May 18, 2024

Dear Beloved St. Paul’s UMC and Wesley Foundation Family,

Grace and peace, church! This weekend is our birthday! It’s the day we remember the outpouring of the Spirit of God in a new and distinct way, to mark God’s presence with us in a new way for a new season. From this point on, the work of God is being done by the body of Christ, which is us, the Church. And we do it not on our own, but with One who comes alongside us, the Spirit, or as Jesus names it: the Advocate. What does it mean that we have an advocate, or one who comes along side us? What did it mean to Jesus to send us the Spirit? How is the Spirit alongside of us even now? Join us this weekend as we discuss these things, assemble flood buckets, plant flowers, hear our bell choir, and remember that Jesus wants to be with us so deeply, that he sent his Spirit to walk with us! It’s going to be a great day together!

Here is our schedule for tomorrow, May 19th:

9:00 AM: In-person Service of Word and Table in the sanctuary

9:00 AM: Final Sunday School for all ages in-person

Seekers and Servants Class in-person in Wesley Lounge or on Zoom. Join by clicking here or use Meeting ID 83292105478 and Passcode 522152.

10:00 AM – Flood Bucket assembly in the Social Room

10:00 AM – planting flowers around the church

10:30 AM: Hybrid Worship Service with Children's Choir, in-person and livestreamed here

*Please remember that since this service is filmed and live-streamed, you or your family members may be on our worship recording, which is streamed and archived on our YouTube channel.

11:30 AM – Planting flowers around the church

11:30 AM: Discussion Group, in-person and on Zoom

Join by clicking here or use Meeting ID 87591478033 and Passcode stpauls.

Grace | Peace,

Pastor Greg

Discussion Questions

• What did you hear in the Pentecost story from Acts that stood out to you?

• How does it shape (or alter) your understanding of the Holy Spirit when you consider Jesus’ words from the Gospel of John that he sending his Spirit to “come alongside” them? What do you make of this highly relational language?

• What do you think Jesus means when he ways in John 16:12-13, “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. When the Spirit of Truth comes, the Spirit will guide you into all truth”?

Prelude: “Joyous Spirit” (Valerie Stephenson)

Carillon Bell Choir

Greeting

Rev. Greg Milinovich

Call to Worship

One: O Holy Spirit, come and fill our hearts with your love;

All: O Comforter, we long to feel your gentle embrace.

One: O Fire and Flame, burn in us with ardent passion;

All: O Advocate, remind us of Christ’s unending blessing. 

One: O Holy Spirit, move in us now as we worship,

All: O Love Divine, come and fill the space that Christ has made!

Opening Hymn: “Come Down, O Love Divine” (UMH 475)

*First Scripture Reading: Acts 2:1-21 (NRSV)

Rev. Sarah Coker Voigt

*Passing the Peace

Children’s Message

Sally Herdman

*Hymn: "Loving Spirit" (verse 1) (FWS 2123)

*Gospel Lesson: John 15:26-27; 16:4b-15 (NRSV)

Phil Mohr

Hymn: "Loving Spirit" (verse 4) (FWS 2123)

Message: “The Advocate”

Rev. Greg Milinovich

Anthem – “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (Arnold B. Sherman)

Carillon Bell Choir

Pastoral Prayer and Lord’s Prayer

Recognition of 50-Year Membership

Offering

Closing Hymn: “See How Great a Flame Aspires” (UMH 541)

Announcements

Benediction

Postlude: “Celebration” (Fred Gramann)

Carillon Bell Choir