2021 Trinity: The Strength of Threeness
Click here for a printable copy of the 2021 Trinity Liturgy
ENTRANCE
REFLECTION
A booklet that was circulated in 1965 by the Church of the Saviour … contained the following statement: “From the earliest days of the church a core assumption has been that the greatest impact on the world comes about by small, committed and disciplined communities of people focused on outward mission, inward transformation, and loving, accountable community.” When Seekers Church formed in 1976, it embraced the three “legs” of a Christian life: the inward journey, supported by daily spiritual practices; the outward journey of mission in the world; and a community of committed people who deepen their lives of faith together and hold each other accountable.
Kate Cudlipp, “The Legs of Faith,” a sermon from March 19, 2006 at https://www.seekerschurch.org/qthe-legs-of-faithq-by-kate-cudlipp/
CANDLE LIGHTING
CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Come, let us worship the one God,
who calls us to the truth of our being.
People: We come, praising the One who is truth,
who created all of us, all beings, and all reality.
Leader: Come, let us walk with the one God,
who walks with us in human form.
People: We come, following the One who is love,
who loves us as two together, parent and child.
Leader: Come, let us sing to the one God,
who inspires us as Spirit,
who strengthens us as Three in One.
People: We come, delighting in the One who is joy,
who joins us together in the strength of the Three in One,
eternal Creator, Word, and Spirit.
All sing: Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise God all creatures here below,
Praise God above ye heavenly host,
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER
HYMN
SILENCE
CONFESSION
Leader: At times we focus so much on ourselves
that we forsake our healing work in community and the world.
People: At times the urgency of serving our broken world
means that we neglect our inner work
and the community life that sustain us.
Leader: At times the needs of community life
push aside our inward and outward journeys.
People: Holy One, Holy Three, forgive us
for losing our balance in the life to which you have called us.
ASSURANCE
Leader: The Holy One who calls us to this threefold life
forgives and strengthens us to live in community,
even as we journey within and without.
All: Amen.
THANKSGIVING AND PRAISE
INTERCESSION AND PETITION
COMMITMENT
All: O Holy One, we come today
to claim our relationship with you.
We pray for the commitment to grow together,
sharing the gifts you give us with others
here and in the wider world.
Forgive us for the hurt we have inflicted,
and help us forgive those who have hurt us.
Give us strength and discipline
to nurture our relationship with you;
to care for every part of your creation;
to foster justice and be in solidarity with those in need;
to work to end all war, and violence, and discord;
and to respond joyfully when you call,
freely giving our selves as you have shown the way.
We open our hearts to you and your creation
in the name of Jesus, who is the Christ. Amen.
HYMN
THE WORD
SCRIPTURE
SERMON
SILENT REFLECTION
OFFERING
COMMUNION
PREPARATION
Leader 1: This is the table of the heavenly feast,
the joyful celebration of the people of God.
Leader 2: We gather now as one body, joined around the table.
Here we celebrate God’s presence among us,
united in Christ’s spirit, broken and whole all at once.
All: Nourished and hungry, loved and loving,
sinner and forgiven, we make one circle
of knowing, believing, rejoicing, being,
as God lights and rests among us.
GREAT THANKSGIVING
Leader 1: Holy Creator of all, we give you thanks for the light of the sun,
the radiance of the moon, the splendor of fire, the swiftness of the wind,
and for all of your ever-changing creation.
People: We give you thanks for Jesus,
the Holy Christ who is with us and before us, behind us and within us,
who teaches us to recognize your presence everywhere.
Leader 2: We give you thanks for the Holy Spirit of your love,
who breathes wisdom and courage into our hearts,
and flows through our every breath.
All: We give you thanks for your Holy Church,
where we learn to live in the threeness of outward mission,
inward transformation, and accountable community held together in love.
BLESSING THE ELEMENTS
Leader 1: Christ invites everyone to eat the bread of life,
to drink the cup of the new covenant.
Leader 2: Jesus said, I am the bread of life.
You who come to me shall never hunger;
you who believe in me shall never thirst.
Leader 1: On the night he gave himself up, Jesus took bread,
and after giving thanks to God, broke it and said,
This is my body,
broken for the healing of the world.
Whenever you eat it, do so remembering me.
Leader 2: After supper, Jesus took the cup and said,
This is the cup of the new covenant,
poured out for you and for all.
Whenever you drink it, do so remembering me.
All: O Holy One, send down your Spirit
that these gifts of grain and grape,
and work of human hands
may be for us the body and blood of Christ.
Unite us with Christ forever
and bring us with the whole creation
to your eternal realm.
SHARE THE ELEMENTS
Please use what you have at home as you eat the bread and drink from the cup today.
If you do not have grape juice, use whatever is convenient.
As a sign of gathering in spirit while scattered,
you may want to lift your bread toward your camera as we break bread together.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING AND DEDICATION
All: God of abundance and mercy,
we give joyful thanks
for your eternal love and healing presence
in our celebration of bread and cup.
Bless this Body of Christ
that we may attend faithfully
to our call to be your servants,
with each other and throughout the world. Amen.
SHARED REFLECTIONS
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN
BENEDICTION
Leader: Remembering that the loving power of God—
Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer—
flows through us always,
let us go forth with new-found energy,
bearing witness to the strength of Holy Threeness
as we greet one another with signs of peace.
All: Amen.