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PENTECOST SERVICE by Rev. H. Heinz CALL TO WORSHIP: "When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound came from heaven like the rush of a mighty wind. There appeared to them tongues as of fire, distributed and resting on each one of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues. All were amazed and perplexed, asking "What does this mean?". It shall be, on that great and manifest day, that whoever calls on God shall be saved." (Paraphrase of Acts 2:1-21) INVOCATION: This is Pentecost Sunday. We call on you gracious God to pour out your Spirit on all flesh that all, young and old alike, may see visions, dream dreams, talk in tongues, and realize whatever spiritual gifts you have blessed us with. Lead us out of slavery to our fears and troubles; free us from the cycles of life and death, lead us home to you and to eternal life. Prepare us now to do those great works which you have called us for. In faith, let us serve you, our God, and other living beings with Love and Devotion. HYMN: Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart SCRIPTURE READINGS: John 14:26-27; John 15:17-27 MESSAGE/DISCUSSION: The Day of Pentecost is the day of the Holy Spirit, Fire & Baptism. Most of the great world religions have some kind of baptismal service or ritual. Some say that it dates back to John the Baptist who was the forerunner or guru of Jesus Christ. To others it dates back centuries before Christ, as far back as the cave dwellers. Early, primitive tribes had a baptism of "fire" which usually involved a severe test that had to be passed before a person was considered brave or strong or allowed to transition into adulthood. For example, the American Indians required their braves to conquer wild animals before being considered men. This was considered a religious ritual. There is also water baptism. It is most commonly used among the Christians. There are 2 types of water baptisms: one by being immersed and the other by sprinkling. Each is an outward sign of an inward cleansing or purification. Some prefer the inside baptistery with even heated water. Others may prefer being baptized in the river, even if it is frozen or muddy. It is a solemn testimony of faith, faith that when we are baptized we have left the old degenerate ways behind and have come forth in a newness of life, a regeneration. We are reborn. How does this happen? Let me give you the genesis and different perceptions most commonly held. You decide for yourself. The Book of Acts tells us that after the resurrection (Easter), Christ roamed Judea for 40 days, until his final ascension to God, promising that he would send the Holy Ghost/Spirit within 10 days after his ascension, to ensure our spiritual growth, that we would be baptized with the Holy Spirit as opposed to water. The Holy Spirit's descent on earth is known as "The Day of Pentecost". The 9 days between the ascension and Pentecost, Mary, Mother of Christ, along with the apostles prayed fervently and continuously; these prayers (novenas) and this 9 day period are known as the "Novenas of Mary". Baptism is deemed by some as an act of repentance, asking God for forgiveness of our sins. It is through our confession or repentance of sins and reconciliation with God that our sins are forgiven, not the actual act of "baptism". We also assume responsibility and accountability (accepting the blame) for our alienation to God; and we take action to eliminate that alienation. When we repent and reconcile ourselves with God, Christ baptizes us with the Holy Spirit, symbolized by fire, to assist us in our purification, becoming one with God, being of the same subtle vibration as God. There are millions in churches who have been baptized, but are lost. There are those who take communion, or have joined churches, but they are lost. Eternal life is not given through religious ritual, but by God through Redemption. Redemption means forgiveness of sins, payment of debts, and service to God; it means surrender to God's will and not your ego's will; it means faith in and acceptance of God's grace when we perform our actions. God ultimately controls the final results, not us, though our egos may try. Remember, in the Gospels, John the Baptist baptizes Christ with water, dunking him in the River Jordon. Water symbolizes both life and purification. John the Baptist is purifying Christ through Life (life's experiences and lessons). However, before the ascension, Christ tells us that we would from then on be baptized with the Holy Spirit which he would send when he went to God. The Holy Spirit is symbolized by fire. Fire also purifies quickly, but sometimes with pain. But the fire would be a gift from Christ whereby we could accelerate our spiritual growth, our purification and return to God. Thus the Holy Spirit accelerates our spiritual growth process. In Mark 1:4 and 7-8, John the Baptist states: "There cometh one mightier than I…..I indeed have baptized you with water; but he shall baptize you with the Holy Spirit". In John 14:26, Jesus says to the disciples: "The Holy Spirit shall teach you all things and bring all to your rememberance, whatsoever I have said onto you". In John 16:13, Jesus says: "When the Spirit of Truth is come, it will guide you into all Truths". In John 3:5-7, Jesus says: "Verily I say unto thee, except a person be born again, they cannot see the Kingdom of God... Verily I say unto thee, except a person be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God... Ye must be born again" What does this mean? Let begin with an explanation from an Eastern tradition and conclude with that of the Western Christian tradition. We are all energy fixed in time and space based on the Law of Causality/Karma (law of cause and effect). The difference between the cause and effect is merely the name and form we take on in this physical plane (life). We are energy; we are spirit. Through life (symbolized by water) and its experiences, limitations, resistances, lessons (symbolized by the Holy Spirit (keeper of the Law of Karma and the Akashic Records), we can be born again (born in God; spirit) as opposed to being caught/captured in the cycles of Life and Death (the physical dimension). The Baptism ritual is performed in the name of the Trinity (in Hindu,its called the Trimurti (Brahma, Vishu, Shiva)). All the great religions have some form of a Trinity. Keep the following correlations in mind:
The Holy Spirit is the agent for our purification. It makes us remember; it shows us the truth. It is an aspect of God responsible for change (lessons, spiritual growth) that lead to God/Christ realization (purification). Remember, there are no mistakes, only lessons towards self-realization. In the present Western or Christian tradition, the above process is reversed. Conversion is a pre-requisite to baptism as opposed to baptism bringing about the conversion. By conversion, we mean commitment of mind, body, and spirit to God/Christ through loving God and surrendering totally to God's will which results in a changed life or regeneration of the person's nature; thus, the term reborn. After this conversion, a person is then immersed in "waters" which symbolize the new "life". In the act of infant baptism, parents take the pledge of conversion on behalf of their infant until the infant can consciously make its own choice which occurs in the ritual of "First Communion". I now invite those who would like to either renew their commitment to spiritual growth and God as symbolized by the ritual of baptism or be baptized for the 1st time, in the name of the trinity, using both water and fire, to come forward. PRAYER: Show yourself to us gracious God and guide us by your Spirit of Truth that we may realize our true nature and you. Let us not shrink from the mighty winds or tongues of fire, the difficult lessons, that would invest us with God Realization and the power to speak and act in your name and to do your will. Amen OFFERTORY INVITATION: As heirs to God, all things, including abundance is ours. God makes it possible for us to have abundance and to be generous. Let us share this abundance and generosity with others. May we all give as we can. OFFERTORY PRAYER: May these gifts carry forward to those in need in the community and wherever people are scattered on the face of the earth. May our open hands share your gifts and our open hearts reach out in love and peace. Show us how to use this offering to accomplish your purposes, our Mother-Father God. BENEDICTION: Be led by the Spirit of Truth as children of God. Let God turn visions to reality through you. The Comforter, the Holy Spirit, will teach you and the Spirit of Truth will dwell in you. Let not your hearts be troubled or afraid. Let the peace of God be with you. May you walk in love and peace and the Spirit dwell with you forever. Amen.
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