May 17th

WELCOME AND LITURGY OF GATHERING 

Leader: Reading of Psalm 2 (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

How Great Thou Art

O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

When through the woods, and forest glades I wander,

And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees.

When I look down, from lofty mountain grandeur

And see the brook, and feel the gentle breeze

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
And lead me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then I shall bow with humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art

Great I Am

I want to be close close to Your side

So Heaven is real and death is a lie

I want to hear voices of angels above

Singing as one

Hallelujah holy holy, God Almighty the great I Am

Who is worthy none beside Thee

God Almighty the great I Am

I want to be near near to Your heart

Loving the world and hating the dark

I want to see dry bones living again

Singing as one

The mountains shake before You. The demons run and flee

At the mention of Your name King of majesty

There is no power in hell or any who can stand

Before the power and the Presence of the great I Am

The great I Am, the great I Am!

The great I Am, the great I Am, the great I Am!

Hallelujah holy holy, God Almighty the great I Am

Who is worthy none beside Thee

God Almighty the great I Am, the great I Am,

The great I Am, the great I Am!

COMMUNITY CONFESSION

Leader: To come before God with the truth of our lives is itself an act of faith: we trust that the Holy One is interested in us, interested in our minds and hearts and souls. We trust that God’s mercy and grace are intended for us, too. With faith and in trust, let us make our confession to God, first in silent prayer.

ALL: Holy God, hear our prayer. Sometimes our lives are a mess, because of choices we have made or because of choices others have made. Sometimes our lives are great, and we’re kind and generous. Sometimes our lives are great and we forget to be grateful and humble. We trust that in the jumble of all of this, you are present. We trust that you are with us, walking with us when we stray, nudging us back to the right path, slowing us down when we get ahead of you, and waiting for us when we lag behind. So we thank you, and ask for your forgiveness, and pray that you will stay with us throughout the journey. 

Leader: When our hearts are hard, O God –

ALL: Soften them with your love.

Leader: When our hands are clenched, O God –

ALL: Open them with your grace.

Leader: When our feet are planted too firmly, O God –

ALL: Invite us to dance with you.

Leader: Our lives are not our own, we know –

ALL: Let us live and move and have our being in you, O 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 - Stick By

Psalm 145

*For discussion prompts visit the series page here.

LORD’S TABLE LITURGY

The Holy is with us!
We are not alone!
Lift up your hearts;
we lift our broken hearts to God!
Amidst evil systems, we give thanks for Enduring Love!
It is right to give the God of the Oppressed praise.

Jesus—teacher, Palestinian, healer living in an occupied land:

We consider the hands that broke a loaf of bread before your friends.
When you were a baby, your mother kissed each finger.
During your ministry, you touched, gently, the faces of the sick.
You washed the feet of your beloveds, wringing a cloth.
Your friends recognize your calluses from hewing wood
as you lifted a loaf between your hands, saying: 

this is my body. 

As we pour the wine, we remember not only your painful death—
your friends and family weeping, in disbelief of the cruelty of the world—
we remember your life.
Your love poured into Mary of Magdala.
Your anger flowing towards oppressors.
Your vibrancy spilled out over your friends and neighbors. Your first miracle—
wine for a wedding celebration. 

This is my lifeblood.

Oh, the universe of life of each Palestinian!
The sacred particularity of each one!
The cosmic swirl of their fingerprints.
Their laugh, birdsong.
Their life, an ordinary miracle.
Lining up for flour, their blood is poured out!
We taste and eat the sorrow of the world!
We taste and eat devastation ripe on the vine!

We wish we could re-member every single limb
broken, severed by the evil of occupiers.
So we remember what we can:
the night where Jesus gathered with his friends in a room.
Like many young men in Palestine—
feeling the occupiers lurking, sensing his death was soon.

Taking bread in his holy, every day hands and breaking it.
Re-member me.

Taking a cup, with the fingers his mother kissed, pouring wine.
Re-member me.

This is my body which is given for you.
Re-member me.

Remember every beloved martyred
by empire, occupation, colonization, greed.

Come, the table of sorrow and salvation is set. Let us re-member.

Enduring Love,
may the ingesting
of this breaking, this blood poured out
change us so fundamentally
that the veil of unknowing is ripped in two.
May there be no other way forward
than remembering this anguish
with the testimony of our lives.
For we share one cup,
we are one body,
and together we get free.
Free Palestine
Nobody is free until everybody is free.

Amen.

*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.

Is He Worthy?

Do you feel the world is broken? We do.

Do you feel the shadows deepen? We do.

Do you know that all the dark won’t stop the light from getting through? We do.

Do you wish that you could see it all made new? We do.

Is all creation groaning? It is.

Is a new creation coming? It is.

Is the glory of the Lord to be the light within our midst? It is.

Is it good that we remind ourselves of this? It is.

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?

Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?

The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave,

He is David’s Root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave.

Is he worthy? Is he worthy of all blessing and honor and glory?

Is worthy of this? He is.

Does the Father truly love us? He does.

Does the Spirit move among us? He does.

And does Jesus, our Messiah, hold forever those he loves? He does.

Does our God intend to dwell again with us? He does.

Is anyone worthy? Is anyone whole?

Is anyone able to break the seal and open the scroll?

The Lion of Judah who conquered the grave,

He is David’s Root and the Lamb who died to ransom the slave.

From every people and tribe, every nation and tongue,

He has made us a kingdom and priests to God to reign with the Son.

Is he worthy? Is he worthy of all blessing and honor and glory?

Is worthy of this? Is he worthy? Is he worthy of this?

He is. Is he worthy? Is he worthy? He is! He is!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The sermon series is posted. Reflection and discussion prompts as well as resources are included. 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. 

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.

Summer Retreats. Our first retreat will be Friday, May 29th through Sunday, May 31st.  Check  your emails! The Youth invite you to our Spring Retreat May 29-31 at White River Campground and Strawtown Koteewi Park! Please utilize the sign up for camping sites and extra activities for fun and community. Questions can go to Britney at britney@indytrinity.org. A second retreat will be held Friday, August 28th through Sunday, August 30th. 

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. 

Where the Money Went Q1 2026 is now posted online here and under “Church Documents”. Please check your email for more details. If you need access to either of these, please let us know (contact@indytrinity.org). Any questions about numbers may be directed to Steve Edinger at finance@indytrinity.org, questions about budget may be directed to Brenda Howard, Treasurer, at brenda@indytrinity.org, and questions about the Foundation Fund (i.e. investments) may be directed to Jay Howard at jay@indytrinity.org. 

First Ever Trinity Vacation Bible School! Mark your calendars for June 8-10 for VBS! Kids aged 3 through fifth grade are invited to participate from 5:30-7pm Monday through Wednesday (dinner will be included)! We'll be utilizing Illustrated Ministry's Compassion Camp and having so much fun! Please reach out to Britney with any questions and to RSVP at britney@indytrinity.org.

Mark your calendars for special (and off site) Gatherings this summer. More information to come on special Gatherings!

• Memorial Day Weekend Brunch Gathering on Sunday, May 24th. Bring a dish or two to share as we Gather for shared liturgy and around the table in fellowship. Feel free to bring lawn games, etc. 

• Indy Pride Parade/Festival June 13th. Everyone is invited to join folks from Trinity at the Pride Parade! We will arrive early with coolers of water and snacks to help folks stay hydrated and fueled as they enjoy the Pride Festivities downtown.
  🗓️ Visit the event page for carpool and meetup information.

• Pride Brunch Gathering on Sunday, June 14th. Pride month (June) is rapidly approaching! Pride celebrations are holy, as they represent a casting off of chains and embracing of joy. A jubilee! To practice our own Pride jubilee, we will host a brunch Sunday on June 14. If you would like to join in the jubilee, please bring a dish to share. A cake and a dozen GF Pride cupcakes will be provided for this celebration. We will also have some tabletop games available for play! If any questions, please reach out to Emily (emily@indytrinity.org).

• Special Off-site Gathering on Sunday, June 21st. Mark your calendars as we prepare for a special Gathering to include the Haughville Walk and Talk with Sampson Levingston at Through2Eyes, Sunday, June 21st. Plan to arrive by 9:45 for brief liturgy before we walk and talk. More details to come! 

• Special Off-site Irvington Counseling Collective (ICC) on Sunday, July 12th. More details to follow. 

• Special Off-site Gathering at Octavia’s Visionary Campus (OVC) with Kheprw on SATURDAY, July 25th. (No Sunday Gathering on the 27th.)

• Special Off-site IYG on Sunday, August 16th. More details to follow. 

• Retreat weekend and Gathering Sunday, August 30th. In the works. Stay tuned. Please email contact@indytrinity.org if you’re interested in lending a hand in the planning.

THE BENEDICTION

Leader: Let us go from here with the confidence that God can, indeed, make all things new. 

Wherever evil and oppression declare their power,

ALL: may we, with even more boldness, proclaim the power of the living God in us.

Leader: The Creator of all that is,

ALL: The risen Christ who brings life out of destruction, 

And the spirit, creative and surprising,

Leader: they go with us, today and always.

ALL: Thanks be to God.

Let us go in peace. Amen.

(Some liturgies adapted from lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com, enfleshed.com) 

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!

May

3rd: Broad Ripple

10th: North/Carmel

17th: Midtown/Downtown

24th/Memorial Day weekend Brunch: Fishers

*31st/Retreat Gathering: Broad Ripple 

June

7: North/Carmel

14/Pride Brunch: Midtown/Downtown

*21/Walk and Talk - Fishers

28: 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).