Welcome & Greetings

*CALL TO WORSHIP

Like the disciples, we gather in this space, united by our relationship with the Risen Christ.

*Opening Hymn ‘Forward Through the Ages’ UMH# 555

*Opening Prayer(in Unison)

O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom you have made them all. Open your hand to us, and bless us in this worship service. Do not hide your face from us. Send forth your Spirit in this worship service today and let us be re-created. Renew us, O God, with your spirit. In Jesus’ name. Amen!

Old Testament Lesson: Joel 2:28-32

Epistle Lesson: Acts 2:1-4, 36-39

Worship Songs: UECF Children

Worship Songs in English & Telugu: UECF Choir

Intercessory Prayer & Lord's Prayer: Rev. Dr. David Ravinder

Offertory (paypal.com/us/fundraiser/charity/1578290)

Offertory Song:

Offertory Prayer: Rev. Dr. David Ravinder

Gospel Lesson: John 7:37-39

Sermon: ‘The Power of Pentecost’ Rev. Dr. David Ravinder

Apostle’s Creed & HOLY COMMUNION

*Closing Song: ‘Spirit of the Living God’ UMH# 393
*Closing Prayer & Benediction: Rev. Dr. David Ravinder

ANNOUNCEMENTS

• Thanks to Rev. Dr. David Ravinder for ministering to us today.
• Next week, Bro. Sudheer Meriga will bring the Word of God. Special prayer and recognition of the High School graduates will be held during the worship service.
• Youth Retreat will be held on June 17^th in First Baptist Church.
• Please sign-up the Fellowship Roster if you would like to volunteer to host the Fellowship Coffee Hour.

Birthdays:

• • Mrs. Suneela Ponnapalli 29^th May
  • Jacqueline Kadari 30^th May
  • Nathan Rapaka 01^st June
  • Samrita Eva Ravinder 01^st June
  • Mr. Ravi Bandi 02^nd June
  • Mrs. Sabita Ravinder 03^rd June
  • Mr. Ajay Damarapu 03^rd June
  • Mr. Preetham Cheeli 04^th June

Anniversaries:

• Mrs. Olives & Mr. Kanthi Rapaka 30^th May
• Mrs. Olive & Preetham Cheeli 31^st May

Visit us online at http://www.uecf.net   

Pentecost

Pentecost (the Fiftieth [day]) is one of the prominent feasts in the Christian liturgical year commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples of Christ. The feast is also called Whitsun, Whitsunday, Whit Sunday, or Whitsuntide, especially in the United Kingdom. Pentecost is celebrated seven weeks (50 days) after Easter Sunday, hence its name Pentecost falls on the tenth day after Ascension Thursday.

Pentecost is historically and symbolically related to the Jewish harvest festival of Shavuot, which commemorates God giving the Ten Commandments at Mount Sinai fifty days after the Exodus. Among Christians, Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and other followers of Jesus as described in the New Testament Acts of the Apostles 2:31 during these Jewish "fiftieth day" celebrations in Jerusalem. For this reason, Pentecost is sometimes described as the "Birthday of the Church".

Traditional interpretation holds that the Descent of the Holy Spirit took place in the Upper Room, or Cenacle while celebrating Shavuot, first mentioned in Luke 22:12 & 13 ( "And he shall shew you a large upper room furnished: there make ready. And they went, and found as he had said unto them: and they made ready the passover.") ; the location of the Last Supper(Seder). The next mention of an Upper Room is in Acts, the continuation of the Luke narrative, authored by the same biblical writer. Here the disciples and women wait and pray for the "baptism of the Holy Ghost" promised by Jesus:"And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren." It is assumed then that in Acts 2, "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place", "they" refers to the aforementioned disciples and women; the "place" referring to the same Upper Room where these persons had "continued with one accord in prayer and supplication"

Other scholarship suggests the events of the first Pentecost recorded in the New Testament Book of Acts took place at the Temple Court located south and south-west of the Temple Mount, an area excavated by Israeli archaeologist Benjamin Mazar shortly after the Israeli conquest of East Jerusalem in 1967. In the Jerusalem Christian Review, Dan Mazar wrote about the archaeological discoveries made at this location by his grandfather, Prof. Mazar, which included the first century stairs of ascent, where Jesus and his disciples preached, as well as the "mikvaot" (or baptismals) used by the "three thousand" who were baptized on the day of Pentecost, according to the Book of Acts.

In Italy it was customary to scatter rose petals from the ceiling of the churches to recall the miracle of the fiery tongues; hence in Sicily and elsewhere in Italy Whitsunday is called Pasqua rosatum. The Italian name Pasqua rossa comes from the red colours of the vestments used on Whitsunday. In France it was customary to blow trumpets during Divine service, to recall the sound of the mighty wind which accompanied the Descent of the Holy Spirit.

Quiz on Pentecost

1. Pentecost shows...

1. the coming of the Holy Spirit
2. a mighty wind that will fill the outside
3. a day of fasting
4. the bible doesn't mention such a thing

2. After Jesus' death, the Apostle Paul still kept Pentecost. Fill in the following scripture (Acts 20:16): "For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at __________, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost."

1. Corinth C. Ephesus
2. Israel D. Jerusalem

3. The term Pentecost is a Greek term meaning...

1. 1st C. 7th
2. 40th D. 50th

4. The Feast of the First fruits is also another name for Pentecost. In Revelation 14:4, "These are the ones who ______ the Lamb wherever He goes."

1. slaughter C. object
2. follow D. deny

5. Continuing in Revelation 14:5, "These were redeemed from among men, being first fruits to ________ and to the Lamb."

1. God C. the Sheep
2. fruit D. None of the Above

6. The Feast of Pentecost comes after which Holy Day?

1. the Feast of Tabernacles C. the Days of Unleavened Bread
2. the Feast of Trumpets D. the Day of Atonement

7. Peter had said, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin; and you shall receive the gift of the _____ (Acts 2:38)."

1. food C. promise
2. Holy Spirit D. Easter

8. In Romans 5:5, "Now hope does ______, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

1. give zeal C. not give zeal
2. disappoint D. not disappoint

9. Pentecost has been given all of the below names except... (Exodus 23:16;34:22, Numbers 28:26)

1. Feast of Chosen C. Feast of Harvest
2. Feast of Weeks D. day of the first fruits

10. Here is an easy question to finish off the quiz. True or False? After the death of Christ, the apostles gathered together on that date. And at a precise time on that date, the Holy Spirit was poured out to provide Christians access to God as a kind of first fruits.

1. True B. False

Answers: 1:A 2:D 3:D 4:B 5:A 6:C 7:B 8:D 9:A 10:A

Quiz on Pentecost

1. Pentecost shows...

1. the coming of the Holy Spirit
2. a mighty wind that will fill the outside
3. a day of fasting
4. the bible doesn't mention such a thing

2. After Jesus' death, the Apostle Paul still kept Pentecost. Fill in the following scripture (Acts 20:16): "For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at __________, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost."

1. Corinth C. Ephesus
2. Israel D. Jerusalem

3. The term Pentecost is a Greek term meaning...

1. 1st C. 7th
2. 40th D. 50th

4. The Feast of the First fruits is also another name for Pentecost. In Revelation 14:4, "These are the ones who ______ the Lamb wherever He goes."

1. slaughter C. object
2. follow D. deny

5. Continuing in Revelation 14:5, "These were redeemed from among men, being first fruits to ________ and to the Lamb."

1. God C. the Sheep
2. fruit D. None of the Above

6. The Feast of Pentecost comes after which Holy Day?

1. the Feast of Tabernacles C. the Days of Unleavened Bread
2. the Feast of Trumpets D. the Day of Atonement

7. Peter had said, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin; and you shall receive the gift of the _____ (Acts 2:38)."

1. food C. promise
2. Holy Spirit D. Easter

8. In Romans 5:5, "Now hope does ______, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who has been given to us."

1. give zeal C. not give zeal
2. disappoint D. not disappoint

9. Pentecost has been given all of the below names except... (Exodus 23:16;34:22, Numbers 28:26)

1. Feast of Chosen C. Feast of Harvest
2. Feast of Weeks D. day of the first fruits

10. Here is an easy question to finish off the quiz. True or False? After the death of Christ, the apostles gathered together on that date. And at a precise time on that date, the Holy Spirit was poured out to provide Christians access to God as a kind of first fruits.

1. True B. False

Answers: 1:A 2:D 3:D 4:B 5:A 6:C 7:B 8:D 9:A 10:A

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (in 2023 on May 29). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who perished while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include casualties of any war or military action.

Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. US Eastern time. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers usually place an American flag upon each grave site located in a National Cemetery. In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also used as a time for picnics, barbecues, family gatherings, and sporting events. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. Some Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season. The national "Click It or Ticket" campaign ramps up beginning Memorial Day weekend, noting the beginning of the most dangerous season for auto accidents and other safety related incidents. The U.S. Air Force's "101 Critical Days of Summer" begin on this day as well.

According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who had died while captive. A parade with thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers was followed by patriotic singing and a picnic. The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. The village was credited with being the birthplace because it observed the day on May 5, 1866, and each year thereafter, and because it is likely that the friendship of General John Murray, a distinguished citizen of Waterloo, and General John A. Logan, who led the call for the day to be observed each year and helped spread the event nationwide, was a key factor in its growth.

The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882, but did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend and for the first time recognized Columbus Day as a federal holiday. The holidays included Washington's Birthday (which evolved into Presidents' Day), Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971 . After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply at the state level, all fifty states adopted the measure within a few years, although Veterans Day was eventually changed back to its traditional date. Ironically, most corporate businesses no longer close on Columbus Day or Veterans Day, and an increasing number are staying open on President's Day as well. Memorial Day, however, has endured as one holiday during which most businesses stay closed because it marks the beginning of the "summer vacation season," as does neighboring Canada's Victoria Day, which occurs on the prior Monday.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a United States Federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May (in 2023 on May 29). Formerly known as Decoration Day, it commemorates U.S. men and women who perished while in military service to their country. First enacted to honor Union soldiers of the American Civil War, it was expanded after World War I to include casualties of any war or military action.

Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. A national moment of remembrance takes place at 3 p.m. US Eastern time. Another tradition is to fly the U.S. flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Volunteers usually place an American flag upon each grave site located in a National Cemetery. In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also used as a time for picnics, barbecues, family gatherings, and sporting events. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjunction with Memorial Day since 1911. Some Americans also view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer and Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season. The national "Click It or Ticket" campaign ramps up beginning Memorial Day weekend, noting the beginning of the most dangerous season for auto accidents and other safety related incidents. The U.S. Air Force's "101 Critical Days of Summer" begin on this day as well.

According to Professor David Blight of the Yale University History Department, the first memorial day was observed in 1865 by liberated slaves at the historic race track in Charleston. The site was a former Confederate prison camp as well as a mass grave for Union soldiers who had died while captive. A parade with thousands of freed blacks and Union soldiers was followed by patriotic singing and a picnic. The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. The village was credited with being the birthplace because it observed the day on May 5, 1866, and each year thereafter, and because it is likely that the friendship of General John Murray, a distinguished citizen of Waterloo, and General John A. Logan, who led the call for the day to be observed each year and helped spread the event nationwide, was a key factor in its growth.

The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882, but did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. On June 28, 1968, the United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved three holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convenient three-day weekend and for the first time recognized Columbus Day as a federal holiday. The holidays included Washington's Birthday (which evolved into Presidents' Day), Veterans Day, and Memorial Day. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. The law took effect at the federal level in 1971 . After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply at the state level, all fifty states adopted the measure within a few years, although Veterans Day was eventually changed back to its traditional date. Ironically, most corporate businesses no longer close on Columbus Day or Veterans Day, and an increasing number are staying open on President's Day as well. Memorial Day, however, has endured as one holiday during which most businesses stay closed because it marks the beginning of the "summer vacation season," as does neighboring Canada's Victoria Day, which occurs on the prior Monday.

Prayer Points:

• The Spiritual growth/revival of UECF so that many people will

be added and mightily used in HIS Vineyard. Also pray for the UECF upcoming events.

• Pray for the President & Government of America, Prime Minister & Government of India and the other countries for God’s wisdom.
• Please pray for Pastor Ravinder as he brings the Word of God today.
• Please continue to pray for UECF’s own Church building.
• Please pray for all the elderly people for their good health.
• Please pray for the people who are looking for new jobs.
• Please pray for the pregnant woman: Mrs. Kavitha Shaik
• Pray for the people who are looking for life partners and people who are longing for children.
• Pray for those who are celebrating their Birthdays (Mrs. Suneela Ponnapalli, Nathan Rapaka, Samrita Eva Ravinder, Mrs. Sabita Ravinder, Mr. Ajay Damarapu, Mr. Preetham Cheeli) and Wedding Anniversary(Mrs. Olives & Mr. Kanthi Rapaka, Mrs. Olive & Preetham Cheeli) that God may shower HIS blessings abundantly.
• Please pray for the protection of minor girls as they go through sexual abuse worldwide.
• Pray for Youth and Children to walk in the ways of the Lord.
• God's servants and Missionaries who are working in HIS vineyard.
• Please pray for the protection of new Christian converts from Muslim, Hindu and other religions.
• Persecuted Christians in India and other nations.
• The salvation of the perishing souls as we are in last days.
• Revival and Purification of different Churches all over the world.

Lord I come to you

Let my heart be changed renewed

Flowing from the grace that

I have found in you

And lord I have come to know

The weakness I see in me

Will be stripped away

By the power of your love

Hold me close let your love surround me

Bring me near draw me to your side

And as I wait

I’ll rise up like an eagle

And I will soar with you

Your spirit leads me on

By the power of your love

Lord unveil my eyes

Let me see you face to face

The knowledge of your love

As you live in me

Lord renew my mind

As your will unfolds in my life

In living everyday

By the power of your love

Hold me close let your love surround me

Bring me near draw me to your side

And as I wait

I’ll rise up like an eagle

And I will soar with you

Your spirit leads me on

By the power of your love [2]

స్తుతి ఆరాధనా నీకే చెల్లును దేవా

పల్లవి: నా బలము, నా ధనము నీకే నా యేసు దేవా ..

నా సర్వము, నా జీవితము నీకే  నే అర్పింతు దేవా (2)
స్తుతి ఆరాధనా నీకే చెల్లును దేవా.. మహిమ ప్రభావము నీకే కలుగును దేవా
హల్లెలూయా (8)

1. నీ దుఃఖదినములు సమాప్తమగునని వాగ్దానం మాకు నొసగితివి
    నీ చిత్తం చేయుటలో, సంతోషమిచ్చి సంపూర్ణ శాంతి నొసగితివి
    నీ దుఃఖదినములు సమాప్తమగునని వాగ్దానం మాకు నొసగితివి
    నీ చిత్తం చేయుటలో, సంతోషమిచ్చి సంపూర్ణ శాంతి నొసగితివి
    నీ ఆత్మలో ప్రహర్షించెదను .. నీ ప్రేమలో కొనసాగేదన్
    నీ ఆత్మలో ప్రహర్షించెదను .. నీ కృపలో వర్దిల్లెదన్
  హల్లెలూయా (8)
  హల్లెలూయా హోసన్నా (4)
  స్తుతి ఆరాధనా నీకే చెల్లును దేవా ... మహిమ ప్రభావము నీకే కలుగును దేవా .....
2. అమూల్యమైన, నిర్దోషమైన నీ రక్తం మాపై  ప్రోక్షించావు
    చీకటి నుండి ఆశ్చర్యమైన నీ వెలుగులోనికి నడిపించావు
    అమూల్యమైన, నిర్దోషమైన నీ రక్తం మాపై ప్రోక్షించావు
    చీకటి నుండి ఆశ్చర్యమైన నీ వెలుగులోనికి నడిపించావు
    నీ ప్రేమకై ఏమివ్వగలను? నా జీవితం అర్పింతునూ
    నీ ప్రేమకై ఏమివ్వగలను? నా జీవితం అర్పింతునూ
    హల్లెలూయా (8)
    హల్లెలూయా హోసన్నా (4)
    స్తుతి ఆరాధనా  నీకే చెల్లును దేవా ... మహిమ ప్రభావము నీకే కలుగును దేవా  (2)

నా బలము, నా ధనము నీకే నా యేసు దేవా ..

నా సర్వము, నా జీవితము నీకే  నే అర్పింతు దేవా (2)
స్తుతి ఆరాధనా నీకే చెల్లును దేవా.. మహిమ ప్రభావము నీకే కలుగును దేవా

పరిశుద్దాత్మ  దేవా దిగి రమ్మయ్య

పల్లవి:  పరిశుద్దాత్మ  దేవా దిగి రమ్మయ్య మాపై దిగి రమ్మయ్య     (2)
నింపుమయా - మము నింపుమయా 
నీ  శక్తితో మము నింపుమయా 

1.         ఆదరణ కర్త దిగి రమ్మయ్య  - మా పై దిగి రమ్మయ్యా    
సమాధాన అధిపతి దిగి రమ్మయా - మాపై దిగి రమ్మయా 
నింపుమయా - మము నింపుమయా 

నీ శక్తితో మము నింపుమయా 

2.        స్వస్థ పరచూ దేవా దిగి రమ్మయ్య - మాపై దిగి రమ్మయ్యా 
       బలపరచు దేవా దిగి రమ్మయ్యా - మా పై దిగి రమ్మయ్య 
       నింపుమయా - మము నింపుమయా 
       నీ శక్తితో మము నింపుమయా    
3.        శాంతి నొసగు తండ్రి దిగి రమ్మయ్యా - మాపై దిగి రమ్మయ్య 
       నడిపించే తండ్రి దిగి రమ్మయ్యా - మాపై దిగి రమ్మయ్యా 
       నింపుమయా - మము నింపుమయా 
       నీ శక్తితో మము నింపుమయా