Freedom in the Spirit

Holy Trinity Sunday

Holy Trinity Sunday is a special time in the church year when we remember who God is – Father, Son and Holy Spirit, The Holy Trinity. This is at the heart of what it means to be a Christian and yet it is very difficult to believe that God can be one and three.

The readings for this Sunday are about resolving a spiritual crisis through divine grace. In his vision, Isaiah is confronted with the holiness and transcendence of God. This is a humbling experience and it requires divine grace to resolve the guilt and shame he feels because he now knows he never understood or lived by faith in God previously. All his assumptions about the truth were challenged and he needed God’s mercy to resolve his personal crises. The same is true of Nicodemus in the gospel text. He encounters the truth about God and the false assumptions he lived by in the past. Jesus tells him he must be born by the Spirit of God in order to come to an authentic relationship with God through Jesus.

How does all of this apply to us in our lives today? There are going to be crises in our lives that will require a new birth of faith in our hearts. Thus, we need to practice prayer and worship on a consistent basis so that we can mature in our faith over a lifetime wherein we will be challenged to seek God’s grace in order to resolve our confusion and lack of ability to grow closer to God.

WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP

Prelude: “Holy, Holy, Holy”, Piet Post

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Hymn: “Come, Thou Almighty King”

Apostolic Greeting

Hymn of Praise

Prayer of the Day

First Reading: Isaiah 6:1-8

Second Reading: Romans 8:12-17

Choir Anthem: “We Sing the Mighty Power of God”, Arranged by Anna Laura Page

Children’s Time

Gospel Acclamation and Gospel: John 3:1-17

Sermon: “Freedom in the Spirit”, Pastor Dan Severson

Sermon Hymn: “Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty”

Apostles Creed

Prayers of Intercession

Offertory Music: “Come Sunday”, Duke Ellington

Offering Response: “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow”

The Lord’s Prayer

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “This is My Song”

Dismissal

Postlude: “Prelude in Classic Style”, Gordon Young