Photo: unknown source, carved Celtic Trinity image. Worship format and original content: Rev. Kathryn M. Schreiber ©2022.

Public Health Safety Note: Effective 5/29/2022, Sunday morning worship services will be outside in the Courtyard until increased COVID spread declines.

We Gather

“Praise God who rules all worlds; the risen Christ adore. Praise God the Spirit, Holy Fire, one God for evermore!” – Ruth Duck, 21^st American lyricist (rd)

Prelude (musician)

Welcome and Acknowledgements (pastor)

Welcome to worship this Trinity Sunday – as we focus on “God in Three Persons” – Creator/Father; Christ/Son; and Holy Spirit. Welcome guests.

Through Jesus Christ, we are called together as the Beloved Community. We honor this holy ground, unceded territory of the Lisjan-Ohlone people, standing in non-violence with hope for the safety and well-being of all beings.

Flowers given by Mark and Anita in celebration of their Wedding Anniversary

Invocation (liturgist)

Come, God the Creator, Source of all Life – Bless the Beloved Ones gathered here.

Come, God the Christ, Redeemer of Humanity – Comfort the Beloved Community now assembled.

Come, Holy Spirit, Indwelling Wisdom – Guide us as we seek to extend Your Love to everyone. Amen.

As Pastor Kathryn lights the Christ Candle and Altar Votives, let us remember those who are not physically present, but with us in spirit or thought. Amen.

Light The Christ Candle and Altar Votives (pastor)

Votive Lighting Music (musician)

Time for Children “Ice, Water, Steam” Imagining God’s many forms (pastor)

Passing the Peace (all share gestures and words of peace)

We Rest in God’s Grace

Prayer and Silence (pastor)

Let us shift into silence in God’s presence with this simple prayer based on Psalm 46:10.

Be still and know that I am God. (Breathe slowly)

Be still and know that I am. (Breathe slowly)

Be still and know. (Breathe slowly)

Be still. (Breathe slowly)

Be. (Breathe slowly)

(Breathe in silence) Amen.

Assurance of Grace (pastor)

Sometimes spiritual practices that have brought us great comfort quit working. The words and images of earlier times may blur out of focus or ring hollow. It may feel like God has left us. Do not despair! God’s Presence may begin speaking in a new voice, resonating from a new symbol, inviting us to pray in a new way.

God never changes. However, God’s approach to us shifts as our needs change. God’s care is everlasting and adaptable. What a blessed assurance of grace!

Dear Ones, let us be open to the new ways God may be reaching out to us. Let us be curious trusting God has more Big Love to share with us, Big Love we may share with others. Amen.

Special Music (musician)

We Listen

Scripture: Matthew 3:16-17 and 28:18-20 (liturgist; version: Common English Bible)

In St Matthew’s gospel, at the beginning and the end of Jesus’ earthly ministry, God is named as the Trinity – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

“The Baptism of Jesus” Matthew 3:16-17

When Jesus was baptized, he immediately came up out of the water. Heaven was opened to him, and Jesus saw the Spirit of God coming down like a dove and resting on him. A voice from heaven said, “This is my Son whom I dearly love; I find happiness in him.”

AND

“The Commissioning of the Disciples” Matthew 28:18-20

Jesus came near and spoke to the eleven disciples, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.”

May God add a blessing to the reading and reflecting upon God’s Holy Word. Amen.

Sermon: “Triune God” The gift of God’s presence as Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit. (pastor)

Sermon Hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty” Chalice Hymnal #4, all verses (musician)

We Pray

Pastoral Prayer (pastor)

Dear Father, Son, and Holy Ghost; Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit; Holy, Holy, Holy God – on this Trinity Sunday, we praise You for Your magnificent outreach to all beings! Our mortal minds cannot fully comprehend the wondrous reality of You in all Your forms, but we do believe in Your cosmic reality and eternal compassion.

Today, we rest in the knowledge that You are Almighty, Never-Fully-Known, Gloriously Present, especially when the challenges and woes of our human lives weigh our souls. Bless us, heal us, and call us up and into service for the well-being of others. Amen.

Prayers of the People, Private Prayer, The Lord’s Prayer (pastor)

Offering of Praise “Doxology” (musician; all)

Announcements (pastor)

• Next Week – Fri-Sun NCNC UCC Annual Gathering
• Next Sunday – Father’s Day: Show and Tell (bring something from your father, fathering one)

Closing Hymn: “TBA” Chalice Hymnal #TBA (musician)

Benediction (pastor)

Hear the voices of God speaking…

“Beloved, YOU are my dear, dear child! YOU make me happy!”

“I am with YOU every day! I will be with YOU forever!”

“My peace I give YOU! Go forth in peace!” Amen.

Postlude (musician)

The service is concluded.

Worship Resources:

(kms) All content prepared and written by Rev. Kathryn M Schreiber, unless attributed to another source.

(rd) Ruth Duck, 5^th verse for “Rejoice, You Pure in Heart”; Chalice Hymnal #15.

Residency Acknowledgement: This content was written in Huichin Village, unceded territory of the Lisjan- Ohlone people, where I dwell and serve as a local church pastor. Please support indigenous rematriation efforts, the #LandBack movement, and give to Sogorea Te’ Land Trust Soghttps://sogoreate-landtrust.org/ and other non-profits that reform, balance, and heal relationships with our indigenous hosts. Thank you!

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Online Publishing Date: June 7, 2022.

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Donation: Due to the current coronavirus pandemic this content is offered free. If you’d like to support the congregation I serve as pastor – Berkeley Chinese Community Church – we’d be most grateful for your support. Please send checks to: BCCC UCC, 2117 Acton Street, Berkeley, CA 94702, Attn: Diane Huie, Treasurer. Thank you!

For Online Content: Please see Facebook pages: “Berkeley Chinese Community Church” and “Living Liturgies”; as well as my website: www.inthebiglove.com and YouTube channel: “Kathryn