The Trinity in Me Sees the Trinity in You

Good Morning and Welcome to Worship! Worship is often the first place that new people come into contact with this growing community of faith. And so, if you are joining us for the first time, I say to you what is said every Sunday: You are welcome here. Here is a place where all are welcome. For such is the love of God for God’s Very Good Creation.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow; praise God, all creatures here below; praise God above, ye Heav'nly host: praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Blessed be God, Eternal Majesty, Living Word, Abiding Spirit. Glory to God forever. Jesus said, the way to see God’s dream for the world is to be born from above by the Spirit. The way to take part in that dream, says Jesus, is to be born of water and Spirit. That gift is available this day. May you receive God’s Spirit, be made whole, and dwell more deeply in love divine. Glory to God forever. Amen.

Let us offer our prayers together saying:

Eternal God, we pray for the world, that through the reconciling love of Christ our destructive and violent ways may cease, as you bless your human family with peace.

We pray for the mission of your church, that empowered by your Spirit we may proclaim the good news of the age in the world you so dearly love. We pray for all who suffer, that together with Christ in his suffering we may find healing as he did, as he was raised and exalted in you.

Eternal God, we pray for the world, that through the reconciling love of Christ our destructive and violent ways may cease, as you bless your human family with peace.

We pray for your creation, that as it groans for its redemption we may care for its well-being through the power of your life-giving Spirit.

Eternal God, we pray for the world, that through the reconciling love of Christ our destructive and violent ways may cease, as you bless your human family with peace.

We remember before you those who have died and pray for those who will die today, that through your glorious redemption that ends all suffering they may rest with you eternally.

Eternal God, we pray for the world, that through the reconciling love of Christ our destructive and violent ways may cease, as you bless your human family with peace.

Through Christ, with Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, we praise you, O God, now and forever. Amen.

Come, Holy Spirit, giver of life; breathe into us that we may hear a word of truth this day. Draw us into communion, enable us to love, conspire to make us one with you for the world you so deeply love. Amen.

¹In 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. ²Seraphs 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. ³And one called to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” ⁴The pivots on the thresholds shook at the voices of those who called, and the house filled with smoke. ⁵And 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!” ⁶Then one of the seraphs flew to me, holding a live coal that had been taken from the altar with a pair of tongs. ⁷The 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.” ⁸Then 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!”

²⁶He also said, “The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, ²⁷and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. ²⁸The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. ²⁹But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come.” ³⁰He also said, “With what can we compare the kingdom of God, or what parable will we use for it? ³¹It is like a mustard seed, which, when sown upon the ground, is the smallest of all the seeds on earth; ³²yet when it is sown it grows up and becomes the greatest of all shrubs, and puts forth large branches, so that the birds of the air can make nests in its shade.” ³³With many such parables he spoke the word to them, as they were able to hear it; ³⁴he did not speak to them except in parables, but he explained everything in private to his disciples.

Knowing that you are not called to grow into a mustard tree, but rather simply into who you are, how is the Spirit working in your life? Where are you being called to share the love of God? Where are you being called to be the love of God? Where might you bring God’s love this week?

For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that all who love him may have life eternally. With loving hearts, let us bring our offerings to God.

Holy God, your love overflows in the gift of your Spirit. Bless these gifts that we offer that they may spread your blessing in a world of hurt and need; in Christ’s name. Amen.

God said, “Whom shall I send, and who shall go for us?” And Isaiah said, “Here am I; send me!” Life-giving God, free us from our fear, fill us with your love, and send us forth in peace. Amen.