WCC News: Dr Jean-Daniel Plüss: Who are we to stand in God’s way?

Approaching Pentecost, let us be open to God’s work in our lives in unexpected ways and ask ourselves: are there boundaries of faith in our life that God invites us to reconsider? Dr Jean-Daniel Plüss of the Christian Unity Commission of the Pentecostal World Fellowship encouraged all to consider this question.  Dr Jean-Daniel Plüss, president of the Global Christian Forum Foundation in Switzerland and member of the Christian Unity Commission of the Pentecostal World Fellowship during the prayer service at the Ecumenical centre in Geneva. Photo: Ivars Kupcis/WCC 27 April 2026 The World Council of Churches (WCC) continues to invite leadership and representatives of the various Christian world communions that work closely with the WCC to take part in its Monday morning prayers. This week’s reflection was shared by Plüss, president of the Global Christian Forum Foundation in Switzerland and member of the Christian Unity Commission of the Pentecostal World Fellowship. He reflected on Acts 11:1-18 as an account of another conversion in the life of apostle Peter. “This is an account of an ecumenical conversion,” said Plüss. Peter was encouraged when he realized that God was working in others in the same way as he had experienced: “Who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?” “Let this be an encouragement in our lives and work when we discover the Holy Spirit’s work in other Christians, in other churches, in other human beings,” said Plüss. “The Holy Spirit is just as much at work in the other person than in you: Let us be open to God’s move in unexpected ways: in our lives, in our work, in the life of the church.” As we anticipate the celebration of Pentecost, let us pray that the Spirit of Pentecost can work in and through us in new ways, encouraged Plüss during the prayer service. Following the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle, the WCC invites all to pray this week for the churches and people of Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia. Learn more about the Ecumenical Prayer Cycle See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 356 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches Chemin du Pommier 42 Kyoto Building Le Grand-Saconnex CH-1218 Switzerland

WCC NEWS: WCC presidents share Pentecost message: “we need the renewing presence of the Holy Spirit”

In a message for churches and people across the globe, the World Council of Churches presidents shared Pentecost greetings. Photo: Albin Hillert 13 May 2024 “The Pentecost is the descent of the Holy Spirit on the church and the empowerment of its missionary outreach,” the message reads. “In a world in which life in its human and ecological dimensions is threatened, we need the Spirit of life to protect the sacredness, wholeness, and integrity of the God-given life." The message also reflects on the need for the intervention of the Holy Spirit to tear down walls that divide. “In a world dominated by corruption, injustice, and the decay of moral and spiritual values, we need the renewing presence of the Holy Spirit to transform our societies through the Gospel values,” reads the message. “Empower us to articulate more concretely our missionary engagement in all parts of the world, and particularly at these critical moments in the Middle East.” The message concludes: “Help us to replace hatred by love, violence by dialogue, and self-centeredness by mutual acceptance. Make us instruments of justice, apostles of peace, and messengers of life.” Full text: A Message for the Churches – At Pentecost (2024) See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 352 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 580 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Jerry Pillay from the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

Worship Resources and Graphics for Pentecost Sunday

Pentecost Sunday Worship Resources

Pentecost Sunday Service PDFs Hymn Suggestions Pentecost 2021 Call to Worship – Pentecost Sunday (Rev. Dr. Curry F Butler) Prayer and Response Pentecost (Rev. Jazmine Brooks) Sermon The Fire This Time ( Rev. Melech E.M. Thomas) Pentecost Sunday Service Word Documents Hymn Suggestions Pentecost 2021 Call to Worship – Pentecost Sunday (Rev. Dr. Curry F Butler) Prayer and Response Pentecost (Rev. Jazmine Brooks) Sermon The Fire This Time ( Rev. Melech E.M. Thomas)   Please be mindful of proper attribution, crediting the source where information or a direct quotation was obtained if it wasn’t your own firsthand knowledge. Thank you. Graphics for use on bulletins, notices, newsletters and social media. Brand Transparent Pentecost Sunday Emblem (png file)   Brand White Pentecost Sunday Emblem (jpg file)   Facebook Facebook Banner Cover A.M.E Church (png file) Powerpoint   Pentecost Sunday Powerpoint Slide (png file) Bulletin  Pentecost Sunday Horizontal  (jpg file) Bulletin Pentecost Sunday Vertical  (jpg file) Not on our list? Join Here The News Digest contains selected articles from the newspaper. Click below to get full access! Buy Here

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WCC NEWS: WCC presidents: the vision of Pentecost still shines

In a message for Pentecost, World Council of Churches regional presidents reflect on the first vision of Pentecost undimmed by hesitation, fear or apathy. “It augured a new heaven and a new earth,” their message reads. “In the intervening centuries, has that Pentecostal vision narrowed?” ”the vision of Pentecost still shines. It is energizing the Gospel for all creation: We witness it in the healing hands of those who care for all those afflicted and affected by the pandemic. We see it in the fire for social, economic, and climate justice...” reads the WCC Presidents’ Pentecost Message. | Image caption: A group of volunteers promote food distribution under a viaduct downtown Porto Alegre, Brazil. An average of 1,000 meals are distributed to homeless and unemployed people every week. Photo: Marcelo Schneider/WCC 05 May 2021 The message continues with some candid questions about Pentecost. “Has it become just an individual spiritual experience? Does the vision seem to occupy a smaller and smaller piece of our mind’s geography and our theological landscape? Has it become the possession only of those privileged by knowledge, place, time?” The WCC presidents emphasize the urgency of the moral and spiritual connection of humanity. “We feel it in the urgency of women, young people, and elders for a new earth, as foretold by Joel the prophet,” the message reads. “Indeed, if need is the criterion, now is the best of times for the rush of a mighty wind of renewal.” The pain of a fearful future threatens every particle of creation, the message notes. “We need the hope of the Pentecost vision of life and love,” the text reads. “Yet how are we to become ecclesial communities fired by love of the Lord and united by passion for his people and his creation?” Another question the message poses: Where shall we look for the Pentecostal hope that gives birth to a new heaven and a new earth?  “In our time, as in all times, Jesus invites us to follow him to the quivering heart of Pentecost among the poor, the prisoners, the sick, the hungry, and the ill-clothed,” the message reads. “So, closely following our Saviour, let us receive, afresh, the promise of the Holy Spirit, renewing us, our times, and the face of the earth.” Pentecost Message from the WCC Presidents, 2021 Week of Prayer for Christian Unity See more

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith, witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings together 350 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches representing more than 550 million Christians in over 120 countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic Church. The WCC acting general secretary is Rev. Prof. Dr Ioan Sauca, from the Orthodox Church in Romania. Media contact: +41 79 507 6363; www.oikoumene.org/press Our visiting address is: World Council of Churches 150 route de Ferney Geneve 2 1211 Switzerland

The Presbyterian Church of Hopedale Celebration Service - Sunday, May 31, 2020

Here's a copy of the bulletin and the podcast of the worship service I led in the Presbyterian Church of Hopedale, Ohio on Sunday, May 31, 2020. We celebrated Pentecost and used John 20:19-23 to focus on the coming of the Holy Spirit. We also gathered around the Lord's Table and shared the sacrament of Holy Communion. 

On June 7, we'll discuss Matthew 28:16-20 and consider how the Trinity can be important to us.