Last Sunday After Epiphany: February 19, 2023

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 Ooh, Child Stan Vincent (Trinity Music Team)

Welcome The Rev. Robert Gahler

Opening Hymn Christ is the world’s true light The Hymnal 1982 #542

Opening Collect

Leader: The Lord be with you

People: And also with you.

Leader: Let us pray.

Friend of Moses, strength of Elijah, you go with your people and give them your Spirit: may the Child of your heart transfigure the mortal world that love may know no bounds; through Jesus Christ, the beloved one. Amen.

The First Lesson Exodus 24:12-18

Reader: A reading from Exodus.

The Lord said to Moses, “Come up to me on the mountain, and wait there; and I will give you the tablets of stone, with the law and the commandment, which I have written for their instruction.” So Moses set out with his assistant Joshua, and Moses went up into the mountain of God. To the elders he had said, “Wait here for us, until we come to you again; for Aaron and Hur are with you; whoever has a dispute may go to them.”

Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain. The glory of the Lord settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud. Now the appearance of the glory of the Lord was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel. Moses entered the cloud, and went up on the mountain. Moses was on the mountain for forty days and forty nights.

Reader: The Word of the Lord. People: Thanks be to God.

The cantor will sing the first line, and the congregation is invited to join on the bolded text.

Why do nations and people plot against one another, setting themselves apart and conspiring against the Beloved and those who follow Love’s way? They say to themselves, “We are free of Love’s law; humility and service are for others.”

The Beloved, who is ever present, can but smile at their foolishness, knowing that one day, they will fall to their knees in regret.

Distracted by greed and arrogance they do not hear the Beloved’s Voice whispering in the silence: “Awaken all of you living in darkness! We are all One in Love Consciousness. You live in my Heart even as I dwell in yours.

For you are mine; I am your Beloved. I have given you abundant life to love and care for all Creation.

May it be for the delight of All. Yet, to know Me, fears and illusions must be faced, as an iron rod hitting a clay pot shining Light into the darkness.”

Blessed are all who have asked for forgiveness, whose hearts radiate the Love we all are at the core.

The Second Lesson 2 Peter 1:16-21

Reader: A reading from Second Peter

We did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honor and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, “This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.” We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.

So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

Reader: The Word of the Lord.

People: Thanks be to God.

Gradual Jesus the Light of the World Geo. D. Elderkin, arr. All are invited to join on refrain below. Verse offered by soloist.

THE GOSPEL Matthew 17:1-9

Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Matthew. People: Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, “Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”

Deacon: The Gospel of the Lord. People: Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon Jeffrey Albright, Trinity member (We will observe a brief time of silence for reflection following the sermon)

You, O God, are supreme and holy. You create our world and give us life. Your purpose overarches everything we do. You have always been with us.

You are God.

You, O God, are infinitely generous, good beyond all measure. You came to us before we came to you. You have revealed and proved your love for us in Jesus Christ, who lived and died and rose again. You are with us now.

You are God.

You, O God, are Holy Spirit

You empower us to be your gospel in the world. You reconcile and heal; you overcome death.

You are our God. We worship you. Amen.

Prayers of the People (Book of Common Prayer, Form 3, p. 387)

Intercessor: God, we pray for your holy Catholic Church; People: that we may be one.

Intercessor: Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you; People: that your Name may be glorified by all people.

Intercessor: We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;

People: that they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.

Intercessor: We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world; People: that there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Intercessor: Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;

People: that our works may find favor in your sight.

Intercessor: Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble, especially those we name silently or aloud; (pause) shower them with your love and care, People: that they may be delivered from their distress.

Intercessor: Give to the departed eternal rest.

People: Let light perpetual shine upon them.

Intercessor: We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;

People: May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.

Intercessor: God we thank you for always being with us. Open and transform our hearts that we might connect more deeply with the needs of others and be moved to be your love and care in the world. Help us to keep courage as we learn, share, and give. Amen

The Confession of Sin & Absolution

Enriching Our Worship

Celebrant: Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor. Silence may be kept.

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.

Celebrant:

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. Amen.

THE PEACE

Deacon: The peace of the Lord be always with you. People: And also with you.

Announcements & Offertory Invitation

Loose offerings (cash or checks) can be placed in the Offertory Plate as it is passed during the Offertory or deposited in our Giving Box stationed at the back of the sanctuary. To give Online, use the attached QR code or visit www.trinitytoledo.org/online-giving/ choose GIVE NOW and today’s date. You can also text the word “Give” to 419-OMG-LOVE (419-664-5683) to make your weekly offering.

Offertory I’m Gonna Sing Til the Spirit Moves in My Heart Moses Hogan (Trinity Choir)

 Liturgy of the Table 

The Great Thanksgiving Enriching Our Worship Prayer 1

Celebrant: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Celebrant: Lift up your hearts.

People: We lift them to the Lord.

Celebrant: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

People: It is right to give our thanks and praise.

You have filled us and all creation with your blessing and fed us with your constant love; you have redeemed us in Jesus Christ and knit us into one body. Through your Spirit you replenish us and call us to fullness of life. Therefore, joining with Angels and Archangels and with the faithful of every generation, we lift our voices with all creation as we sing:

SanctuS

Holy, Holy, Holy

Ken Canedo

Blessed are you, gracious God, creator of the universe and giver of life. You formed us in your own image and called us to dwell in your infinite love. You gave the world into our care that we might be your faithful stewards and show forth your bountiful grace.

But we failed to honor your image in one another and in ourselves; we would not see your goodness in the world around us; and so, we violated your creation, abused one another, and rejected your love. Yet you never ceased to care for us and prepared the way of salvation for all people.

Through Abraham and Sarah, you called us into covenant with you. You delivered us from captivity, sustained us in the wilderness, and raised up prophets to renew your promise of salvation. Then, in the fullness of time, you sent your eternal Word, made mortal flesh in Jesus. Born into the human family, and dwelling among us, he revealed your glory. Giving himself freely to death on the cross, he triumphed over evil, opening the way of freedom and life.

On the night before he died for us, Our Savior Jesus Christ took bread and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his friends, and said:

“Take, eat: This is my Body which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.”

As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said:

“Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is poured our for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

Remembering his death and resurrection, we now present to you from your creation this bread and this wine.

By your Holy Spirit may they be for us the Body and Blood of our Savior Jesus Christ. Grant that we who share these gifts may be filled with the Holy Spirit and live as Christ’s Body in the world. Bring us into the everlasting heritage of your daughters and sons, that with all your saints, past, present, and yet to come, we may praise your Name for ever.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever. AMEN.

And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say this version of the Lord’s Prayer: Bill Wallace, Aootearoa/New Zealand

O most Compassionate Life-giver, may we honor and praise you; May we work with you to establish your new order of justice peace and love; Give us what we need for growth, And help us, through forgiving others, to accept forgiveness. Strengthen us in the time of testing, that we may resist all evil, For all tenderness, strength and love are yours, now and forever. Amen.

Fraction & Invitation to Communion

Celebrant: We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ. People: We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.

Celebrant: The Gifts of God for the people of God; holy food for holy people. (Please be seated until you are invited to come forward to receive communion.)

The Post Communion Prayer (Please rise.)

Celebrant: Let us pray.

Jesus, we have feasted on the bread of life. Together we have tasted the love of your kin-dom here on earth. In your risen power you have united us with all of those who have come before, with those gathered today, and with those yet to find their way to this table of love set and ready to welcome all. May the sense of a new heaven and a new earth strengthen and renew us today and in the days to come. Now, send us out into the world to do the work you have given us to do offering your fearless love and priceless peace to all we meet in the name of our loving, liberating life-giving God. Amen.

Blessing The Rev. Robert Gahler

Sending Song I Love to Tell the Story See Insert.

Dismissal

Deacon: Go in peace to serve our loving, liberating, life-giving God.

People: Thanks be to God.

Dominic Martinelli