First Lesson: Ezekiel 37:1-14

Theme: The life-giving power of God’s Spirit

Exegetical Note
The point of this well-known passage, written during the Babylonian exile and envisioning the future restoration of Israel, is the power of God’s Spirit to animate the community of faith even in situations of utter hopelessness and despair. The relevance of the "dry bones" imagery for an observance of Pentecost should be obvious; and the resonance of both with the resurrection of Christ should not be lost.

Call to Worship
Leader: We meet on this Day of Pentecost to worship a God who restores the dead to life!
People: WE MEET IN THE NAME OF A GOD WHO BRINGS HOPE TO THE HOPELESS!
Leader: For ours is a God whose Spirit, in the vision of Ezekiel, brought a valley full of dry bones back to life.
People…