Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost - September 5, 2021

Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE  Inclusive 

CREATIVE  DOWNTOWN

Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost

Morning Devotion 

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September 5, 2021 10:00am

Welcome to Trinity Episcopal Church Good morning and “welcome home” to Trinity! Whether you are new to our community or have found yourself coming back again and again, we want you to know you are both welcome and wanted here among us. For some, church is as comfortable and familiar as a good pair of jeans, or like coming back to your childhood home (if it is one filled with good memories). For others, church might be like visiting a foreign country where you experience unfamiliar language or customs. And then, sadly, for some, church has become equated with feelings of hurt, shame or rejection. We get all of that and believe church can be different. We are a diverse community of seekers, believers, and doubters held together by the hope that together we are better, kinder, and more courageous when we stand side by side and face into the challenges of our lives and in the world together.

We challenge the practices of our tradition that have at times kept others out and instead embrace Jesus’ mandate to welcome all, no exceptions, as a core value. And, we get that if people are brave enough to either walk through the doors of a big gothic-looking church in downtown Toledo, or tune in to Trinity@Home on line, we better be serious about being explicitly progressive, inclusive and creative in all we say and do.

We love our Episcopal tradition, AND we love people from all walks of life even more! It is our hope and prayer that together we will navigate our way through each gathering, worship service, opportunity to serve, class, meal and social time together with humility, grace and laughter all infused with radical hospitality.

So thank you for being here today; for trusting the yearning that brought you through those ancient doors. May we all find our way into the heart of God’s love as we make room for each other in this community and this world- we believe we are better and love more when diversity is celebrated and the bounds of God’s love are stretched wide.

This bulletin is a guide to accompany you through the “liturgy”- meaning the “work of the people”- which is how our tradition approaches worship. It does indeed take a village bringing all of its gifts together to create our expression of gratitude and devotion week after week.

Here is a quick little guide to help you follow along as we worship together: • • •

Italicized Print = singing Bold Print = everyone is invited to join in reciting a prayer/reading Bold & Italicized Print = everyone is invited to join in singing.

Welcome Home!

May you never forget you are loved, Lisa The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector www.trinitytoledo.org

 The Liturgy of the Word  Prelude

Fantasia in G Minor

Georg Philipp Telemann

(Emily Olson, flutist)

Welcome

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

Opening Song

Here I Am to Worship

Tim Hughes

(Trinity Singers & Gabe Hagedorn)

Chorus:

Here I am to worship Here I am to bow down Here I am to say that You're my God You're altogether lovely Altogether worthy Altogether wonderful to me

Collect of the Day Deacon: People: Deacon:

Prayers for an Inclusive Church

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Lord of the changing, you help us find our voice that we might find our faith: we praise you for the Gentile woman who answered back the Son of God; release us from the crowds which command our silence and free our tongues to demand from you the healing of the earth; through Jesus Christ, the opener of the gate. Amen.

FIRST READING Reader:

Isaiah 35:4-7a A reading from Isaiah.

Read by Sheri Bokros

Say to those who are of a fearful heart, ‘Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.’ Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water.

Reader: People:

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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THE PSALM

Psalm 146

The Work of the People Read by Chelsie Cree

Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

I will praise the LORD as long as I live.

I will sing praises to my God as long as I exist.

Do not trust in “powerful people,” or in human beings, who cannot deliver.

Their life’s breath departs, they return to the ground. on that day their plans die.

How blessed is the one whose helper is the God of Jacob whose hope is in the LORD his God, the one who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, the one who remains faith forever, the one who vindicates the oppressed, and gives food to the hungry.

The LORD releases the imprisoned. the LORD gives sight to the blind.

The LORD lifts up all who are bent over. the LORD loves the godly.

The LORD protects the resident foreigner.

God lifts up the fatherless and the widow, but God opposes the wicked.

The LORD rules forever, your God, O Zion, throughout the generations to come.

Praise the LORD!

SECOND READING Reader:

James 2:1-10, 14-17

A reading from James.

Read by Cheryl Mack

My brothers and sisters, do you with your acts of favoritism really believe in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ? For if a person with gold rings and in fine clothes comes into your assembly, and if a poor person in dirty clothes also comes in, and if you take notice of the one wearing the fine clothes and say, “Have a seat here, please,” while to the one who is poor you say, “Stand there,” or, “Sit at my feet,” have you not made distinctions among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Listen, my beloved brothers and sisters. Has not God chosen the poor in the world to be rich in faith and to be heirs of the kingdom that he has promised to those who love him? But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who oppress you? Is it not they who drag you into court? Is it not they who blaspheme the excellent name that was invoked over you?

You do well if you really fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you show partiality, you commit sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors. For whoever keeps the whole law but fails in one point has become accountable for all of it.

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What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if you say you have faith but do not have works? Can faith save you? If a brother or sister is naked and lacks daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and eat your fill,” and yet you do not supply their bodily needs, what is the good of that? So faith by itself, if it has no works, is dead..

Reader: People:

Gradual

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

In My Life, Lord Be Glorified (2020 Trinity Singers)

THE GOSPEL Deacon: People:

Bob Kilpatrick

Mark 7:24-37 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark.

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus set out and went away to the region of Tyre. He entered a house and did not want anyone to know he was there. Yet he could not escape notice, but a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit immediately heard about him, and she came and bowed down at his feet.

Now the woman was a Gentile, of Syrophoenician origin. She begged him to cast the demon out of her daughter. He said to her, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” But she answered him, “Sir, even the dogs under the table eat the children’s crumbs.”

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Then he said to her, “For saying that, you may go—the demon has left your daughter.” So she went home, found the child laying on the bed, and the demon gone.

Then he returned from the region of Tyre, and went by way of Sidon towards the Sea of Galilee, in the region of the Decapolis. They brought to him a deaf man who had an impediment in his speech; and they begged him to lay his hand on him. He took him aside in private, away from the crowd, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spat and touched his tongue. Then looking up to heaven, he sighed and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” And immediately his ears were opened, his tongue was released, and he spoke plainly. Then Jesus ordered them to tell no one; but the more he ordered them, the more zealously they proclaimed it. They were astounded beyond measure, saying, “He has done everything well; he even makes the deaf to hear and the mute to speak.”

Deacon: People:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

Affirmation of FAITH

From Shore to Shore Led by Allison Hammons

We believe in God, the creator of all life and beauty, who blesses our journey.

We believe in Jesus Christ, who lived as a friend and savior to all he met as he traveled, and who ate and laughed, wept and celebrated with them in love. We believe in the Holy Spirit, who rides on the gentle breeze, who strengthens our bindings, and who offers hope eternal.

We believe in the church, which stands open to all travelers, and bears witness to the everlasting love of God. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

Offered by Hugh Grefe

Please join the leader in sharing the responses in bold.

Intercessor: People:

Blessed are you eternal God, eternal love.

May our hearts and minds be open today and always to your love.

Intercessor: People:

Inspire and lead those who hold authority in the nations of the world.

Guide us and all people in the way of justice and peace.

Intercessor: People:

Gracious Creator, hear us as we pray for the unity of the Church.

May we all learn to see with eyes of trust, dignity and respect.

Intercessor: People:

Inspire every member of the Church to serve with a humble heart.

So that the life of Christ is revealed in us.

Intercessor: People:

Strengthen and comfort the lonely, tired, sad, depressed or hurting.

In your presence may they find strength.

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Intercessor: People:

Make us alive, aware and responsive to the needs of our community.

Stir in us a desire to roll up our sleeves to make a difference in your name.

Intercessor: People:

Look with kindness on our homes, friends and families.

Grant that your love may grow in our hearts.

Intercessor: People:

Give rest and life eternal to all those who have died.

May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom. AMEN.

The Confession of Sin & Absolution

Enriching Our Worship

Leader:

Let us confess our sins to God.

People:

Creator God, long-suffering, full of grace and truth, you create us from nothing and give us life abundant.

You give us new life in the water of baptism.

You never turn your face from us, nor cast us aside.

We confess we have turned against you and against our neighbor, in thought, word and deed.

We have wounded your love and marred your image in us.

Restore us for the sake of your Son, and bring us to heavenly joy, in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Priest:

May the God of love bring you back to all that is good in you.

May you be forgiven of all wrongdoing and welcome God’s grace anew in your life this day.

May God’s assurance strengthen your resolve to begin again in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE PEACE Deacon: People:

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Announcements Offertory Go to our Giving page. www.trinitytoledo.org/online-giving/, choose GIVE and Sunday, September 5. You can also text the word “Give” to 419-OMG-LOVE (419-664-5683) to make your weekly offering.

Offertory

Lord, Listen to your Children Praying (Offered by Trinity Choir)

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Ken Medema

Lord’s Prayer

TWOTP, read by Tim Coons

The congregation is invited to join.

Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.

Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever.

Amen.

Blessing

May the rain fall off your shoulders when you’re caught in a storm.

When the frost comes a callin’ may it find you safe and warm.

May your place be set, and may your promises be kept.

And may you never forget that you are loved.

Dismissal Deacon: People:

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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Trinity’s Daily Bread- As a community of faith, we are called to love and be loved; to serve and be served, to give and to receive. In short, we don’t want anyone to “fall behind or drop out.” In this season of connecting in new ways, we are introducing Trinity’s Daily Bread. Please let us know if you need prayer, assistance or connection by filling out our Daily Bread form on our website, www.trinitytoledo.org!

Trinity Episcopal Church Vestry Leadership Donna Steppe, Sr. Warden, Roberta Durham, Jr. Warden Leah Reed, Clerk, Jeffrey Albright, Dennis Degnan, Becky Koskinen, Fritz Hany, Bob Meeker & Jamie Paul Gary Franklin, Treasurer

Parish Staff The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector The Rev. Megan Allen, Transitional Deacon, Curate Heather Meyer, Director of Operations and Community Development Chelsie Cree, Choir Director Grace Mauk, Trinity@316 Accompanist, Brian Buckner, Trinity@Home Accompanist Lynzi Miller, Next To New Manager & Communications Coordinator Nick Zurawski, Sexton ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & COPYRIGHT INFO: Collect of the Day Prayers for an Inclusive Church, Steven Shakespeare. Church Publishing, New York. © 2009 by Steven Shakespeare. Permission granted by Church Publishing for congregational use.

Readings and Gospel from: Revised Common Lectionary: lectionarypage.net, 2020 Psalm: From The Work of the People. Permission granted by purchase of subscription through The Work of the People: https://www.theworkofthepeople.com.

Confession & Absolution: Enriching Our Worship.

Affirmation of Faith: From Shore to Shore: Liturgies, Litanies & Prayers from Around the World.

Lord’s Prayer: Traditional Lord’s Prayer. Music from Timothy Coons. Permission granted by purchase of subscription through The Work of the People: https://www.theworkofthepeople.com.

Bulletin Image: Photo by Denny Müller on Unsplash. Permission granted by Unsplash.com.

All printed music from The Hymnal 1982, Lift Ev’ry Voice and Sing, My Heart Sings Out, Wonder, Love, and Praise was used by permission through purchase of riteseries.org.

All other printed music permission through purchase of CCLI Copyright license #20577215 Size B Streaming License #20577284 Size B Secular music permission through purchase of CCS WORSHIPcast Copyright license #13190 All printed music from Gather permission through purchase of onelicense.net License # A-700000

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH PROGRESSIVE  INCLUSIVE CREATIVE 

DOWNTOWN

316 Adams Street, Toledo, OH 43604 (419) 243-1231 www.trinitytoledo.org Facebook.com/TrinityEpiscopalToledo

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Trinity Episcopal Church Progressive  Inclusive  Creative  Downtown 316 Adams Street, Toledo, OH  www.trinitytoledo.org

Trinity Pages TODAY 9/5, 11:00am, Coffee Hour– You are invited to join us for a 30-minute virtual coffee and conversation following our 10:00 online worship service every Sunday. The Zoom MEETING ID is on our website and the PASSWORD will be shared by Lisa during service announcements each Sunday morning!

Wednesday, 9/8, 12:00noon, Noonday Prayer- Join us at 12noon on Wednesday as we gather in the sanctuary for a short Wednesday Noonday prayer service (no Eucharist) led by our curate, Megan Allen. Bring a lunch and join Megan afterward for a short time of conversation. Then beginning next Wednesday, August 15 we will resume our 12pm Midweek Eucharist in the sanctuary.

Saturday, 9/11, 9:00am, Men’s Bible Study- Join us for our next Men’s Bible Study gathering on Saturday, September 11th at 9:00am at Rick’s City Diner (5333 Monroe St, Toledo, OH). All men in the Trinity community and their guests are welcome to join. You can view the Bible passages we will be discussing on our website.

Please remember those who have asked for our prayers: Carol Gray Godwin Nosa Katie Justin Myers Lou Woellner Zach Wabeke Sherre Owens Smith

Tishie Bozeman Ronald B Mitchell Greg Bulach Nancy Owens & daughter Stan Johnson Ray Levey Patty Long

Sheilah Wilson Elisheva Rose-Boxer Chico Martinez Jo Stanovcak Douglas Romstadt Sue Smitley

Please remember those who have recently died: Jane Zohn

Willy Aey

Paul Yow

To add your name or the name of someone you love on the Prayer List, please email lynzi@trinitytoledo.org.

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Birthdays

9/7 Sheilah Wilson 9/11 Don McKinney 9/18 Chelsea Schumacher 9/28 Mary Wabeke

Anniversaries

9/8 Annie Devine 9/12 Mike Barthold 9/24 Janet Welch 9/29 Josh Frelin

9/13 Larry & Heather Meyer

9/10 Travis Walker 9/12 Kahlil Haynes 9/25 Sue Smitley

9/22 Brad & Kelly Tansel

To have your birthday or anniversary listed, please email the office: admin@trinitytoledo.org

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Trinity Episcopal Church 316 ADAMS STREET, TOLEDO, OH 43604

419.243.1231

trinitytoledo.org

Beloved Friends, September 2021 Your wardens and I write today to provide an update about Trinity’s path forward for worship and indoor activities. We also want to reiterate our deep gratitude for your continued faithfulness, support and efforts to stay connected during this unbelievably long season of physical separation.

Thank you to all who have supported and attended our All-Parish Picnics, Pop-Up Dinners, and Wednesday Noonday Prayers and Lunch with Deacon Megan; seeing each other in these contexts has been so life-giving. Thank you also to those who continue to help us with offerings for Trinity@Home week after week as well as those volunteering for new roles such as the newest members of the Altar Guild who attended training last week. It is so exciting to finally start planning for the day when we will worship face to face.

While we remain aware of the continued fluency of this time and the need to stay vigilant, responsive and persistent in our efforts to create a safe environment, we are also ready to start the process of finding our way back to each other, slowly, for in-person worship and inperson activities. Below is a summary of our plans: WORSHIP Wednesday, Sept 15 – 12:00 Midweek Eucharist - returns in the sanctuary.

A short, spoken service; a perfect way to ease back into in-person worship. All are welcome.

Sunday, September 19 9:00- NEW time for Trinity@Home service followed by online Coffee Hour 11:00- First in-person Sunday service NO CHOIR followed by Coffee Hour Sunday, September 26 9:00- NEW time for Trinity@Home service followed by online Coffee Hour NO Trinity@316 IN-PERSON Worship (due to annual Race 4 the Cure with street closures) Sunday, October 3 9:00- NEW time for Trinity@Home service followed by online Coffee Hour 11:00- Trinity@316-WITH CHOIR followed by Coffee Hour FORMATION September/October- In preparation for starting up Wednesday evening formation again in October, we invite everyone to read Marcus Borg’s Reading the Bible Again for The First Time; Taking the Bible Seriously, But Not Literally. After this summer’s sermon series on the Way of Love, we received lots of input many would like an opportunity to come together for some time to learn and discern how scripture can form and inform our lives. We will meet in-person for 3 sessions: Wednesdays, 7:00-8:00 (October 6, 13 & 20) Once again, thank you for your courage, commitment and resilient spirits. We continue to hold you all in our prayers. Please stay connected in ways you can knowing our lives are richer through the ties that bind in the name of our loving, liberating life-giving God. And may you never forget that you are loved.

Lisa Tucker-Gray, Donna Steppe & Roberta Durham Rector Senior Warden Junior Warden 11