We are sorry that we have said thank you and

put you in a box and stored you on the shelf

ready for the big event

Forgive us for keeping you gift wrapped

for special occasions

We are sorry that we have turned our backs

on the places and people that you are

changing

Forgive us for believing we can keep the

lid on your box and failing to trust that

you can transform our world

We are sorry that we have closed our eyes

and ears to your presence in our world

Forgive us for not noticing that the box is

empty and that you are alive and living in

our world

We are sorry that there are parts of the map

we don’t want to visit – the terra periculosa –

dangerous land.

Forgive us for failing to walk new paths or

cross over to the other side of the street.

Thank you that you forgive our limitations

and the limits we put on others,

May we lift the lid on your love, open our

eyes and ears to your voice and walk new

paths,

Amen

John baptized with water but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit. I will pour out my Spirit on all people - your sons and daughters will prophesy. The Jewish believers were amazed that the Holy Spirit had been poured out on Gentiles too. God is HereHis Spirit is with us 

So we join the song of heaven, saying

Holy holy holyLord God AlmightyHeaven and earth are full of your gloryHosanna in the highest 

This Spirit is poured out on all fleshand testifies with our spirit that:

Christ has diedChrist is risen Christ will come again 

Come, Holy Spirit,

fill the hearts of your people,

kindle in us the fire of your love 

Let the Holy Spirit come upon you to be my witnesses in Jerusalem, all over Judea and Samaria, in Ealing and Acton, in Greenford and Holland, in …….even to the ends of the world. ….

Amen