Trinity@Home The Feast Day of Absalom Jones - Feb. 13, 2022

Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE  Inclusive 

CREATIVE  DOWNTOWN

The Feast Day of Absalom Jones Trinity@Home 

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February 13, 2022, 10:00am

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

Deep River

Traditional Spiritual

(Bradley Baker)

Welcome Opening Hymn

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

Blessed Absalom

LEVAS #44

(Trinity Singers)

5 Founded he Saint Thomas’ church for Afric’s sons and daughters blest; Full-fledged members of Christ’s Body, They no longer were oppressed.

Blessed Abs’lom, pray that we may Be the church at Christ’s behest.

Collect of the Day

6 Blessed Abs’lom Jones, first priest of Afric’s stock within our fold; May we, inspired by your witness Raise up priests with hearts of gold!

Blessed Abs’lom, pioneer, prophet May your story long be told!

Delivered and Satisfied

The Work of the People

Give thanks to the Lord! The Light’s love endures forever. Let the redeemed of the Creator tell their story, those God rescued from trouble and gathered in from the lands, from the east and from the west, from the north and from the south. Some wandered in desert wastes, finding no way to an inhabited town; hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted within them. Then they cried out to Yahweh in their trouble, and God delivered them from their distress; Our Shepherd led them by a straight way, until they reached an inhabited town. Let them thank the Lord! Thank God for his steadfast love, for her wonderful works to humankind. For The Christ satisfies the thirsty, and the hungry The Christ fills with good things.

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The Lesson Reader:

Isaiah 42:5-9 A reading from Isaiah.

Read by Gary Franklin

Thus says God, the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness.

I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

Reader: People:

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Gradual

Show Me

Paul G. Garonzik

Don’t let me feel cruelty Though I may make mistakes Don’t let me show ugliness Though I know I can hate And don’t let me show evil Though it might be all I take

Don’t let me think weakly Though I know that I can break Keep me away from apathy While I am still awake And don’t let me think too long Of the one I’m bound to face

Show me love Show me love Show me love

Show me love Show me love Show me love x2

THE GOSPEL Priest: People:

John 15:12-15 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to John.

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father."

Priest: People:

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Sermon

The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray

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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!

Led by Jamie Paul

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.

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:

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.

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Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Intercessor: People:

Intercessor:

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.

Hear our prayers for peace and acceptance.

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.

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:

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.

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.

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THE PEACE Leader: People:

The peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Announcements Offertory Invitation Go to our Giving page. www.trinitytoledo.org/online-giving/, choose GIVE NOW and Sunday, February 13. You can also text the word “Give” to 419-OMG-LOVE (419664-5683) to make your weekly offering.

In observance of the Feast of Absalom Jones, our loose plate offering will be designated to support the two Episcopal HBCUs: St. Augustine’s University in Raleigh, N.C., and Voorhees College in Denmark, S.C. Please give generously.

Offertory

He Never Failed Me Yet

Robert J. Ray

(Trinity Choir)

Lord’s Prayer

Version by J. Manny Santiago Led by Will Dailey

The congregation is invited to join.

Our Parent, who is among us, blessed be your Creation.

May your reign be a reality here on earth.

May we become more interested in building your kin-dom here and now than in waiting for it to come down from above.

Let us share our bread with those who hunger.

Let us learn to forgive as well as to receive forgiveness.

Help us through the time of temptation, delivering us from all evil.

For ours are the eternal blessings that you pour upon the earth.

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 Hymn

I’ve Decided to Make Jesus My Choice (Trinity Singers)

Dismissal Leader: People:

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

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See page 8.

Sending Hymn

I’ve Decided to Make Jesus My Choice (Trinity Singers)

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LEVAS #68

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, Jeffrey Albright, Leah Reed, Gary Franklin, Treasurer Dennis Degnan, Becky Koskinen, Fritz Hany, Karen Keune & Jamie Paul

Parish Staff The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector Heather Meyer, Director of Operations and Community Development Chelsie Cree, Choir Director Grace Mauk, Trinity@316 Accompanist, Brian Buckner, Trinity@Home Accompanist Lynzi Miller, Communications Coordinator ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & COPYRIGHT INFO: Collect of the Day: Delivered and Satisfied. The Work of the People.

Readings and Gospel from: Revised Common Lectionary: lectionarypage.net, 2021.

Affirmation of Faith: From Liturgy for the Whole Church: Multigenerational Resources.

Prayers of the People: Based on liturgy designed by the Iona Community & Eggs & Ashes.

Confession & Absolution: From Wonderings Through Life and Other Such Nonsense.

Lord’s Prayer: Version by J. Manny Santiago – permission granted to use with acknowledgement.

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, 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 Announcements TODAY, 2/13, 11:00am, Coffee Hour – You are invited to join us for a 30-minute virtual coffee and conversation immediately following our 10:00 online worship service every Sunday in February. The Zoom link is on our website.

TODAY, 2/13, 1:00pm, Ukulele Choir - Join us for Ukulele Choir!! We will gather on Sundays: February 6th-27th at 1:00pm on Zoom. Click HERE to register for the Zoom link. All skill levels welcome!

Wednesday, 2/16, 7:00pm, 2022 Winter Convocation Trinity Discussion Group - Trinity member, Jolene Miller, will facilitate a Trinity Zoom Conversation (to take place halfway through the Diocese of Ohio’s winter convocation 20 Day Evangelism Challenge), gathering on Wednesday, February 16th from 7:00-8:30pm, to reflect on the Diocese’s daily reflection questions and check in with one another.

Learn more on our website.

Thursday, 2/17, 8:30am, Toledo Streets Vendor Lunch - Trinity will provide the meal for Toledo Street’s vendor lunch on Thursday, February 17th and we need YOUR help! Trinity will purchase the food but we need 4-5 volunteers to help assemble the lunches and deliver them to the Toledo Streets Office. There is still space on our vendor lunch team – sign up on our website!!!

Sunday, 3/13, 6:30pm, Trinity Book Club - We are currently reading The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles! Join us for our next Book Club gathering on Sunday, March 13th, 6:30-8:00pm via Zoom. Sign up on the website for the Zoom link!

Trinity Prayer List Please remember those who have asked for our prayers: Tishie Bozeman Caroline Kroeger The Johnson family Carol Romstadt

Sheilah Wilson Tim Barr The Bowen family Dennis Kanfield

Ethel Perdeau The Webb family Sande & Stan Johnson Bettye Jo Hansbarger

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

February Birthdays & Anniversaries ere

Birthdays Anniversaries

2/4 Jason Rahe 2/20 Marjorie Blackwell

2/4 Morgan Kuhr 2/26 Kevin Kuhr

2/16 Will Dailey

2/1 Leah Reed and Will Dailey 10 Corfman-Johnson 2/14 Stanley and Sandra To add your birthday or anniversary to our list, please email lynzi@trinitytoledo.org.

The Feast Day of Absalom Jones REVISED ABSALOM JONES BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

By Arthur K. Sudler, William Carl Bolivar Director, Historical Society & Archives, African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas Absalom Jones was born enslaved to Abraham Wynkoop a wealthy Anglican planter in 1746 in Delaware. He was working in the fields when Abraham recognized that he was an intelligent child and ordered that he be trained to work in the house. Absalom eagerly accepted instruction in reading. He also saved money he was given and bought books (among them a primer, a spelling book, and a bible). Abraham Wynkoop died in 1753 and by 1755 his younger son Benjamin had inherited the plantation. When Absalom was sixteen Benjamin Wynkoop sold the plantation and Absalom’s mother, sister, and five brothers. Wynkoop brought Absalom to Philadelphia where he opened a store and joined St. Peter’s Church. In Philadelphia Benjamin Wynkoop permitted Absalom to attend a night school for black people that was operated by Quakers following the tradition established by abolitionist teacher Anthony Benezet.

Absalom left St. Peter’s Church and began worshipping at St. George’s Methodist Episcopal Church. He met Richard Allen who had been engaged to preach at St. George’s and the two became lifelong friends, Together, in 1787, they founded the Free African Society a mutual aid benevolent organization that was the first of its kind organized by and for black people. Members of the Society paid monthly dues for the benefit of those in need. At St George’s, Absalom and Richard served as lay ministers for the black membership. The active evangelism of Jones and Allen, greatly increased black membership at St George’s. The black members worked hard to help raise money to build an upstairs gallery intended to enlarge the church. The church leadership decided to segregate the black worshippers in the gallery, without notifying them. During a Sunday morning service a dispute arose over the seats black members had been instructed to take in the gallery and ushers attempted to physically remove them by first accosting Absalom Jones. Most of the black members present indignantly walked out of St. George’s in a body.

Prior to the incident at St. George’s the Free African Society had initiated religious services. Some of these services were presided over by The Rev. Joseph Pilmore an assistant St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. The Society established communication with similar black groups in other cities. In 1792 the Society began to build the African Church of Philadelphia. The church membership took a denominational vote and decided to affiliate with the Episcopal Church. Richard Allen withdrew from the effort as he favored affiliation with the Methodist Church. Absalom Jones was asked to provide pastoral leadership and after prayer and reflection he accepted the call.

The African Church was dedicated on July 17, 1794. The Rev. Dr. Samuel Magaw, rector St. Paul’s Church, preached the dedicatory address. Dr. Magaw was assisted at the service by The Rev. James Abercrombie, assistant minister at Christ Church. Soon thereafter the congregation applied for membership in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania on the following conditions: 1) that they be received as an organized body; 2) that they have control over their own local affairs; 3) that Absalom Jones be licensed as layreader, and, if qualified, be ordained as minister. In October 1794 it was admitted as the African Episcopal Church of St Thomas. The church was incorporated under the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania in 1796. Bishop William White ordained Jones as deacon in 1795 and as priest on September 21, 1802.

Jones was an earnest preacher. He denounced slavery, and warned the oppressors to “clean their hands of slaves.” To him, God was the Father, who always acted on “behalf of the oppressed and distressed.” But it was his constant visiting and mild manner that made him beloved by his congregation and by the community.

St Thomas Church grew to over 500 members during its first year. The congregants formed a day school and were active in moral uplift, self-empowerment, and anti-slavery activities. Known as “the Black Bishop of the Episcopal Church,” Jones was an example of persistent faith in God and in the Church as God’s instrument.

Jones died on this day in 1818.

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