June 12, 2022 – Trinity Sunday
A livestream of this service will take place on our YouTube channel on Sunday, June 12, at 11:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time. A video recording of the live stream will be available on our YouTube channel from 6 PM on Sunday, June 12.
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Welcome
Call to worship
One: In the morning, O Lord, you hear our prayers!
All: In the light of this day we praise your name.
One: Through the abundance of your steadfast love you have gathered us into your house.
All: In the holiness of your presence, we bow down to worship and adore you.
Lighting of the Christ Candle
This is the Christ Candle. We light the candle to help us remember that Jesus Christ, the light of the world, is with us in every place and every time.
Opening Hymn
“Take time to be holy” (Book of Praise 1997, hymn 638). Words (ca. 1882) by English minister and hymnwriter William Dunn Longstaff (1882–1894). Music (1890; tune “Take Time to be Holy”, also called “Holiness {Stebbins}”) by American gospel songwriter George Coles Stebbins (1846–1945). Words and music in the public domain.
Prayers of Approach and Confession, & Lord’s Prayer (sins)
Holy God, who is One in Three and Three in One, we praise you this day as the Source of all life, Maker of Heaven and Earth. You created us and called us good, shepherding us with your steadfast love. Jesus Christ, we praise you this day, born into our midst to show us the way of goodness, mercy and grace. Holy Spirit, we praise you this day for the energy you bring us to greet each day as a gift and serve in the world with gladness.
God of justice and mercy, we confess that we disobey your will. We show neither justice nor mercy to others. Christ our Savior, love incarnate, we confess that we take your love for granted. We do not give of ourselves, nor do we rejoice in all the blessings we receive. Holy Spirit, power and breath, we confess that we block your movement. We do not live holy lives of sacrificial love. Gracious Trinity, forgive us and grant us your peace. Help us to turn from our sins so that we may love you by joyfully caring for others.
We pray in Jesus’ name, and continue to pray as he taught:
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and forever.
Amen.
Declaration of Pardon
The cross of Christ stands as the sign that the love of God lives in us through faith in the grace of God. In the power of the Christ’s Spirit, I say to you, you are forgiven. Thanks be to God!
The Peace
The Peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.
Fun with the young at heart (Children’s story)
(Practicing faith)
The Life and Work of the Church (Announcements)
Guildwood Choir presents
Scripture Reading
Romans 5: 1–5 <– this links to on-line text of the NRSV bible
Click here for additional scripture readings from today’s lectionary. Links courtesy of the Revised Common Lectionary, a project of the Vanderbilt Divinity Library.
Sermon
5 Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have obtained access to this grace in which we stand; and we boast in our hope of sharing the glory of God. 3 And not only that, but we[d] also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, 4 and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, 5 and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.
Romans 5: 1–5
The Apostle Paul put so much into these five verses. When I read these verses, I felt like I was given three meals, three cups of coffee, three kinds of salads, soups, appetizers, three main dishes, and three desserts. I did not know where to begin.
We are justified by faith. We are made righteous and holy by faith. We are saved by our faith in Jesus Christ. We are not saved by our own human righteousness, wisdom, power, or knowledge but by God’s unconditional love revealed in Jesus Christ. I mean what is so hard about that. I had to find out what was bothering me.
I think I was struggling with this: “If we are made holy and righteous by God ‘s grace, and If we are saved by Jesus on the cross two thousand years ago, why are we humans, why do we Christians still hurt each other? Why do we keep killing each other, why do we keep condemning each other by saying, ‘I am right, and you are wrong?’ If God makes us righteous, why are we not treating each other right?”
We Christians have been arguing and fighting over what it means that we are justified by faith, what it means to be a Christian, and what it means to be saved over the last 2000 years. Not to mention Christians are still debating over what do we need to be saved from and what did Jesus free us from. 500 years ago, Martin Luther challenged Christians that we are only saved by God ‘s grace not by buying indulgences. About 90 years ago, Dietrich Bonhoeffer challenged Christians that it is one thing to be saved by grace but another to follow Jesus Christ. We can go on what many theologians and Christians said about God and God ‘s grace.
I think it is fair to say I have not, and we have NOT figured out the depth of God’s grace and unconditional love for us. We Christians have not stopped questioning, debating, and arguing about what it means that the grace of Jesus Christ saves us.
I had to ask this week, “Dear God, what do you want to show me through this text?” “Dear, Paul, what were you hoping to accomplish with this letter?”
I don’t think the Apostle Paul wrote these five verses so preachers could preach a nice sermon about God ‘s grace. But I believe the Apostle Paul wrote these words to help us to deepen our hunger for God ‘s grace. I don’t think the book of Romans offers an easy answer or definition about God and God ‘s grace so that we could win an argument.
But I believe the Apostle Paul offers us an invitation to a deeper conversation with the risen Christ. He invites us to ask more questions. He invites us to spend more time in praying and listening to the risen Christ.
So I stopped writing a sermon about God ‘s grace. I decided to stop trying to explain something that I don ‘t understand fully. I thought about when and how I experienced God ‘s grace. How I ended up in this wonderful faith community. People I met during this past year, what I learned during this year, and the wonderful 15 years of ministry I had with my previous congregations. The way I got into the ministry. The way I met my wife. What our children brought to my life. How my extended family in Korea who daily pray for me. Yes, I also experienced challenges and disappointment. But when I look back, it is so clear that I am given so much. God has been gracious to me. I could not ask for more. I cannot explain why God loves me, but I do know it when I listen to my own heart. This hope of Jesus Christ does not disappoint us, and this God ‘s love and grace has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit!
Musical Reflection
Offertory
We remind everyone that we must continue to pay our bills; in the absence of being present at Sunday worship, you may sign up for pre-authorized remittance (PAR), donate online, or drop off your offering envelope in the mailbox at the church. Do not leave a cash donation unattended in the mailbox; instead, please call the office (416.261.4037) to ensure someone will be there to receive it. The building will be checked daily for mail and phone messages. If you are not comfortable leaving an envelope, you are welcome to contact the office (once again, 416.261.4037) and someone will pick up your offering.
Dedication of our Gifts
Prayer of dedication
Generous God, thank you for all your gifts which bring us hope and joy. Bless the gifts we bring and work with them to establish your reign in the world you love. In the name of your greatest gift, Jesus Christ, we pray. AMEN.
Lighting Candles of Peace for People in Ukraine and the world
Prayers of Thanksgiving and Hope
Almighty God, you love what you create. We pray for the earth, that its air, soil, and water be refreshed and restored to health.
We pray for all your creatures, that as the community of life, we may share fairly the harvests of land and sea.
We pray for all nations and people. Let us share the riches of our cultures without hatred or fear or suspicion.
We pray for all who govern. Grant a spirit of wisdom, compassion, and courage to those in authority whom you charge with the tasks of leading and safeguarding others.
We pray for the poor and the sick, the weak and the vulnerable. Be their protector, healer, and vindicator, easing the sufferings of body, mind, and spirit.
We pray for the church. Strengthen the body of Christ with the Holy Spirit, so that we have the mind of Christ among us. Equip your people to serve with love the world you sent your Son to save. May our ministry take the form of his cross, as we proclaim his resurrection, and look forward to his coming in glory. AMEN.
Closing Hymn
“We are marching/ Siyahamba” (Book of Praise 1997, hymn 639). Words South African Xhosa traditional; English translation (1984) by Swedish composer and musician Anders Nyberg (1955–). Music traditional South African; arrangement (1984; tune “Siyahamba”) by Nyberg. English translation and musical arrangement copyright © 1984 Walton Music Corporation; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
Benediction
You are made in the image of God, saved by the Son of God, given life and faith by the Spirit of God. The triune God loves you, and will forever.
Go in peace. AMEN.
Choral Amen
- Go Now in Peace”. Words by American educator, lyricist and composer Don Besig (1936–) and American lyricist Nancy Price (1958–). Music by Don Besig. Words and music copyright © 1988 Harold Flammer Music, a division of Shawnee Press; used by permission of One License, license number 722141-A.
- Performed by Rachelle Risling (keyboard) and the GCPC Senior Choir. Audio and video production by Rachelle Risling.
- Audio and video recording copyright © 2021 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church.
Copyright © 2022 Guildwood Community Presbyterian Church
Last updated 2022-06-17 – Updated with sermon text.