New Testament | Acts 2:1-11 (with special guest, Jeff Suhr)

Opening Song:
Fresh Wind by Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood, David Ware, and Matt Crocker

Lyrics:
Spirit sound rushing wind
Fire of God fall within
Holy Ghost breathe on us we pray

As we repent turn from sin
Revival embers smouldering
Breath of God fan us into flame

We need a fresh wind
The fragrance of heaven
Pour your spirit out
Pour your spirit out

For hearts that burn with holy fear
Purified in faith and deed
Refiner's fire strengthen what remains

So we the church who bear your light
Lamp aflame city bright
King and kingdom come is what we pray

We need a fresh wind
The fragrance of heaven
Pour your spirit out
Pour your spirit out
A holy anointing
The power of your presence
Pour your spirit out
Pour your spirit out

Pour your spirit out (pour your spirit out)
Pour your spirit out (pour your spirit out)
Pour your spirit out (pour your spirit out)
Pour your spirit out

Let all the redeemed
Prophesy and sing
We can hear the wind
Blowing blowing blowing
Move upon our praise
Sons and daughters sing
We can hear the wind
Blowing blowing (blowing)

Passage:
When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. 3 And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested[a] on each one of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance.

5 Now there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men from every nation under heaven. 6 And at this sound the multitude came together, and they were bewildered, because each one was hearing them speak in his own language. 7 And they were amazed and astonished, saying, “Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each of us in his own native language? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, 11 both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabians—we hear them telling in our own tongues the mighty works of God.”

Musical Reflection:
I Need Thee Every Hour (NEED) by Robert Lowry

Reflection Notes:
Each stanza of this familiar hymn was written by Annie Hawks as part of a poem. When she showed the composition to her pastor, Robert Lowry, he added the refrain and set the text to music for their congregation to enjoy. The musical lines always tend upward before falling back down, an apt parallel to the textual pleas reaching up to God.

Prayer:
Almighty God, on this day, through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, you revealed the way of eternal life to every race and nation: Pour out this gift anew, that by the preaching of the Gospel your salvation may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.