Second Sunday After the Epiphany - January 15, 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 Free at Last Roger Miller (Bradley Baker and Grace Mauk

Welcome & Opening Prayer The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

Let us pray. We remember the conviction of Martin Luther King Jr. words reminding us that "freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed."

People: Therefore, let us pray for courage and determination by those who are oppressed.

We remember Martin's warning that "a negative peace which is the absence of tension" is less than "a positive peace which is the presence of justice."

People: Therefore, let us pray that those who work for peace in our world may cry out first for justice.

We remember Martin 's insight that "injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly affects all indirectly."

People: Therefore, let us pray that we may see nothing in isolation, but may know ourselves bound to one another and to all people under heaven.

We remember Martin 's lament that "the contemporary church is often a weak, ineffectual voice with an uncertain sound. It is so often the arch-supporter of the status quo. Far from being disturbed by the presence of the church, the power structure of the average community is consoled by the church 's silent and often vocal sanction of things as they are."

People: Therefore, let us pray that neither this congregation nor any congregation of Christ's people may be silent in the face of wrong, but that we may be disturbers of the status quo when that is God's call to us.

We remember Martin's hope that "dark clouds of racial prejudice will soon pass away and the deep fog of misunderstanding will be lifted from our fear-drenched communities, and in some not so dis- tant tomorrow the radiant stars of love and brotherhood will shine over our great nation with all their scintillating beauty."

People: Therefore, in faith, let us commend ourselves and our work for justice to the goodness of almighty God. Amen.

Blessed are They Hymns for Worship

Opening Collect

Almighty God, by the hand of Moses your servant you led your people out of slavery, and made them free at last: Grant that your church, following the example of your prophet Martin Luther King, may resist oppression in the name of your love, and may strive to secure for all your children the blessed liberty of the Gospel of Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lesson Exodus 3:7-12

Reader: A reading from Exodus.

The Lord said, “I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land to a good and broad land, a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. So come, I will send you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt.” But Moses said to God, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” He said, “I will be with you; and this shall be the sign for you that it is I who sent you: when you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall worship God on this mountain.”

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

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

Luke 6:27–36

Jesus said, “I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.

“If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?

For even sinners do the same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

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

George Benson, Director of Community Engagement

Sermon

Affirmation of Faith 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.

Prayers of the People

Intercessor: Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you. You who by the leading of a star, guided the Magi to the brightness of the Holy Child of Bethlehem, lead us to the light of revelation, that we may value and honor the varied gifts of our sisters and brothers. Christ, be our light

People: Shine in our hearts.

Intercessor: You who framed the brightness of the first light in creation, dispel the arrogance, animosity, and anger that shatter the unity of your holy Church. Fill your faithful people with the radiant light of truth. Christ, be our light

People: Shine in our hearts.

Intercessor: You who delivered your people from the misery of bondage in slavery to the land of promise, set us free from enslavement to division, disunity, and distrust in our public life and labor. Illumine those in authority with the light of vision. Christ, be our light

People: Shine in our hearts.

Intercessor: You who patterned the stars and called the sun into being, who appointed the moon and chartered the cosmos, pattern the hearts of people everywhere to see in each other the beauty of the universe and the splendor of creation, that divisions of race, class, gender, and ethnicity may be recreated into one common humanity. Christ, be our light People: Shine in our hearts.

Intercessor: You who shower comfort and hope to the lowest, the lost, and the least, shower the light of compassion on the sick, the sorrowful, and the suffering, especially those on our Trinity Prayer list. Help us to be your compassion and hope in the world. Christ, be our light People: Shine in our hearts.

Intercessor: You who welcome into the brilliant light of eternity those who have died, welcome those whose lives have been cut short by violence, warfare, and strife, especially those on our Trinity Prayer list. Shine the light of hope. Christ, be our light People: Shine in our hearts.

Intercessor: You who delight in the complexity and splendor of creation, help us to delight in the diversity of this earth, our island home. Inspire your people to care for all you have made. Christ, be our light People: Shine in our hearts.

Intercessor: May Christ, the Morning Star who knows no setting, find us ever burning with the light of love, the spirit of truth, and the wellspring of hope. Amen.

The Confession of Sin & Absolution Wonderings Through Life and Other Such Nonsense Priest: Let us confess the ways in which we have rejected God’s vision of wholeness.

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: Lift up your eyes and see the grace of God poured out into our lives. People: The light of God shines through the darkness. Our hearts rejoice for Christ is in our midst. Amen.

THE PEACE

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

Offertory Invitation

Offertory Glory John Legend and Common (Tajj Crowder and Trinity Choir)

 Liturgy of the Table 

The Great Thanksgiving

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.

Celebrant: 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:

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.) We welcome ALLto come forward toreceive Communionas a sign ofGod’s love in and for our lives. To receive the bread (or gluten-free wafer), please put your hands together, palms up. To receive the non-alcoholic wine, you may either drink directly from the cup or dip the bread in the cup before eating. If you are unable to come forward and wish to have Communion brought to you, please inform a greeter.

Communion Music Let Us Break Bread Together

The Post Communion Prayer (Please rise.)

LEVAS #152

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

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 Song

Dismissal

We Are Marching in the Light of God See insert.

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

LeeAnn Cline through Unsplash Images subscription