Sunday service for 8 June 2025, Pentecost

Sunday 8 June 2025, Pentecost
Gourock St. John’s Church of Scotland
Service prepared by Rev. Teri Peterson
Manse: 632143
Email: TPeterson (at) churchofscotland.org.uk
Email Charlene, Parish Assistant: CMitchell (at) churchofscotland.org.uk

Prelude Music (praise band)

Welcome

We Gather As God’s Family (As the Bible is brought in, we stand and sing)
A family gathered in love,
striving for justice and joy,
blessing the broken-hearted,
and sharing the hope of God’s kingdom.

Call to Worship
One: Together in this place and time,
All: God’s Spirit creates anew!
One: Word and Breath fill and overflow —
All: God’s Spirit cannot be contained.
One: From this one room out to the ends of the earth
All: God’s Spirit gives us the gift to speak.

Sanctuary Hymn 252: As a Fire is Meant For Burning (organ)

Prayer
We are resurrection people by your power, Living God,
and we have been wondering just what that means in this life.
In awe and praise and hope and a little uncertainty
we have looked for your living word,
we have waited for your promise,
we have counted the days wondering what you will do next.
Move among us again this day and do a new thing.
Come rushing in with gifts we can’t miss,
with a calling we can’t ignore,
with new life re-creating not just us, not just your church,
but the world.
Creating and re-creating God,
you have disrupted the systems of this world
and opened the way of life to all.
We confess we don’t like disruption,
and we are not sure we want to change.
We hear your Holy Spirit blowing against our walls,
rattling the windows and doors,
and we want to be faithful
but we also don’t feel ready.
We like it in here, where we can learn and pray
with our friends and like-minded strangers.
We confess we’d rather you not send us out, O God.
We don’t know how to move from disciples to apostles,
we don’t know how to talk to people out there when they are so different from us,
we don’t know how to put your word into action when the world is what it is today.
Forgive us our fearful hearts, Holy One.
Forgive us when we have barricaded our faith inside our minds and hearts and sanctuary.
Forgive us when we have made study and prayer
an excuse for why we can’t be bearers of your good news.
Take our breath away with your grace,
and fill us again with the wind of your Spirit,
then send us out to play our part in the new thing you are doing, even now.
Amen.

Online Hymn 252: As a Fire is Meant For Burning 

Sanctuary Hymn 595 vv. 1 & 4 (organ)

Sanctuary Children’s Time

Sanctuary Hymn: The Lorica (praise band)
(setting of St Patrick’s Breastplate by Steve Bell)


Scripture Reading: Acts 2.1-8, 11b-13 (New Revised Standard Version)
When the day of Pentecost had come, they 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. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every people under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed 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? … —in our own languages we hear them speaking about God’s deeds of power.” All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “What does this mean?” But others sneered and said, “They are filled with new wine.”

For the word of God in Scripture
For the word of God among us
For the word of God within us
Thanks be to God.

Sermon: church goes out
It had been 50 days since the horrors of Good Friday and the confusing wonder of Easter morning…50 days of meeting Jesus along the road, in locked rooms, and in the unexpected, learning to look for him and to listen with new ears because things he’d said before started to make a different kind of sense. 50 days of trying to figure out how this new reality could possibly exist, and what it means for living in the world that looks the same even though we know nothing is actually the same. 50 days of huddling together in the upper room, studying, praying, talking to each other, wondering what comes next.

The disciples likely did what many of their friends and neighbours did for the festival of Shavuot: they studied God’s word all night long to celebrate the gift of the Torah, God’s instructions to the people. In a time when most people couldn’t read, that would look different than your average Bible study today…maybe one of the disciples like Matthew the tax collector would have been able to read, but most likely they either had a scribe join them or else they recited the scriptures off by heart. They would have memorised most of the first five books of the Bible by the time they were old enough to go out to work, and some people memorised a lot more than that. So they would perhaps take turns as the night wore on, reciting from memory and talking about what those words and stories meant for them today — especially since Jesus being resurrected from the dead changed everything. They’d be looking for clues in the scriptures, pointing to Jesus and his ministry and life and death and resurrection, and they’d be interpreting their new experience through the old old story.

Night turned to morning and they were still discussing what God was doing, first breathing the world into being, creating with a word, speaking through Moses and the prophets, and now taking on flesh and walking around with them, trying to teach them a new way of reading and a new way of living…when suddenly a wind shook everything. Not just a wind rattling the windows and doors and walls, not even just a wind coming through the cracks like a draft. Not just a wind blowing away cobwebs after a long night of studying God’s word and eating sweet treats to remember that God’s word is sweeter than honey. A wind that filled the entire house…so that they actually couldn’t remain in the room anymore. A wind that physically pushed them out — out of their safe place, out of their study room, out into the street, out into the community.

Like a young bird being pushed out of the nest, it was time for them to fledge…and maybe they’d land with a hard bump on the ground, or maybe they would fly, but how would they know unless they got out and tried?

I am sure they didn’t feel ready. Even with the knowledge and experience they had, they were still in that upper room. Sure, Jesus told them to wait, but he didn’t tell them to wait in hiding. And who ever does feel ready? When God calls, most of us are absolutely certain we don’t have what it takes. But God doesn’t call the equipped, God equips the called. So first order of business: a wind that forces them to leave their beloved upper room, where they’ve been worshipping together for all this time, where they’ve shared their worst and best moments, where they’ve studied together and feasted together. It’s a safe place, a comfortable place, where they know what to expect and who will be there and what’s going to happen. And the violent rushing wind pushes them out.

We like to think of God as giving gentle nudges, speaking in a still small voice, settling in us like a peace that passes all understanding…which all does happen. But today it’s a violent, forceful, loud wind that shakes everything and physically forces the disciples out of their worship space into the street.

And once out there, they are surrounded by…people. People from every background, people with different experiences than them, people who believe in the same God but haven’t met Jesus. And these disciples who had been keeping to themselves in their safe comfortable place suddenly found themselves speaking. Not babbling or mumbling or running away, but speaking about their own experience of God’s power revealed in Jesus. They told about what they had seen God do. And everyone could somehow understand, even though they hadn’t done their Duolingo lessons, they hadn’t learned their script ahead of time, they hadn’t made a strategic plan and SMART goals. They were blown out of the house and opened their mouths and the Spirit did the rest.

In that moment, they were changed: from disciples to apostles. From people who only followed, to people who were sent out to share.

To be clear, apostles are also disciples. It isn’t possible to be sent out by someone we haven’t been learning from…an apostle is someone who bears not just the message but also the presence of the one who sends them. It’s a messenger who has the same authority as the sender. So that requires keeping close in following the One who calls and sends. But it adds a new dimension: no longer only learning for themselves, apostles go out to tell.

The wind and flame of the Spirit’s presence makes possible a transformation, from disciples who gather to be fed, into apostles who go out to feed others.

That day some of the people who heard were amazed, excited, inspired.

And some of the people who heard were skeptical, scoffing, dismissive.

That’s still true, of course. Some who hear our story will be curious and amazed. Some will be mocking and cynical, they might even think we’re drunk even if it’s 9:00 in the morning, they’ll wonder if we’ve lost our minds.

And still the Spirit works: giving us everything we need to get out there and be bearers of good news…including a push when we are tempted to stay in our comfort zones that serve us without making space for people God is trying to reach.

We might wonder why God didn’t just inspire those people out in the street to come into the house and join with the disciples in their study and prayer and praise. It would certainly be possible, God can do anything and God definitely does inspire people to come seek us out. But it isn’t what the story of the birth of the Church says. Instead this story of the church’s birthday, the story that defines our DNA as a Christian Church, is a story of going out, not of coming in. It’s a story of disciples changing their ways, not a story of the whole town suddenly coming looking for them in their current traditions. It’s a story of storytelling…of sharing a personal experience of God’s power and grace, and trusting that the people who are ready to hear will hear, and not worrying about the people who aren’t ready to hear and what they think about us.

Whether the disciples felt ready to become apostles or not, the Holy Spirit was ready. They had followed their teacher. They had studied all night. They had sung their praise and said their prayers for all this time. The only thing they hadn’t yet done was go and tell others. But that’s also the only way the news spreads, the only way the kingdom grows. That’s what makes the church the church, and not just another club or even just another religion’s congregation…the church goes out to tell and invite and share the good news of God’s love in Christ, putting all that prayer and praise and study into action.

It’s past time to leave the nest, trusting that on the wings of the Spirit, we will either find ourselves on solid ground, or be taught to fly.

May it be so. Amen.

Hymn GWA129: Build Your Kingdom Here (praise band)

Sanctuary Offering and Response 247 verse 3 (organ)

Concerns of the Church
Food Bank
Bible Study
Prayer Groups

Prayer and Lord’s Prayer
Living God,
show us your Holy Spirit at work today!
You are everywhere present,
moving us out into new life in the world you are always re-creating.
We pray you would open us to recognise your work
in those places we would never expect,
in those languages we can’t understand,
in those communities acting on your grace.
As we fill our lungs with your holy breath,
we feel the expansion of your love within us,
and we pray for those people who have not heard your good news,
those who do not know the story of your power and purpose and gift.
We lift up those who know only a small piece or a distortion,
and so believe there is no place for them in your beloved community.
We ask you would give us the words and the courage
to reach out in ways they can receive,
to share the hope of your kingdom.
Make us bearers of your good news in the world today.
As we exhale, we feel the relaxing and emptying,
and we pray for those people who are overfull,
those who can never relax because there’s always more to do, more to acquire, more.
We lift up those who have to hustle without rest just to make ends meet,
who can’t get a break or a moment to themselves,
and also those who have so much that nothing is ever enough.
We ask you would make space, O God.
Teach us to share — to share what you have provided and to share the load —
so that all people might know the abundant life you promise.
Make us bearers of your good news in the world today.
As we feel the warmth of your Spirit upon us and among us,
we pray for your Body of Christ,
gathered together and sent out into the world to share your story.
We pray for our brothers and sisters in places where it is not safe to gather,
where it is illegal to share your good news,
where they face danger simply for following you.
We lift up those churches struggling to discern your calling,
and those in need of more resources to do the ministry you call them to do,
and all your churches that have lost sight of your future as they lament the loss of the past.
Inspire our imaginations, inflame our spirits, ignite our passion,
and make your Church bearers of your good news in the world today.

On the 8th day of the month we join our hearts as your St John’s family to pray
*For all who live and work in the centre of Gourock — for those who are neighbours of our churches, those who own businesses, those who use the library, and those who come into the centre of town for any reason.
*For the music ministry of St John’s: for the choir, the praise band, the organist, and all who enable our worship and prayer through music.
*For the land, people, and governments of the nations of Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Montenegro, Albania, North Macedonia, and Greece.

You, Lord, have created and called us for your purpose
and gifted us for your work.
Now set us free once again from all that harms us,
and send your people out into the world with courage and love
to reveal your kingdom here among us already, even now.
We pray these and all things through the amazing power of your Holy Spirit, and in the name of the Risen Lord Jesus who taught us to pray together:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come,
your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins,
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Sanctuary Hymn: Send Us Out (praise band)

Sending
We are never fully ready, but we are fully equipped — God has given us all we need to bear the good news into the world. So ready or not, it’s time to go share the story, empowered by the Holy Spirit who goes above you to watch over you…the Holy Spirit who goes beside you to be your companion…the Holy Spirit who goes before you to show you the way, and behind you to push you into places you might not go if you thought you were alone. And the Holy Spirit goes within you, to remind you that you are loved more deeply than you can possibly imagine. May the fire of God’s love burn brightly in you, and through you into the world. Go in peace. Amen.

Sung Benediction Response (John L Bell, tune Gourock St John’s)
Now may the Lord of all be blessed,
Now may Christ’s gospel be confessed,
Now may the Spirit when we meet
Bless sanctuary and street.

Postlude Music (organ)

Announcements

* Registration is now open for our Summer Exploratorium: Holy Histories! It’s a week for P1-P7 getting into the messy side of Bible stories and learning how God’s love is for us even when things get messy. It runs every day between 4-8 August, from 9am – 1pm, including lunch, and with an optional breakfast club from 8am. If you’d like to volunteer, or if you know any secondary-aged pupils who’d like to join our junior leader programme, please speak to Teri or Charlene ASAP.

* We worship in the sanctuary on Sundays at 11am, and Sunday worship is also online. If you are able, please enter by the front door in Bath street, and only those who need step-free access should use the back door.

* The first Sunday of the month at 11am is now an all-age service, with different ways of encountering God’s word without a traditional sermon. All people — young and old, different personalities and learning styles, are welcome! You’ll find a more informal service with a variety of music, a Bible story, prayer, and some more interactive elements. The online service for the first Sunday will therefore also be different — there will still be a reading, prayers, and music, but usually not a sermon.

* Starter Packs are in need of bathroom/kitchen cleaner, handwash, shampoo, deodorant, soap, teabags.

The FoodBank are in need of UHT milk, tins of soup, carrots, and tomatoes, as well as bottles of diluting juice.

You can bring donations to the church and place them into the boxes in the vestibule. Thank you!

* Did you know that the ministry we do at St John’s costs about £3000 per week and our current giving is nearly £500 short? Everything we do is funded by your generous giving — all our support for young people, older people, bereavement care, community outreach, worship, study, spiritual growth, and community work is because of your offering. If you would like to set up a standing order in order to facilitate your spiritual discipline of giving, or if you would like to make an extra gift to support the ministry St. John’s does in our parish, you can give online by clicking here. If you would like to set up a standing order, please contact Teri and she can give you the treasurer’s details. You can also send your envelopes to the church or the manse by post and we will ensure they are received. 
It is also possible to donate to the work of the parish assistant, speak to Anne Love about how to go about directing new donations to that item in the budget.

* Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Youtube, and to sign up for our email newsletter! Midweek you can watch Wine and the Word on Youtube, pray with video devotions on Facebook, and consider a new angle on something with a devotional email. 

* Wednesday Evening Bible Study is at 7:30pm in the Manse and we are reading Luke!

* Free period products are available in the church toilets for anyone who might need them, thanks to Hey Girls and Inverclyde Council.