Second Sunday in Lent, March 5, 2023

Welcome to the Season of Lent

A SANCTIFIED ART: During this church season we call Lent, we are using a wonderful worship resource called “A Sanctified Art LLC.” It is a collective of artists in ministry who create resources for worshiping communities. Their mission is to empower churches with resources to inspire creativity in worship and beyond. Driven by the connective and prophetic power of art, they believe that art helps us connect our hearts with our hands, our faith with our lives, and our mess, with God. Through their art, prayers, poems and music, we hope you will find moments to connect deeply with the sacred time of traveling through the wilderness these 40 days. – The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

RENACIMIENTO

by Carmelle Beaugelin

Inspired by John 3:1-17

Conté crayon, charcoal, acrylic, gold gild on paper

Artist’s Statement: I was raised in a Spanishspeaking Pentecostal church in Miami called “Renacimiento.” A simple translation of renacimiento to English means “rebirth” or “renaissance.” For my small Pentecostal church, renacimiento meant far more than the symbolism of being “born-again” Christians. It was a perpetual reminder that each time the saints gather to encounter Jesus, the Spirit calls us to continuous transformation, calling dead things into new life and Holy Spirit-filled revival.

It is no wonder that Nicodemus seeks Jesus in the cover and darkness of night. It is in the quiet of night that our deepest fears startle us awake, that our anxieties of the day keep us from sound rest, and that the fear of the death of our dreams and bodies looms. As rapper Nas wrote in his debut album, Illmatic, “sleep is the cousin of death.”3

Yet Jesus challenges Nicodemus’ seeking in the night with a call to be born again, to renacimiento. Not just improvement, but transformation. Not simply resuscitation of what is and was, but a complete resurrection of what could and will be. In this image, a metaphorically disrobed, aging, and vulnerable Nicodemus, surrounded by the milky gray swirls of water and spirit, wonders: How can this be? Haven’t I reached past my benchmarks? How is it that you are calling me to begin again?

We may see ourselves in Nicodemus today, holding the same questions in the sleeplessness of our darkest nights. Yet, what if we chose to hold fast to the faith that responds to our seeking? Jesus promises us that the winds and waters of the Spirit will lead us toward our own new beginning. Each of us will experience renacimiento if we dare to seek it.

—Carmelle Beaugelin

 A PENITENTIAL ORDER 

Call to Worship Prayer by Rev. Sarah A. Speed, A Sanctified Art LLC, sanctifiedart.org

Priest: Listen!

People: There is hope to be found here.

Priest: Listen!

People: God calls you by name here.

Priest: Listen!

People: There is love that abides here.

Priest: The world is full of chatter, so may we do our best to listen.

People: God is speaking.

Priest: Let us worship.

People: Amen.

Confession & Absolution

We Make the Road by Walking, Brian McLaren

Priest: Let us confess our sin against God and our neighbor.

People: Gracious God, we have hurt others, and we have been hurt. We have presumed upon others, and we have been presumed upon. We have taken others for granted, and we have been taken for granted. We have dishonored others, and we have been dishonored. As we receive forgiveness today for our wrongs, may we also extend forgiveness to other who have wronged us. Have mercy upon us all. Amen.

Priest: To all and to each where regret is real, The God of Love pronounces pardon and grants us all the right to begin again. Amen.

Kyrie

M. Roger Holland II The Sound of My People

Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy, mercy, mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ, have mercy. Christ have mercy, mercy, mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy, mercy, mercy, mercy, mercy. Lord, have mercy, mercy, mercy, mercy.

Prelude Rise Up Cassandra Batie and Jennifer Decilveo (Kim Buehler and Melissa Toth) Andra Day Welcome

 The Liturgy of the Word 

Collect of the Day Prayers for an Inclusive Church

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also withyou.

Leader: Let us pray.

Holy God, whose wild spirit’s breath defies our frozen idols: take the night time of our fear and make it a welcoming womb for us and all the world; through Jesus Christ, in whom we are born anew. Amen.

The First Lesson Genesis 12:1-4a

Reader: A reading from Genesis.

The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Psalm Psalm 121

Richard Smallwood

The Psalm will be read aloud together, then all are invited to join in singing Total Praise

1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; * from where is my help to come?

2 My help comes from the Lord, * the maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot be moved * and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.

4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel * shall neither slumber nor sleep;

5 The Lord himself watches over you; * the Lord is your shade at your right hand,

6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, * nor the moon by night.

7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; * it is he who shall keep you safe.

8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, * from this time forth for evermore.

Total Praise (Based on Psalm 121)

Lord I will lift mine eyes to the hills knowing my help is coming from you

Your peace you give me in times of the storm

You are the source of my strength, you are the strength of my life

I lift my hands in total praise to you. Amen.

The Second Lesson Romans 4:1-5, 13-17

Reader: A reading from Romans.

What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness. For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation. For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. I love and long for, my joy and crown, stand firm in the Lord in this way, my beloved.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Gradual

The Land of the Seeking Spencer LaJoyce

There’s a place you can get to without any sound

It’s a place where the wick has burned out

There’s a place at the point that’s past turning around There is a place to be lost long after you’re found

Coax your quiet questionings

Speak your soft uncertainties

There is room for these

In the land of the seeking

Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?

“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.

“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.”

Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon Amy Saylor, Trinity Member

(Pause for reflection )

Affirmation of

Faith Prayer by Rev. Sarah A. Speed, A Sanctified Art LLC, sanctifiedart.org

We believe in a God who meets us in the shadows, who welcomes our questions, who invites us to begin again.

We believe that Jesus showed us a new way, a deeper faith, a more compassionate existence. We believe that all of our beginnings should return us to this foundation, and that no matter how many times we lose our way, God always welcomes us home. Amen.

Prayers of the People

During this season we will sing and speak our petitions of prayer.

REFRAIN

Intercessor: God of justice hear the cry of those who yearn for justice around the world; the persecuted and oppressed, the exploited and the ill-treated.

God of love hear the cry of those who yearn for love; fractured families, broken homes neglected, unwanted, alone

REFRAIN

God of peace hear the cry of those who yearn for peace; in battle zones and broken states, those who are frightened, fearful and anxious. (Pause)

God of healing hear the cry of those who yearn for healing; physical and spiritual hurting, weakened and depressed. (Pause)

REFRAIN

God of mercy hear the cry of those who yearn for mercy; convicted, in need of your Grace, contrite, humble, bowed down. (Pause)

May we know the peace of God the love of God the justice of God the healing and mercy of God this day and all days. Amen.

REFRAIN

THE PEACE

Deacon: The peace of the Lord be always with you.

People: And also with you.

Announcements

Offertory Invitation

To give online, visit www.trinitytoledo.org/online-giving/, choose GIVE NOW and today’s date. You can also text the word “Give” to 419-OMG-LOVE (419-664-5683) to make your weekly offering. This season we will not “pass the plate” at the time of the offertory; offerings can be deposited in our Giving Box stationed at the back of the sanctuary.

Offertory When Speaking Has Ceased Craig Courtney (Trinity Choir)

 The Liturgy of the Table 

The Great Thanksgiving

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

All: And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

All: We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

A Wee Worship Book, Iona Community

All: It is right to give God thanks and praise. We praise you, O God, whom eternity cannot contain, for coming to earth and entering time in Jesus. We praise you for his life which informs our living, for his compassion which changes our hearts, for his clear speaking which contradicts our harmless generalities, for his disturbing presence, his innocent suffering, his fearless dying, his rising to life breathing forgiveness and restoring us forever to you. For these gifts we praise and worship you.

All that is spectacular, all that is plain have their origin in you. All that is lovely, all who are loving, point to you as their fulfillment. Therefore we gladly join our voices to the song of the Church on earth and in heaven:

Sanctus

The Sound of My People, M. Roger Holland Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of hosts

Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the highest Blessed is they who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna, Hosanna Hosanna in the highest Hosanna, Hosanna Hosanna in the highest Hosanna, Hosanna Hosanna in the highest

Jesus was always the guest. In the homes of Peter and Jairus, Martha and Mary, Joanna and Susanna, he was always the guest. At the meal tables of the wealthy where he pled the case of the poor, he was always the guest. Upsetting polite company, befriending isolated people, welcoming the stranger, he was always the guest.

But here, at this table, he is the host. Those who wish to serve him must first be served by him. Those who want to follow him must first be fed by him. For this is the table where God intends us to be nourished. This is the time when Christ can make us new. So come, you who hunger and thirst for a deeper faith, for a better life, for a fairer world. Jesus Christ, who has sat at our tables, now invites us to be his guests.

On their last night together, and as they were sitting at a meal, Jesus gave thanks, took a piece of bread and broke it. He gave it to the disciples saying, “This is my body. It is broken for you. Do this to remember me.”

Later, after they had eaten, he took a cup of wine, gave thanks and said, “This cup is the new relationship with God made possible because of my death. Drink this all of you, to remember me.”

So now we do as Jesus did. We offer this bread and this wine to each other, and proclaim the mystery of faith:

Celebrant and People

Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

We ask that these signs of your love be filled with the fullness of Jesus. Let that same love rest on us, converting us from the patterns of this passing world, until we conform to the shape of him whose food we now share. Amen.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray this version of the Lord’ s prayer:

The Lord’s Prayer Version from New Zealand Prayer Book

Eternal Spirit,

Earth-maker, Pain bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe! The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world! With the bread we need for today, feed us. In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us. Your heavenly will be done by all created beings! Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth! In times of temptation and test, strengthen us. From trials too great to endure, spare us. From the grip of all that is evil, free us. For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. Amen.

The Fraction: Breaking of the Bread Enriching Our Worship

Celebrant: We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ. People: We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread. Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the people of God; holy food for holy people.

Invitation to Communion

Please be seated until you are invited to come forward to receive communion. Please let us know if you would like the bread brought to you. All are welcome.

The Post Communion Prayer (Please stand as you are able.)

Celebrant: Let us pray.

Jesus, we have feasted on the bread of life. Together we have tasted the love of your kin-dom here on earth. In your risen power you have united us with all of those who have come before, with those gathered today, and with those yet to find their way to this table of love set and ready to welcome all. May the sense of a new heaven and a new earth strengthen and renew us today and in the days to come. Now, send us out into the world to do the work you have given us to do offering your fearless love and priceless peace to all we meet in the name of our loving, liberating life-giving God. Amen.

Blessing

As we leave this place, may God bless us with seeking. Seeking out the hungry. Seeking the weary. Seeking the good in every person we pass. Seeking out the hopeful. Seeking the faithful. Seeking God in everyone. As we seek and as we wonder, may we all find what we are looking for. In the name of our Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, who is always seeking us. Amen.

May the rain fall off your shoulders when you’re caught in a storm. When the frost comes a callin’ may it find you safe and warm. May your place be set, and may your promises be kept. And may you never forget that you are loved.

Dismissal

Deacon: Go in peace to serve our loving, liberating, life-giving God. People: Thanks be to God.

Sending Hymn How Firm a Foundation See Insert.

Trinity’s Daily Bread- As a community of faith, we are called to love and be loved; to serve and be served, to give and to receive. In short, we don’t want anyone to “fall behind or drop out.” In this season of connecting in new ways, we are introducing Trinity’s Daily Bread. Please let us know if you need prayer, assistance or connection by filling out our Daily Bread form on our website, www.trinitytoledo.org!

Trinity Episcopal Church

Vestry Leadership

Donna Steppe, Sr. Warden, Jeffrey Albright, Jr. Warden

Karen Keune, Clerk, Margaret Baehren, Treasurer

Dennis Degnan, Becky Koskinen, Leah Reed

Fritz Hany, Gary Franklin & Jamie Paul

Parish Staff

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector

Heather Meyer, Director of Operations and Community Development

George Benson, Director of Community Engagement

Chelsie Cree, Director of Music & the Arts

Grace Mauk, Assistant Director of Music and the Arts

Brian Buckner, Trinity@Home Accompanist

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & COPYRIGHT INFO:

Collect of the Day: Prayers for an Inclusive Church. Steven Shakespeare. Readings and Gospel from: Revised Common Lectionary: lectionarypage.net, 2021.

Affirmation of Faith: from the New Zealand Prayer Book.

Psalm: From Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill.

Prayers of the People: Refrain from Psalm 103, alt. Taize – GIA Publications.

Confession & Absolution: from The Road We Make by Walking, Brian McLaren

The Great Thanksgiving: A Wee Worship Book, Iona Community

Lord’s Prayer: Traditional, spoken.

Fraction: Enriching Our Worship

All printed music from The Hymnal 1982, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, My Heart Sings Out, Wonder, Love, and Praise was used by permission through purchase of riteseries.org.

All other printed music permission through purchase of CCLI Copyright license #20577215 Size B

Streaming License #20577284 Size B

Secular music permission through purchase of CCS WORSHIPcast Copyright license #13190

All printed music from Gather permission through purchase of onelicense.net License # A-700000

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH