Pentecost and Memorial Day

Join us for this Blessed Sunday

Pentecost Litany

Leader:  O Holy Spirit, who at the beginning of creation moved over the face of the waters,

People: Create us anew with your life-giving power.

Leader: O Holy Spirit, who inspired the prophets of old to speak boldly to a stiff-necked generation,

People: Enable us to hear your voice through the prophets of our day.

Leader: O Holy Spirit, who came as dove at the Baptism of Jesus, calling him to serve in the Name of the Father,

People: Strengthen us as the baptized in our life of the world.

Visuals: Upper Right: Pinturicchio, Descent of the Holy Spirit, 1492-94, fresco and mixed technique, Room of the Mysteries, Borgia Apartments, ©Vatican Museums / Lower Left: Gian Lorenzo Bernini - Dove of the Holy Spirit (ca. 1660, stained glass, Throne of St. Peter, St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican)

Florence American Cemetery 1944, 4,392 burial site of soldiers

Leader: O Holy Spirit, who led Jesus into the wilderness and supported him during his 40 days of temptation,

People; Undergird us in the pressing times of life.

Leader: O Holy Spirit, who on the day of Pentecost put fire into the lives of the early disciples,

People: Set us aflame to show forth the Risen Christ.

Leader: We need you, O Spirit of God, to move among us, for we are a people who sometimes forget that we are yours,

People: Spirit of God, move among us.

Leader: That we might work to transform, the world in which we live. 

People: Spirit of God, move among us.

Leader: That we might deepen our sense of commitment to each other as members of Christ’s Body, the Church,

People: Spirit of God, move among us.

Memorial Day Prayer

Christ that he modeled for us, and which has been imitated in the self-giving love of those men and women who died in military service to ur country.  We remember and pray for our soldiers who laid down their lives for their friends and fellow citizens. We remember and pray for those who put the health and well-being of others above their own.  We remember and pray for those who did not lay down their lives, but who suffered physical, emotional, or mental damage and need healing.  We remember and pray for those families who are grieving and for those soldiers and military family members who need our ongoing support and care.   We remember and pray for our leaders to honor our soldiers, and all of us, by leading with wisdom and restraint.  We remember and pray for the example of Jesus Christ to be the vision of service for all of us, whoever we are and wherever we are.  We long for and pray for a world filled with peace, where we no longer need to lay down our lives for our friends anymore.  On this Sunday before Memorial Day, we pray all of this in the name of the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, AMEN.

Memorial Florence American Cemetery 1944,