Third Sunday of Advent - December 13, 2020

Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE  INCLUSIVE 

CREATIVE  DOWNTOWN

ADVENT 2020

Third Sunday OF ADVENT Morning Devotion December 13, 2020 10:00am

ď ˜ The Liturgy of the Word ď ˜ Prelude

Away in a Manger

Traditional

(Trinity Members, Stan and Sande Johnson)

WELCOME Opening Song

Behold, I Make All Things New (The Work of The People. Music by Alana Levandoski)

Behold, I make all things new behold, I make all things new behold, I make all things new behold, I make all things new Let there be light let there be light

The first and last is surging forth the first and last is surging forth the first and last is surging forth the first and last is surging forth Becoming life becoming life

God unseen is taking form God unseen is taking form God unseen is taking form God unseen is taking form Let there by life let there be life

Behold, I make all things new behold, I make all things new behold, I make all things new behold, I make all things new Let there be light let there be life

Candle Lighting

Sam, Lindsey, Norah, Aliyah & Jo Melden

Family: People:

We light these candles as a sign of the coming light of Christ.

Every valley shall be lifted up and every mountain and hill be made low; The uneven ground shall become level, and the rough places a plain.

Opening Collect Priest: People: Priest:

Prayers for an Inclusive Church

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Let us pray.

Lord of light, who sent the Baptist to offer hope and face the world’s scorn: open our ears to hear the cries from the margins, exposing our fears, inciting our vision and calling us to a step of faith; through Jesus Christ, the one who is to come. Amen.

2

FIRST Reading Reader:

Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 A reading from Isaiah

Read by Kory Meinhart

The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.

Reader:

People:

PSALm

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm 126 From Psalms for Praying (Offered Anna Toney & Elizabeth Hoerner, Leadership Toledo) The congregation is invited to join in reciting the Psalm verses in bold.

When the Divine Lover enters the human heart, all yearnings are fulfilled!

Then will our mouths ring forth with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy; Then will we sing our songs of praise, to You, O Beloved of all hearts.

For gladness will radiate out for all to see; so great is you Presence among us.

Restore us to wholeness, O Healer like newborn babes who have never strayed from You! May all who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy!

May all go forth weeping tears of repentance, bearing seed for sowing, Come home to You with shouts of joy, leaving sorrow behind.

3

SECOND READING Reader:

1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 A reading from First Thessalonians

Read by Shannon MacBride-Vogelaar

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil.

May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.

Reader: People:

Gradual

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

In the Bleak Midwinter

1982 Hymnal #112 (Trinity Member, Sam Melden, Jobst Scholar, David Breen verses 1-3 Trinity Friends Chris Joseph and Emily Olson, & Lisa Tucker-Gray)

In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan, earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen, snow on snow, snow on snow, in the bleak midwinter, long ago.

Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain; heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign: in the bleak midwinter a stable-place sufficed the Lord God incarnate, Jesus Christ.

THE GOSPEL Celebrant: People:

Angels and archangels may have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim throngèd the air; but his mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshiped the beloved with a kiss.

John 1:6-8,19-28 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John Glory to you, Lord Christ.

There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light.

This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.

4

Celebrant: People:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

The Apostles’ Creed

From The Work of the People Please join the leader in sharing the words of The Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead.

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.

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.

The Prayers of the People

Led by Elizabeth Cousino Based on liturgy designed by the Iona Community & Eggs & Ashes Please join us in sharing the response written in bold.

Intercessor: People: Intercessor: People: Intercessor: People: Intercessor:

Spirit of fire, inflame in us a passion for justice and equality. That we may know the cleansing of our prejudices and fears and proclaim your freedom, boldly caressing your Earth with humility.

Hear our prayers for freedom and justice for all.

Spirit of compassion, infuse us with your longings for wholeness and deep joy. That we may reach out to those who are hurting and alienated, enfolding one another with your love and tenderness.

Hear our prayers for healing and wholeness.

Spirit of wisdom, be within us in our journeying, gently guiding us along life giving paths. That we may be led towards transformation and new beginnings in our world.

Hear our prayers for courage to begin again.

Spirit of gentleness, touch us anew, releasing in us all that we are afraid of in this uncertain time. That we may know your acceptance of us, and freely accept and embrace others.

5

People:

Hear our prayers for peace and acceptance.

Intercessor:

Spirit of power, hold us in our powerlessness. That we may know your strength and become a voice for the voiceless, healing for the wounded and empowerment for the weak, and lost, and confused.

Hear our prayers for mercy and grace.

People: Intercessor: People: Intercessor: People: Intercessor:

Spirit of judgement, be tender with us and show us your mercy. That we may humbly learn of you and not be afraid to be your prophets in the world.

Hear our prayers for the gift of witness.

Spirit of comfort, draw near to us in all grief, confusion and pain; in your graciousness, bring hope, consolation and renewal. That many may look inside and out and discover you in the midst.

Hear our prayers for consolation and comfort.

People:

Spirit of dance, be our playfulness and source of deep joy. That we may leap and laugh and enter moments of new life as we work to breathe deeply again.

Hear our prayers for gifts of life and joy.

Intercessor: People:

Give us confidence in life and assurance in death.

In God’s many names we pray, AMEN.

The Confession of Sin & Absolution Priest: Let us confess our sins to God. (silence may be kept) Priest and People:

God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you opposing your will in our lives.

We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created.

We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf.

Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.

Priest:

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life.

People: Amen.

6

The Peace Celebrant: People:

The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Announcements Offertory A virtual offering plate, titled Sunday, December 13 Offering, has been created on our website’s Online Giving page. Through this online resource, you can make a regular Sunday offering or a pledge contribution: www.trinitytoledo.org/online -giving/ Text to Give is now available! You can simply text 419-OMG-LOVE (419-664-5683) to make your weekly offering.

Offertory

Ave Maria

Franz Schubert

(Jobst Scholar, Chelsie Cree)

Lord’s Prayer The congregation is invited to join.

Led by Cheryl Mack

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread.

And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.

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.

7

Sending Hymn

Rise Up, Shepherd, and Follow LEVAS #24 (Jobst Scholars- Grace Hirt, David Breen, Chelsie Cree & Trinity Friend- Jon Brown)

Words: Traditional Music: Negro Spiritual

Dismissal Leader: People:

Led by Norah, Aliyah & Jo Melden Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

8

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, Jane Bueche, Treasurer, Jeffrey Albright, Dennis Degnan, Fritz Hany, Bob Meeker & Jamie Paul

Parish Staff The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector Heather Meyer, Director of Operations and Community Development Lynzi Miller, Next To New Manager & Communications Coordinator Nick Zurawski, Sexton Additional Resources & Copyright Info:

Opening Song: Behold, I Make All Things New by Alana Levandoski, used with subscription permission through The Work of the People, Liturgy Project https://www.theworkofthepeople.com Opening Collect: Prayers for an Inclusive Church by Steven Shakespeare, 2009.

Readings and Gospel from: Revised Common Lectionary: lectionarypage.net, 2020.

Psalm: Psalms for Praying: An Invitation for Wholeness, Nan Merrill, Continuum International Publishing, 2003 Prayers of the People: based on liturgy designed by the Iona Community & Eggs & Ashes. Video content from Heather Meyer and production by Owen Cappellini Confession of Sin: used with subscription permission through The Work of the People, Liturgy Project https://www.theworkofthepeople.com.

The Apostles’ Creed: used with subscription permission through The Work of the People, Liturgy Project https://www.theworkofthepeople.com.

Lord’s Prayer: Traditional, Spoken Bulletin Image: Artwork from Jan Richardson.

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

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

Trinity Pages

Advent III December 13, 2020

A special thank you to today’s participants! Each week is truly a labor of love and an expression of the best of what it means to be building up our community.

Readers:

Musicians and Vocalists:

The Melden Family – Trintiy Members Kory Meinhart – Trintiy Friend Anna Toney – Community Partner Elizabeth Hoerner – Community Partner Shannon MacBride-Vogelaar – Trintiy Friend Elizabeth Cousino – Trinity Member Cheryl Mack – Trinity Member

Stan and Sande Johnson – Trintiy Members Chris Joseph – Trinity Friend Emily Olsen – Trinity Friend Chelsie Cree – Jobst Scholar Grace Hirt – Jobst Scholar David Breen – Jobst Scholar Jon Brown – Trinity Friend

Please remember those who have asked for our prayers:

Pat Albright Bettye Jo Hansbarger John L., Gladys & Karen Johnson-Webb Olivia Carol Gray Pat Squire Don Keune The Loss Family Wes Paulin Tishie Bozeman Sheilah Wilson Barb Scott Godwin Nosa

Ethan & Alecia Grefe Judy Moon Regina Andrea Parmer Diane Suzanne Ronald B Mitchell

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

ere

Birthdays

Anniversaries

12/6 Vera Gagnon 12/14 Ellis Gagnon 12/19 Stan Johnson 12/23 Grant Jones

12/11 12/17 12/22 12/30

12/16 – Sam & Lindsey Melden 10

Abby Price Darrell Cousino Kim Tucker-Gray Jane Zohn

12/12 Larry Meyer 12/17 Dave Beckwith 12/22 Alice Todd

12/20 Dave Beckwith & Lindsay Potts

To add your birthday or anniversary to our list, please email lynzi@trinitytoledo.org.

TODAY 12/13, 11:00am, Virtual Coffee Hour – You are invited to join us for a 30-minute virtual coffee and conversation following our 10:00 online worship service today! Find the Zoom link on our website and Facebook each Sunday morning!

Thursday 12/17, 8:45am, TSN Vendor Lunch Assembly–Trinity is excited to provide the meal for Toledo Street’s vendor lunch on December 17th and we need YOUR help! Trinity will purchase the food but we need 2-3 volunteers to help assemble the lunches and deliver them to the Toledo Streets Office. To sign up, visit www.trinitytoledo.org/tsn-vendor-lunch/.

Thursday 12/17 & Friday 12/18, Poinsettia Pickup – A reminder to those who ordered Christmas Poinsettias, the plants can be picked up from the church on Thursday, Dec. 17 or Friday, Dec. 18 between 4:00-6:00pm. Please email Lynzi in the office <lynzi@trinitytoledo.org> if you have any questions.

Friday 12/18 – Tuesday 12/22, Christmas Candlelight Meditation - You are invited to enter into the expectation and anticipation of Christmas where you can reflect and prepare your hearts and minds for the birth of Jesus. Our sanctuary awaits you for a private 30-minute time of meditation and quiet reflection. We ask that you enter and exit the building through the fishbowl garage door only. We will validate your parking. Masks must be worn in the building at all times. Individuals or same household families are invited to share in this special time, but please no more than five people. Come home to immerse yourself in the new life, new hope, and new joy He brings. Time slots are limited. Sign up on our website www.trinitytoledo.org/candlelight-meditation/.

Sunday, 1/17, 6:30pm, Virtual Book Club - Becky Koskinen and Kyle Grefe are looking for folks to be part of a Trinity virtual book club. We will be selecting books that you wouldn’t necessarily find in a religious bookstore; rather, we’d like book suggestions in which we can explore God moments in the book. Currently we are looking at fiction, but that can change if the group so chooses.

Our first book is This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. You may be able to download the book from Libby (a free, public library e-book app), or purchase yourself—we will not have copies available to you.

Our format for discussion will be straightforward: each of us will “grade” the story and then we will explore themes and story lines.

If you are interested in joining us, please let us know. You can email either of us (beckykoskinen@gmail.com or kagrefe@gmail.com). If you want to add a book to our list for consideration at a future date, click HERE. You must have a Gmail account to add to the list, if you want to add a book but do not have a Gmail account, please send the title and author to Becky or Kyle and we will add it. Our first virtual meeting is Sunday, January 17 at 6:30 pm. The Zoom link will be made available closer to the date.

Come join us!!

Ukulele Choir - Lisa and Chelsie invite you to join our new Ukulele Choir! We'll begin meeting in January! Sign up on our website www.trinitytoledo.org/ukulele-choir/ and we'll be in contact with you!!

December Trinity@Home Services 12/20 – Advent IV 10:00am

12/24 – Christmas Eve Service 7:00pm

12/21 – The Longest Night 7:00pm

1/3/2021 – Epiphany 10:00am

Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland will livestream an11 intergenerational Christmas Day service of hymns, scripture, and prayer at 7:00 a.m. on Christmas Day. Visit their Facebook page to watch.