April 12th

WELCOME AND LITURGY OF GATHERING 

Leader: Reading of Psalm 116:1-4, 12-19 (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

Joyful, Joyful We Adore You

Joyful, joyful, we adore You,

God of glory, Lord of love;

Hearts unfold like flowers before You,

Opening to the sun above.

Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;

Drive the dark of doubt away;

Giver of immortal gladness,

Fill us with the light of day!

All Your works with joy surround You,

Earth and heaven reflect Your rays,

Stars and angels sing around You,

Center of unbroken praise;

Field and forest, vale and mountain,

Flowery meadow, flashing sea,

Chanting bird and flowing fountain

Praising You eternally!

Always giving and forgiving,

Ever blessing, ever blest,

Well-spring of the joy of living,

Ocean-depth of happy rest!

You our Father, Christ our Brother,

Let Your light upon us shine;

Teach us how to love each other,

Lift us to the joy divine.

Mortals, join the mighty chorus,

Which the morning stars began;

God's own love is reigning o’er us,

Joining people hand in hand.

Ever singing, march we onward,

Victors in the midst of strife;

Joyful music leads us sunward

In the triumph song of life.

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty

Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation!

O my soul, praise him, for he is thy health and salvation!

All ye who hear, now to his temple draw near,

Join me in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord, who o’er all things so wondrously reigneth,

Shelters thee under his wings, yea, so gently sustaineth!

Hast thou not seen how thy desires e’er have been

Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord, who doth prosper thy work and defend thee!

Surely his goodness and mercy here daily attend thee;

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do

When with his love he befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord, O let all that is in me adore him!

All that hath life and breath, come now with praises before him!

Let the amen sound from his people again;

Gladly forever adore Him.

COMMUNITY CONFESSION

Leader: Which of us has not hurt someone this week? Which of us has not spoken (or thought) ill of a sibling in Christ? Which of us has failed to do good when given the chance? Which of us? All of us and each of us! But Christ came to save people just like us, so I invite you to join me as we offer our prayers to God, saying,

ALL: Although we believe we are experts at faithfulness, Holy God, we must confess we are unskilled workers at doing good for others. Too often, we ignore the cries of people we have judged to be fools. We easily scoff at those we believe have nothing to teach us or share with us. How foolish, Searching God, how foolish we are! Forgive us, and restore us to your goodness. Then, send us forth to search for all who sit in the shadowed corners of our world, yearning for someone to come and find them, even as Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior, came to find us.

Silence is kept 

Leader: Our actions sometimes show we do not know God. Our words and lives show we do not understand God's hopes for us. But with utmost patience, God sets aside our foolishness, and fills us with mercy.

ALL: Mingled with faith and love, grace is poured into our sin-parched souls, giving us new life, restoring us as God's children. 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

Attentive People - Weeping is Prayer

Psalm 6

*For discussion prompts visit the series page here.

LORD’S TABLE LITURGY

Leader: As we have the love of God made known at the Table, we proclaim that mystery we call faith:

ALL: Walking to his death, Christ entrusted his life to you; raised from the grave, Christ glorified in your love for him; standing in our midst at the end, Christ will gather us at your Table.

Leader: See what love God has for us as we are gathered around this Table of grace, and the Spirit of joy is poured out upon us in the gifts of the bread and the cup.

ALL: As siblings we take the broken bread and share it, that we would reach out to those who might otherwise be called strangers. As we share the cup of community, we would weep and stand beside the lonely, the longing, and the forgotten, to pour God's gladness into their hearts.

Leader: Eat and drink – the Spirit of joy is poured out upon us in these gifts - the body of Christ broken for you and the cup of the new covenant shed for you.

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

RESPONSE AND 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.

I Have Decided

I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

I have decided to follow Jesus;

No turning back, no turning back.

Come and go with me, and we will follow (x3)

No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me (x3)

No turning back, no turning back

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The new sermon series is posted. Reflection and discussion prompts as well as resources have been included.

First Nations Version of Psalms and Proverbs. Copies are now available for each household. Please pick up your copy at the Gathering and sign off that you’ve received one.

Practices. Trinity’s practices may be found on the website. As a reminder, Trinity believes the values and beliefs we hold are best lived out in practice as we embody our mission and move toward our vision. 

Civic Action Group Meeting - Join us for our next Civic Action Group (CAG) meeting on Sunday, April 26th, 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.

Stewardship Days at Octavia’s Visionary Campus. Join on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month @ 2856 S. Meridian Street. Caretaking in the gardens/property from 10-2 plus Lunch and Learn session afterwards. Email thealy@kheprw.org with questions. Sign up for newsletters and find out more at https://alkhemy.kheprw.org/. 

Hell's Belle. A True Crime Dark Comedy About Indiana's First Serial Killer by Amalia Lynn Howard @ Shelton Auditorium (1000 W 42nd St, Indianapolis, IN 46208). Get tickets: https://www.butlerartscenter.org/performances/southbank-theatre-presents-hells-belle/

Local Grant Application. Have an idea that could bless our neighbors or kickstart something good? Trinity has local grant funds to help support projects led by Trinity folks or community members. These grants are awarded on a rolling basis, and partnership with Trinity is welcomed (but not required). Info and Application

Save the Date, we're going back to Sex Ed! On May 3rd, IYG's Angie Tarr will return to Trinity to lead our adults through a sex ed class after the Gathering. Many of us weren't blessed with the opportunity to have comprehensive sex education when we were young and don't feel prepared to lead our young people through this incredibly important part of their lived experience. The Youth will go on a fun adventure on their own while our grown-ups are in class. Please reach out to Britney for questions at britney@indytrinity.org.

Save the Dates! Summer Retreats. Mark your calendars for Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31st AND Friday, August 28th through Sunday, August 30th. Keep an eye on your emails! The Youth will be sending an email to invite you to our Spring Retreat May 29-31 at White River Campground and Strawtown Koteewi Park! There will be the opportunity to sign up for camping sites and extra activities for fun and community. Questions can go to Britney at britney@indytrinity.org.

Baptism and Family Covenants. We plan to hold baptisms at the retreat Gathering on Sunday, May 31st  as a part of the Gathering. If you are interested or have questions about baptism, please contact Melissa Millis at melissa@indytrinity.org. If you’re interested in a Family Covenant please contact Britney Foster at britney@indytrinity.org. 

THE BENEDICTION

Leader: The God of Creation sends you out.

ALL: So we can find new ways to dream.

Leader: The Sibling of the poor sends you out.

ALL: So we may embrace hope and healing among the broken and despairing.

Leader: The Spirit of wonder sends you out.

ALL: So we may join all creation in weeping and offering thanks.

(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!

April

5th/Easter: Broad Ripple

12th: North/Carmel

19th: Midtown/Downtown

26th: Fishers 

May

3rd: Broad Ripple

10th: North/Carmel

17th: Midtown/Downtown

24th/Memorial Day weekend Brunch: Fishers

*31st/Retreat Gathering: Broad Ripple 

* Indicates dates we plan to be off site and don’t really have hosting duties. However, we’d like to have a parish scheduled in the event plans shift.

First Nations Version of Psalms and Proverbs. 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).