Welcome to ROOTS at home for adults
Worship-at-home resources to help you read and reflect on this week's Bible passages
ROOTS is a partnership of denominations and other Christian organisations and has been publishing lectionary-based worship resources online and in print since 2002.
Copyright
You are welcome to copy this material for use in your own resources e.g. printed sheets or web pages including audio/video recordings. If you do so, please include this acknowledgement to ROOTS:
© ROOTS for Churches Ltd (www.rootsontheweb.com) 2002-2020.
Reproduced with permission.
Opening prayer
Holy God, your Spirit is poured out all over the world.
We pray for all those with whom we are connected
by our faith in Jesus.
May your Holy Spirit fill them – and us.
Amen.
In many languages and tongues
Use the opportunity of being at home – e.g. with time, and internet! – to find out how other Christians celebrate Pentecost. e.g. Find a prayer such as the Lord’s Prayer in another language and:
- pray it in that language;
- listen to a recording of it.
Or learn how to sign the Lord’s Prayer.
As you do so, think about – and pray for – Christians across the world, many of them like you, celebrating today in their own homes. Remember that a church building is a place to meet; church is people!
This week's Live your faith sheet
(Bible notes, prayers, a picture and questions for reflection, a live your faith action)
Where is the Spirit?
Reflect on times when you have experienced – or witnessed – the breaking in of the Holy Spirit.
- What were the circumstances?
- Was the setting a ‘religious’ one, or entirely secular?
- How did it feel?
- What was the immediate impact?
- What have been the consequences in the longer term?
- How far do they show the Holy Spirit at work outside formal church structures and activities?
His Spirit is with us
You will need three different colours of wool or thread, and some gold-coloured thread. Make – i.e. braid – a bracelet or bookmark with a gold thread running through it, to remind us that, according to John’s Gospel, the Spirit is always with us.
A simple worship activity
This can be done on your own, or with a group. Ideal for young and not so young together!
In the beginning your Spirit hovered over the waters.
(make two fingers on each hand do a walking motion)
Thank you, God, for your ever-present Spirit.
(make wave motions with hands)
Later your Spirit called to Sarah and Abraham to a new journey with you.
(blow as hard as you can)
Thank you, God, for your ever-present Spirit.
(make wave motions with hands)
As time went on your Spirit spoke through the prophet Ezekiel
and brought dry bones to life.
(make a beckoning motion)
Thank you, God, for your ever-present Spirit.
(make wave motions with hands)
At the dawn of a new era your Spirit led Jesus into the wilderness.
(create a heart shape with your hands)
Thank you, God, for your ever-present Spirit.
(make wave motions with hands)
Jesus promised that your Spirit would never leave
those who love him and keep his commandments.
Thank you, God, for your ever-present Spirit.
(make wave motions with hands)
A prayer of adoration
How shall we speak the name beyond all names?
We will light a flame and proclaim God is amongst us.
How shall we praise the one
who knew the embers of death for us?
We look into the consuming flame and say
'Behold the Lamb of God'.
How shall we celebrate the Mystery,
the Spirit, the Companion among us?
We clap the hands of our hearts,
for she it is who makes each one a home for Christ.
God of fire, we shrink from your justice
but adore the love which fuels it.
Christ, the blaze of God's fire spent on our darkness,
we are stilled and silenced by your passion and death.
Dancing Spirit flame,
you awaken us to the risen Christ,
you invite us to sing and dance in our heart;
and for this -
we open the most secret places of our being
in adoration and wonder. Amen.
A prayer of praise for the whole world
May God be praised across the world.
Africa, lift up God's name,
from Johannesburg to Cairo, from Freetown to Nairobi.
Bless our God.
Praise and extol him for ever and ever.
May God be praised across the world.
All the Americas, lift up God's name,
from Seattle to Managua, from Kingston to Santiago.
Bless our God.
Praise and extol him for ever and ever.
May God be praised across the world.
Islands of the Pacific, lift up God's name,
from Singapore to Wellington, from Vanuatu to Perth.
Bless our God.
Praise and extol him for ever and ever.
May God be praised across the world.
Europe, East and West, North and South, lift up God's name,
from Dublin to Bucharest, from Helsinki to Athens.
Bless our God.
Praise and extol him for ever and ever.
May God be praised across the world.
Across all Asia, lift up God's name,
from Madras to Beijing, from Tokyo to Jerusalem.
Bless our God.
Praise and extol him for ever and ever. Amen.
A prayer of approach
Loving God,
whether you come to us in the unexpected or the familiar,
we are glad of your presence.
We want to live well in the life you have given to us.
We long to experience the fullness of your love in our lives.
Loving God,
whether you come to us with a challenge to take risks or the offer of comfort,
we welcome you into our lives.
We want to understand more about you.
We long to experience the fullness of your grace in our lives.
Loving God,
whether you come to us like a rushing wind or on a quiet breath,
we reach out to you.
We want to enjoy the gift of your Spirit.
We long to experience the fullness of your power in our lives. Amen.
Listen and sing
Preview songs on YouTube, buy online and download.
Fall afresh, feat. Jeremy Riddle, Bethel music on The loft sessions
Holy Spirit, feat. Kim Walker-Smith, Jesus culture on Live from New York
Spirit move (live), feat. Kalley Heiligenthal, Bethel music on Have it all (live)
Traditional hymn(s): Bind us together, Lord
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- In conversation with the Scriptures
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- A range of adaptable prayers and activities
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