25. Year B - Holy Trinity (First Sunday after Pentecost)

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VERSION: 29 April 2002

HOLY TRINITY

FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR B

In 2003: 15 Jun

In 2006: 11 Jun

In 2009: 7 Jun

In 2012: 3 Jun

In 2015: 31 May

- - -

LITURGY

SENTENCE

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

Praise the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Praise and adore him forever.

Praise the Lord in the heights of heaven.

Praise and adore him forever.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.

Praise and adore him forever.

He was and is and is to come.

Praise and adore him forever.

OR

Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty,

who was and is and is to come. (Rev 4:8 NRSV)

OR

Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God of hosts.

All the earth is filled with his glory.  (Isa 6:3)

INTRODUCTION TO THE CONFESSION OF SINS

The call to confession may be introduced with the words:

Friends in Christ:

God did not send the Son into the world

to condemn the world,

but to save the world through him.

THE TRISAGION

The 'Trisagion' (literally: 'Thrice holy'), in either of the following forms, may be used as a confessional response before the absolution. The first two shorter versions may be said or sung three times.

Holy God,

holy and mighty,

holy and immortal,

have mercy on us.

OR

O Lord God most holy,

O Lord most mighty,

O holy and most merciful God,

have mercy on us.

OR, this version from the Good Friday order:

O Lord God most holy,

O Lord most mighty,

O holy and most merciful God,

have mercy on us,

and do not condemn us to eternal death.

O Lord God most holy,

O Lord most mighty,

O holy and most merciful God,

have mercy on us,

and lead us through death to eternal life.

O Lord God most holy,

O Lord most mighty,

O holy and most merciful Saviour,

have mercy on us, and never abandon us.

LORD, HAVE MERCY

Although the 'Lord, have mercy' is essentially christological, it has often been interpreted in a trinitarian sense because of the threefold repetition. Hymn 897 in the Supplement, 'Kyrie, God, Father in heaven above', is a good example of this. Here is another trinitarian kyrie, adapted from a version in Lˆhe's Agenda.

Lord and Father, source of all goodness:

have mercy on us.

Lord, you sent your Son for the salvation of the world:

have mercy on us.

Lord, you give the seven gifts of the Spirit, filling heaven and earth:

have mercy on us.

Christ, only Son of the Father, foretold by prophets and born of a virgin:

have mercy on us.

Christ, ruler of the kingdom of heaven, the angels sing of your glory:

have mercy on us.

Christ, you intercede for us at the right hand of the Father:

have mercy on us.

Lord, Spirit, you flow from the Father and the Son, and are one with them:

have mercy on us.

Lord, you baptised Christ in the Jordan, and appeared as a dove:

have mercy on us.

Lord, fire divine, you make our hearts burn with love and praise:

have mercy on us.

The following christological version of the 'Lord, have mercy' may be also used.

Lord Jesus Christ, begotten not created, hear our prayer and save us.

Lord, have mercy. OR Kyrie, eleison.

Lord Jesus Christ, true God from true God, hear our prayer and help us.

Christ, have mercy. OR Christe, eleison.

Lord Jesus Christ, one with the Father, hear our prayer and give us peace.

Lord, have mercy. OR Kyrie, eleison.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)

Traditional

Almighty and eternal God,

since you have given us grace,

by the confession of the true faith,

to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity,

and to worship the Unity

by the power of your divine majesty:

Keep us firm in this faith,

and defend us forever from all evil;

for you live and reign,

one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR, modernised traditional

Almighty and eternal God,

you have given us faith

to affirm the glory of the eternal Trinity

and to worship you as One.

Keep us firm in this faith

and safe with you forever.

For you live and reign, one God,

now and forever.

Amen.

OR, new (revised alternative)

(Let us pray for faith in the Triune God. [silence])

Eternal God,

you have revealed yourself

as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

and you live in the perfect unity of love.

Give us a sure faith in you,

so that we share in your holy fellowship and life

as three Persons in one God,

now and forever.

Amen.

FIRST READING

Isaiah 6:1-8 Isaiah called by the holy God

PSALM

Psalm 29

Antiphon:

The Lord sits enthroned as king forever.  (Ps 29:10b NRSV)

SECOND READING

Romans 8:12-17 You are God's own children

ALLELUIA VERSE

Alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit,

who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.

Alleluia.

OR

Alleluia.

(Jesus said:) For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,

so that everyone who believes in him may not perish

but may have eternal life.  (John 3:16 NRSV)

Alleluia.

GOSPEL

John 3:1-17 God sent his Son to bring us his life

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL

This is the gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Thank you, Lord Jesus,

for coming from the Father as Saviour.

May we be born again by your Spirit.

Amen.

ATHANASIAN CREED

The Athanasian Creed is one of the three ecumenical creeds of Christendom. It is included in the Book of Concord among the Lutheran confessions. It may therefore be used in worship, along with the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. In fact, it has traditionally been used in some Lutheran congregations on Trinity Sunday.

However, there are problems with using this creed in congregational worship: it is long; it is difficult to understand; it is difficult to read it in unison; the versions generally available have not been in inclusive language; and the condemnatory sentences ('Whoever does not keep it whole and inviolate will doubtless perish eternally' etc) can be a stumblimg block to some worshippers unless explained - which is difficult in the context of worship.

The Department of Liturgics suggests ways of using this creed which avoid some of these problems. See the document 'The Athanasian Creed in worship' in the 'Rites and services' folder.

OFFERING PRAYER

Loving Triune God,

teach us, your children,

to praise and glorify you with our lives

and all that we have,

by serving others.

Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH

Call to prayer

God our Father has created us. In his love, he sent his Son to redeem us. Now he gathers together his holy people by the power of his Spirit. Let us come to him in the Spirit, through the name of Jesus, and ask him for all we need.

The regular response, OR:

Blessed are you, Lord God, King of the universe.

Blessed be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever and ever.

Suggested intercessions

Concluding prayer

Lord God, you are the ground of our existence and the foundation of our faith. Support us in this faith as we live in your name, for you are Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

Amen.

OR

The regular response, OR:

For sharing your love,

we thank you, Lord God.

Prayers

Loving God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, in the Scriptures you show us what you are really like so that we can be friends, and not strangers. You risk letting us see into your heart, to experience your caring love. You risk taking the first step so that we can trust you. You reveal your hopes and dreams for sinful human beings.

Loving Father, you hate seeing people's lives wrecked, yet you risk us rejecting your divine love, and ruining the genius of your created universe. Do not let sin and evil have control in the world, but enable us to share in your beautiful creation, by embracing us as your very own children.

Loving Jesus, you are God from eternity, born to be our brother. You did not try and take control, like the first Adam, but you humbled yourself as a servant of all and won us over with your dying love. Lead your church to be a servant for our fellow human beings.

Loving Spirit, you share with us the passionate love of the Father and the Son. Let us see into the very heart of God. Reach out with the love of the Father through Jesus to wipe away the guilt of doomed sinners with your forgiving love. Teach us to call out to the Father as our Father and to share with him what lies on our hearts and minds. Since you do not waste your breath on empty promises, bring dead souls back to life with your creative word. Flow through us so that strangers get to experience your unselfish love. Help us grow to a greater maturity as the children of God.

Lord God, although you have revealed yourself to us as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, yet you also remain hidden to us. You wrap your word in the human words of the sacred Scriptures. You hide your Son in the bread and wine. You come as the mystery of the Trinity. And you do it all as our friend, to meet our deepest needs. We bring our prayers to you through Jesus Christ, our Lord and brother.

Amen.

SEASONAL PREFACE

It is indeed right and good,

Lord God, holy Father,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks to you,

through Jesus Christ our Lord;

who with you and the Holy Spirit is one God, one Lord,

whom we confess as the only true God

and worship as the eternal Trinity,

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

And so, with angels and archangels,

and with all the company of heaven,

we adore and praise your glorious name:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

See below under 'Hymns and songs', 'Holy, holy, holy', for some suggestions.

The link of the first reading from Isaiah 6 with the 'Holy, holy, holy' in the liturgy could be highlighted in the sermon.

In addition, especially after a sermon on the text in Isaiah 6 , it could also be suggested that the congregation follow the old Lutheran custom of kneeling during the singing of the 'Holy, holy, holy' on this day.

COMMUNION INVITATION

Through Christ Jesus we have access to the Father by one Spirit.

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

OR

The holy things of God

for the holy people of God.

(Thanks be to God.)

Come, everything is ready.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION

The third prayer of the day (as listed above) may be used at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Eternal God,

you have revealed yourself to us today

in word and sacrament

as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,

and you live in the perfect unity of love.

Give us a sure faith in you,

so that we share in your holy fellowship and life

as three Persons in one God,

now and forever.

Amen.

SEASONAL BLESSING

This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

(May) God the holy Trinity,

who has created, redeemed, and sanctified you,

bring you to know and adore him as one God; . . .

DISMISSAL

Go in the peace of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Thanks be to God. OR In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS

Please note:        * =        Modernised version available

      G3, G4 . . . =        Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . .

      GS =        Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading : Isaiah 6:1-8

LHS

AT

TIS

Second reading: Romans 8:12-17

LHS

AT

TIS

Gospel: John 3:1-17

LHS

TIS

OTHER HYMNS FROM THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL WITH SUPPLEMENT

Any hymns from the Trinity sections of the Lutheran Hymnal (135-142) or Supplement (776-779) are suitable for this day. The following may also be considered suitable:

* modernised version available

OTHER SONGS FROM THE 'ALL TOGETHER' BOOKS

OTHER SONGS FROM TOGETHER IN SONG

See lists under 'Trinity' on page 1082 and under 'Trinity Sunday' on page 1092 in the indexes of the harmony edition of TIS.

SONG FROM SING TO JESUS

TAIZE SONGS SUITABLE FOR TRINITY

Volume one

Credo I

Kyrie eleison IX

Alleluias IVI

Sanctus Dominus

Cantate Domino (using words of 'Glory to the Father . . .')

Credo II

Tibi Deo

Volume two

Credo III

Gloria Patri et Filio I

Gloria Patri et Filio II

Sanctus Dominus II

There is one Lord

IONA COMMUNITY SONGS SUITABLE FOR TRINITY

Here are some songs from the Iona Community suitable for Trinity.

Note that the Iona Community is willing to allow a church or worship assembly to reproduce the words only of a song from these publications on a service sheet or overhead transparency that is to be used once only on a non-commercial basis, provided that the title of the song and the name of the copyright holder is clearly shown.

John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs vol. 1 Heaven shall not wai

John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs vol. 3 Love from below

PSALM 29

For musical settings of Psalm 29, see Music Packages 1, 4, 5 and 7. See also TIS 17 O give the Lord, you children of God.

The following metrical paraphrase of Psalm 29 by David Sch¸tz may be sung to the tune Kremser (LHS 887, TIS 107). If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Sch¸tz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

Now honour the Lord, all you angels in heaven,

now honour the Lord with all glory and power,

now honour the name of the Lord with all due glory,

and worship in his temple of splendour with awe.

The voice of the Lord thunders over the waters;

the voice of the Lord is majestic and strong;

the voice of the Lord makes the cedars crack and splinter,

and Lebanon and Sirion dance to his song.

The voice of the Lord flames out lightning in flashes;

the voice of the Lord shakes the desert with storms;

the voice of the Lord rips up trees and flattens forests,

while all within his temple cry 'Glory!' to God.

The Lord was enthroned on the flood and the waters;

the Lord sits enthroned as our King and our God;

the Lord will give strength to his people in their trouble,

the Lord will give his people the peace of his word.

LORD, HAVE MERCY

The hymn 'Kyrie, God, Father in heaven above' (LHS 897) has an ancient use in the church. It may be used instead of the 'Lord, have mercy', but will probably need a choir to assist the congregation.

TRISAGION

There are several songs available based on the Trisagion. They may be found in the following resources:

As One Voice (Australian Roman Catholic songbook, available through Openbook)

With One Voice (American Lutheran supplement to Lutheran Book of Worship)

Gather (American Roman Catholic hymnal)

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST

The hymn 'All glory be to God on high' (LH 136) is a paraphrase of the 'Glory to God' and may be used in its place. A modernised version may be found in the folder 'Modernised Lutheran Hymnal hymns'.

RESPONSE AFTER FIRST READING

Luther's hymn based on this reading (LHS 896) could be sung after the reading, by the choir if too difficult for the congregation.

CREED

Naturally, several hymns and songs suggest themselves for use as creeds on this day. Traditionally, Lutherans sing Luther's hymn 'We all believe in one true God' LH 142*. Other alternatives are 'We all believe in one true God' LH 139*, 'We believe' ATA 155, and 'I believe' ATO 362.

* modernised version available

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY

Luther's hymn 'Isaiah mighty seer' (LHS 896) could be sung by a choir either instead of the 'Holy, holy, holy', or during communion (as in Luther's German Mass).

OR

Two verses (modernised here) of the hymn 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty' (LH 140, TIS 132) could be sung instead of the 'Holy, holy, holy' in the liturgy:

Holy, holy, holy, all the saints adore you,

casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea,

cherubim and seraphim falling down before you;

you were and are and evermore will be.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty!

All your works shall praise your name in earth and sky and sea;

holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,

God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

OR

This verse adapted by David Schubert from verse 2 of LH 501 is another possibility for use as a 'Holy, holy, holy'. (Note that TIS 121 is a different translation from LH of this hymn, using mainly different verses.)

'Holy, holy, holy',

praises are ascending

saints' and angels' voices blending.

Lord God, filling all things

with your kingly glory,

we your people here adore you.

Christ, you come

in God's name:

hear the prayers and praises

that your church now raises.

OR, the following by John Kleinig and David Schubert may be sung to the tune of LH 131 or another suitable 77.77 tune:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord,

great and ever-present God.

Earth joins heaven as we sing:

Praise to our triumphant king.

In this place let us proclaim

Christ who comes in God's own name;

join with angels as we sing:

Glory to our holy king.

OR, for other suggestions see the document'General notes and resources', under 'Holy, holy, holy', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

ISAIAH 6:1-8: Whether visionary or real, the events of this account are especially revealed to Isaiah because of the divine choice laid on him to be a prophet. God's all-encompassing power and holiness is emphasised by the fiery and winged holy beings, by their reticence to behold God, yet also by their quickly devoted energies to praise and serve him. Isaiah is also overwhelmed by the fearsome natural phenomena which denote the Lord's special presence, and the vision afforded him. This awakens him to his own personal sinfulness and guilt, as deep as that of those to whom he must go. His cleansing is effected by a symbolic gesture; a coal taken from the altar of sacrifice, from which forgiveness was sought and graciously given. His lips are declared to be clean. When the awesome question is put, Isaiah therefore can express his willingness to be a prophet to represent the Lord.

ROMANS 8:12-17: We do not owe our wonderful standing as God's children to our own inborn powers. We owe it to the blood of Christ which was expended solely by the loving grace of the heavenly Father. Our 'flesh', given the chance, will take us back into empty fear which belongs to being dead to God. Therefore rather than 'pay' our old fleshly inclinations we move to kill off the immorality which belongs to the old sinful life. Those whom the Spirit has enlivened are able to view God as a 'dear Father' and to call Him 'Dad' (Abba). As then the Spirit works within us we are enabled to see ourselves as children of God. Even though that is by adoption, we are nothing less than heirs who have this incredible standing together with God's own Son. As he suffered, however, so do we. These adversities do not contradict, but rather confirm the promised glory when our expectation is consummated in the age to come.

JOHN 3:1-17: This response of Jesus to Nicodemus is in sharp contrast to his recorded denunciations of the Pharisees' hard-headed hypocrisy. Nicodemus is a sincere searcher. Though he recognises the divine origin of Jesus' teaching, his faith needs to be radically redirected. He needs to see firstly that the kingdom of God is not a politically constituted bond of national ties, but is rather the reign of God in the heart of the individual. A new spiritual life is called for, but can only be generated from above by the Spirit. Jews saw baptism as a cleansing of heathen Gentiles who wished to become Jewish believers. Nicodemus is being told that new spiritual life of the Kingdom can only come about through baptism and the conviction of repentance and faith. While this is a mystery beyond human understanding (v 8), yet the Spirit brings about this miracle through earnest trust in the informed testimony of the Son of Man (v 16).

VISUAL

COLOUR

The colour of the day is white. This colour does not extend throughout the rest of the week. The Monday after the festival returns to green.

FLOWERS

Three types of foliage could be used.

OR, white flowers could be used in one of the following arrangements:

ICONS

Rublev's icon of the holy Trinity (Three angels at the oak of Mamre) is a beautiful visual depiction of the trinitarian faith. This icon (or a colour transparency, banner or poster of it) may be displayed during the service. If an icon is available, it may be carried into the church in procession during the opening hymn.

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS

Pictures or symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings.

SYMBOLS

Any of the following symbols of the Trinity could be displayed

Note that any of these could be enclosed in a circle, representing perfection and eternity.

OR

A design could be made by combining a symbol of the Father (eg hand of blessing), the Son (eg a lamb or cross), and the Holy Spirit (eg dove).

DRAMA

'MEGA DRAMA'

See a drama for the day in Mega Drama resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

DRAMATISING THE READINGS

The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the first reading from Isaiah 6 could be read by four readers: narrator, seraph, voice of Isaiah, voice of the Lord. A soloist or group could sing the 'Holy, holy, holy' from the liturgy at v 3 - but not including the 'Blessed is he ...'

The gospel from John 3 could be read by three readers: narrator (the pastor), Nicodemus, Jesus

CHILDREN

SIGN OF THE CROSS

If the children were shown how to make the sign of the cross last week at the baptism font, reinforce this message by doing the same thing again today, emphasising that they wear God's name and sign on them like a name badge.

SYMBOLS OF THE TRINITY

The children could make and display symbols of the Trinity. In a talk with the children, these symbols may be used as a way of explaining the doctrine of God as three in one. Other possibilities are to use a clover leaf (St Patrick's illustration of the Trinity), or three candles all lit from the one flame. Some candle shops sell candles with three wicks. This may also be a good example, to show how the three flames are all the one candle. If the Rublev icon (see above under 'Visual', 'Icons'), or a picture of it, is available, an explanation of this icon could be given. An explanation may be found in the first chapter of Henri Nouwen's 'Behold the beauty of the Lord: praying with icons', published by Ave Maria Press.

'COME AND SEE JESUS'

The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is now available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

The story for Trinity in year B is: 'Isaiah's vision of God' (new story - found in the RCL edition Series B for Trinity).