Trinity@316 - Second Sunday After Christmas - January 2, 2022

Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE  Inclusive 

CREATIVE  DOWNTOWN

Second Sunday After Christmas Trinity@316 

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January 2, 2022

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11:00am

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 2

 The Liturgy of the Word  Prelude

Carol of the Bells

arr. Peter J. Wilhousky

(Trinity Singers)

Welcome Opening Hymn

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

How Bright Appears the Morning Star

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The 1982 Hymnal #497

Collect of the Day

Prayers for an Inclusive Church

Leader: The Lord be with you.

People: And also with you.

Leader: Let us pray.

Lord, your wisdom echoes in the child’s question, the raw insight of youth: renew our curiosity and deepen our desire for a truth that lives and grows before you; through Jesus Christ, the Question and the Answer. Amen.

The Lesson Reader:

Ephesians 1:3-6,15-19a A reading from Ephesians.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places, just as he chose us in Christ before the foundation of the world to be holy and blameless before him in love. He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of his glorious grace that he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved.

I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe.

Reader: People:

Gradual

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hark! the Herald Angels Sing

Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King!

Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!

Joyful, all ye nations, rise, join the triumph of the skies; with the angelic host proclaim Christ is born in Bethlehem!

REFRAIN

The 1982 Hymnal #87

hail the incarnate Deity.

Pleased as man with man to dwell; Jesus, our Emmanuel!

REFRAIN

Hark! the herald angels sing glory to the newborn King!

Christ, by highest heaven adored; Christ, the everlasting Lord; late in time behold him come, offspring of the Virgin’s womb.

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see;

Mild he lays his glory by, born that we no more may die, born to raise us from the earth, born to give us second birth.

Risen with healing in his wings, light and life to all he brings, hail, the Sun of Righteousness! hail, the heaven-born Prince of Peace!

REFRAIN

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THE GOSPEL Priest: People:

Luke 2:41-52 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke.

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

The parents of Jesus went to Jerusalem every year for the festival of the Passover. And when he was twelve years old, they went up as usual for the festival. When the festival was ended and they started to return, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but his parents did not know it. Assuming that he was in the group of travelers, they went a day's journey. Then they started to look for him among their relatives and friends. When they did not find him, they returned to Jerusalem to search for him. After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

When his parents saw him they were astonished; and his mother said to him, "Child, why have you treated us like this? Look, your father and I have been searching for you in great anxiety." He said to them, "Why were you searching for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he said to them. Then he went down with them and came to Nazareth, and was obedient to them. His mother treasured all these things in her heart.

And Jesus increased in wisdom and in years, and in divine and human favor.

Priest: People:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon Affirmation of Faith

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray 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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Prayers of the People Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Christians the world over celebrate Jesus’ birth. Open our hearts that he may be born in us today. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

There was no room for your Son in the inn. Protect with your love those who have no home and all who live in poverty. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

Mary in the pain of labor brought your Son to birth. Hold in your hand all who are in pain or distress. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

Your Christ came as a light shining in the darkness. Bring comfort to all who have experienced grief and loss, in the hope of heaven. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

Shepherds in the field heard good tidings of joy. Give us grace to preach the gospel of Christ's redemption. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

The angels sang 'Peace to God's people on earth'. Strengthen those who work for peace and justice in all the world. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

Strangers found the Holy Family, and saw the baby lying in the manger.

Bless our homes and all whom we love. Lord in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

Heaven is come down to earth, and earth is raised to heaven. Keep in safety all those who have gone through death in the hope of heaven.

Lord in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

Angels and shepherds worshipped at the manger throne. Receive the worship we offer in fellowship with the Blessed Mary and all the saints.

Lord in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

Merciful God, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ.

Amen.

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The Confession of Sin & Absolution

Enriching Our Worship

Priest: People:

Let us confess our sins to God. (silence may be kept) 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 Leader: People:

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Announcements Offertory Invitation To give online, visit www.trinitytoledo.org/online-giving/, choose GIVE NOW and Sunday, January 2. You can also text the word “Give” to 419-OMG-LOVE (419-664-5683) to make your weekly offering.

This season we will not “pass the plate” at the time of the offertory; offerings can be deposited in our Giving Box stationed at the back of the sanctuary.

Offertory

We Three Kings (Trinity Singers & Grace Mauk)

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The Hymnal 1982 #128

The Lord’s Prayer

The New Zealand Prayer Book

As our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say: Eternal Spirit, Earth-maker, Pain bearer, Life-giver, Source of all that is and that shall be, Father and Mother of us all, Loving God, in whom is heaven: The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom sustain our hope and come on earth!

In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love, now and forever. 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

Come Celebrate and Sing

Jann Aldredge-Clanton

Come celebrate and sing; The world with gladness rings Celebrate Sophia’s birth bringing hope and peace on earth Holy wisdom gives new life, For She has come to end the strife Celebrate Her birth! Celebrate Her birth!

Sophia is the Way to peaceful paths each day; Holy Wisdom opens doors, bringing justice evermore, Born in prophets through the years to make Her message loud and clear Wisdom opens doors! Wisdom opens doors!

Sophia sets us free to be all we can be Holy wisdom comes to stay showing us her healing way Born in open hearts and minds to help us all her truth to find She has come to stay! She has come to stay!

Dismissal Leader: People:

Let us go forth to love and serve the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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