saying exactly the same thing …
Z MARTHA: We can find a way to turn it into a conflict.
GAL 1: (ABRUPTLY) OK. Hello.
GAL 2: (DEFENSIVELY) What? Uh - Hello.
GAL 1: (ACCUSINGLY) Hey. Hello.
GAL 2: (BLOWING HER OFF) Hello. Or whatever.
GAL 1: (AGGRESSIVELY) I said, HI!!
GAL 2: (OFFENDED) Why did you say, HI?.
GAL 1: We seem to have reached an impasse.
GAL 2: We have indeed.
GAL 1: Want to move forward?
GAL 2: Do you?
GAL 1: Step aside and I’ll go around.
GAL 2: Why me? You step aside and I’ll go around!
GAL 1: (Singing to MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN tune)
DIRECTOR & GAL1: (Singing the MY BONNIE Refrain)
GAL 2: (Singing to MY BONNIE LIES OVER THE OCEAN tune)
DIRECTOR & GAL 2: (Singing the MY BONNIE Refrain)
GAL 1: Enough of this. Wanna play, “Rock, paper, scissors”?
GAL 1: Okay, Fine! Rock, paper, scissors, SHOOT. Tie. Paper.
GAL 2: Again! Rock, paper, scissors, SHOOT. Tie. Paper.
GAL 1: Again! Rock, paper, scissors, SHOOT. Tie. Paper.
GAL 2: Again! Rock, paper, scissors, SHOOT. I win!! Scissors.
GAL 1: No way! I had Rock. Rock smashes scissors.
GAL 2: No way! Scissors chops apart Rock.
Y MARY: But on day of Pentecost, everybody was able to understood each other. Everyone was able to listen to one another.
Z MARTHA: Everything began to make more sense because they listened to the Holy Spirit. They didn’t just rely on their own devices.
X LAZARUS: But what has any of this got to do with us today?
Z MARTHA: Ah, brother dear, you just got to the very heart of Pentecost.
GUY 1: Bottom line, no one is every left out in God’s family. The Holy Spirit helps us that that God doesn’t just speak my language. God speaks TO everyone.
GUY 2: And God speaks THROUGH everyone. The gospel is written in every language, for everyone, wherever they may be.
GAL 1: And with the power of the Spirit, we can speak to anyone, wherever they may be, trusting that the Holy Spirit is present and will guide us.
Y MARY: You see, the Holy Spirit is far more powerful than we are often willing to admit.
GAL 2: And only when we can trust in the power of the Holy Spirit, instead of our own devices. Only then can the nonsense stop.
X LAZARUS: I get it!! And that’s when the music begins, right? They Holy Spirit helps us find harmony in the midst of chaos.
X LAZARUS: So Pentecost really did get everyone talking?
Y MARY: Even though we don’t quite sound like we’re in unison …
Z MARTHA: If we listen closely, the Holy Spirit helps us see and feel how together we are, because of Jesus Christ.
X LAZARUS: And Pentecost really did get everybody singing, in harmony?
Mute Again & Listen
X LAZARUS: But, my dear sisters, I think you forgot something.
GIRL 1: They did forget something, didn’t they?
GIRL 2: What did they miss?
GUY 1: You see it don’t you? What they missed?
GUY 2: Maybe. But I’m not sure.
Y MARY: Let’s see. We covered wind, tongues of fire, and the preaching …
Z MARTHA: We talked about the crowd, the Holy Spirit, and everybody finding a common language through the Holy Spirit ...
DIRECTOR:
Y MARY: Well, of course, the Day of Pentecost was also the birth of the church. The beginning of the church.
Z MARTHA: And it is true, we live in a zoo. Then and now there was so much chaos and division and arguing and violence.
GAL 1: But if we trust in the Holy Spirit.
GAL 2: It can change the way we sing every song.
GUY 1: We can stop trying to sing our way through life as a solo.
GUY 2: And ask God to help us sing in harmony.
Y MARY: And even when it sounds to us like chaos and discord,
Z MARTHA: God can help us hear the harmony.
X LAZARUS: There you have it, folks. God can help us hear the harmony. Pentecost is where church and the Holy Spirit meet. A birthday and a beginning. With God’s help we can learn how to work together as one family. I’m Lazarus and this has been our E-RACE online podcast for this Day of Pentecost. Shalom.
H) THIRD SONG: Because He Lives, (Bill & Gloria Gaither) led by Helen Beaujour
Please MUTE & SING
VERSE 1: God sent His son, they called Him Jesus, He came to love, heal and forgive, He lived and died to buy my pardon, An empty grave is there to prove my savior lives
CHORUS: Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, Because He lives, all fear is gone, Because I know He holds the future, And life is worth the living, just because He lives
VERSE 2: How sweet to hold a newborn baby, And feel the pride and joy He gives, But greater still the calm assurance, This child can face uncertain day, because He lives (Chorus)
VERSE 3: And then one day, I'll cross the river, I'll fight life's final war with pain, And then, as death gives way to victory, I'll see the lights of glory and I'll know He reigns (Chorus)
J) LITURGY of HOLY COMMUNION Lord, God, Heavenly King .... Led by Tanya Browne
LORD, GOD, HEAVENLY KING, Almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory, Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Faither, Lord, God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us,
You are seated at the right hand of the Father, receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, You alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ with the Holy Spirit, In the Glory of God the Father, Amen.
GREAT THANKSGIVING & Preface by Vetia Smith
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 Vetia Smith
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
Lamb, Of God, led by Dolphene Davis
Please MUTE & SING:
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us (repeat) ... Lamb of God, you take away, the sins of the world, grant us peace ... grant us peace.
K) Post Communion Blessing & Prayer led by Vetia Smith
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.
L) FOURTH Song: Peace is Flowing Like a River, led by 7 children from the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (Singapore)
Prayer of Martin Luther King, Jr.
.M) Threefold Prayer Request & Petition, led by Jackie Brown, Yarlette Bryant, Marie Levier, & Pastor Todd
LAST ANNOUNCEMENTS
Our BIG ANNIVERSARY PARTY will start in 2 SMALL GROUPS (or Circles of Care)
Each begins with FOUR ZOOM Learning Meetings this SUMMER as we
Wed. & Thurs. JUNE 10/11 will be the 1st Zoom Meeting: A 1st Cor. 9 Companionship Bible Study. Each One Reach One (or Two)
Wed. & Thurs. JUNE 17/18 will be the 2nd Zoom Meeting: A 1st Cor. 9 Companionship Covenant. Creating Circles of Care.
Wed. & Thurs. JUNE 24/25 will be the 3rd Zoom Meeting: A 1st Cor. 9 Companionship Prayer Meeting. Learning to Care & Pray Together.
Wed. & Thurs. JUNE 17/18 will be the 4th Zoom Meeting: Nine 1st Cor. 9 Companionship Questions. How to Listen with Compassion and Care.
7 PM - Wednesday, June 3 – FAITH FIVE: How to Lead a NT Bible Study
7 PM - Thursday, June 4 – Contacting the FIRST FIFTEEN
7 PM - Wed. & Thurs., June 10-11 – Starting our Circles of Care
M) BENEDICTION: Spirit of the Living God (Daniel Iverson) led by Keith Watts, Resurrection Oakland Church
Please MUTE & LISTEN (Close Caption Lyrics)
After the song, please UNmute & RESPOND
SENDING: Led by Vetia Smith
What is the mission of Mt. Olive Lutheran Church?
Go in Peace and Serve the Lord!
POSTLUDE 1: "Rise Up" led by Boston Children's Chorus, in collaboration with Denver Children's Choir, Children's Chorus of Washington DC, Gondwana Choirs, Sydney, and Cincinnati Boychoir
Please MUTE & LISTEN
POSTLUDE 2: Total Praise, (Richard Smallwood) led by Dolphene Davis & the Mt. Olive Choir & many other voices at last year's Church Family Reunion
Please MUTE & SING
Lord I will lift, mine eyes to the hills, Know-ing my help is com-ing from You, Your peace, You give me in time of the storm,
You are the source of my strength; You are the strength of my life, I lift my hands in to-tal praise to You
A-men, A-men, A-men, A- men
You are the source of my strength; You are the strength of my life, I lift my hands in to-tal praise to You
COMPANIONSHIP CALENDAR
11 AM – Sunday, May 31 – John 20:19-23 & Acts 2 (RED)
7 PM - Wednesday, June 3 – Faith Five: How to Lead an NT Bible Study
7 PM - Thursday, June 4 – Contacting & Confirming our First Fifteen
11 AM – Sunday, June 7 – Matthew 28:16-20 & Luke 10 (RED)
7 PM - Wednesday, June 10 – A) 1st Corinthians 9 Bible Study
7 PM - Thursday, June 11 – A) 1st Corinthians 9 Bible Study
11 AM – Sunday, June 14 – Matthew 9:35-10:8 & Matthew 18 (RED)
7 PM - Wednesday, June 17 – B) 1st Corinthians 9 Covenant
7 PM - Thursday, June 18 – B) 1st Corinthians 9 Covenant
10 AM - Saturday, June 20 – St. Luke's Community UMC Mental Health Support
11 AM – Sunday, June 21 – Matthew 10:24-39 & Genesis 2:15-24 (RED)
7 PM - Wednesday, June 25 – C) 10 Companionship Prayer Meeting
7 PM - Thursday, June 26 – C) 10 Companionship Prayer Meeting
11 AM – Sunday, June 28 – Matthew 10:40-42 & Genesis 6:18-7:12 (RED)
7 PM - Wednesday, July 1 – D) 10 Companionship Questions
7 PM - Thursday, July 2 – D) 10 Companionship Questions