The Feast of the Epiphany - January 3, 2021

Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE  INCLUSIVE 

CREATIVE  DOWNTOWN

The Feast of the Epiphany (anticipated)

Morning Devotion 

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January 3, 2021

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10:00am

ď ˜ The Liturgy of the Word ď ˜ Prelude

Give Me Jesus

Traditional

(Tyler Driskill)

Welcome Opening Hymn

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

O Beautiful Star of Bethlehem (Lisa, Chelsie & Kim) Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem Shining afar through shadows dimmed Giving the life for those who long have gone on Guiding the wise men on their way Unto the place where Jesus lay Oh beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on O beautiful star of Bethlehem Shine upon us until the glory dawn Give thy light to light the way Into the land of perfect day O beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on Oh beautiful star the hope of light Guiding the pilgrim through the night Over the mountains 'till the break of dawn Into the land of perfect day It will give out a lovely ray O beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on O beautiful star of Bethlehem Shine upon us until the glory dawn Give thy light to light the way Into the land of perfect day O beautiful star of Bethlehem shine on

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R. Fisher Boyce

Opening Collect Celebrant: People:

We Are Bethlehem (music and words by Alana Levandoski)

The Work of the People

The Lord be with you.

And also with you.

Long ago in Bethlehem Christ was born through Mary’s “yes” The angel choir sang of this Kiss That God is woven in with this.

Gloria in excelsis Deo Gloria in excelsis Deo| The Most High is with us The Most High is with us

As Christ was born on Christmas Day The universe was set at play For opening our eyes to see Christ is born through you and me

The star still shines in our time Wherever we bear forth the Divine We are Bethlehem We are Mary’s “yes” The angel choir sings of this Kiss God is woven in with this

We are Bethlehem We are Mary’s “yes” The angel choir sings of this Kiss God is woven in with this

Christ is born in you and me Setting all the captives free Just like Jesus said would be Christ is born in you and me

Christ is born in you and me Setting all the captives free Just like Jesus said would be Christ is born in you and me

FIRST Reading Reader:

Isaiah 60:1-6 A reading from Isaiah.

Read by Jamie Paul

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses' arms. Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense and shall proclaim the praise of the Lord.

Reader: People:

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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PSALm

Psalm 72:1-7,10-14

From Psalms for Praying

The plain text will be offered by the cantor; the congregation is invited to sing the text in bold.

Bring justice to the peoples, O Beloved, and your mercy to all generations!

May the people be known for mercy, rendering justice to the poor!

Let their spirits soar as the eagle, let joy abide in every heart!

May we heed the cry of the poor – the young and the old, helping to free all those in need, awakening the souls of oppressors!

May we know oneness with You as long as the sun endures, as long as the stars shine, throughout all generations!

May we acknowledge You in the rain falling on the fields, like showers that water the earth!

In our day may justice flourish, and peace abound, throughout all the nations!

May every heart open to your Love from sea to sea, from the River of Life out to the universe!

May fears that paralyze the people rise up from the depths into Your Light!

Blessed be the Beloved, the One who dwells in open hearts, who guides us along the way.

Blessed be You, who come in Name of Love; may your glory fill the earth! Amen and Amen!

SECOND READING Reader:

Ephesians 3:1-12 A reading from Ephesians.

Read by Kelly Termin

This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles-- for surely you have already heard of the commission of God's grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

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Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.

Reader: People:

Gradual

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God. Thy Word (Kim & Gabe)

Amy Grant/Michael Smith

REFRAIN: Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path When I feel afraid, think I've lost my way Still you're there right beside me And nothing will I fear, as long as you are near please be near me to the end REFRAIN I will not forget, Your love for me and yet, my heart forever is wandering Jesus be my guide, and hold me to your side I will love you to the end Nothing will I fear as long as you are near, please be near me to the end REFRAIN And a light unto my path You're the light unto my path

THE GOSPEL Celebrant: People:

Matthew 2:1-12 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew Glory to you, Lord Christ.

In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, "Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage." When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, "In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: `And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.'"

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Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage."

When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.

Celebrant: People:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon The Affirmation of Faith

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray Led by Becky Roth From Liturgy for the Whole Church: Multigenerational Resources

We believe in God who said, “Let there be light,” and there was!

With that light, God made the world and all people in whom, and through whom, the Light burns on, strong and true.

We believe!

We believe in Jesus, the true Light, who went down to darkness to overcome death, and rose again, to unveil our own brightness, in the victory of whose love a path shines home to God’s heart where all will live forever.

We believe!

We believe in the Spirit, blazing with hope, speaking the truth into every darkness, warming our lives with God’s gifts and call.

We believe!

We believe in the church, where God’s Light is praised, and from where we are sent to love and serve the world.

We believe!

We ask today that a gentle breath blow from above on the light that is in us, the light that is among us, and enflame us anew with the courage of love.

Enflame us, O God! Amen.

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The Prayers of the People

Led by Gary Franklin

(Please join us in sharing the response written in bold.)

Intercessor: Creator of All, you have promised to hear when we pray in the name of your Son. Therefore, in confidence and trust we pray for the Church. God, enliven the Church for its mission: People: That we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.

Intercessor: People:

Breathe fresh life into your people.

Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action.

Intercessor: People:

Creator of all, lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace.

That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.

Intercessor: People:

Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.

Teach us to care creatively for its resources.

Intercessor:

People:

God of truth, inspire with your wisdom those whose decisions affect the lives of others, That all may act with integrity and courage.

Intercessor: People:

Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours.

May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.

Intercessor:

People:

We pray for those on our Trinity Prayer List, and those we now name silently or aloud. God of hope, comfort and restore all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.

May they know the power of your healing love.

Intercessor: People:

Make us willing agents of your compassion.

Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.

Intercessor: People:

Give comfort to those who mourn.

Bring them peace in their time of loss.

Intercessor: People:

We praise you for all your saints who have entered your eternal glory.

May their example inspire and encourage us.

Intercessor: People:

Lord, you have called us to serve you.

Grant that we may walk in your presence: your love in our hearts, your truth in our minds, your strength in our wills; until, at the end of our journey, we know the joy of our homecoming and the welcome of your embrace, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Confession of Sin & Absolution Priest:

(From Wonderings Through Life and Other Such Nonsense)

The prophet speaks of the coming light of God which calls all the people of the earth to come together in God’s realm of shalom.

Let us confess the ways in which we have rejected God’s vision of wholeness.

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Priest and People: God of light and darkness, we have seen the glimmer of your star-light beckoning to us, but we have turned away and followed other paths.

We confess that we have not loved you with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our mind, and with all our strength.

We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.

Forgive us, Holy One. Strengthen our faltering steps and guide us in your holy way of peace.

Priest:

People:

Lift up your eyes and see the grace of God poured out into our lives.

The light of God shines through the darkness.

Our hearts rejoice for Christ is in our midst. Amen.

The Peace Celebrant: People:

The Peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Announcements & Chalking of the Church Door for the New Year Since the Middle Ages there has been a tradition that on (or near) the feast of the Epiphany we pray for God’s blessing on our homes, marking the entrance with chalk (an incarnational image reminding us of the dust of the earth from which we were made). We mark the main door of our home with the initials of the Magi and the numerals of the new year, connected with crosses: 20 + C + M + B + 21 The initials remind us of the legendary names of the Magi – Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar – and also stand for the Latin motto: Christus mansionem benedicat, “May Christ bless this house.” In the Book of Exodus, the Israelites marked their doors with blood so that the Lord would pass over their homes; but in this ritual, we mark our doors with chalk as a sign that we have invited God’s presence and blessing into our homes.

Blessing of the Chalk: Priest: People:

Our help is the name of the Lord: The maker of heaven and earth.

Priest: People:

The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in: From this time forth for evermore.

Let us pray.

Loving God, bless this chalk which you have created, that it may be helpful to your people; and grant that through the invocation of your most Holy Name that we who use it in faith to write upon the door of this home the names of your holy ones Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar, may receive health of body and protection of soul for all who dwell in or visit our home; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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Blessing of the DOOR: Using the blessed chalk mark the frame of the front door as follows: 20 + C + M + B + 21: Priest: Let us pray. Christus Mansionem Benedictat, “May Christ bless these are homes” Just as the three Wise Ones, Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar followed the star of God’s Son may we too follow that star, that beacon of LOVE in our lives each day. Bless all who walk through our doors with the gift of your love; and grant that we may manifest that love to each other and to all whose lives we touch. May we grow in grace and in the knowledge and love of you; guide, comfort, and strengthen us in peace, O Jesus Christ, now and forever. Amen

Offertory A virtual offering plate, titled Sunday, January 3 Offering, has been created on our website’s Online Giving page. www.trinitytoledo.org/online-giving/. Text to Give is also available!

You can simply text 419-OMG-LOVE (419-664-5683) to make your weekly offering.

Offertory

There Shall a Star Come Out of Jacob

Felix Mendelssohn

(Courtney, Chelsie & David)

Lord’s Prayer

Led by Jason Rahe Version by Parker Palmer

The congregation is invited to join.

Heavenly Father, heavenly Mother, Holy and blessed is your true name.

We pray for your reign of peace to come, We pray that your good will be done, Let heaven and earth become one.

Give us this day the bread we need, Give it to those who have none.

Let forgiveness flow like a river between us, From each one to each one.

Lead us to holy innocence Beyond the evil of our days — Come swiftly Mother, Father, come.

For yours is the power and the glory and the mercy: Forever your name is All in One. Amen.

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Christmas Blessing

(adapted from Howard Thurman)

When the song of the angels is stilled, when the star in the sky is gone, when the kings and princes are home, when the shepherds are back with the flocks, then the work of Christmas begins: -to find the lost, -to heal those broken in spirit, -to feed the hungry, -to release the oppressed, -to rebuild the nations, -to bring peace among all peoples, -to make a little music with the heart…

And to radiate the Light of Christ, every day, in every way, in all that we do and in all that we say.

Let the work of Christmas begin!

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.

Sending Hymn

Go Tell it on The Mountain (Kim & David) Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.

Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

While shepherds kept their watching over silent flocks by night, behold throughout the heavens, there shone a holy light.

Go, tell it on the mountain, over the hills and everywhere.

Go, tell it on the mountain that Jesus Christ is born.

Dismissal Leader: People:

Let us go forth in the power of the Resurrection. Alleluia! Alleluia!

Thanks be to God. Alleluia! Alleluia!

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LEVAS #21

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 Collect: We are Bethlehem by Alana Levandoski. Used with subscription permission through The Work of the People, Liturgy Project https://www.theworkofthepeople.com.

Readings and Gospel from: Revised Common Lectionary: lectionarypage.net, 2021 Psalm: Psalms for Praying: An Invitation for Wholeness, Nan Merrill, Continuum International Publishing, 2003 Confession of Sin: From Wonderings Through Life and Other Such Nonsense An Affirmation of Faith: From Liturgy for the Whole Church: Multigenerational Resources Lord’s Prayer: Version by Parker Palmer Bulletin Image: Free Image from Romain-chollet-YvAFh3Lx7i0-unsplash.jpg 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 # A700000

TRINITY EPISCOPAL CHURCH PROGRESSIVE  

CREATIVE 

INCLUSIVE 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

Epiphany Jan. 3, 2021

TODAY 1/3, 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!

Saturday 1/9, 9:00am, Men’s Bible Study – All men in the Trinity community and their guests are welcome to join our monthly Bible study. We are gathering via Zoom during this time of social separation. Find the readings and Zoom link HERE. Sunday 1/10, 4:00pm, Ukulele Choir - Join us for our first Ukulele Choir gathering on Sunday, January 10th from 4:00-5:00pm. We plan to meet every other Sunday. Come anytime, as often as you’re able! All skill levels welcome! Visit our website to sign up!

Tuesday 1/19, 6:00pm, Feasibility Study Workshop - The Trinity Community is invited to take part in an interactive Zoom webinar on January 19th, 2021 at 6pm. Join us for a Feasibility Study Overview & Conversation for the church building and plaza. Please visit the website to RSVP.

Sunday 1/ 31 – Annual Parish Meeting – Mark your calendars! Please join us for our Annual Meeting on Sunday, January 31, 2021. The Zoom dial information will be available closer to the date.

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 Janet Paul

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.

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Birthdays

Anniversaries

1/3 Donna Steppe 1/13 Liam Cousino 1/23 Gerry Wilson 1/28 Amy Burris

1/6 Joanna Melden 1/16 Bettye Jo Hansbarger 1/25 Bobbie Finn-Will 1/28 Terry Kahler 12

1/8 Gail Abood 1/22 Gary Franklin 1/26 Jane Gemmill

1/19 Abby & Meagan Price To add your birthday or anniversary to our list, please email lynzi@trinitytoledo.org.