The Day of Pentecost
St. Paul’s Church, Charlottetown, PE
May 24, 2026
Hymn: 465 Gather Us In
The Gathering of the Community
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
May his grace and peace be with you.
May he fill our hearts with joy.
Introduction
The presider introduces the service
Jesus Christ, is our crucified, risen and ascended Lord and we have walked with him through his journey of love. We have faced the agony of his suffering and death. We have rejoiced at his resurrection. We have enjoyed his risen presence with us and his revelation of himself through the breaking of bread. We have heard of his ascension to be at God’s right hand. And now we rejoice at the fulfillment of the promise of God’s Holy Spirit, a gift to the people.
Responsory
As we wait with patience,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we listen to your word,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we worship you in majesty,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we long for your refreshing,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we long for your renewing,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we long for your equipping,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we long for your empowering,
fill us with your Spirit.
Silence is kept.
As we long for that spark, one tiny spark that catches on, that grows and glows, a spark that kindles a sense of Divine love, that once experienced must be passed on…
Hymn: It Only Takes a Spark (by Kurt Kaiser, 1969)
The Collect
Let us pray that the Spirit will work through our lives
to bring Christ to the world.
Holy Spirit, sent by the God our creator, ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Pentecost Reading: Acts 2:1-13
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 nation 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? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs – 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.’
The Lord is here.
God’s Spirit is with us.
Hymn:
649 Breathe on Me, Breath of God
The Proclamation of the Word
The Gospel: John 20:19-23
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to John
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Sermon (decorate a stole with red felt doves)
Prayer for Personal Renewal
Be with us, Spirit of God;
nothing can separate us from your love.
Breathe on us, breath of God;
fill us with your saving power.
Speak in us, wisdom of God;
bring strength, healing, and peace.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Let us praise and bless God for ever.
As the doves are handed out.
Hymn: 391 Sing Ye Praises to the Father
Commission
When all the doves are handed out the presider says,
For fifty days we have celebrated the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ over the powers of sin and death. We have proclaimed God’s mighty acts, and we have prayed that the power that was at work when God raised Jesus from the dead might be at work in us. As part of God’s Church here on Prince Edward Island, let us live out what we proclaim.
Empowered by the Holy Spirit, will you
dare to walk into God’s future, trusting God’s Holy Spirit to be your guide?
By the Spirit’s power, we will.
Will you dare to embrace each other and grow together in love?
We will.
Will you dare to share your riches in common and minister to each other in need?
We will.
Will you dare to pray for each other until your hearts beat with the longings of God?
We will.
Will you dare to carry the light of Christ into the world’s dark places?
We will.
A Blessing
The Lord God is overflowing in love. With Pentecost dawns the age of the Spirit. Now the flame of heaven rests on every believer represented in these felt doves. The strong and weak, all people tell out your word; the young receive visions, the old receive dreams. Blessed by your Holy Spirit, we proclaim your reign of love. Amid the birth pangs of the new creation the way of light is made known. Source of freedom, giver of life, blessed are you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
The Prayers of the People
Intercession
We pray for God to fill us with his Spirit.
Generous God, we thank you for
the power of your Holy Spirit. We ask that we may be
strengthened to serve you better. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the wisdom of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to make us wise to understand your will. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the peace of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to keep us confident of your love wherever you call us. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the healing of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to bring reconciliation and wholeness where there is division, sickness and sorrow. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We seek your healing presence for all those we know who are ill, either at home or in hospital…
-
And others we may name out loud or in our hearts…
-
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the gifts of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to equip us for the work which you have given us. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the fruit of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to reveal in our lives the love of Jesus. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the breath of your Holy Spirit, given us by the risen Lord. We ask you to keep the whole Church, living and departed, in the joy of eternal life. We pray for those who have died in your peace, especially,
-
And we ask you to be present with all who mourn. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
Generous God, you sent your Holy Spirit upon your Messiah at the river Jordan, and upon the disciples in the upper room: in your mercy fill us with your Spirit,
hear our prayer,
and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.
The Peace
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
Announcements
Hymn:
408 Wind upon the Waters
The Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
The Prayer over the Gifts
Let us pray,
Giver of life, receive all we offer you this day. Let the Spirit you bestow on your Church continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
Prayer
E (Common Worship
CofE)
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
It is
indeed right, our duty and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy
Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord. For he is our
great high priest who has entered once for all into the heavenly sanctuary, evermore
to pour upon your Church the grace and comfort of your Holy Spirit.
He is the
one who has gone before us, who calls us to be united in prayer as were his
disciples in the upper room while they awaited his promised gift, the
life-giving Spirit of Pentecost. Therefore all creation yearns with eager
longing as angels and archangels sing the endless hymn of praise:
Holy, holy, holy 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.
We praise
and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; and as we obey
his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be
for us the body and blood of your dear Son. On the night before he died he had
supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you.
He broke
the bread, gave it to them and said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given
for you; do this in remembrance of me. When supper was ended he took the cup of
wine. Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: Drink this, all of you; this
is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the
forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.
So,
Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with confidence his
sacrifice made once for all upon the cross. Bringing before you the bread of
life and cup of salvation, we proclaim his death and resurrection until he
comes in glory.
Great is
the mystery of faith:
Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
Lord of
all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and
justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth. Look with favour on your
people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with all the saints to feast
at your table in heaven.
Through
Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all
honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Being made one by the power of the Spirit,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray
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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
Breaking of the Bread
We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.
Giving of Communion
Alleluia. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Hymns during communion:
647 Spirit of the Living God
The Sending forth of the Community
Hymn: 647 Spirit of the Living God
Prayer after Communion
Let us pray,
Faithful God, who fulfilled the promises of Easter by sending us your Holy Spirit and opening to every race and nation the way of life eternal: open our lips by your Spirit, that every tongue may tell of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Conclusion
The Lord is here.
God’s Spirit is with us.
Today we have remembered the coming of
God’s power on the disciples and we invite that same Spirit to drive us out
into the wild places of the world.
May the Spirit, who hovered over the
waters when the world was created, breathe into you the life he gives. Amen.
May the Spirit, who overshadowed the
Virgin Mary when the eternal Son came among us, make you joyful in the service
of the Lord. Amen.
May the Spirit, who set the Church on
fire upon the Day of Pentecost, bring the world alive with the love of the
risen Christ. Amen.
And the blessing of God almighty, the
Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
Hymn: SNC
137 Called to Faith
Dismissal
Alleluia, alleluia!
Be filled with the Spirit’s power,
with the light and peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!
St. Paul’s Church, Charlottetown, PE
May 24, 2026
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
May his grace and peace be with you.
May he fill our hearts with joy.
The presider introduces the service
Jesus Christ, is our crucified, risen and ascended Lord and we have walked with him through his journey of love. We have faced the agony of his suffering and death. We have rejoiced at his resurrection. We have enjoyed his risen presence with us and his revelation of himself through the breaking of bread. We have heard of his ascension to be at God’s right hand. And now we rejoice at the fulfillment of the promise of God’s Holy Spirit, a gift to the people.
As we wait with patience,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we listen to your word,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we worship you in majesty,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we long for your refreshing,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we long for your renewing,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we long for your equipping,
fill us with your Spirit.
As we long for your empowering,
fill us with your Spirit.
Silence is kept.
As we long for that spark, one tiny spark that catches on, that grows and glows, a spark that kindles a sense of Divine love, that once experienced must be passed on…
Hymn: It Only Takes a Spark (by Kurt Kaiser, 1969)
Let us pray that the Spirit will work through our lives
to bring Christ to the world.
Holy Spirit, sent by the God our creator, ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love, and renew the face of the earth, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 nation 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? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs – 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.’
The Lord is here.
God’s Spirit is with us.
The Gospel: John 20:19-23
And also with you.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ
according to John
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, "Peace be with you." After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you." When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained."
The Gospel of Christ.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Be with us, Spirit of God;
nothing can separate us from your love.
Breathe on us, breath of God;
fill us with your saving power.
Speak in us, wisdom of God;
bring strength, healing, and peace.
Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Let us praise and bless God for ever.
Hymn: 391 Sing Ye Praises to the Father
When all the doves are handed out the presider says,
For fifty days we have celebrated the victory of our Lord Jesus Christ over the powers of sin and death. We have proclaimed God’s mighty acts, and we have prayed that the power that was at work when God raised Jesus from the dead might be at work in us. As part of God’s Church here on Prince Edward Island, let us live out what we proclaim.
By the Spirit’s power, we will.
Will you dare to embrace each other and grow together in love?
We will.
Will you dare to share your riches in common and minister to each other in need?
We will.
Will you dare to pray for each other until your hearts beat with the longings of God?
We will.
Will you dare to carry the light of Christ into the world’s dark places?
We will.
The Lord God is overflowing in love. With Pentecost dawns the age of the Spirit. Now the flame of heaven rests on every believer represented in these felt doves. The strong and weak, all people tell out your word; the young receive visions, the old receive dreams. Blessed by your Holy Spirit, we proclaim your reign of love. Amid the birth pangs of the new creation the way of light is made known. Source of freedom, giver of life, blessed are you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God for ever.
Intercession
We pray for God to fill us with his Spirit.
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the wisdom of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to make us wise to understand your will. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the peace of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to keep us confident of your love wherever you call us. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the healing of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to bring reconciliation and wholeness where there is division, sickness and sorrow. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We seek your healing presence for all those we know who are ill, either at home or in hospital…
-
And others we may name out loud or in our hearts…
-
Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the gifts of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to equip us for the work which you have given us. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the fruit of your Holy Spirit. We ask you to reveal in our lives the love of Jesus. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
We thank you for the breath of your Holy Spirit, given us by the risen Lord. We ask you to keep the whole Church, living and departed, in the joy of eternal life. We pray for those who have died in your peace, especially,
-
And we ask you to be present with all who mourn. Lord, come to bless us
and fill us with your Spirit.
Generous God, you sent your Holy Spirit upon your Messiah at the river Jordan, and upon the disciples in the upper room: in your mercy fill us with your Spirit,
hear our prayer,
and make us one in heart and mind
to serve you with joy for ever. Amen.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.
The Prayer over the Gifts
Let us pray,
Giver of life, receive all we offer you this day. Let the Spirit you bestow on your Church continue to work in the world through the hearts of all who believe. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ the Lord. Amen.
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
Holy, holy, holy 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.
Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.
Being made one by the power of the Spirit,
as our Saviour taught us, so we pray
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. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and for ever. Amen.
We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.
Alleluia. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
647 Spirit of the Living God
Hymn: 647 Spirit of the Living God
Let us pray,
Faithful God, who fulfilled the promises of Easter by sending us your Holy Spirit and opening to every race and nation the way of life eternal: open our lips by your Spirit, that every tongue may tell of your glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Lord is here.
God’s Spirit is with us.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Be filled with the Spirit’s power,
with the light and peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!
