Prelude Ouvre tes yeux bleus Jules Massenet (1894-1912) (Chelsie Cree and Grace Mauk)
Welcome
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker Gray
Carolyn Winfrey Gillette Please rise. (to the tune HYFRYDOL, or “Alleluia, Sing to Jesus”)
Opening Hymn Christ Be With Us
Christ be with us, Christ behind us, Christ before us — all around! Christ in busy, noisy cities, Christ where hardly rings a sound. Jesus, you're our Lord and Savior; On your love we can depend. Help us see your presence clearly In each stranger and each friend.
Christ in lines of people fleeing, Praying that a war will cease; Christ in battered women's shelters, Looking for a place of peace. Christ with people sick or dying, Loved ones trying hard to cope In this world of so much suffering, Christ, you give your people hope.
Christ with children who must struggle, Working hard for daily food; Christ in classrooms, learning, growing, Asking questions, seeking good; Christ in diners, waiting tables; Christ in homes where children play In this world of people working, Christ, you work through us today.
Christ with all who keep on struggling, Helping others to be free; Christ with churches working, searching For a greater unity; Christ, in bread and wine, be with us, Giving strength for each new day In this world of daily crosses, Be our joyful, living Way.
Collect of the Day
Leader: The Lord be with you. People: And also with you. Leader: Let us pray.
Prayers for the Inclusive Church
Lord of the growing seed, your reach to the roots of our being and quench our sea deep thirst: help us to know ourselves through the yes of another who calls us to answer and serve and, in the end, be filled; through Christ Jesus, the Master of the Table. Amen.
Please be seated.
The First Reading Habakkuk 1:1 4, 2:1 4
Reader: A reading from Habakkuk.
The oracle that the prophet Habakkuk saw. O Lord, how long shall I cry for help, and you will not listen?
Or cry to you "Violence!" and you will not save? Why do you make me see wrong doing and look at trouble?
Destruction and violence are before me; strife and contention arise. So the law becomes slack and justice never prevails. The wicked surround the righteous therefore judgment comes forth perverted.
I will stand at my watchpost, and station myself on the rampart; I will keep watch to see what he will say to me, and what he will answer concerning my complaint. Then the Lord answered me and said: Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will surely come, it will not delay. Look at the proud! Their spirit is not right in them, but the righteous live by their faith.
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
The Psalm Psalm 37:1 10
The cantor will offer the first line and the congregation is invited to join on the second.
Psalms for Praying
Trust in the Most High, and seek goodness; live harmoniously upon the earth in peace and with assurance. Take delight in the Beloved, enjoy the bountiful gifts of Love.
Commit your life to the Beloved, confident that Love will act on your behalf, Making clear your pathway, bright as the sun at midday.
From my birth to my elder years, I have watched the upright blessed with inner strength and faith. Living as beneficial presences in the world, their children come to know Love.
I have seen the greedy ones, their ways are overbearing, they puff themselves up with pride. I passed by seeing only an inflated balloon, a passing fancy soon to be brought down.
Look at the innocent, consider those honest of heart; they leave a rich inheritance to their children. But those who live with greed, end their days empty.
They leave a legacy of hollow vanity to their children. Love invites all to open their hearts.
The SECOND READING
Reader: A reading from Second Timothy
Timothy 1:1
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, for the sake of the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus,
To Timothy, my beloved child:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I am grateful to God whom I worship with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did when I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. Recalling your tears, I long to see you so that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that lived first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, lives in you. For this reason I remind you to rekindle the gift of God that is within you through the laying on of my hands; for God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and of love and of self discipline.
Do not be ashamed, then, of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel, relying on the power of God, who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works but according to his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. For this gospel I was appointed a herald and an apostle and a teacher, and for this reason I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know the one in whom I have put my trust, and I am sure that he is able to guard until that day what I have entrusted to him. Hold to the standard of sound teaching that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Guard the good treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit living in us.
Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.
Gradual Open the Eyes of My Heart, Lord arr. Trey McLaughlin
Please rise. Repeat Twice.
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see you I want to see you
Open the eyes of my heart, Lord Open the eyes of my heart
I want to see you I want to see you
High and lifted up Shining in the light of your glory Pour out your power and love As we sing holy, holy, holy
Last time: Open the eyes of my heart, Lord Open the eyes of my heart I want to see you I want to see you
The Gospel Luke 17:5-10
Priest: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!" The Lord replied, "If you had faith the size of a mustard seed, you could say to this mulberry tree, `Be uprooted and planted in the sea,' and it would obey you.
"Who among you would say to your slave who has just come in from plowing or tending sheep in the field, `Come here at once and take your place at the table'? Would you not rather say to him, `Prepare supper for me, put on your apron and serve me while I eat and drink; later you may eat and drink'? Do you thank the slave for doing what was commanded? So you also, when you have done all that you were ordered to do, say, `We are worthless slaves; we have done only what we ought to have done!'"
Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker Gray
Affirmation of Faith
Please rise as you are able
You, O God, are supreme and holy. You create our world and give us life. Your purpose overarches everything we do. You have always been with us. You are God.
You, O God, are infinitely generous, good beyond all measure. You came to us before we came to you. You have revealed and proved your love for us in Jesus Christ, who lived and died and rose again. You are with us now. You are God.
You, O God, are Holy Spirit
You empower us to be your gospel in the world. You reconcile and heal; you overcome death. You are our God. We worship you. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
From The New Zealand Prayerbook
Intercessor: Creator of All, you have promised to hear when we pray in the name of your Son. Therefore, in confidence and trust we pray for the Church. God, enliven the Church for its mission:
People: That we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.
Intercessor: Breathe fresh life into your people.
People: Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action.
Intercessor: Creator of all, lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace.
People: That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.
Intercessor: Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.
People: Teach us to care creatively for its resources.
Intercessor: God of truth, inspire with your wisdom those whose decisions affect the lives of others,
People: That all may act with integrity and courage.
Intercessor: Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours.
People: May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
Intercessor: We pray for those on our Trinity Prayer List, and those we now name silently or aloud. God of hope, comfort and restore all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.
People: May they know the power of your healing love.
Intercessor: Make us willing agents of your compassion. People: Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.
Intercessor: Give comfort to those who mourn. People: Bring them peace in their time of loss.
Intercessor: We praise you for all your saints who have entered your eternal glory. People: May their example inspire and encourage us.
Intercessor: Lord, you have called us to serve you.
People: Grant that we may walk in your presence: your love in our hearts, your truth in our minds, your strength in our wills; until, at the end of our journey, we know the joy of our homecoming and the welcome of your embrace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Confession of Sin & Absolution
Priest: Let us confess our sins to God.
People: To you Lord, all hearts are open, no secrets are hidden. Forgive our secret sins; Forgive our habitual sins; Forgive our unnoticed sins; Our sins against ourselves, Our sins against others, Our sins against you.
Celtic Confession
Lord, let our memory provide no shelter for bitterness against another. Lord, let our minds provide no foothold for prejudice against another. Lord, let our hearts provide no harbor for hatred of another. Lord, let our attitudes be no associate in the condemnation of another. Lord, let our tongues be no accomplice in the judgment of another.
Priest: Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy on you. Pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you is all goodness, and keep you in life eternal, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE PEACE
Priest: 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.
