Unfortunately, due to microphone problems, we were unable to record today’s sermon.
The Celebration of the Gospel
June 11, 2017 —First Sunday after Pentecost: Trinity Sunday
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God,
and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
— 2 Corinthians 13.13
8:15 Service
______We Gather as the Body of Christ____
GREETING
PRELUDE Pilgrim’s Song Tchaikovsky, arr. Franklin Ritter
[As we listen to the music we quiet our minds and bodies,
listen for our hearts’ deepest desires,
and become present to the Holy One who is lovingly present for us.]
* CALL TO WORSHIP
Leader: Eternal God, infinite and invisible Lover: we are in awe.
All: Beyond us, beside us, within and among us, you are our life.
Christ, Beloved, Word made flesh, brother in the journey: we thank you for your grace.
Beyond us, beside us, within and among us, you are our life.
Holy Spirit, love of God breathing in us, making us one,
we open ourselves to communion in you.
Beyond us, beside us, within and among us, you are our life. Alleluia!
* SONG The Fragrance of Christ Black hymnal # 2205
__________ We Attend to the Word________
PRAYER
Holy One, Loving Mystery,
we belong in you; we open ourselves to your presence.
We are your Beloved; we open ourselves to your Word.
We are vessels of your Spirit; we open ourselves to be made new in your grace.
Speak, for we are listening. Amen.
NEW TESTAMENT 2 Corinthians 12.4-7, 12-13
[Paul says there is one Christ, One God, one Spirit, but many manifestations of that divine presence in and among us in various gifts of the Spirit.]
Brothers and sisters, put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.
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GOSPEL John 1.1-5, 14, 18
[John describes God as Creator, and also as the Word of that Creator, a Word embodied in Jesus.]
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through the Word, without whom not one thing came into being. What has come into being in the Word was life, and the life was the light of all people.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it.
And the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a parent’s only child, full of grace and truth.
No one has ever seen God. It is God the only Begotten, who is close to God’s heart, who has made God known.
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SERMON
SONG Holy Mystery Steve G-H
Holy Mystery, we worship you: Holy Three in One;
God beyond our understanding; Mother, Spirit and the Son;
Holy Love, Beloved, and the flowing Love between; never ending or begun.
God, our infinite Creator, Source of all, and ending too;
Holy Lover eternal, all around and in and through;
Love that flows in us, and in whom we all are one: we find ourselves in you.
Infinite, eternal Love unseen, Love made flesh on earth,
Love that burns within our hearts, in whom all have infinite worth,
Mother, Son and Holy Spirit, we worship you in awe, and receive new birth.
* AFFIRMATION OF FAITH
Creator Christ, and Holy Spirit, we affirm our faith in you:
We live in you, God, infinite and eternal Creator and Source of all: you made us and all Creation out of yourself, made us of love, and made us for love.
We follow you, Christ, love of God made flesh, our brother and companion. In Jesus of Nazareth, in the Crucified and Risen One, you show us the invisible God; you walk beside us; you heal, forgive and call us. Teacher and Savior, you direct our lives.
Holy Spirit, we live by your grace: Love flowing in us from your infinite heart to all the world. In our communion in you we are One, the Body of Christ, raised from death to eternal life. By your power in us we live lives of love and justice, healing and reconciliation. Mother, Son and Holy Spirit, we worship you; we follow you; we open ourselves to your grace. Amen.
THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer concern at the microphone.]
THE PRAYER OF JESUS
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
_____We Are Sent in Ministry to the World____
OFFERING OUR GIFTS
* OFFERING SONG Doxology Blue hymnal #95
* PRAYER
Gracious God, in gratitude for all you have given us, we give our lives, symbolized in these gifts. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. Send us out as members of your Body, alive in your Spirit, for the sake of the healing of the world, in the name of Christ. Amen.
THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD
* SONG Holy Spirit, Truth Divine Blue hymnal # 465
* THE BLESSING AND SENDING FORTH
RESPONSE We stand and sing to our neighbors:
May the grace and peace of Christ be with you my friends.
Go and share the love of God, love that never ends.
POSTLUDE Simple Gifts Arr. Mark Hayes