Week beginning June 4th

 Trinity Sunday

Song: Holy Holy Holy

Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty (Tune: Nicea - 4vv) [with lyrics for congregations] {Robin Mark} - YouTube

Prayer:

God our heavenly father,

Jesus our saviour,

Holy Spirit our enabler,

Without you, we can do nothing.

Be with us we pray, in all we do. Amen.

Our Father who art in heaven,

hallowed be thy name.

Thy kingdom come.

Thy will be done

on earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread,

and forgive us our trespasses,

as we forgive those who trespass against us,

lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from evil.

For thine is the kingdom,

the power, and the glory,

for ever and ever.

Amen.

Reading: The book of Daniel, chapter 1.

At the moment, we are hearing stories of Ukrainian children being taken to Russia, against their will, and that of their families. If their mothers do not “claim” them, they are to be fostered, and trained in Russian ways.

In some ways, this is similar to the situation about 2500 years ago, when boys were taken from Jerusalem into Babylon.

Having read the story in the book of Daniel, we have a lot to learn.

The important points are:

1. Treat people with respect
2. Try to avoid confrontation
3. If we are presented with something we cannot accept, come up with an alternative.

Reading: Book of Isaiah, chapter n40: verses 12 to 17 and 27 to 31

Song: Holy Holy Holy Holy,

Holy, Holy (Jimmy Owens - 2vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube

Reading: Matthew’s gospel, chapter 28: verses 16 to 22.

Song: Eternal Father, strong to save,

Eternal Father, Strong To Save (The Navy Hymn) - YouTube

In the last verse, “our brethren” can usefully be altered to “our children”

“Remember, I am with you always” or an alternative reading could be “Always remember, I am with you.”

This is Trinity Sunday, when we celebrate the power of God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.

When we pray, they all answer.

When we pray to the Father, we do not exclude the Son and the Holy Spirit.

When we pray to the Son, we do not exclude the Father and the Holy Spirit.

When we pray to the Holy spirit, we do not exclude the Father and the Son.

When we pray to one person, the other two do not feel marginalised. They are one and undivided. No person of the three makes a unilateral decision. It is truly a case of “All for One, and One for All.”

So why is there so much writing on the subject. Tomes have been written, read and rewritten.

When the writers of the New Testament accepted this as fact, why is it so controversial?

As time passed, the church became institutionalised. Those who had never experienced the power and presence of God, needed an explanation. Unfortunately, for those who have experienced this, no explanation is necessary!; and for those who have never experienced it, no explanation is possible!

In many ways, Trinity Sunday could sensibly be called Remembrance Sunday. .

It is a day to remember what the church is for. What our business is.

Our business is to make disciples, to baptise believers, to teach people to obey Christ’s commands

We do this by words and deeds, there is no other purpose. And with this purpose comes great responsibility. But we remember that Jesus is always with us. He is our back up when we call.

Isaiah tells us of the nature of this back up. He tells us that God does not weary; he is the source of all strength. He meets the needs of those who are exhausted and powerless. If they Turn to the Trinity of Love and Power, then they “will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Song: Lead us Heavenly Father, lead us,

Lead Us, Heavenly Father, Lead Us - YouTube

Prayer:

Lord God, we come before you, praising you for your mighty acts. We pray that you will be with us as we go about our daily lives. As we encounter difficulties, we ask you will renew our strength, that we may soar on wings like eagles, that we may run and not grow weary, that we may walk and not be faint in your service.

Amen.

Song: Father we love you

Father, We Love You (Glorify Your Name - 3vv) [with lyrics for congregations] - YouTube