3rd Day of Pentecost: Holiday of the Holy Spirit’s Outpouring (Whit Tuesday)

“This is the word of the LORD unto Zerubbabel, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” (Watchword from the prophet Zechariah 4:6  )

Introit from Psalm 118: This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord: O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord. God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will praise thee: thou art my God, I will exalt thee. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. (verses 24-28)

God’s holy Word from the Old Testament in the 2nd book of Moses (Exodus) the nineteenth chapter: And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel; Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. (Ex 19:3-6 KJV)

The Epistle from Acts in the tenth chapter:  Then Peter opened his mouth, and said,  Jesus Christ commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Act 10:34a;42-48a KJV)

The Holy Gospel according to the apostle and evangelist St. John the fourth chapter: The woman saith unto Jesus, Sir, I perceive that thou art a prophet. Our fathers worshipped in this mountain; and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship. Jesus saith unto her, Woman, believe me, the hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father. Ye worship ye know not what: we know what we worship: for salvation is of the Jews. But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.The woman saith unto him, I know that Messias cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he. (Joh 4:19-26 KJV)

Liturgical colour: Red (The Holy Spirit, the Church, the office of the ministry and mission)

Together with the Christian Church we pray this collect for this high Holiday of the Church: Almighty and ever-living God, You fulfilled Your promise by sending the gift of the Holy Spirit to unite disciples of all nations in the cross and resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. By the preaching of the Gospel spread this gift to the ends of the earth; through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Hymn for this Holiday: “Come, Holy Ghost, Creator Blest” by Rhabanus Maurus, 776-856 translated by Edward Caswall, 1814-1878

  1. Come, Holy Ghost, Creator blest,
    Vouchsafe within our souls to rest;
    Come with Thy grace and heavenly aid
    And fill the hearts which Thou hast made.
  2. To Thee, the Comforter, we cry,
    To Thee, the Gift of God Most High,
    The Fount of life, the Fire of love,
    The soul’s Anointing from above.
  3. The sevenfold gifts of grace are Thine,
    O Finger of the Hand Divine;
    True promise of the Father Thou,
    Who dost the tongue with speech endow.
  4. Thy light to every thought impart
    And shed Thy love in every heart;
    The weakness of our mortal state
    With deathless might invigorate.
  5. Drive far away our wily Foe
    And Thine abiding peace bestow;
    If Thou be our protecting Guide,
    No evil can our steps betide.
  6. Make Thou to us the Father known,
    Teach us the eternal Son to won
    And Thee, whose name we ever bless,
    Of both the Spirit, to confess.
  7. Praise we the Father and the Son
    And Holy Spirit, with them One;
    And may the Son on us bestow
    The gifts that from the Spirit flow! Amen.

Hymn #233  The Lutheran Hymnal Text: John 14:26
Author: Rhabanus Maurus, 856 translated by: Edward Caswall, 1849, alt.

If you are called to preach this day, may the triune God give you joy and strength, enthusiasm and wisdom, knowledge and insight – and the true words and pictures to preach his holy will faithfully according to his most precious revelation of his will and promises in both the Old and New Testament! However, if you are not preaching, but listening – then listen as if God is talking to you + His precious gospel is “the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes.” (Rom 1:16 NIV)

 

 

About Wilhelm Weber

Pastor at the Old Latin School in the Lutherstadt Wittenberg
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