When you join us for worship, you will be greeted and given a bulletin that will help guide you through the order of the service. Episcopal services are based on The Book of Common Prayer which will be the red book in your pew.
During worship, you will be able to follow along from the bulletin with the corresponding page numbers in The Book of Common Prayer. There will be several opportunities where you can enjoy or join in singing hymns. Music and words for the hymns are found in the blue hymnal in the pew.
Episcopal worship is centered around Communion, also known as The Holy Eucharist. All are invited to come forward and receive the bread and wine during communion, or if you would prefer you can come forward to receive a blessing by the priest or simply remain seated.
Services start at 10:00am on Sundays. Service of Holy Eucharist typically lasts about an hour. Service of Morning Prayer is usually half an hour.
After service, please join us for refreshments and fellowship downstairs in Morrill Hall. A chairlift is available if needed.
If you would like more information about the Episcopal Church or how to join or get involved please see a church member or send an email to secretary@trinityware.org.
The Gospel for this Sunday may have one of the most recognized verses of the Bible- John 3:16 - For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in Him shall have eternal life. The ultimate sign of the love that God has for humankind.
But look at the next verse - 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. Biblical scholars suggest this is a vital and restorative follow-up, emphasizing that Jesus's primary mission was not judgement but mercy. God's love is not conditional or limited to a few, but for the entire world.
I found this in a reflection I did on this same Gospel a few years ago:
We are called as God’s prophetic witness to proclaim that God so loved the world that God’s welcome is open to all. We are called at Trinity Church to walk in the light, to proclaim God’s radical welcome for all, and to remember that God so loved the world, that no one was left out.
May it be so
God's love and peace to you all-
Suzanne
