March 8th

Third Sunday of Lent

WELCOME AND LITURGY OF GATHERING 

Leader: Reading of Psalm 63.1-8 (FNV). This is the word of the Lord.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Trinity is fostering a haven of belonging where wanderers and wonderers 

gather to discover and embody the love of Jesus in the world.

COMMUNAL SINGING

Oh the Deep, Deep love of Jesus

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me

Underneath me, all around me
Is the current of your love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To your glorious rest above

Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus 
‘Tis heaven of heavens to me
And it lifts me up to glory
For it lifts me up to thee

Oh, the deep, deep love of Jesus 
Spread his praise from shore to shore
How he loves us, ever loves us,
Changes never, nevermore

Behold

Behold, we are a people of many troubles
Raised up in violence strife and war
We are a people of tears and toil

Behold, we are your people you call us home
Raised up in mercy grace and love
We are a people of life and hope

And as we gather
At your mountain 

Holy holy
Glory glory
We lift our eyes, we lift our eyes
All is made new

Behold, we are a people of deep conviction
Raised up in Jesus by His grace
We are a people for time and place

COMMUNITY CONFESSION & LENTEN CANDLE READING

Leader: Romans 5:21 says, “Sin ruled because of death. So also grace rules in the lives of those who are right with God. The grace of God brings eternal life because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done.” In Jesus, we find ourselves free from judgment. Knowing this, let us confess how often we do not allow the grace of God to rule in our lives, especially in how we live them.

ALL: God of eternity, you know how often we travel down the rocky roads of doubt and fear. We pester others with our worries; we hurl bitter words at those we love. We have chances to offer ourselves in service, but only give our contempt to those in need. We could share the living waters with the world, but want to store it in jars for safe-keeping. Forgive us, Fountain of Grace; turn towards us and meet us wherever we are. 

Leader: In every moment, God seeks to break open our rock-hard sin, so we might be made whole. In Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, our thirst for hope and joy is quenched.

Snuff out Lenten candle

ALL: Through the power of the Holy Spirit, living water breaks through the roof of our hearts, in such abundance that we don't have enough buckets to hold it all. Thanks be to God! Amen.

BLESSING AND PASSING THE PEACE 

Adults: The Lord be with you!

Children and Kids Ministry Leader: And also with you! 

During this time we greet one another, recognizing that we are all a part of the body, as PreK-5th grade children are led to their ministry space. Younger children and youth remain, and are welcome, in the Gathering. Materials for toddlers are available and we understand that their presence means they will be heard, no need to worry about their vocal contributions.

SERMON NOTES

A People Re-Membered: In the Sorrow

Imagine

Luke 11.1-13

Discussion/Further Wonderings:

• What is Jesus revealing to you about entering sorrow?

• In this week’s text/story, where might the Spirit be inviting us into a space for play amidst the sorrow? 

• How are you losing and finding yourself as you step into the text/story this week? What has been forgotten? What are you being called to re-member?

• How might God be inviting you/us to be fully human in this season? How might that overflow to those around you/us? How does this week’s text/story point toward being a people of God?

* Description Card

*Womanism and Womanist Theology Resource Paper

*For additional discussion prompts visit the series page here.

LORD’S TABLE LITURGY

Leader: God who died.

ALL: We are heavy with grief. 

Leader: We’ve been promised freedom in the divine, but this wilderness reeks of death.

The landscape is so thorny that we’re beginning to feel nothing at all.

ALL: We feel betrayed and confused and tired, God.

Leader: Please, not one more thing.

ALL: Just let us live. Let us heal.

Leader: This Lent, instill among us rituals of remembrance that allow space for rest and wailing.

ALL: Relieve any pressure we feel to resolve our pain before we’ve truly felt it.

Leader: And as we’re healing, grant us a wisdom to know that we don’t have to carry every sadness all at once.

ALL: Walk with us as we protect our minds and bodies from despair.

Leader: Now, Gracious Lord, pour out your Spirit upon the gifts of this table 

and upon the gathered people who seek to faithfully follow you. 

ALL: The bread symbolizes that Life, though given, can reshape brokenness 

into the peace which a warring world needs, 

the hope which can bring healing to others.

The cup which is filled with grace can strengthen us to be new people, 

who go forth to speak truth to power, who bring freedom to all the oppressed. 

Leader: Come to the table of the Lord; it is open to all who seek to follow Jesus.

*communion elements are alcohol and gluten free, not allergen free

RESPONSE & OFFERING OF WORSHIP                                                                                                                                    

The Offering Basket 

Prayer requests may be posted in the Zoom chat (Zoom participants) or written and placed in the offering basket.

Wounded Healer

Image of the Invisible
In our pain we feel you near
God of Heaven in flesh and bone
By your wounds we shall be healed

Wounded healer
We give our hearts to you
Wounded healer
We give our hearts to you

Arms stretched out not to part the seas
But to open up the grave
Blood poured out not for war, but peace
And to show us God's own face

No fire, no fury
Just death into life
Over and over
Till all things are right

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Community Conversation- This Sunday, March 8th, after the gathering, join us for a community conversation about How to End Christian Nationalism.

Indy Action Coalition [LiveFree] The We Keep Us Safe campaign is mobilizing the base on March 12th at 6:30 PM at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church.. We keep Us Safe as more than a slogan. It's a call and a commitment. We know that in this political moment, with our communities under attack, safety is not guaranteed. Instead, we must create the conditions for our friends, neighbors, and loved ones to be safe. Join us as we confront issues of homelessness, housing, and mass detention & deportation. It is time to act together and act with urgency.
[Register here]

Civic Action Group Meeting - Join us for our next Civic Action Group (CAG) meeting on Sunday, March 22nd, at 11:30 AM, right after the gathering. We’ll meet in person at CoHatch and virtually via Zoom for those joining remotely. Want to stay connected? Sign up for the CAG info list by filling out this info form! Contact joel@indytrinity.org with questions.

Sermon Series. The sermon series and resources for our new year series are posted online at www.indytrinity.org/sermon-series. In conjunction with the sermon series, Trinity Seasonal Small Groups in the winter will form around All The Black Girls Are Activists: A Fourth Wave Womanist Pursuit of Dreams as Radical Resistance by ebonyjanice. The free audio book (and e-book) is available on Hoopla and Libby. Please contact the group host for more details and to generally RSVP. You are welcome to join the group that fits your schedule/needs. You are not bound by geographical location/parish. 

Mondays (every other) 5:45-7:15pm - Broad Ripple starting January 26th

Mondays 12-1pm - Fishers/Zoom starting February 9th

Wednesdays 7-9pm - Midtown/Downtown starting February 4th

Thursdays 6:30-8:30pm - Queer Affinity starting February 5th

Lent resources, along with Trinity’s Guide to Lent, can be found at the bottom of the sermon series page. 

Holy Week. We will make our way through Holy Week together by gathering virtually in the morning to center ourselves as we approach the end of the Lenten season the days leading to Christ's crucifixion (March 30 - April 3) . Each morning we will be participating in morning prayers, reflecting on art around this season, and listening to music that Trinity Church is sharing throughout this season. Join us weekday mornings at 7am on Zoom  or catch up throughout the day on FB or YouTube. Questions? email joel@indytrinity.org.

On April 3rd, join us for our Good Friday service at COhatch Broad Ripple at 6:30 p.m.  Good Friday marks the betrayal of Jesus and his death at the hands of the state.  In this time we will walk with Jesus in his last days on the way to the cross. Join us at COhatch in the "Big Room" as we continue to make our way through Holy Week.  If you aren't able to join us in person, you may also join via Zoom. Contact joel@indytrinity.org with any questions.

Save the Dates! Summer Retreats. Mark your calendars for Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31st AND Friday, August 28th through Sunday, August 30th. More details to come. 

THE BENEDICTION

Leader: Goodness and mercy go with us from here. 

ALL: Relentlessly, they pursue us.

Leader: Even in the midst of valleys that make us tremble, 

ALL: even when evil draws near,

Leader: still the gifts of God will not yield.

ALL: Sacred provisions surround us.

Leader: Let us go in the confidence of God’s care for us as we follow Christ wherever Love leads. Go in peace!

(Some liturgies adapted from lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com and enfleshed.com - Rev. M Barclay)

Remain in the Gathering space for general connection and prayer.

GATHERING RESOURCES AND INFORMATION

Guide and Service Dog Training. As we welcome Guide/Service Dogs at Gatherings, please familiarize yourself with resources under on these two websites https://www.guidedogs.com/resources/blindness-and-guide-dog-etiquette and https://www.guidedogsofamerica.org/best-practices-when-around-a-service-dog/  and discuss main points with those in your household. If you or anyone in your household has severe allergies or any fear of dogs, etc. please contact us (contact@indytrinity.org) so we can do our best to keep Gathering spaces welcoming for all. 

Health Guidelines. Gatherings can look differently according to the needs of our leaders and community if health concerns take effect. We ask that everyone remain flexible if and/or when this is the case. If a Gathering is going to be virtual, we will send an email by 8am on Sunday, or earlier. If you are experiencing fever, coughs, or other clear signs of illness, please remain home and join the Gathering via Zoom. If your symptoms are not highly contagious or you are unsure about exposing others, please wear a mask. Specifically, if you have been exposed to or have symptoms of Covid-19 or the Flu, you can follow the guidelines from the CDC to determine what are your best precautions to take.

Land Acknowledgement. We acknowledge that the land on which we gather for worship was stolen from Native peoples, who were driven out of the area and of their native lands by genocide, force (through broken treaties and laws imposed upon their nation), and systematic disposession.  The Myaamiaki, Kaskaskia, and Kickapoo peoples* and their sovereign Nations have cared for, and are deeply a part of, this land - past, present, and future. (ref: Repudiation of the Doctrine of Discovery, Trinity Church)

Gathering Hosting Schedule. As an act of service and care, please join staff, leaders, and others from your parish in hosting Sunday Gatherings. These are great times to connect and welcome others to converse while serving as well. Arrival at 9:45am is great, 9:30am is super helpful for assisting with audio equipment and/or indoor set up. Cleaning up on the back end should only take 10-15 minutes. The hosting checklist is in the Trinity office. Thank you!

March

1st: Fishers

8th: Broad Ripple

15th: North/Carmel

22nd: Midtown/Downtown

29th: Fishers

April

5th/Easter: Broad Ripple

12th: North/Carmel

19th: Midtown/Downtown

26th: Fishers

First Nations Version of Psalms. We understand that the Spirit has no gender. While the FNV does use the word “Grandfather” for the Great Spirit, and we at Trinity might more naturally gravitate toward a feminine or gender-inclusive term for the Spirit, we have chosen to read from this version to open ourselves to the diverse humanlike depictions of Creator and hear these sacred texts in new ways. No translation is perfect. If you’d like to read what the translators of the FNV have to say about their choice regarding gender and the Great Spirit, you are welcome to read the excerpt at the front of this Trinity Gathering copy (it is marked).