Theme: Trinity Sunday
Preparation
Opening Prayers
Holy, holy, holy is our wonderful God!
Creator! Saviour! Sustainer!
Let us worship our God of infinite mystery,
yet who is closer to us than our own breath.
Amen.
Opening Hymn
A prayer of confession
Lord Jesus, you send us into the world,
but we confess that our vision is narrow;
you give us clear commandments,
but we pretend not to understand them;
you promise to be with us always,
but we ignore your presence and follow our own way.
Forgive us; give us fresh vision and restore us to your way,
we pray.
Amen.
Readings
The Gospel
John 3.1-17
Audio reflection:
Reflection or Conversation:
we often talk of the Holy Trinity as a Mystery which is not really short hand for ‘I don’t understand it’ but –
- How comfortable are you with the idea of mystery?
- How do the words ‘mystery’ and ‘closeness’ describe your own experiences of God?
Did you know: there are 3 Sundays when there is traditionally Not a sermon –
at a Lessons and Carols – because the readings and music are allowed to speak for themselves also
on Palm Sunday for the same reason and then also
on Trinity Sunday because the Trinity is a mystery and any human attempts to ‘explain’ will only be at best embarrassing !
Prayer
Where there is conflict between nations and within nations;
where people live in fear of the bullet and the bomb;
when parents weep for children who have been killed:
God of peace,
may your peace be known.
In homes filled with anger, cruelty and neglect;
where there are no safe places;
where poverty and addiction bring suffering and pain:
God of peace,
may your peace be known.
To those whose minds are tormented by depression;
to those whose hold on life is fragile;
to those whose lives are filled with stress:
God of peace,
may your peace be known.
To those who are nearing the end of life;
to those who love and care for them:
To those nearing the end of life by violent means
with no one to care for them:
God of peace,
may your peace be known.
May your peace be known to us,
and may we be bearers of your peace in our world.
Amen.
Collect for Trinity Sunday:
Holy Spirit sent by the Father ignite in us your holy fire; strengthen your children with the gift of faith, revive your Church with the breath of love and renew the face of the earth
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Affirmation of Faith:
We believe in God the Father
From whom every family in heaven and on earth is named.
We believe in God the Son
Who lives in our hearts through faith and fills us with his love.
We believe in God the Holy Spirit
Who strengthens us with power from on high.
We believe in one God
Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
A sending out prayer
May the grace of the Father be with you;
may the love of the Son enfold you;
and may the peace of the Spirit comfort you,
today and always.
Amen.
A prayer of blessing
God, the maker of all, surround you with his love,
Christ, the Saviour of all, keep you in his love,
the Holy Spirit, the Sanctifier, fill you with his love,
the love of the Holy Three be within you and about you….
May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing through the power of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.