August 8 2021
ACTS: THe ADVENTURE BEGINS
The Adventure Begins
ACTS 2: 32-42 NRSV
Rev Mary Beth Hardesty-Crouch
scripture
32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you both see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.”’ 36 Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
ACTS 2:32-41 NRSV
Call to worship
God of wind and fire,
When you send your Spirit, we are created anew.
God of power, may the boldness of your Spirit transform us,
and the gentleness of your Spirit lead us,
We accept the gifts of your Spirit
to serve and worship you now and always.
CREED
We believe in God, known as Creator, Son and ever-present Spirit. We believe God gave birth to the church with the gift of the Holy Spirit – stirring the disciples and us to tell the Good News, heal the sick, feed the hungry, take care of the poor, welcome the stranger and be a community of forgiveness and joy. We believe the Spirit is still moving, still acting, still turning the world upside down with love. We believe the Spirit gives us different gifts to use, all for building up the church and showing the world a community of compassion and wisdom. We believe the Holy Spirit will not be contained in dull, lifeless forms, but surprises us and empowers us to do new things, to risk loving, to venture boldly into God’s world. We believe in the church, wind-powered, fire-tinged and Spirit-filled.