Prelude We Are Family Sister Sledge
Welcome The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker Gray
Opening Hymn
Please rise. Repeat Twice.
More Than Enough
So Full of your favor
So full of your love
Your goodness runs over
Your power is pouring over me eternally
I’m blessed to be a blessing
Exceedingly abundantly More than enough Oh, Oh, Oh!
I’m living in the overflow Oh, Oh, Oh!
Expect the supernatural Oh, Oh, Oh!
I’m living in the overflow
I’m ready for a miracle
For you my God are More than enough
The Hymnal 1982 #517
Collect of the Day
Prayers for the Inclusive Church Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Let us pray.
Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we dreamed too small, when we arrived safely because we sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of the things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the water of life.
Stir us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas where storms will show your mastery, where in losing sight of land we shall find the stars. We ask you to push back the horizons of our hope, and to push us into the future in strength, courage, hope and love. Amen.
Please be seated.
Reading
Reader: A reading from Genesis
The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved." The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
Reader: The Word of the Lord.
People: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm
Psalm 121
The cantor will offer the first line and the congregation is invited to join on the second.
Psalms for Praying
My heart’s eyes behold your Divine Glory! From whence does my help come? My help comes from You, who created heaven and earth.
You strengthen and uphold me, You, who are ever by my side. Behold! You who watch over the nations will see all hearts Awaken to the Light.
For You are the Great Counselor; You dwell within all hearts, that we might respond to the Universal Heart Like the sun, that nourishes us by day, like the stars that guide the wayfarer at night.
In You we shall not be afraid of the darkness, for You are the Light of our life. May You keep us in our going out and our coming in from this time forth and forevermore.
The SECOND READING
Reader: A reading from Second Timothy
Timothy
As for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Gradual Imagine John Lennon Please rise.
1. Imagine there's no heaven
It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us, only sky Imagine all the people Living for today
2. Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world You
3. You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one
4. You may say I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one
The Gospel Luke 18:1 8
Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke.
People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, `Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker Gray Affirmation of Faith (version by Bruce D. Prewer)Please rise as you are able.
We believe in the God of Jesus of Nazareth, who blesses the meek, the poor and the persecuted, exalts the least and saves the lost.
We believe in the Holy One whose beloved Child, Jesus the Christ, pleased God far more than tongue or pen can ever tell.
We believe in the baptized Christ, and the community of love and hope which grew around his word and witness.
We believe that he is the first citizen of a new race, where the entry fee is Divine grace, and the ground rules are shaped by love.
We believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, By whom old things find new birth, and new things grow on to maturity, and the dead receive regeneration.
We believe in one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and in the limitless life which flows for the healing of the nations. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
Leader: Recognizing our gifts are miracles enable our ministry, serve our neighbors, and strengthen our community, we gather to offer our prayers with gratitude.
Leader: We pray for the Church, the inspiration and inheritance of our gifts of wealth, works, and wisdom. We offer prayers for all the leaders known and unknown who work tirelessly to make your love visible in the world.
When we give out of our abundance, People: there is always more than enough.
Leader: We pray for the world, your greatest miracle. May we who inherit this earth be wise stewards of Creation and kind caretakers of all your creatures. We pray for those who lead our nations. May they use the plentiful resources they steward to care for the people of the world.
When we give out of our abundance, People: there is always more than enough.
Leader: We pray for our neighbors and all who need our love and care. For those who are marginalized and oppressed; those who are sick and those who are dying; for the lonely and isolated; for those who are suffering; and for those who sleep on our streets. We pray for all on our Trinity prayer list, and those we name now. When we give out of our abundance, People: there is always more than enough.
Leader: We pray for those who have died. May they forever gather at your table of plenty, sharing their gifts with love and joy. We remember those whose gifts, bequests, and intentions provide inspiration and abundance beyond their lifetimes.
When we give out of our abundance, People: there is always more than enough.
Leader: As the crowd gathered to hear Jesus preach shared two fish and five loaves, they discovered when their gifts were blessed, they increased and became a blessing to others. May the depth of our gratitude increase every day for the uncountable miracles and blessings in our lives.
When we give out of our abundance, People: there is always more than enough.
Leader: May we, too, reach within ourselves to share our gifts with the world so that our love overflows in a need filled world. For these and all things we ask in the name of Your Son, our liberator and friend. Amen.
The Confession of Sin & Absolution
Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Silence may be kept.
Celebrant and People: God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.
Enriching Our Worship
Celebrant: Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. 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 Total Praise
(Trinity Choir, friends from Clarence Smith Community Chorus, Brandon Benson, percussion and Dave Cerelli, bass)
Sanctus Warren Brown
