may have power, together with all the Lords holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Of course, those last two associations reflect Christian understandings related to the second and third persons in the Trinity (this is, after all, Trinity Sunday). Holy Trinity, Three in One, be in our meeting. Wise people do not have to be certain what they believe before they act. Content on ucc.org is copyrighted by the National Setting of the United Church of Christ and may be only shared according to the guidelines outlined here. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. 27And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws. That we may truly share one faith, have one calling, This weeks text introduces the source of this wisdom, Lady Wisdom, who stands right in the most public of placesat the crossroads, at the city gate, in the doorwaysand not in some secluded place where secret teachings are shared with a select few. Weekly PrayerGod of heaven and earth, before the foundation of the universe and the beginning of time, you are the triune God: the Author of creation, the eternal Word of salvation, and the life-giving Spirit of wisdom. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. We desire to draw closer to You, O God. Ephesians 2:19-22*, [I]n him [Christ Jesus] you . 4. And is seated at the right hand of the Father. Used by permission. The Father is the cause, origin, and source of all things, visible as well as invisible. 2 John 9. Here are some indexes that might be helpful. To be of benefit and blessing to one another, The cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional". For the sake of his son, Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit who is at work within us. When we look to the heavens, the work of your fingers, . . 2 Thessalonians 1:1112*, This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. He came down from heaven; John 1:1, 4, 9-11, [Y]you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. We are incomplete without you. Our modern world and its horrors are testimony to the uses to which such expertise have been put, and to what happens when Wisdom, with its essential connection with goodness, is not part of the picture. A Monologue for John 3:1-17If your congregation uses video bumpers, this would make an excellent prelude to a sermon about Nicodemus. 1 John 3:21-24, 3In fact, this is love for God: to keep his commands. . The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 12In a loud voice they were saying: Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise! 13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying: To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever! 14The four living creatures said, Amen, and the elders fell down and worshiped. But now he has reconciled you by Christs physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation Colossians 1:19-22. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 2 Thessalonians 2:13*, Other Prayers of Thanksgiving and TheirIntroductions to Consider Using, 3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Through him all things were made. God has come to help his people. 17This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country. Who gathers us together and transforms us to new life. 1 John 3:23. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. We find ourselves unable or unwilling to embrace the love through which you sent Christ to live among us. It comes from the one who sent me. [W]e constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith. Posted on The Jubilate Group website. He descended into hell. Reverence and awe are not easy to quantify or simplify, so its understandable that this book of accumulated wisdom is introduced by a poem, because poetry frees upand appeals toour more expressive, intuitive ense of what is most real and good. [S]ince we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. 4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. People: God in three persons, blessed Trinity! Opening Prayer . Come now, let us confess before God and with one another the sins that are before us. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Leader: Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. Right in the city square where the traffic is thickest, she shouts, YouIm talking to all of you, everyone out here on the streets! The Ancient Christian Devotional is 2007 by Thomas C. Oden and ICCS, and is published by InterVarsity Press. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. Listening. Be still and know that God is here. Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives. . All publishing rights reserved. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. "Like trying to get an octopus into a paper bag." And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to deatheven death on a cross! For the sins of the whole world. So, it is a journey of some length. 1 Thessalonians 1:1*, 2022 Worshipping With Gods Word | by Dr. Gary Wetzel | All Rights Reserved, Authors Mutual and loving, Rather, it is the Father, living in me, who is doing his work. John 14:10bc*, 8I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. John 17:8a*, Other Introductions to Scripture Readingsto Consider Using, 29The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law. John 1:16-18, 1 To the church . SEE AS WELL: TRANSFIGURATION IN THE SEASON OF LENT? Free to use with attribution to https://fatpastor.wordpress.com. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. 12As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried outthe only son of his mother, and she was a widow. that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Praise the Lord! That we may truly acknowledge one baptism and 26I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. Hamilton writes: "Trinity Sunday.not something that needs to be understood, just set alive with the imagination. Reposted: https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/04/prayer-john-3-1-17.html. Because you are his sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, [A]nd since you are his child, God has made you also an heir. It does not store any personal data. It comes from the one who sent me. Power of Your Love. Second Sunday in Lent, Year A - Lectionary Planning Notes, Learning to Live Inside Out Leader: Holy, holy, holy! Gene Tucker steps back for the big picture here: he claims that this text helps us with the larger question of how an almighty, transcendent (and therefore distant) God can also be present and active and known right here, in the physical creation that we can see and toucha thorny question for theologians in every age. and our greeting, in the worship we share. Psalm 14:1, The fool says in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. We are living in a world that is absolutely transparent, and God is shining through it all the time. Wonderful beyond measure, We ought always to thank God for you, brothers and sisters, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love all of you have for one another is increasing. Quiet time. It is the beginning of a long season that takes us all the way through the rest of the liturgical year until we reach Advent once again. 7Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. Scripturally-based resources for worship planners and leaders. . And join us together as one holy and apostolic church As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried outthe only son of his mother, and she was a widow. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far offfor all whom the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:36-39, Other Confessions of Sin and Their Introductions, Woe to the obstinate children, declares the. The Father receives our worship, the Son perfects it, and the Spirit prompts it. 5And hope does not put us to shame, because Gods love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Wisdom speaks to our hearts. http://www.superbmennonite.org/. Office of Public Policy & Advocacy in Washington D.C. May the Lord give strength to us, the people of God! Dianne Bergant traces the source of our joy as being created by a good God who effortlessly establishes the entire universe as tranquility and order. This week, Trinity Sunday now celebrates the fullness of the Triune God. Where is he going? 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 11-12*, 15If you love me, keep my commands. Call for Global Vaccine Access for All . Our Creator God has listened to our hearts and inspired within our minds a life renewed 23[A] time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 6Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes. Job 42:5-6, 1The fool says in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. The earliest printed version Of Im So Glad Jesus Lifted Me appears to be in the African American Episcopal hymnal, Lift Every Voice and Sing (. [T]he Father who sent me commanded me to say all that I have spoken. All: Let us worship God! . We are invited to encounter God as Three in One. May we strive toward gratitude and grace Psalm 53:1. Being observant. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, 20always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. John 1:1, 14, 16, 11And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever 17 the Spirit of truth. John 14:15-17a*, 21Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. History of Hymns: 'Jesus Is a Rock in a Weary Land'. Hallelujah, bless the Lord. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. However, we continue to have leadership offices, meeting rooms, and The Upper Room Chapel at 1908 Grand Avenue, in Nashville. P: Through Jesus we have come to know the absolute love of God. . And they sang a new song, saying: You are worthy . The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. In the Name of the Lord They were all filled with awe and praised God. Guide us to all truth by your Spirit, that we may proclaim all that Christ revealed and rejoice in the glory he shared with us. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 9Do not be angry beyond measure, LORD; do not remember our sins forever. because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. and the words of our prayer. 18No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. THIS WEEK AT TRINITY SUNDAY MARCH 5 8:30 am Contemporary Worship Service 9:00 am Live Stream 9:45 am Sunday school 11:00 am Traditional Worship Service 5:00 pm Youth Group MONDAY MARCH 6 6:30 pm Mercy Mall Submissions: I am so grateful to those of you who send me your own material to post! But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. This phrase refers not to cowering anxiety about God but to an appropriate and deep reverence, and awe, before the One who made us and is actually the source of all true wisdom. Guide us to all truth by your Spirit, that we may proclaim all that . The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness! Scripture Lessons-Isaiah 6: 1-8-Psalm 29-Romans 8: 12-17-John 3: 1-17. For there is no place which is without you, O God. What wisdom might be gained in sitting still for twenty minutes and paying attention to our surroundings? Variations of this song run deeply in the African American tradition. History of Hymns: 'We Shall Walk Through the Valley in Peace'. And crowned us with glory and honor. have access to the Father by one Spirit. BenedictionAnd the peace of God which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Can you probe the limits of the Almighty? 28[Y]ou will be my people, and I will be your God. Ezekiel 36:25-28*, 19God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him [the Son], 20and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. You are our Intercessor and giver of spiritual gifts. We all benefit from your creativity and generosity. We are invited to encounter God as Three in One. We dont make this journey alone but surrounded by God in all the ways we experience that loving presence. . Permission granted to reproduce or adapt this material for use in services of worship or church education. Titus 3:4-7, Other Assurances of Pardon, Declarations of Gods Leader: Holy, holy, holy! He ascended into heaven, The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. . Let us open our hearts and our lives to God and one another. and Have It Preserved Down through the Centuries People: All thy works shall praise Thy name, in earth, and sky, and sea Leader: Holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty! Scriptures that are listed below that are incomplete will have an asterisk after their references. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. Content on ucc.org is copyrighted by the National Setting of the United Church of Christ and may be only shared according to the guidelines outlined here. John 7:37-39a*, 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. (Adapted from Psalm 29). We pray this so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. Wisdom is gained by practicing what is right, and noticing what happens when that practice succeeds and when it fails. We have failed to love you, know you, and bear witness to your grace. Call to Worship Mighty Wind, who danced over the deep and surveyed the shapeless void, dance among us now and ready us for your creative purpose. Philippians 2:1-2. You alone live in perfect relationship, Focus Theme. Does the universe make sense to you? Written by Michael Saward. And by him we cry. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. John 14:23, 21Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior. 10You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth. 11Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. Ephesians 5:19b-20*, 9After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. Romans 8:15-17*. 8They are higher than the heavens abovewhat can you do? idols of our own imagining. 14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. 18For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, 19but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. On this Trinity Sunday, we are invited into the mystery of the Triune God. Worship What might we learn about God, and about wisdom, in the most public of places? And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us. I pray that out of his glorious riches he [the Father] may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, and to know this love that surpasses knowledgethat you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Check out our Prayers of Confession on the Trinity. and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream. 1 John 4:9, 9Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son. Romans 8:11, 15If you love me, keep my commands. Though brief, I meditate on the roles of the Trinity rather than the names: what God the Father (or Mother) does is create; what the Son does is redeem; what the Spirit does is sustain. 39The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far offfor all whom the Lord our God will call. Acts 2:36-39, Other Confessions of Sin and Their Introductionsto Consider Using, 1 Woe to the obstinate children, declares the LORD, to those who carry out plans that are not mine, .