Welcome
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray Opening Hymn 1982 Hymnal #287 Please rise.
Collect of the Day
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Priest: Let us pray.
Prayers for an Inclusive Church (Steven Shakespeare)
God, who is faithful when all the foundations crumble: in the time of crisis, as holy places fall and nations stumble, give us the conviction to bear witness to love, whatever the cost; through Jesus Christ, the Word and the Wisdom of God. Amen.
Please be seated.
The First Reading Malachi 4:1 2a Reader: A reading from the book of Malachi
See, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble; the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who revere my name the sun of righteousness shall rise, with healing in its wings.
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm Psalm 98
Psalms for Praying (Nan Merrill) The cantor will offer the first line and the congregation is invited to join on the second.
O sing to the Beloved a new song, for Love has done marvelous things! By the strength of your Indwelling Presence, we, too, are called to do great things; we are set free through Love’s forgiveness and truth.
Yes, your steadfast Love and faithfulness are ever present gifts in our lives. All the ends of the earth have seen the glory of Love’s Eternal Flame.
Make a joyful noise to the Beloved all the earth; break forth into grateful song and sing praises! Yes, sing songs of praise extolling Love’s way; lift up your hearts with gratitude and joy!
Let the voices of all people blend in harmony, in unison let the people magnify the Beloved! Let the sea laugh, and all that fills it; the world and those who dwell in it!
Let the waters clap their hands; let the hills ring out with joy Before the Beloved, who radiates Love to all the earth. For Love reigns over the world with truth and justice bringing order and balance to all of Creation.
The SECOND READING
Reader: A reading from Second Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians 3:6 13
Now we command you, beloved, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from believers who are living in idleness and not according to the tradition that they received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us; we were not idle when we were with you, and we did not eat anyone's bread without paying for it; but with toil and labor we worked night and day, so that we might not burden any of you. This was not because we do not have that right, but in order to give you an example to imitate. For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: Anyone unwilling to work should not eat. For we hear that some of you are living in idleness, mere busybodies, not doing any work. Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living. Brothers and sisters, do not be weary in doing what is right.
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Gradual Hymns for Worship, GIA Please rise.
The Gospel Luke 21:5 19
Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
When some were speaking about the temple, how it was adorned with beautiful stones and gifts dedicated to God, Jesus said, "As for these things that you see, the days will come when not one stone will be left upon another; all will be thrown down."
They asked him, "Teacher, when will this be, and what will be the sign that this is about to take place?" And he said, "Beware that you are not led astray; for many will come in my name and say, `I am he!' and, `The time is near!' Do not go after them.
"When you hear of wars and insurrections, do not be terrified; for these things must take place first, but the end will not follow immediately." Then he said to them, "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom; there will be great earthquakes, and in various places famines and plagues; and there will be dreadful portents and great signs from heaven.
"But before all this occurs, they will arrest you and persecute you; they will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. This will give you an opportunity to testify. So make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance; for I will give you words and a wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to withstand or contradict. You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, by relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. You will be hated by all because of my name. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your souls."
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
Affirmation of Faith United Church of Canada
Please rise as you are able.
We are not alone, we live in God's world.
We believe in God: who has created and is creating, who has come in Jesus, the Word made flesh, to reconcile and make new, who works in us and others by the Spirit. We trust in God.
We are called to be the Church: to celebrate God's presence, to live with respect in Creation, to love and serve others, to seek justice and resist evil, to proclaim Jesus, crucified and risen, our judge and our hope.
In life, in death, in life beyond death, God is with us.
We are not alone. Thanks be to God. Amen.
The Prayers of the People Women’s Uncommon Prayers
Intercessor: Open our lips, O Spirit, that we may proclaim your benevolent truth and call for justice in our communities, in our congregations, and in the world.
People: Spirit, open our lips.
Intercessor: Open our minds, O Creator, that we might dream a Church reconciled, a Church that knows your love so abundantly it bursts with a passion for ministry, a desire to give completely, and seeks only to give back.
People: Creator, open our minds.
Intercessor: Open our hearts, O Giver of Gifts, to be transformed by compassion, so we will serve others with humility, integrity and urgency as your servants.
People: Giver of Gifts, open our hearts.
Intercessor: Open our eyes, O Sanctifier of Life, to the hurts and needs of others. Teach us to see where our abilities and resources can be used for good.
People: Sanctifier of Life, open our eyes.
Intercessor: Open our hands, O Spirit, to be your instruments of witness. Help us work without caution, serve without recognition, and proclaim justice, love and kindness, in your name.
People: Spirit, open our hands.
Intercessor: Open our memories, O Redeemer of All, as we tenderly remember those who have asked for our prayers, including those on our Prayer List…and those we now name aloud and in our hearts…
People: Redeemer of All, open our memories.
Intercessor: God, your love is free, your compassion unconditional, and your mercy infinite. You shower upon us gifts abundant. Grant that we may know and trust these gifts cultivating faith filled generosity in our lives each and every day. Amen.
The Confession of Sin & Absolution
Enriching Our Worship
Leader: Let us confess our sins to God. People: Creator God, long-suffering, full of grace and truth, you create us from nothing and give us life abundant. You give us new life in the water of baptism. You never turn your face from us, nor cast us aside. We confess we have turned against you and against our neighbor, in thought, word and deed. We have wounded your love and marred your image in us. Restore us for the sake of your Son, and bring us to heavenly joy, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Priest: May the God of love bring you back to all that is good in you. May you be forgiven of all wrongdoing and welcome God’s grace anew in your life this day. May God’s assurance strengthen your resolve to begin again in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
Deacon: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.
Announcements
Offertory Invitation
Loose offerings (cash or checks) can be placed in the Offertory Plate as it is passed during the Offertory or deposited in our Giving Box stationed at the back of the sanctuary. To give Online, use the attached QR code or 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.
Offertory Adoremus in Aeternum Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652) (Trinity Choir)
Sanctus Grayson Warren Brown
