A Service of Holy Communion Third Sunday of Easter 04.15.2018

You are welcome here today and every day! The people of Trinity Church gather around a table piled high with spiritual food, and there is a place for you and everyone at the table, whatever your religious practice may be. Please feel free to receive communion and participate in the service as fully as you want to. Trinity Church is a metropolitan house of prayer, a community of worship and spiritual inquiry, welcoming all people. Recognizing our common brokenness, yet rejoicing in the reconciling love of God through Jesus Christ, we nurture one another in our spiritual life together. If you would like to receive more information about Trinity Church, please sign our guest book located near the entrance. Please join us after worship for refreshment and conversation. Trinity Church is an Episcopal Church and a member parish of the Episcopal Diocese of Western New York of the Episcopal Church in the United States, and is a part of the Anglican Communion, which is based in England, but found worldwide. Name tags are not required, but they sure help! You’ll find sticky tags and markers on a table in the red carpet area near the entrance. Children are a beloved part of the Trinity Community. If you have children, they are welcome to participate in any of several ways: They can stay quietly occupied with you in the pew; join the 5-12 year olds “Under the Tent” for the Creator Quest program; utilize the professionally staffed nursery for infants up to 5 years old; hang out with you in the red carpet area, or any combination.

Prelude

This centering prayer is by John Philip Newell from Praying With The Earth, (Eerdmans, 2011.)

Cover image by Matt Lincoln.

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Centering Prayer We wake to the forgiveness of a new day. We wake to the freedom to begin again. We wake to the mercy of the sun’s redeeming light. Always new, always gift, always blessing. We wake to the forgiveness of this new day. Amen.

"Air from the D Major Suite” by J.S. Bach

Opening Hymn

“The Strife is O’er”

This inclusive language version of the classic Easter hymn is found in the New Century Hymnal.

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First Reading Both Bible readings are taken from The Inclusive Bible: The First Egalitarian Translation by Priests for Today.

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Acts 3:12-19

hen Peter saw this, he addressed the people as follows: “Why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if we had made this person walk by our own power or holiness? You are Israelites, and it is the God of Sarah and Abraham, Rebecca and Isaac, Leah and Rachel and Jacob, the God of our ancestors, who has glorified Jesus - the same Jesus you handed over and then disowned in the presence of Pilate, after Pilate had decided to release him. You disowned the Holy and Just One and asked instead for the release of a murderer. You put to death the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead - a fact to which we are witnesses. It is the name of Jesus, and faith in it, that has strengthened the limbs of this one whom you see and know well. Such faith has given this beggar perfect health, as all of you can see. “Yet I know, my sisters and brothers, that you acted out of ignorance, just as your leaders did. God has brought to fulfillment by this means what was announced long ago by the prophets: that the Messiah would suffer. Therefore, reform your lives! Turn to God, that your sins may be wiped away.” Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.

Echo

This echo is from Taizé.

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"Come and fill our hearts with your peace”

Middle Reading

“O Taste and See” by Denise Levertov

The world is not with us enough. O taste and see the subway Bible poster said, meaning The Lord, meaning if anything all that lives to the imagination's tongue, grief, mercy, language, tangerine, weather, to breathe them, bite, savor, chew, swallow, transform into our flesh our deaths, crossing the street, plum, quince, living in the orchard and being

Denise Levertov (1923 – 1997) was English born and emigrated to the US in 1947. Here she published more than 20 volumes of poetry. In the 1960s, Levertov was active in the anti-war movement in the United States. Additionally, she worked as a poetry editor the The Nation in the ‘60s and for Mother Jones in the ‘70s.

hungry, and plucking the fruit. Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.

Echo

The Middle Reading fills the role of a Bible reading, but it doesn't come from the Bible. It is our way of trying to listen for God's ongoing word as it is spoken by God outside the limits of the Bible. Most often, we turn to contemporary poets for this reading.

“Come and fill our hearts with your peace”

Nobody set out to write The Bible. The Hebrew Scriptures were created over many centuries by many people to record the Jewish People’s experience of God. The same is true of the Christian Scriptures, some of which were letters written to a specific audience in response to specific needs— and were then found to be helpful to the faithful even after fulfilling their original purpose.

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Gospel Reading Luke 24:36-40 The four Gospels hold the core of Christian spiritual wisdom, reflecting the earliest stories and images of Jesus. Like all Scripture, they are not definitive prescriptions but narrative stories requiring endless interpretation.

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hile they were still talking about this, Jesus actually stood in their midst and said to them, “Peace be with you.” In their panic and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost. Jesus said to them, “Why are you disturbed? Why do such ideas cross your mind? Look at my hands and my feet; it is I, really. Touch me and see. A ghost doesn’t have flesh and bones as I do.” After saying this, Jesus showed them the wounds. They were still incredulous for sheer joy and wonder, so Jesus said to them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” After being given a piece of cooked fish, the savior ate in their presence. Then Jesus said to them, “Remember the words I spoke when I was still with you: everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the psalms had to be fulfilled.” Then Jesus opened their minds to the understanding of the scriptures, saying, “That is why the scriptures say that the Messiah must suffer and rise from the dead on the third day. In the Messiah's name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of all this. Take note: I am sending forth what Abba God has promised to you. Remain here in the city until you are clothed with the power from on high.” Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. Thanks be to God.

Echo

“Hallelujah Changes” We sing this melody twice, then let an instrumentalist solo over the bridge, then we sing the melody one more time. Written by Matt Lincoln. The tune for this echo is based on one of Matt’s favorite chants from Taizé, and the chord progression is the progression used in “I Got Rhythm,” known in the jazz world as “The Rhythm Changes." The sermon invites your curiosity and thoughtfulness about the theme of worship, and is intended to evoke your thoughts rather than direct them. An audio recording of the sermon is posted to the parish website each week, usually by Monday or Tuesday.

Sermon Musical Reflection Community Prayer

These prayers are an effort to pray with one voice even though we have a diversity of needs and hopes. The were created here at Trinity. The refrain is taken from Paul's letter to the Romans.

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Let us pray.

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The Rev. Matt Lincoln

Gracious God, you are a lover of souls and the very presence of all we hold dear: We bring before you today our hopes and fears, our needs and desires, our ordinary concerns that keep us from hearing your prayers for us. And we affirm our trust: neither death, nor life, nor rulers, nor powers, nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from your love, O God. Beloved, from the origin of our species, you fitted us with a grand vision for abundant life and community that most often exceeds our grasp: We bring before you today our desire for peace, our confession of neglect, and our promise to uphold the dignity of every human being. And we affirm our trust: neither things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God. Gracious God, your intimate presence and the depth of your love have the power to heal us: We bring before you today our grief and sorrow, our illness and wounds, our addictions and compulsions, and a host of needs we dread to mention. And we affirm our trust: neither death, nor life, nor rulers, nor powers, nor anything else in all creation, will separate us from your love, O God. Beloved, we know that you have a dream for us, and that when we are living into it, the abundance of your grace is palpable: Grant us open hearts and open minds to know that what was old is being made new, what was locked away is being released, and what was cast down is being raised up. And we affirm our trust: neither things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, can separate us from the love of God. Amen.

Affirmation of Faith Please stand in spirit or in body.

We accomplish in our lifetime only a tiny fraction of the magnificent enterprise that is God's work. Nothing we do is complete, which is another way of saying that the kingdom always lies beyond us.

It helps, now and then, to step back and take the long view. The kingdom is not only beyond our efforts, it is beyond our vision. This creed is adapted from a prayer by Oscar Romero, El Salvador.

No statement says all that could be said. No prayer fully expresses our faith. No confession brings perfection. No pastoral visit brings wholeness. No program accomplishes the church's mission. No set of goals and objectives includes everything. This is what we are about: We plant seeds that one day will grow. We water seeds already planted, knowing that they hold future promise. We lay foundations that will need further development. We provide yeast that produces effects beyond our capabilities. Continued on next page

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We cannot do everything and there is a sense of liberation in realizing that. This enables us to do something, and to do it very well. It may be incomplete, but it is a beginning, a step along the way, an opportunity for God's grace to enter and do the rest. Although it looks a lot like an intermission, passing the peace is actually one of the earliest spiritual practices of Christian worship. By greeting one another in the assurance of God’s peace, we all share in creating hospitality, and we represent to each other God’s reconciling love.

We may never see the end results, but that is the difference between the master builder and the worker. We are workers, not master builders, ministers, not messiahs. We are prophets of a future not our own. Amen.

The Peace The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

The Liturgy of the Table Offertory Anthem

"Author of Life Divine” by Charles Wesley/Peter Aston

Author of life divine, who hast a table spread, Furnished with mystic wine and everlasting bread, Preserve the life thyself hast given, And feed and train us up for heaven. Our needy souls sustain with fresh supplies of love, Till all thy life we gain and all thy fullness prove, And strengthened by thy perfect grace, Behold without a veil thy face, behold thy fac

Sharing the Open Table

All are welcome to receive Communion at Trinity Church. No Exceptions! The Communion Prayer is adapted from Eucharistic Prayer IV, The Scottish Liturgy 1982 in the book Gleanings.

May God be with you. And also with you. Open your hearts. We open them to God and one another. Let us give thanks to God. It is right to give God thanks and praise. It is right and a good and joyful thing to live openly in the presence of God and one another as grateful people. Splendor and honor are yours God of all being, your power sustains, your endless love restores this broken world. Always present with us, you bring patterns to the chaos, and fill our emptiness.

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Resurrection brings the dawn of hope. The light of Christ kindles life in us, and leads us to walk in your light. Your Holy Spirit is fire in us, your breath warms our hearts to love. As children of your redeeming purpose, freed when Christ burst from the tomb, we offer you our praise with Angels and Archangels, and all the company of heaven, singing your eternal glory:

On the night before Jesus was given up to death, knowing that his hour had come, and having loved his own, he loved them to the end. At supper with the disciples Jesus took bread, offered thanks to you, broke it, gave it to his friends and said: “Take, eat: this is my Body given for you.” After supper he took the cup, offered thanks, he gave it to them and said, “This is my Blood of the new Covenant poured out for you, and for all. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the first light of Easter, glory broke from the tomb; the women's sorrow changed to joy. In the garden Mary found the truth; the One whom they had loved and lost was restored to them in every place and for ever. So Christ renewed the promise of his presence: Known in the breaking of the bread, bringing peace to fearful hearts, the risen Christ proclaimed new birth in the Spirit and consecrated your people to freedom.

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And so we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. One in Christ, we offer you these gifts, and with them ourselves, a holy, living sacrifice. We are following a pattern of using an alternative interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer for a few weeks and then using the traditional Prayer Book version for a week or two, and then going to a different interpretation for a few weeks, then the Prayer Book version for a week or two, etc.

Hear us, merciful God: send your Holy Spirit on us and on this bread and wine that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ; kindle in us the fire of your love, renew us for the service of your kingdom.

Jesus revealed a new, personal sense of relationship with God by addressing God as something like “Papa.” Always feel free to use your most meaningful name for God in saying the Lord’s Prayer.

Now, as Christ has taught us, we are bold to say: 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. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

This version of the Lord’s Prayer is what many of us grew up learning. It is also the version shared at the end of many 12 Step meetings. Although it is important to stay fresh and engaged by the words of our prayers, it is also important to be reminded that we as individuals are part of a great cloud of witnesses who have been inspired to turn to God in prayer throughout the ages.

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Help us live and work in gratitude to you; that we may grow together in unity and love until, at last, in your new creation, we enter into the company of the apostles and prophets and of all our sisters and brothers, the living and the dead; through Jesus Christ by whom, with whom, and in whom in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory are yours throughout all ages, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

At the breaking of the bread

God of promise, you have prepared a banquet for us. Happy are those who are called to the Supper of the Lamb.

Receiving Communion We gather in a big circle all around the altar. Follow the people ahead of you and spread out around the perimeter of the rugs on on either side of the altar. If you wish to kneel to receive, use the kneelers which are located near the pulpit and lectern. Glutenfree bread is available upon request. Should you choose not to receive the wine, fold your arms across your chest to let the chalicer know that you do not wish to receive. Ministers of Healing are available to pray with you near the side chapel during communion.

Communion Music

“Taste and See”

As you come or go from communion, feel free to take a moment to light a votive candle to add this symbol of hope to your prayers. Also ask the Healers to pray with you for burdens that feel too heavy to carry alone or for thanksgivings that are too joyful to be contained by one person. The Healers are available near the chapel to the north side of the altar.

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Prayer for the Road

Let us pray: God of all Creation, we thank you for breaking through the wall of death and This Prayer for releasing us into the fullness of life. We thank you for welcoming us to this the Road is by Matt Lincoln. table and letting us glimpse the heavenly banquet where all shall feast for ever. Let this foretaste draw us out of the small spaces of our timid hopes to feel your laughter and live your pleasure here in this world, which you love, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. This blessing is based on the words of Henri Frederic Amiel (1821-1881)

Blessing

Life is short. We do not have too much time to gladden the hearts of those who make the journey with us. So be swift to love. Make haste to be kind. And may the blessing of God, who made us, who loves us, and who travels with us be with you now and always. Amen.

Hymn

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“Come, live in the light”

Dismissal Go now, carrying the new life given you by the resurrection. Alleluia, alleluia! Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia!

Postlude

Our spiritual practice is renewed as we leave here and begin again to work the promises of the covenant.

“Theme for K ara” by Matt Harris

If you are visiting today, please stay for refreshments and fellowship after the service is over. Don’t be surprised if someone introduces themselves to you and welcomes you to Trinity, but don’t feel you need to wait for someone to do so either! Introduce yourself to anyone nearby. They will be glad to share any knowledge of the Trinity community that they can. In the red carpet area near the door, there is a table where you’ll find a place to sign in and leave your name, address, phone number and email address. Please sign in so we can keep you up to date on all the latest information about Trinity.

Music from Church Publishing (Hymnal 1982; Wonder Love & Praise; Lift Every Voice and Sing II) is reproduced under a license from RiteSong. Other music is reproduced under OneLicense A-700776.

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Announcements Adult Education Offering TODAY after the morning service: "A History of the Anglican Church," a lecture by David Devereaux, Mission Room. Open Friday We have begun our "Open Fridays" at Trinity, 11:30 - 1:00. All are welcome to bathe in the light of our sanctuary for prayer and meditation. Bring your lunch, if you wish! Save the Date The 2018 Trinity Blooms! Auction will be held on Friday, April 27. Tickets are on sale now in the red carpet area before and after the Sunday morning church service. Do you have items to donate? Krista Vince Garland will be inside the church in the red carpet area to receive donations during the Trinity Church Open Doors - each Friday between 11:30am and 1pm. Contact the church office for more information. Used Book Sale Time is running out for Trinity book lovers to take advantage of our Used Book Sale! We'll keep our 'shop' open until the end of May, then donate the remainder of our inventory to a good cause in the city. Thanks! Seeking Lottery Tickets for the Auction This year we are auctioning baskets for the auction, and the lottery basket is always a popular one.  If you buy a lottery ticket, why not buy two and donate one to the basket auction? We are also looking for regift/unused items or souvenirs you no longer love, or if you would like to create your own basket, that would be great!  One item or several, it is your choice. There is a box labeled “basket donations” at the back of the church each week for the collection. Questions or suggestions? Contact Jane Haenle at [email protected] or text her at 716-310-7113. Shop for Those Who Can't This week, when you go shopping, please consider buying additional items to give to our ongoing food drive effort. Deposit donated items in the yellow bin at the back of the church. Volunteers will take our contributions to a senior center, which distributes the food to families. Jung Center Buffalo "Exploring Our Dreams Together" A second, 6-part series will be held: Tuesdays, May 1 to June 5, 2018 7-8:30pm Trinity Church- Mission Room In this six week workshop, Susan Stocks will guide us in sharing, discussing, and drawing our dreams to promote understanding, meaning, and insight. Cost for all six workshops: $72/ Seniors $58. The current series runs Tuesdays through April 24, 2018. 7-8:30pm Trinity Church, Mission Room

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VOICE-Buffalo Annual Banquet The VOICE-Buffalo Annual Awards Banquet will be held on April 20, 2018, from 6-9pm at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center! Jane Haenle is coordinating ticket sales. She will be on hand at church to collect money and your menu choice of chicken or gluten-free vegan. Tickets are $60. We really want to show physical support for VOICE, but if you can't attend the banquet, please consider making a donation. Please contact Jane at [email protected] for more information.  Share your garden with Trinity As you begin to see early shoots poking their noses up in your gardens, and you feel a need to thin those perennial plantings, feel free to donate some baby hosta or whatever to Trinity. Our gardeners will gladly find a space for them here. Thank you! Shoes for Growing Kids! Through our school partnership, Trinity has been asked to assist with the purchase of girls’ and boys’ sneakers, children's shoe sizes 1-7 (which will fit kids in 2nd through 6th grades).  We will be collecting the sneakers between now and Sunday, May 6, to be delivered to the school on Monday, May 7.  Added benefit:  anyone who brings a pair of sneakers to the Trinity Auction on Friday, April 27, will receive 5 free auction tickets! Thank you for doing some children’s shoe shopping, and together let's give a bunch of kids some happy feet!

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Staff

Vestry

The Reverend Matthew R. Lincoln, Rector [email protected] 716-852-8314 ext. 14

David Devereux, Senior Warden Chris Schaeffer, Junior Warden Alison Mueller, Treasurer Timothy Lane, Clerk Judy Atkinson Miller Trey Bankhead Joe Chamberlain Susan Cosentino Jane Haenle Christina Kinney Anthony Shilen Carol Case Siracuse

Krista Seddon, Director of Ensembles; Pianist [email protected] www.kristaseddon.com Paul Cena, Organist and Choir Director [email protected] Gabrie’l Atchison, Congregational Development Director and Parish Administrator [email protected] 716-852-8314 ext. 10 Colleen O'Neill, Director of Children's Ministries [email protected] 716-852-8314 ext. 11 Grace Guercio, Child Care Worker Office Volunteers: Jennifer Frey & Joe Silvestri [email protected] 716-852-8314 ext. 19 Rich Mpelezos, Facility Manager [email protected] 716-852-8314 ext. 24 Cam Carson, Caretaker and Sexton [email protected] 716-852-8314 ext. 34 Trinity is an Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Western New York.

www.trinitybuffalo.org • 716-852-8314

Follow us on Twitter @trinitybuffalo www.facebook.com/TrinityBuffalo

Dale Worwa, Facility Cleaner

Today’s Worship Team Greeters: Healer: Counters: Chalicers: Readers: Altar Guild: Liturgist: Guest Musician:

Choir Members Paul Cena, Director Laura Munson, Section Leader Cheryl Fisher Elaine Lodick Christina Kinney Beth Newton, Section Leader Sue Cosentino Sue Doherty Mimi Dow Carol Siracuse John Clayton, Section Leader Peter Dow Steve Shanley Ryan Kaminski, Section Leader Dwight Craig Tim Lane Tom Owen

Jim Barbee, Joanne Sundell Margot Banta Anthony Shilen, Sue Cosentino Ellen Notarius, Ed Fries Patty Fries, Mark Mitschow, Shirley Hudders Phoebe McKay Rebecca Schaeffer Matt Harris, Saxophone

Sunday @10:30am Sunday @7:00pm Wednesday @11am Thursday @7pm

Includes communion at an open table An encounter with God through poetry, jazz, and meditation Rite 2 communion and coffee 12steps@Trinity, based on 12-step spirituality