Sunday 23 May, 2021

Pentecost (also Aldersgate Sunday)                                   

For hymns relating to the Conversions of John and Charles Wesley (24 May), see below.

Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading

Acts 2: 1-21

Father of everlasting grace (StF 378)
Holy Spirit, gift bestower (StF 383)
It was a new beginning on the day the Spirit came (website only)
Let every Christian pray (StF 388)
Set loose the tongues, the tongues of flame (website only)
Spirit of the living God, fall afresh on me (StF 395)
Wa wa wa Emimimo (Come, O Holy Spirit, come) (StF 38)

or Ezekiel 37: 1-14

Breathe on me breath of God (StF 370)
Crashing waters at creation (StF 376)
*Holy Spirit, fall on me (website only)
*In the beginning was darkness and nothing (StF 386)
Into a world of dark (StF 387)
O breath of life, come sweeping through us (StF 391)
When listening prophets dare to speak (StF 163)

Psalm 104: 24-34, 35b

Hymns echoing the psalmist's theme

Angel voices ever singing (StF 39)
*In the beginning was darkness and nothing (StF 386)
Lord of the boundless curves of space (StF 111)

Romans 8: 22-27

Holy breath of God (StF 380)
*Holy Spirit, fall on me (website only)
Holy Spirit, rain down, rain down (StF 384)
My God! I know, I feel thee mine (StF 390)
Spirit who broods, Spirit who sings (StF 396)

Acts 2: 1-21

as above

John 15: 26-27; 16:4b-15

Because you came and sat beside us (StF 420)
Come, divine Interpreter (StF 154)
Come, O everlasting Spirit (StF 375)
Give to me, Lord, a thankful heart (StF 520)
Holy Spirit, come, confirm us (StF 382)
Spirit of the living God (StF 395)
Wind of God, dynamic Spirit (StF 400)

The Conversions of John and Charles Wesley

These hymns are especially appropriate for marking the conversions of John and Charles Wesley, as well as being suited to the post-Ascension - pre-Pentecost emphasis on developing discipleship reflected in today’s readings. These readings should not normally be used at the Principal Service on Pentecost.

Hymns marked with an asterisk (*) are suggested for more than one reading

General

Best of all is God is with us (StF 610)
How small a spark has lit a living fire! (StF 408)
Where shall my wondering soul begin? (StF 454)

Also see: Aldersgate – what changed for the Wesleys?

Isaiah 12: 1-6 or Isaiah 51: 1-3, 7-11

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy (StF 416)
God has spoken – by his prophets (StF 157)
Your hand, O God, has guided (StF 692)

Psalm 130

Hymns echoing the psalmist's theme

Only by grace can we enter (StF 565)
Out of the depths I cry to thee (StF 433)

Romans 5: 1-11

Come, thou fount of every blessing (StF 494)
I am a new creation (StF 553)
I am not skilled to understand (StF 349)

or 2 Peter 1: 1-11

God in my living, there in my breathing (StF 497)
Great God, your love has called us here (StF 499)
Help us, O Lord, to learn (StF 501)

Mark 12: 28-37

A charge to keep I have (StF 658)
May the mind of Christ my Saviour (StF 504)
More like you, Jesus, more like you (StF 505)

or Luke 10: 1-12, 17-20

Lord, your Church on earth is seeking (StF 410)
Go to the world! Go into all the earth (StF 402)
The kingdom of God is justice and joy (StF 255)