The Celebration of the Gospel

Trinity Sunday
May 31,2015

 

_______ We Gather as The Body of Christ_______

GREETING
PRELUDE   Pastorale Robert J. Powell
[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: 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; they called to another and said:
All:    Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;
the whole earth is full of God’s glory!
God so loved the world as to give us Christ, that whoever trusts may have eternal life.
Praise be to Christ, who is our life!
The Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you.
May we live by the Spirit, as children of God.
O Holy Mystery, Holy Trinity, Mother, Son and Holy Spirit,
we worship you; we praise you; we give our lives to you. Alelluia1

* SONG     Holy One, I Adore You
1. Holy One, I adore you, lay my life before you. How I love you.
2. Jesus…     3. Spirit…       4. Three In One…

(10:30) CHILDREN’S TIME

___________ We Attend to the Word___________

(10:30) THE WORD IN SONG    My Shepherd Will Supply My Need   Virgil Thomson

PRAYER OF THE DAY
O Holy One, you who are beyond us, and beside us, and within us, you who are our Source, our Companion, and our Spirit: we open our hearts to you. Let us behold your glory just enough to fall in love, and give ourselves entirely to you, in the name and the Spirit of Christ. Amen.

OLD TESTAMENT   Isaiah 6.1-8
[The prophet sees a vision of God in the Temple. He feels inadequate because of his sin—and his people’s sin—but an angel sears his lips with a burning coal: he has been purified. Then God asks “Whom shall I send?” and the prophet replies, “Send me.”]

In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lofty; and the hem of his robe filled the temple. Seraphs were in attendance above him; 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 God’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 person 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!”
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NEW TESTAMENT       1 Corinthians 12.4-13
[One God, one Lord, one Spirit baptize us into one body in the church, even though we are many parts.]

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are varieties of services, but the same Lord.
There are varieties of activities,
but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good.
To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom,
and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit.
To another is given faith by the same Spirit,
to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit,
to another the working of miracles,
to another prophecy,
to another the discernment of spirits,
to another various kinds of tongues,
to another the interpretation of tongues.
All these are activated by one and the same Spirit,
who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
For just as the body is one and has many members,
and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.
For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—
Jews or Greeks, slaves or free—
and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.
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GOSPEL           John 3.1-11
[Jesus tells Nicodemus that we must be born “from the top,” that is, both from God and also anew, over and over. We receive our life from God. John then goes on to say that Jesus was sent for our salvation. The Human One will be “lifted up” (meaning both “crucified” and also “honored”) like the bronze serpent Moses help up to cure people in the desert.]

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 said to him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the Realm of God without being born anew from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can you enter a second time into your 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.”
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SERMON

(10:30) SONG  The Summons   Black hymnal #2130

(10:30) THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM AND RITE OF CONFIRMATION
The Baptism of Ethan Richard Logue
The Confirmation of Xynone Sadornas Cabal
Jenna Kristen Assisi Frizzell
Natalie Grace Good
Ethan Richard Logue
Isabel Claire Hyacinth Stringfellow
Kayla Marie Vaccaro
Carley Weber
The blessing of Jenn Woolcock in her continued faith journey

Introduction
Pastor: Sisters and brothers in Christ:
through the sacrament of baptism
God brings us into Christ’s holy church,
makes us part of the salvation of the world,
and gives us new birth through water and the Spirit.

So we come to the water—
Yes, everyone who thirsts! Come to the waters:
water of new birth, poured out and flowing freely
for all who will receive it;
water of justice rolling down,
water of righteousness like an everflowing stream;
a spring of water in us gushing up to eternal life;
the river of God for the healing of the world.

We come to this water
because our souls thirst for you, O God,
as in a dry and weary land.
Sponsor: We come to this water
to baptize Ethan
and to bathe him in your love for him.
Pastor: We come to this water as a community.
All: We come to this water
to renew our love as sisters and brothers,
and to renew our baptism
in the death and resurrection of Christ

Profession of Faith
Pastor: As we behold the mystery of God’s grace,
I invite you to profess your faith,
and to confirm the baptismal covenant made in your name:
Do you hunger and thirst for righteousness?
     Confirmands: We confess our need for the saving, life-giving grace of God!
Will you turn away from the powers of sin and death?
We renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
reject the evil powers of this world,
and repent of our sin!
Will you let the Spirit use you as prophets to the powers that be?
We accept the freedom and power God gives us
to resist evil, injustice, and oppression
in whatever forms they present themselves!
Will you proclaim the good news
and live as disciples of Jesus Christ, his body on earth?
We confess Jesus Christ as our Savior,
put our whole trust in his grace,
and promise to serve him as our Lord,
in union with the church which Christ has opened
to people of all ages, nations, and races!

Will you, their parents and mentors, nurture these people in Christ’s holy church?
Parents and mentors: By teaching and example we will guide them
to accept God’s grace, to grow in faith, and to lead a Christian life.

   The Vows of the People
Will you, the Body of Christ, be living witnesses to the gospel,
individually and together, wherever you are, and in all that you do?
All: We will remain faithful members of Christ’s holy church
and serve as Christ’s representatives in the world.

Will you nurture one another in living the faith through the church
and include these young people in your care?
With God’s help we will embody the gospel of Jesus Christ.
We will surround them with faith, hope and love
that they may grow in grace and faith
and learn to trust God and live in loving service in the world.
We will pray for them and walk with them
on their journey of discipleship among us.

Do you trust in God the Father and Mother?
All: I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Do you follow Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Begotten, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you live by the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting.
Amen.

Thanksgiving over the Water

The Spirit of the Lord is among us.
The blessing of the Lord is upon us!
Let us pray.Almighty, gentle God, we give you thanks,
for in the beginning your Spirit brooded over the waters
and you brought forth Creation.
You brought us to freedom through the waters of the Red Sea.

You gave us new birth through baptism into Christ,
and gave us life that cannot die.
The river of God is full of water,
the river of the water of life,
bright as crystal, flowing from the heart of God.
We who are baptized into Christ Jesus

born in the water of a womb;
we are baptized into his ministry,
giving water to the thirsty,
washing the feet and sharing the tears of all who suffer;
and we are baptized into his death,
so that just as Christ was raised by the glory of God,
we too might walk in newness of life.
Born of water and the Spirit,
may we enter into the Realm of God
as children of God,
born not of human will, but of God.

Pour out your Holy Spirit in this water
and bless the one who receives it,
that claimed by your Word, nourished in your grace,
washed from all sin and borne by your Spirit,
he may live in freedom, trust and courage,
sharing in the eternal life of Christ.

Ethan, you are God’s Beloved,
in whom God is well pleased.
All reverence and delight is yours,
infinite and loving God, now and forever.
All praise to you, Eternal Father and Mother,
Son and Holy Spirit,
in the present moment and in eternity. Amen!

Baptism with Laying on of Hands

Let us welcome our new brother in Christ.
Ethan, Child of God, claimed by water and the Spirit,
you are joined to God’s new creation.
We are one in Christ Jesus,
sharing in Christ’s royal priesthood.
With joy and thanksgiving
we welcome you as a member of Christ’s church.
God bless you now and in eternal life.   Amen.

CONFIRMATION
RECEPTION OF NEW MEMBERS

Members of the household of God, I commend these persons to your love and care.
Do all in your power to increase their faith, confirm their hope and perfect them in love.
We give thanks for all God has already given you
and we welcome you in Christian love.
As members together with you in the Body of Christ
and in this congregation of the United Methodist Church,
we renew our covenant faithfully to participate in the ministries of the church
by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness,
that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
The God of all grace, who has called us to eternal glory in Christ,
establish you and strengthen you by the power of the Holy Spirit,
that you may live in grace and peace.

PASSING THE PEACE

* SONG   Here I Am, Lord   Blue hymnal # 593

THE PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
[Anyone who wishes may share a prayer concern at the microphone.]

______ We Are Sent in Ministry to the World_____

OFFERING OUR GIFTS
8:15: ‘Tis So Sweet To Trust In Jesus — arr: Tedd Smith
10:30: “The Heavens are Telling” from The Creation —Franz Joseph Haydn
* OFFERING SONG     Steve G-H

Gladly we praise you and bless you, Creator, O God of life.
Christ, we adore you and thank you, compassion of God, our light.
Great Holy Spirit, by you we are born from above!
Alleluia! Praise the God of blessing!
Alleluia! Bless the God of love!
* PRAYER
Gracious God, we give you these gifts as symbols of our lives. Receive them with love, bless them with grace and use them according to your will. Holy God, Three In One, send us in the love of Christ and the power of your Spirit for the sake of the healing of the world. Amen.

THE LIFE OF THE CHURCH IN THE WORLD

* SONG   May You Run and Not Be Weary   Black hymnal #2281

* 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 Flourish On “Italian Hymn”  Gilbert M. Martin

[During the postlude there are people ready to pray with you at the candles in the corners.]