MORRIS-ROSENFELD ECUMENICAL SHARED MINISTRY
ORDER OF SERVICE FOR SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2024
ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH 4
THE HOLY TRINITY
Due to copyright limitations, we are unable to print the words to many of the songs. However, our musicians have chosen music to fit the scriptures. We invite you to look up the words in your worship book and ponder them. If you do not have a worship book, ponder the words of one of your favourite hymns and listen for God’s voice. Those who have the internet may find the songs on YouTube.
QUOTE OF THE WEEK
“I vow and consecrate to God all that is in me: My memory and my actions to God the Father; My understanding and my words to God the Son; My will and my thoughts to God the Holy Spirit.”
~St. Francis de Sales (from a consecration prayer to the Trinity)
Before we worship, we reflect…
The fact Nicodemus comes to seek Jesus “by night” implies some theological confusion. This confusion mirrors well for the feast day, as the Holy Trinity is about as a confusing a topic as we have in Christianity! Yet it’s important not to try to resolve the confusion quickly or easily, because the Trinity is not a problem to be solved but a mystery to be held. How can we hold mysteries without solving them? How can we let them feed us, rather than try to take them apart?
When we say God is the triune God, we are saying something about who God is beyond, before, and after the universe: that there is community within God. Our experience of this is reflected in Paul’s words today. When we pray to God as Jesus prayed to his Abba (an everyday, intimate parental address), the Spirit prays within us, creating between us and God the same relationship Jesus has with the one who sent him.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT – adapted from All Saint’s Church, Minneapolis, MN
We acknowledge we gather and worship on Treaty 1 Territory, the original lands of Anishinaabeg, Cree, Anishininew, Dakota, and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
Creator God, from you every family in heaven and earth takes its name. You have rooted and grounded us in your covenant love, and empowered us by your Spirit to speak the truth in love, and to walk in your way towards justice and wholeness. Mercifully grant that your people, journeying together in partnership, may be strengthened and guided to help one another to grow into the full stature of Christ, who is our light and our life. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP
Holy, holy, holy is our God;
Heaven and earth are filled with God’s glory.
The God of glory thunders;
God’s voice shakes the wilderness.
No one knows from where it comes, or to where it goes,
and all in God’s temple say, “Glory!”
Will we hear that voice saying:
“Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?”
O God, we are here, send us!
Let us worship God in holy splendor.
GATHERING SONG: Voices United #509 I, The Lord Of Sea And Sky
CENTERING PRAYER
Spirit of the Living God, you tell us that we are your children, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ. Let us not take our inheritance for granted or hold too tightly to our understanding of who we are. For you are wild like the wind, loving whom you choose with reckless generosity. You call us to abandon fear and to receive a new family made up of all people and all creation. Teach us to love as you love, wild and free, through Jesus Christ. Amen.
MISSION AND SERVICE – Your Generosity Is Refreshing
Being able to take a shower can have a positive impact on a person’s mental and emotional health. It provides a sense of dignity, self-worth, and normalcy that contributes to overall well-being, especially to people living on the streets.
In downtown St. Catharines, ON, Silver Spire United Church’s shower and laundry program is changing lives. Three mornings a week, people are offered an opportunity to refresh and recharge. The two shower rooms can be locked and each have a changing area, so patrons have space to secure their personal belongings. The laundry room next door means that after they shower people can dress in their own clean clothing. Cellphone chargers are another small but helpful detail.
This program goes beyond being a practical service. It embodies compassion, addresses fundamental needs, and provides comfort in a welcoming space. In the sweltering heat of summer, a cool shower can make a huge difference.
Your support through Mission and Service helps programs like Silver Spire’s to support people’s well-being. Thank you.
PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
Holy, Holy, Holy One, guide us by the Spirit of truth to hear the Word of life you speak, and to give all glory, honor, and praise to your threefold name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
READINGS AND PSALM
First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8
This reading narrates Isaiah’s vision of the Lord surrounded by angels. They sing “Holy, holy, holy,” a song the church sings at the beginning of the great thanksgiving. This liturgical text invites the church and all creation to sing in praise of God’s glory. That glory is God’s mercy toward sinners.
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!”
Psalm 29
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. (Ps. 29:2)
1Ascribe to the Lord, you gods, ascribe to the Lord glory and strength.
2Ascribe to the Lord the glory due God’s name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is upon the mighty waters.
4The voice of the Lord is a powerful voice; the voice of the Lord is a voice of splendor. R
5The voice of the Lord breaks the cedar trees; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon;
6the Lord makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.
7The voice of the Lord bursts forth in lightning flashes.
8The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. R
9The voice of the Lord makes the oak trees writhe and strips the forests bare.
And in the temple of the Lord all are crying, “Glory!”
10The Lord sits enthroned above the flood; the Lord sits enthroned as king forevermore.
11O Lord, give strength to your people; give them, O Lord, the blessings of peace. R
Second Reading: Romans 8:12-17
In describing the new life of faith, Paul refers to all three persons of the Trinity: the Spirit leads us to recognize that we are children of God the Father and joint heirs with Christ the Son.
12Brothers and sisters, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh—13for 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. 14For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15For 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!” 16it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ—if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
Gospel: John 3:1-17
Jesus’ miracles prompt Nicodemus to visit him in secrecy. Jesus tells him about being born of the Spirit and about the Son who has been sent by God to save.
1Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. 2He 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.” 3Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” 4Nicodemus 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?” 5Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. 6What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ 8The 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.” 9Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” 10Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
11“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. 12If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. 14And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, 15that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
16“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
17“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.”
HYMN: Voices United #315 Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty
SERMON – Bishop Jason Zinko, Manitoba/Northwestern Ontario Synod
Grace, mercy, and peace to you in the name of Christ our Saviour.
Well, this has been a long weekend. The MNO Synod has been meeting in Convention this weekend under the theme, “Renewed & Transformed”. Like all Synod Conventions, we have spent time together at meals, in worship, and in conversation. We have waded through budgets and bylaws, but we also set apart leaders and talked about where God is leading the church. We’ve talked about realities and challenges, but also hopes and dreams. We have prayed together and debated together.
Today marks the end of our convention. In our time together we made decisions about the business in front of us, but we also spent time yesterday in conversation. The most important piece of that was a block of time in which we talked about questions of value and purpose – about what it means to be Renewed & Transformed, but also why we need to be Renewed & Transformed.
I know many people I work with on a regular basis are already tired of hearing me ask the question “why.” If you don’t work regularly with me… well, I ask that question a lot. Actually, I ask a lot of questions in general.
I ask questions in my sermons. I ask questions of my staff. I ask questions at congregational meetings, at Synod Council, in conferences, and in small groups. The reason that I ask so many questions is that I think that questions are important. Beyond just exchanging information, questions lead to exploring and wondering. Questions open up possibility and potential. I like that they lead us to really think about something, to consider other views, and be curious about what could change, instead of just accepting the first easy answer that comes along.
It’s kind of how young kids operate. If you’ve been around young kids, then you know that you can’t answer questions fast enough: “Why is the sky blue?” “Why is the grass green?” “Why do I have to pick up my toys?” “Why are those people walking over there?” “Why are there mosquitos?” “How does the remote control work?” “Do you think a T-Rex could run faster than a velociraptor” “How many stars are in the sky?” “How come ice floats in water?” “What does this word mean?” “What does that sign mean?”. It seems like there is never an end to the questions.
But, the question I hear most from kids is, “why?”
And “Why” is my favourite question.
Why invites us to explore purpose and meaning. It compels us to explore the reason something matters to us or how it helps us reach a goal. “Why” gives a second to pause and remind ourselves of the reasons we do the things we do.
During our keynote yesterday, we started with questions to get a sense of our current reality. One thing I noticed was that none of the questions we started with were “why” questions. Those questions were all about “what” we do. What are the things that define us; what are the things we wish we could change; and what should we try in order to fix our problems.
“What” questions assume that there are specific (and easy) answers to fix our problems, and if we just change a few of our actions then everything will turn out. “What” questions are all about the mechanics. They describe specific actions or plans. They don’t tell us anything about the meaning or value behind them.
Only “why” helps us to go deeper into the meaning and reasons behind what we do.
In the gospel lesson for today, Jesus is speaking with Nicodemus – a Pharisee; a leader; a person who speaks on behalf of others. Nicodemus was a person who knew the Torah backwards and forwards, understood all the rules and practices of Temple life and devotion to God through the Jewish faith. He could sense that there was something different about Jesus, and he was compelled to find out more. So, under the cover of dark so that no one would see him listening to the teaching of Jesus, he came to find out more.
But he asked the wrong questions. He didn’t ask “why”.
To Jesus’ explanations about the Spirit, Nicodemus could only focus on “what”. Instead of seeing how God was already at work Renewing & Transforming him, Nicodemus chose to focus on the physical process of birth. When Jesus talks about the freeing and unpredictable nature of the Spirit, Nicodemus can’t connect the dots or make sense of it.
He missed the “why”.
And, to Jesus, the “why” was all about how God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit together, interacts with, loves, cares for, and redeems the world. This is God’s purpose and is the thing that Jesus points to over and over again in John’s Gospel.
Word and Spirit were with God in creation and throughout the ministry of Jesus. The Spirit empowers and builds up the church by reminding us what Jesus said and did, but it also leads us out and equips us each for ministry.
This is what lays at the heart of Holy Trinity Sunday. In an almost impossible-to-explain belief about how God lives, moves, and acts in our world as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, we are reminded that we experience God in different ways. Sometimes as creator, sometimes as comforter. Sometimes as healer, sometimes as agitator. Sometimes as teacher, and other times as servant. But always to help us see how God interacts with, loves, cares for, and redeems the world.
So why does that matter?
Well, I think it matters for a couple of reasons. First, it solidifies for us why we exist as the church. We exist to bear witness to what God is doing, to tell others what we have seen, and to encourage all people to grow in their faith. We exist to be a loving and faithful community of believers who put our trust in God, knowing that in baptism we have been named, claimed, empowered, and commissioned to be the Body of Christ in the world.
This means that as we figure out “what” we do, we already know “why” we need to do it. We can look at our beliefs, practices, and challenges through the lens of our reason for being and how they help us live into that purpose. As individuals, congregations, synods, and the National Church, we are called to live out that purpose together.
And that is a second thing that matters about the Holy Trinity: The Trinity is about community.
The Trinity shows what relationship and community can be when it’s all about God. There is no fighting over who gets to do what. Like we heard last week on Pentecost, the Spirit is deeply tied into what God has done and continues to do in the world. The Spirit was active through the ministry and teaching of Jesus. And all three continue to be active for this world, and for God’s created people.
In John’s Gospel, we hear about a God who loves us and works to give us life whether or not we understand how or when that happens. Despite our attempts to figure out every last detail and predict how God is going to act, John’s gospel reminds us that God will do what God will do. God will come to us. Sometimes through Christ, sometimes through the Spirit, sometimes as the one who births us into this world. But every time we encounter God, we know that it is because God chooses to interact with, love, care for, and redeem the world.
I hope that we will be able to see when God is doing that. I hope that we will experience both the windy disruption and calming breath of the Spirit in our lives and in our ministry together. And, I trust that the Spirit will continue to Renew & Transform us when we go back to our homes, congregations, and communities. After all, Jesus says that we can’t tell where and how the Spirit will move, or what it may look like when it does. But there is no doubt about the why. There is no doubt that it is how God will continue to bless us and lead us. Amen.
HYMN: More Voices #147 God, Help Us To Treasure
PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
We come before the triune God to pray for our communities, ourselves, and our world.
Abba God, you have brought us into your family, claiming us as beloved children. Bless your family of faith with gifts of cooperation and graciousness. Increase our hospitality toward all expressions of faith and teach us to honor our shared humanity. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Your love and power burst forth in the flashes of lightning, the dance of the wind, and the deeply rooted trees of the forest. Sustain fragile and interconnected ecosystems, that they flourish for generations to come. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Give your blessing of peace to the nations. Shelter all who risk life and livelihood to protect others from violence, conflict, and injustice. We remember those who have lost their lives in war and conflict. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
You are a God of love and not of condemnation. Quiet the hearts of all who struggle with shame, regret, or questions of self-worth. Teach us to forgive ourselves and one another. Restore wholeness to all who seek hope and healing. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Strengthen bonds between parents, children, and families of all varieties. We pray especially for adoptive and foster families, multi-generational households, and blended families. Grant gifts of nurture and patience to all caregivers. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
The Spirit bears grateful witness to all children of God who have now come into their inheritance among the saints. As they lived with hope in your gift of eternal life, so strengthen us in faith, that we recognize your eternal presence even in this mortal life. Merciful God,
receive our prayer.
Receive our prayers, O God, and come quickly to our aid, through the power of the Spirit and the love of Jesus Christ.
Amen.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
SENDING SONG: Voices United #312 Praise With Joy
BENEDICTION
The blessing of God, who provides for us, feeds us, and journeys with us, ☩ be upon you now and forever. Amen.