Trinity Episcopal Church
Welcome
Opening Hymn Mary Louise Bringle
Please rise.
Collect of the Day Prayers for an Inclusive Church (Steven Shakespeare)
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And also with you. Priest: Let us pray.
God of unbroken weakness, you laugh at our love of power: may we find kinship in the love that is killed for speaking its name without even the shadow of force; through Jesus Christ, King of Fools. Amen.
Please be seated.
The First Reading
Jeremiah 23:1 6 Reader: A reading from Jeremiah.
Woe to the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture! says the Lord. Therefore thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, concerning the shepherds who shepherd my people: It is you who have scattered my flock, and have driven them away, and you have not attended to them. So I will attend to you for your evil doings, says the Lord. Then I myself will gather the remnant of my flock out of all the lands where I have driven them, and I will bring them back to their fold, and they shall be fruitful and multiply. I will raise up shepherds over them who will shepherd them, and they shall not fear any longer, or be dismayed, nor shall any be missing, says the Lord.
The days are surely coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Bra nch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved and Israel will live in safety. And this is the name by which he will be called: "The Lord is our righteousness."
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm Psalm 46
Psalms for Praying (Nan Merrill)
The cantor will offer the first line and the congregation is invited to join on the second.
The Beloved is our refuge and our strength, a Loving Presence in times of trouble.
Therefore we need not fear though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams make glad the Holy City, the holy habitation of the Most High. The Beloved is in the midst of it, it shall not be moved; Our loving Creator is an ever-present help.
The nations may be at war, countries left in ruins, yet is the Voice of the Almighty heard, slowly breaking through hearts of stone. The Beloved is ever with us, the infinite Heart of Love.
Come, behold the works of the Beloved, how love does reign even in humanity’s desolation. For the Beloved yearns for wars to cease, shining light into fearful hearts; loving even those who oppress the weak, refining hearts of steel!
“Be still and know that I am Love. Awaken! Befriend justice and mercy; Do you not know you bear my Love? Who among you will respond?” O Blessed One, You know all hearts, You are ever with us; may Love ever guide our lives!
The SECOND READING
Colossians 1:11 20 Reader: A reading from Colossians
May you be made strong with all the strength that comes from his glorious power, and may you be prepared to endure everything with patience, while joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has rescued us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him all things in heaven and on earth were created, things visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or powers all things have been created through him and for him. He himself is before all things, and in him all things hold together. He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that he might come to have first place in everything. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him God was pleased to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, by making peace through the blood of his cross.
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Gradual Hymns for Worship, GIA Please rise.
The Gospel 23:33 43 Deacon: People:
When they came to the place that is called The Skull, they crucified Jesus there with the criminals, one on his right and one on his left. Then Jesus said, "Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing." And they cast lots to divide his clothing. The people stood by, watching Jesus on the cross; but the leaders scoffed at him, saying, "He saved others; let him save himself if he is the Messiah of God, his chosen one!" The soldiers also mocked him, coming up and offering him sour wine, and saying, "If you are the King of the Jews, save yourself!" There was also an inscription over him, "This is the King of the Jews."
One of the criminals who were hanged there kept deriding him and saying, "Are you not the Messiah? Save yourself and us!" But the other rebuked him, saying, "Do you not fear God, since you are under the same sentence of condemnation? And we indeed have been condemned justly, for we are getting what we deserve for our deeds, but this man has done nothing wrong." Then he said, "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom." He replied, "Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Deacon: People:
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
Leader: Let us confess our sins to God.
Enriching Our Worship
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 True Colors
Lauper (Kim Buehler and the Trinity Music Team)
Sanctus Grayson Warren Brown
