A Celebration of Trinity First Sunday after Pentecost Ultimate Mystery

Transcription

1 An Open and Affirming Beloved Faith Community Welcoming and Inclusive Theologically Progressive A Celebration of Trinity First Sunday after Pentecost Ultimate Mystery

2 The Lord's Day A Celebration of Trinity First Sunday after Pentecost Ultimate Mystery Ten O'clock in the Morning The Worship of God THE SERVICE OF PREPARATION Worship is the submission of all our nature to God. It is the quickening of the conscience by God's holiness; the nourishment of the mind with God's truth; the purifying of the imagination by God's beauty; the opening of the heart to God's love; the surrender of the will to God's purpose and all of this gathered up in adoration. ~ William Temple Prologue The lections for our celebration of Trinity are both interesting and intriguing in that none of them speak any way whatsoever to the triune nature of God. Of course, that is understandable, because not only does the word "Trinity" never appear in scripture, but the doctrine by the same name was not developed until long after the writing and canonization of the Christian Bible. The best we can do is exactly what our faithful forebearers did, and that is to study diligently these sacred writings, looking for trinitarian hints and glimpses. What we do know, beyond a shadow of all doubt, is that all Biblical language seeks to connect us with God and God's calling for us. And, this is exactly what we find in today's musings of Isaiah and Paul and John, the latter using his favorite fall guy, Nicodemus, to put us on the right path. In the final analysis we are confronted with ultimate mystery. Some things should always remain shrouded and hidden, never polluted by the limitation of language. The Gathering Music The Proclamation The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the holy and still speaking Spirit be upon you; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer! And also with you! The Call to Worship and Welcome The Spirit of the still speaking God be with you! And also with you. The Music for Organ Trumpet Voluntary in D Major Jeremiah Clarke The Lighting of the Altar Candles The Opening of the Lectern Bible The Gathering Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts! The whole earth is filled with the glory of God! Let Your praise continually fill the temple, "Glory to God! Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of of hosts."

3 We have heard the voice of the most high God and have come to worship the Lord in holy splendor. Let us worship God! The Choral Introit The Collect God the Trinity, in Your transcendence You have revealed to Your Church an eternal Being of glorious majesty and perfected love as one God in trinity of persons and presence of Being; Triune God, to You we ascribe glory and honor, strength and power, as we worship You in holy splendor; we pray this day for Your strength and the blessing of peace on all Your people; Trinitarian God, give us grace to continue steadfast in Your love as we confess our faith, constant in our worship of You, as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer; all this we pray through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the holy and still speaking Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen. Lord God Almighty 10th c. Latin Hymn Chancel Choir Lord God Almighty, unto Thee be glory, one in three persons, over all exalted! Glory we offer, praise Thee and adore Thee, now and forever. THE SERVICE OF PRAISE t The Processional Hymn Immortal, Invisible, God Only Wise ST. DENIO 2

4 t The Litany of Praise Ascribe to God, O heavenly beings, ascribe to God glory and strength! Ascribe to the Lord the glory of God's name, worshiping in holy splendor! The voice of the Holy One is over the waters! The God of glory thunders over mighty mighty waters! waters! The voice of the Lord is powerful! The voice of the Lord is full of majesty! The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon! The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire! The voice of the Lord shakes the the wilderness! The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh! The voice of the Holy causes the oaks to whirl, stripping the forest bare! Glory to the One who sits enthroned over all creation! Praise the Lord who gives strength to the people! Who blesses the people with peace! peace! Praise Praise the the Lord! Lord! t The Gloria GREATOREX THE SERVICE OF CONFESSION The Call to Confession 1 In the midst of a time of grieving, the prophet Isaiah went to the temple to pray. There he had a vision of God's majesty that moved him to recognize his unworthiness and a feeling that he was unclean in the sight of God. Sometimes we think we have nothing to confess, until we are confronted by the awesome presence of the creator of all things. In awe before God, we come to seek forgiveness and 3 reconciliation. In the awe and mystery of a

5 before God, we come to seek forgiveness and reconciliation. In the awe and mystery of a transcendent Trinity, and in the silence and stillness of our moments together, let us confess before the Holy. The Silent Confession The Corporate Confession 2 Let us pray to the Lord: Trinitarian God, we confess that we are sometimes too much people of the flesh, living in slavery to our possessions and our fears. We can be so attached to our little corner of the world that we find it difficult to identify with people whose experience is far different from our own. We tend to turn away from the suffering of Jesus to pursue temporary advantages. Sometimes, we act like just another human organization, not the body of Christ making a difference in the world. O God, forgive us and reclaim us as Your children. The Kyrie arr. David N. Johnson The Assurance of Pardon 3 Beloved faith community, hear the good news of Trinity! God always claims us and loves us. When we confess our lostness and seek new birth in the Spirit, putting to death our selfish pursuits, we can receive what God always offers, participation in God's realm. We are born anew to life which already partakes of eternity. The cleansing coals of forgiveness touch our lips, taking away our guilt and blotting out our transgressions. Receive this precious gift from God. Thanks be to God! The Solo Beautiful City Stephen Schwartz Thomas Desmond, baritone fr. Godspell (2011) Out of the ruins and rubble, out of the smoke, out of our night of struggle, can we see a ray of hope? One pale thin ray, reaching for the day we can build a beautiful city, yes, we can. We can build a beautiful city, not a city of angels, but we can build a city of man. We may not reach the ending, but we can start slowly but truly mending, brick by brick, heart by heart. Now, maybe now, we start learning how. When your trust is all but shattered, when your faith is all but killed, you can give up, bitter and battered, or you can slowly start to build a beautiful city! 4

6 THE SERVICE OF THE WORD The Witness from the Christian Scriptures ISAIAH 6:1-8 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of God's robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above God; each had six wings: with two they covered their faces, and with two they covered their feet, and with two they flew. And one called to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of the Lord's glory." The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. And I said: "Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts!" Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. The seraph touched my mouth with it and said: "Now that this has touched your lips, your guilt has departed and your sin is blotted out." Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I; send me!" Listen to what the Spirit of the still speaking God is saying. Thanks be to God! The Responsorial Psalm, PSALM 29 Glory to God Jinyoung Kim, cantor; Timothy W. Shirley, reader Hal H. Hopson All the earth and all in heaven, raise to God a song on high! Strength unmeasured, love unbounded, God alone we glorify! R The voice of the Lord resounds across the waters! The voice of the Lord thunders over the mighty sea! The voice of the Lord is powerful! The voice of the Lord is full of majesty! The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees! The voice of the Lord splinters the trees of Lebanon! The voice of the Lord strikes like lightning! The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness! The voice of the Lord causes the oaks to whirl! The voice of the Lord strips the forest bare! R God of the waters, God of thunder, God's own might can make them cease! God's own voice which tumult beckons in a gentler breath speaks peace! R The Witness from the Epistles ROMANS 8:12-17 So then, brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh for if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ if, in fact, we suffer with Christ so that we may also be glorified with Christ. Listen to what the Spirit of the still speaking God is saying. Thanks be to God! 5

7 t The Sequence Hymn Help Us Accept Each Other AURELIA * * There will be a break between verse two and verse three for the reading of the Gospel. The reading of the Gospel is read in the midst of the beloved faith community, reminding the congregation that the gospel is for all people, and that our call is to carry out its witness in the world. At this high point in the liturgy, the Gospel is not worshipped, but rather is reverenced with respect as it proclaims the ministry and mission of Jesus, represented in words attributed to Jesus. t The Witness from the Gospels JOHN 3:1-17 * Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do apart from the presence of God." Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the realm of God without being born from above." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother s womb and be born?" Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the realm of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from above.' The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit." Nicodemus said to Him, "How can these things be?" Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things? Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the One who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that God gave God's only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not perish but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world 6

8 but may have eternal life. Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him." * Edited from Lectionary for today's service. The Gospel for today. Thanks be to God! The Sermon Mystery Math THE SERVICE OF COMMITMENT Timothy W. Shirley t The Hymn of Commitment Eternal Spirit, Strong to Save MELITA t The Peace The peace of Christ and the presence of the Spirit of Trinity be with you. And also with you. The Concerns of the Church The Pastoral Prayer Jo Prater, Moderator 7

9 The Lord's Prayer Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. The Receiving of Our Gifts The Offertory Anthem Christ Be with Me Noel Rawsthorne Chancel Choir Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to guide me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in care of friend and stranger! t The Doxology OLD HUNDREDTH t The Presentation of Our Gifts t The Prayer of Thanksgiving THE SERVICE OF COMMITMENT t The Processional Hymn NICAEA Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Great Spirit 8

10 t The Benediction t The Benediction Response 13 th c. Plainsong Melody; Of the Father's Love Begotten harm. Andrew Daniels Thomas Desmond, baritone; Jinyoung Kim, soprano Christ, to Thee with God the Father, and, O Holy Ghost, to Thee, hymn and chant and high thanksgiving and unwearied praises be! Honor, glory, and dominion, and eternal victory, evermore and evermore! The Closing of the Lectern Bible The Extinguishing of the Altar Candles The Music for Organ Trumpet Tune in C Major t Those who are able are invited to stand. Henry Purcell The Worship of God concludes with The Music for Organ. We invite you to be seated and reflect on today s service, preparing to process into the world, sharing the love of Jesus and the "extravagant welcome" of SouthShore United Church of Christ with everyone you meet. The congregation processes into the world to share the love of Christ and the "extravagant welcome" of SouthShore United Church of Christ with all persons everywhere. The color for Trinity is White, symbolizing purity and victory. Trinity always follows Pentecost and celebrates the triune nature of God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit; Parent, Child, Advocate and Comforter; Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. I

11 Worship Notes The theme for today's worship service is Ultimate Mystery! *Scripture readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) unless otherwise noted. 2-4 Reprinted by permission United Church Press from Led by Love: Worship Resources for Year B, by Lavon Bayler. Copyright 1996 by United Church Press. Music Copyright Information Lord, Have Mercy Upon Us. Text 1974 and 1992, Presbyterian Publishing/Westminster John Knox/Geneva Press. Beautiful City. Copyright 2018, Hal Leonard. All rights reserved. Glory to God. Text 2008, Birnamwood/Morning Star Music Publications. Help Us Accept Each Other. Copyright 1975, Hope Publishing Co. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Christ Be with Me. St. James Music Press Licensed permission to use. Doxology. Copyright 2008, Gateway Create Publishing. All rights reserved. CCLI # CCLI License # An Invitation to Our Guests: Please join us for refreshments at Coffee Hour in Hospitality Hall following Morning Worship. SUNDAY ~ MAY 27, 2018 LITURGIST ~ Joel Shaffer LECTOR ~ Marianne Strehar GOSPELER ~ Timothy W. Shirley ORGANIST ~ Jo-Anne Winslow. HOSTS ~ Betsy Hinderliter, Coordinator DEACONS ~ Marcia Crispino, Chair Jeff Williams, Captain Verna Barnett Patty Brandt Judy Clapp Don Hinderliter Ruth Ann Phelan Bob Reter Marianne Strehar SOUND AND LIGHTING ~ Patrick Czeck MONDAY ~ MAY 28, 2018 CHURCH BUILDING CLOSED FOR MEMORIAL DAY WEEKLY CALENDAR 3:00 p.m. ~ Sunshine Ladies Pool Party SATURDAY ~ JUNE 2, 2018 Stone Residence (2136 New Bedford) 1:00 p.m. ~ Memorial SVC: Tom Mitchell Sanctuary WEDNESDAY ~ MAY 30, 2018 SUNDAY ~ JUNE 3, :00 a.m. ~ Prayer Group Chapel SCHOLARSHIP SUNDAY Dr. Timothy W. Shirley preaching THURSDAY ~ MAY 31, :30 a.m. ~ Chapel Communion Chapel 10:00 a.m. ~ Emmaus Group.... Conference RM 10:00 a.m. ~ Morning Worship Sanctuary MAY 20, 2018 ~ ATTENDANCE: 96 FAITH GIVING: $2,495 ALTAR FLOWERS GIVEN BY I I FRIDAY ~ JUNE 1, 2018 CHURCH BUILDING CLOSED Verna Barnett in loving memory of her brother, Guy Brown and his wife, Sonia

12 WE REMEMBER The members of SouthShore United Church of Christ join in sympathy with the families and friends of Dr. Loren Hart who died on May 24, Condolences may be sent to his wife, Marian Hart at 1625 Twin Lakes CIR, Green Bay, WI No Service information is available at this time. MEMORIALS In Memory of Bob Dieden ~ Given by daughter, Rita Seiller MAY MISSION OF THE MONTH: Haven of Hope As said by Janet Smith, president of Haven of Hope, we are offering these women a second chance. Imagine trying to get back on your feet without programs like Haven of Hope. By providing guidance and a means of a new life to ex-prisoners, Haven of Hope helps not only the women but the community at large. A WORD OF THANKS During my recent time of loss and grief, your kindness and heartfelt sympathy was appreciated more than words can say. Thank you for understanding and caring, and for the many cards and flowers I received. We are planning a graveside service for Bob at the Sarasota National Cemetery located on State Road 72 in Sarasota. The service will take place on Friday, June 15 at 10:30 a.m. ~ Corrie Dieden SUNSHINE LADIES INFORMATION The group will not be meeting for breakfast on May 28 (Memorial Day). Instead, they will have a potluck swim party at Lois Stone's home: 2136 New Bedford Drive. Please bring a dish to share. They will meet around 3:00 p.m. for swimming and plan to eat later in the afternoon. Please call to let Lois know you will be attending. CHURCH CLOSED Beginning Friday, June 1, the church will be closed on Fridays until October. Should you need assistance, please call the Senior Minister, (404) Rev. Dr. Timothy W. Shirley, Senior Minister Mr. Thomas Desmond, Director of Music Dr. Jo-Anne Winslow, Secretary and Interim Organist Mrs. Jo Prater, Moderator Ms. Jinyoung Kim, Assistant Director of Music Dr. Shirley timwshirley@gmail.com 1501 La Jolla Avenue ~ Sun City Center, Florida Phone: (813) Fax: (813) Mr. Desmond southshoreuccmusic@gmail.com Mrs. Prater southshoreucc@aol.com Church uccscc1@gmail.com Church Website: uccsuncitycenter.org Community Church College communitychurchcollege@gmail.com Community Church College Website: 4lifelearning.org May 27, 2018