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Sunday 30th May 2021

Introduction by Sheena Edgar

Welcome to worship for Trinity Sunday - the natural progression, if you like, to all that we have thought about over the two months since Easter. As we read and heard, the early Christians from day one had a task on hand - to understand the relationship between Jesus and God - reading their spiritual documents and earlier traditions.

What happened in the first centuries involved much counselling, much praying,
much arguing. The developed idea of three persons of God is not explicit in the New Testament, but there are many examples of a trinitarian understanding and formulas to back them up. In the third century with Councils at Nicaea and Constantinople, the understanding of a Creed brought things into focus. God was one in three persons.

It’s a long story, but on this day we just give praise and thanks for the revelation of a wonderful and faithful God whom we know as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

When the bells stop, we will hear from the Old Parish Church virtual choir singing “Holy, holy, holy."

Trinity

HYMN: Holy, holy, holy

PRAYER

Said by Rev John Smith

God of delight, your Wisdom sings your Word
at the crossroads where humanity and divinity meet.
Invite us into your joyful being.
And every time we see a new beginning - may we see you the
Father.
Every time we see a new redemption - may we see you the Son
Every time we see a new sustenance - may we see you the Holy
Spirit.

So may we rediscover and demonstrate your unity
in the different ministries to which you call us
and truly reflect your three-fold majesty
in the faith that acts,
in the hope that does not disappoint,
in the love that endures.

THE LORD'S PRAYER

LESSON

 Read by Vivien Aitchison

John 3; 1-17

Now there was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews.
He came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you
are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that
you do apart from the presence of God."
Jesus answered him, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the
kingdom of God without being born from above."
Nicodemus said to him, "How can anyone be born after having grown
old? Can one enter a second time into the mother's womb and be born?"
Jesus answered, "Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom
of God without being born of water and Spirit.
What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Do not be astonished that I said to you, 'You must be born from
above.'
The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but
you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with
everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Nicodemus said to him, "How can these things be?"
Jesus answered him, "Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not
understand these things?
"Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what
we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony.
If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how
can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things?
No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended
from heaven, the Son of Man.
And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the
Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
"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.
"Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the
world, but in order that the world might be saved through him."

HYMN: How sweet the name of Jesus sound

Reflection

PRAYER

Said by Rev John Smith

Holy, holy, holy God….

As Father calling forth creation from the void,
as Son revealing yourself in human flesh,
as Spirit pouring forth your wisdom to guide us,
you manifest your concern for your whole universe.
You invite us, as your people,
to gather the world's needs into our hearts
and bring them before you.

Lord we pray for your church throughout the world, for those
that are thriving and those which have lost a sense of
direction.
Lord of the universe we praise you for your creation, you have
provided humankind with everything it needs for life and
health. Grant that the resources of the earth may neither be
hoarded by the selfish nor squandered by the foolish but that
all may share your gifts.
We remember all who bear the responsibility of leadership, for
heads of state, ambassadors and political advisers, we think
today particularly of the leaders of the different factions in
Israel/Palestine; let your will for our world be accomplished
through the decisions they make and give them a vision of
peace and reconciliation.

Lord we pray for peace in the world, create in us a love for
peace, not peace that is absent from struggle, nor peace that
is blind to injustice but peace that makes whole what now is
broken.
We remember this morning those who are sick, sad or lonely
and those who are brave and patient when things are going
wrong. We pray that they may be aware of your comforting
presence and know that in your hands they are safe and
loved.
Lord we pray for all whose life is saddened by the death of a
loved one, be with them in their loneliness and let them know
that Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Lord we ask you to lead us into the coming week, Help us to
believe that you are close by us, keep us from making
mistakes and help us never to disappoint you. AMEN
.

Hymn: Glory be to God the Father

THE BLESSING and BENEDICTION

Said by Rev John Smith

God the Holy Trinity make you strong
in faith, and hope, and love.

And the BLESSING of God Almighty.
Father, Son and Holy Spirit
be with you, this day and in all the days to come
AMEN.


Voluntary

For any of you who find difficulty in interacting with this service on small devices, here is a continuous audio recording of the full service

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