Trinity Episcopal Church PROGRESSIVE Inclusive
CREATIVE
DOWNTOWN
2021 Annual Pledge Drive Twenty Second Sunday After Pentecost
Trinity@Home
October 24, 2021 9:00am
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
Be Thou My Vision
arr. Gabriel Hagedorn To the tune of Slane
(Gabriel Hagedorn)
Welcome Opening Song
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray
Wade in the Water
African-American spiritual
(Trinity Singers & Brian Buckner-piano)
Refrain: Wade in the water, wade in the water, children, wade in the water. God’s gonna trouble the water. See that host all dressed in white, God’s gonna trouble the water. The leader looks like the Israelite. God’s gonna trouble the water. Refrain See that band all dressed in red, God’s gonna trouble the water. Looks like the band that Moses led. God’s gonna trouble the water. Refrain Look over yonder, what do I see? God’s gonna trouble the water. The Holy Ghost a’coming on me God’s gonna trouble the water. Refrain If you don’t believe I’ve been redeemed, God’s gonna trouble the water. Just follow me down to Jordan’s stream. God’s gonna trouble the water. Refrain God’s gonna trouble the water. 3
Collect of the Day
The Work of the People
Earth as the Original Spiritual Directors
by Christine Valters Paintner
May everything in Creation become a catalyst for your self-understanding. Let the sacred whispers carried on the wind invite you to release what is not necessary, let the breezes help your wings to ascend, the sparrows to remember your flock. Let the divine fire that burns in your heart kindle you to deeper compassion, sunlight to seek illumination let the rivers and seas support you in allowing Spirit to flow through your life in new ways, embracing the rise and fall within you, let the pine cones contain an epiphany the forest ask you to embrace your truth once again, and each smooth stone a revelation. Let the moon sing of quiet miracles, like those which reveal and conceal the world every day right before your eyes. May you make time to listen to the elements in their wisdom, revealing the Holy One’s face and the sacred direction for your one precious life.
First Reading Reader:
Jeremiah 31:7-9 A reading from Jeremiah.
Read by Kim Henkel
Thus says the Lord: Sing aloud with gladness for Jacob, and raise shouts for the chief of the nations; proclaim, give praise, and say, “Save, O Lord, your people, the remnant of Israel.” See, I am going to bring them from the land of the north, and gather them from the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here. With weeping they shall come, and with consolations I will lead them back, I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn.
Reader: People:
THE PSALM
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Psalm 126
REFRAIN
REFRAIN When the Divine Lover enters the human heart, all yearnings are fulfilled! Then will our mouths ring forth with laughter, and our tongues with shouts of joy; Then will we sing our songs of praise, to You, O Beloved of all hearts. For gladness will radiate out for all to see; so great is your Presence among us. 4
Psalms for Praying
REFRAIN Restore us to wholeness, O Healer, like newborn babes who have never strayed from You! May all who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy! May all who go forth weeping tears of repentance, bearing seed for sowing, Come home to You with shouts of joy, leaving sorrow behind. REFRAIN
The Second Lesson
Startled into Abundance
Read by Jolene Miller
by Rabindranath Tagore
I lived on the shady side of the road and watched my neighbor’s gardens across the way reveling in the sunshine. I felt I was poor, and from door to door went with my hunger. The more they gave me from their careless abundance the more I became aware of my beggar’s bowl. Till one morning I awoke from my sleep at the sudden opening of my door, and you came and asked for alms. In despair I broke the lid of my chest open and was startled into finding my own wealth.
Gradual
Brown Skinned God (by Phuc Luu, The Work of The People)
Brown skinned God Look upon the world you have entered with compassion Even to those who hung you up on that tree For healing the sick and being with the despised For seeing us as your image, mirror of the divine, all daughters and sons Helping them to paint a canvas with their pain, rendering their cries into poetry Words heard without need for refrain
As you sink down into the cursed cross, suffocating, you breathed your last Brown skinned God, Do not abandon us, Both those who hung you there and those who took you down to clean your battered and bloodied body treating it as if it were the same, the same flesh and blood, the same fragile skin that thing that separates you from me that thing we all share.
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THE GOSPEL Deacon: People:
Mark 10:46-52 The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Mark. Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus and his disciples came to Jericho. As he and his disciples and a large crowd were leaving Jericho, Bartimaeus son of Timaeus, a blind beggar, was sitting by the roadside. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many sternly ordered him to be quiet, but he cried out even more loudly, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” Jesus stood still and said, “Call him here.” And they called the blind man, saying to him, “Take heart; get up, he is calling you.” So throwing off his cloak, he sprang up and came to Jesus. Then Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” The blind man said to him, “My teacher, let me see again.” Jesus said to him, “Go; your faith has made you well.” Immediately he regained his sight and followed him on the way. Deacon: People:
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray
Sharing our Trinity Story Affirmation of FAITH
Becky Koskinen & Kelly Termin, Trinity Members
From Ross Mackinnon, Glen Waverley Uniting Church Led by Sheila Otto
We believe in God, our Maker, and Creator of the universe. God created the Earth and all that is in it and saw that it was very good. We believe that God has called us to protect and care for the Earth – its landscapes, waterways, oceans and skies, its flora and fauna, and its human inhabitants. We believe God calls us to consume only what we need, and not unthinkingly to grab what we want out of selfishness and greed. We believe in Jesus the Anointed One, Preacher, Teacher and Healer, sent by God to show us the way to live and to love. Jesus teaches us still. His message of God’s Reign, a Reign of peace, justice and love, a Reign which favors the poor and the pariahs is our eternal goal.
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We believe we are called to work with God to make this Reign a reality for all people. We believe in God’s Spirit, a powerful moving motivator, available to us at all times, to be used by us to show God’s great love to those in need. We believe in God’s community of saints, past, present and future – this great gathering of people working for the greater good. We are grateful for God’s saints down the ages – Christian thinkers, Christian pioneers, renewers of society, reformers of the church, faithful servants, people of prayer and witnesses to Jesus. May we be numbered among them. Blessed be God for ever. Amen.
The Prayers of the People Please join the leader in sharing the responses in bold.
Offered by Courtney Rahe
Leader:
In peace, let us pray to a God of many names- source of all transforming Love.
People:
For the Church of God, striving to be the best version of itself being radically transformed into the most generous of places, filled with generous people willing to grow, learn and serve as agents of change filled with love, generosity and truth transforming our community and your world; May your transforming love guide us and shine through us.
Leader: People:
For the leaders of our nation, and the leaders of all nations; May your transforming love instill in them compassion and good judgment, and guide them in the ways of justice and peace.
Leader:
For all who hold authority in your Church, that they may embrace radical transformation to embrace your ways of love and peace as they lead; May your transforming love inspire them with creativity, renew their energy, and give them wisdom and courage.
People: Leader: People: Leader: People:
For blessings on all of our human endeavors, and for the just and proper use of the beauty and abundance of creation; May each of us love and serve you in ways that transform our communities and beyond freeing your world from poverty, hunger and oppression. For the sick in body, mind or spirit, especially those on our Trinity prayer list and for those we now name in our hearts. May your transforming love bring hope and healing to all who suffer. 7
Leader: People: Leader:
For all who have died, for those who grieve, and for those we now name in our hearts; May your transforming love comfort and strengthen all who grieve. Oh God, source of radically transforming love, in your infinite generosity you have created a world with resources to sustain all of your children with abundance of food, work, safety and peace. Help us embrace transformation in our own lives so that every day we are living out the power of your love. In the name of Jesus, 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.
THE PEACE Deacon: People:
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.
Announcements Offertory Go to our Giving page. www.trinitytoledo.org/online-giving/, choose GIVE NOW and Sunday, October 24. You can also text the word “Give” to 419-OMG-LOVE (419-664-5683) to make your weekly offering.
Offertory
This is Me (Trinity Choir) 8
Pasek & Paul
Lord’s Prayer
The New Zealand Prayer Book Led by Chuck Abood
The congregation is invited to join.
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 Hymn
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
Wallace Willis
(Chris Joseph, Kim Buehler, Kwame Addo) REFRAIN: Swing low, sweet chariot REFRAIN Coming for to carry me home Swing low, sweet chariot If you get there before I do Coming for to carry me home (repeat) Coming for to carry me home Tell all my friends I'm coming too I looked over Jordan and what did I see Coming for to carry me home. Coming for to carry he home A band of angels coming after me REFRAIN Coming for to carry me home.
Dismissal Deacon: People:
Let us go forth to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
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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, Sr. Warden, Roberta Durham, Jr. Warden Leah Reed, Clerk, Jeffrey Albright, Dennis Degnan, Becky Koskinen, Fritz Hany, Bob Meeker & Jamie Paul Gary Franklin, Treasurer
Parish Staff The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector The Rev. Megan Allen, Transitional Deacon, Curate Heather Meyer, Director of Operations and Community Development Chelsie Cree, Choir Director Grace Mauk, Trinity@316 Accompanist, Brian Buckner, Trinity@Home Accompanist Lynzi Miller, Next To New Manager & Communications Coordinator ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & COPYRIGHT INFO: Collect of the Day Earth as the Original Spiritual Directors by Christine Valters Paintner TWOTP. Used with subscription permission through The Work of the People, Liturgy Project www.theworkofthepeople.com. Readings and Gospel from: Revised Common Lectionary: lectionarypage.net, 2021. Psalm: From Psalms for Praying © 2007 Nan C. Merrill. Reprinted with permission of the publisher Continuum International Publishing Group www.PsalmsForPraying.com. Affirmation of Faith: From Ross Mackinnon, Glen Waverley Uniting Church Confession & Absolution: From Wonderings Through Life and Other Such Nonsense. Lord’s Prayer: The New Zealand Prayerbook. Bulletin Image: Artwork created by Brent Lohman from B-Creative Studios (921 Washington St, Toledo, OH 43604 - https://www.b-creativestudio.com) for Trinity, Toledo 2021 Pledge Drive. 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 TODAY 10/24, 10:00am, Coffee Hour– You are invited to join us for a 30-minute virtual coffee and conversation immediately following our 9:00 online worship service every Sunday. The Zoom MEETING ID is on our website and the PASSWORD will be shared by Lisa during service announcements each Sunday morning! Wednesday, 10/27, 7:00-8:30, October Formation Book Group - We will gather for our final Wednesday formation offering on October 27th, 7:00-8:30. We will conclude our conversation on Marcus Borg’s Reading the Bible Again for The First Time; Taking the Bible Seriously, But Not Literally. Sunday 10/31, Names DUE for Necrology!– We celebrate the feast of All Saints’ Day on Sunday, November 7th during which we will remember loved ones who have died, especially those who have recently passed on. Our service will include chanting a necrology, a list of the departed from our lives. The bulletin will include the necrology with names of any special loved ones whose loss feels particularly acute. To include the name(s) in the necrology, please email their first and last name to Lynzi at lynzi@trinitytoledo.org by Sunday, October 31st.
Tishie Bozeman Katie Justin Myers Lou Woellner Zach Wabeke Patty Long Deb Wentz Mary Beroske
Please remember those who have asked for our prayers: Sheilah Wilson Sherre Owens Smith Greg Bulach Chico Martinez Nancy Owens & daughter Jo Stanovcak Stan Johnson Douglas Romstadt Ray Levey Sue Smitley Filby Family Meyer & Ballmer Family Sully Sullivant Becky Walker Please remember those who have asked for our prayers: Barbara Scott
Shirley Johnston
To add your name or the name of someone you love on the Prayer List, please email lynzi@trinitytoledo.org.
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Birthdays
Anniversaries
10/4 Helen Hilfinger 10/16 Bob Meeker 10/25 Dennis Degnan
10/9 Eleanor Jones 10/18 Kelly Tansel
10/16 Jane & Reuben Bueche
10/14 Lois Aey 10/21 Kim Henkel
10/31 Donna Steppe & Jolene Miller
To add your birthday or anniversary to our list, please email lynzi@trinitytoledo.org.
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Welcome to the 2021 Annual Pledge Drive – a time of intentional reflection and response to what it means to be a community of faith supporting the ministry we share. Each year we boldly talk about money as one of the tools we have been gifted to help radically transform who we are as disciples. Each year we focus on this invitation to make an annual pledge as one statement of who we strive to be in the year ahead living from a place of generosity. Each of us is an invaluable part of this process- so welcome. This year’s theme “Radical Transformation” was chosen as it comes directly out of the title of our recently completed 2030 Vision document titled: Come and See: Building Christian Community Committed to Radical Transformation. Radical Transformation will mean many different things to each of us but what we hope remains in common for all of us is represented in the image of the butterfly- the very real as well as metaphorical transformation that can and does happen in our lives every time we make the decision to walk the Way of Love. Each day we are called to die to self a little bit more day by day so that the power and presence of Love has more room to take root and grow. So thank you in advance as we begin another season of asking us all to “give and give generously so that we may do the work of the church in our community and in the world.” A pamphlet seeking to answer some of your questions for our 2021 Pledge Drive as well as the pledge card itself to be used once you have discerned your level of giving for the year to come, is on its way to your mailbox and is also available online. We invite you to receive this with grace and prayer as you consider how you will share with God and God’s Church from what you have received. In the spirit of deep gratitude and love,
Lisa The Rev. Dr. Lisa Tucker-Gray, Rector, Trinity 12