April 6

Fifth Sunday of Lent

WELCOME AND LITURGY OF GATHERING 

Leader: Reading of Psalm 40.5-10. 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

Be Thou My Vision

Be Thou my Vision, O Lord of my heart;
Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art;
Thou my best Thought, by day or by night,
Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light.

Be Thou my Wisdom, and Thou my true Word;
I ever with Thee and Thou with me, Lord;
Thou my great Father, I Thy true son;
Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise,
Thou mine Inheritance, now and always:
Thou and Thou only, first in my heart,
High King of Heaven, my Treasure Thou art.

High King of Heaven, my victory won,
May I reach Heaven’s joys, O bright Heav’n’s Sun!
Heart of my own heart, whatever befall,
Still be my Vision, O Ruler of all.

Lyrics of He is Among Us (The Least of These) 

Ooh, ooh

Ooh-ooh, ooh-ooh

You′ll find Me with the broken and the weak

In the spaces in between

You'll hear My voice cry out with those who weep

Only if you′re listening

Whatever you do for the least of these

You do it unto Me

You'll find Me with the ones without a voice

The forgotten and ignored

My blessing is on those who love the poor

Will you open up the door?

Whatever you do for the least of these

You do it unto Me

Whatever you do for the least of these

You do it unto Me

Hallelujah, hallelujah

He is among us, He is among us

Hallelujah, hallelujah

He is among us, He is among us

Hallelujah, hallelujah

He is among us, He is among us

Hallelujah, hallelujah

He is among us, He is among us

By this the world will know the Father's love

We will know the Father′s love

COMMUNITY CONFESSION AND LENTEN CANDLE READING

Leader: Plant in us, O God, your visions of restoration. 

We long to be a field where all your hopes blossom;

ALL: Make our hearts a place of refuge,

for every shattered dream of peace.

Let our imaginations run wild,

as dreams of Justice are birthed from within.

Leader: We don’t want to waste this life shackled by despair, confined by fear,

a stranger to the miracle of being alive.

ALL: We want to be fully awake to all the beauty that surrounds.

We want to be determined in hope – a relentless pursuer of what could be.

We want to be messengers of belonging, to every soul that weighs heavy

under narratives of bigotry or hate.

We have known what it is to be a stranger to joy.

Leader: But this ancient story of love,

sustaining generation after generation,

in labors of liberation –

it frees us from our fear.

ALL: No longer will we view life on evil’s terms.

No more will we submit to rules of dominance.

But in the freedom of Christ, you make our spirits rise.

Leader: In the depths of darkness and despite our slowness to change, God has only love for us. 

snuff out the Lenten candle

ALL: Thanks be to God!  

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

Descending the Mountain from Base Camp: Improvisation

Mark 14.22-25, 32-41

• What does it take to heal? What tools are being picked up and packed for the journey in this text?

• Take a moment to locate what base camp you/we’re at now. What “base camp” experience do I/we need to engage in mutuality, wholeness and improvisation on the good road?

• What do I believe/how do I feel about the possibility of healing in my own life?

• What might we envision continued healing or restoration will look like as we embody our identity as followers of Jesus?

• Storytelling: What stories of our particular faith community identity resonate with you when you read this text? Take a moment to share.

*The Four Mountains Reading

* Description Card

*For additional discussion prompts visit the series page here.

LORD’S TABLE LITURGY

Leader: Gentle One, in the midst of all the world’s noise,

we struggle to hear your whispers of care.

“Come and rest,”

You beckon.

ALL: Our never-ending lists, days too short, pressures so high, they make us weary.

Whether our labor is paid, or the search for work is our toil.

Whether we tend with care to the needs of our loved ones at home

or gift time to the collective cries for justice,

there are so many ways we grow tired.

Leader: Reaching out, patient and inviting.

“Come and rest,”

you beckon, again and again.

ALL: To trust in You is to remember limitations,

release control, and let our earnest offerings be enough.

Leader: You do not ask any one person to lift the burdens from the world.

The Sacred labors of life

belong to all of us and none of us.

For everything that doesn’t get done…

For all that we desire to protect but cannot…

For every hurt we cannot tend…

Fill us with a deep assurance,

of your presence that abides in all things,

Through all things.

You abandon no one in their struggle.

ALL: Let your Sabbath be our renewal

of body, of mind, of spirit.

Leader: Now, we come around the Lord’s table, speaking these words to one another: 

ALL: Come, if your faith is blossoming and full, and come, if it is but a tiny seed planted in your heart; come, if you always show up for this Meal, and come, if this is the your very first taste; come, if you have always walked with Christ, and come, if you have stumbled along the way. But come - for our God awaits to serve you with joy, with affirmation, with hope, with peace.

Leader: For all who seek to experience new life in Christ - eat and drink – the body of Christ broken for you and the cup of the new covenant shed for you.

*communion elements are 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.

Continuously 

I will hold your right hand

Right beside you, my word is true

I am continuously, continuously 

With you 

Though your flesh and heart may fail

I will uphold you beyond the veil

I’m continuously, I’m continuously

With you

Rest in my love as you sleep tonight

Rest in the song that mercy sings

Your shield and strength all through the fire

I will be your covering

I’ll be your shelter where’er you go

When you wander I’ll bring you home

I am continuously, continuously 

with you

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Elder Candidate Presentation. The Leadership Team has been walking through a process of discernment with Brenda Howard, Allie McCarthy, and Victor Minetola and present them as our next candidates for formal eldership at Trinity. If you have questions or anything you’d like to share with the Leadership Team as a part of the discernment process in bringing on the newest elder candidates, you are invited to engage with current elders or send an email to contact@indytrinity.org by Sunday, April 6th. More information about the candidates may be found at www.indytrinity.org/elder-candidates. The intent is to bring on new elders in May. At that time, Autumn Schulze will also be rolling off the Leadership Team after completing another three year term. Please join in thanking Autumn for her service and ongoing care for our Trinity Family!

New Giving Platform. We've updated our giving platform to Zeffy. You’ll now be able to make an online gift with zero transaction fees, ensuring that every dollar you give goes directly to our mission. Zeffy also makes recurring giving simple and convenient. Your consistent monthly support provides stability for Trinity, allowing us to better plan and serve our community now and in the future. It's a powerful way for you to make a lasting impact on the work we do together. Visit https://www.indytrinity.org/offeringbasket to explore Zeffy and set up your gift today. Thank you for your incredible generosity and for being a part of the Trinity Church family!

Community Conversation April 13th. Managing Anxiety. Life can be overwhelming, but you don’t have to navigate it alone. Join us for a community conversation on managing anxiety and building resilience on Saturday, April 13th after the gathering. With guidance from Brenda and Corrine, we’ll discuss practical strategies, try hands-on exercises, and create space for reflection. Whether anxiety is part of your daily experience or an occasional visitor, this time is for you. No pressure—just a chance to connect and breathe. Questions? Contact joel@indytrinity.org 

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 (April 14 -April 18th) together by gathering virtually during the week to center ourselves around the days leading to Christ's crucifixion. 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 18th, 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 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.

Sermon Series and Seasonal Small Groups! 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 of 2024 will form around What It Takes to Heal by Prentis Hemphill. If you need assistance in acquiring a copy, please contact your group’s host. 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 12-1 pm - Fishers/Zoom starting February 10

Tuesdays 5:15-6:30 pm - Near Eastside/Kid Friendly starting February 11

Wednesdays 7:00 pm - Midtown/Downtown starting February 5

Thursdays 7:00-8:30 pm - Queer Affinity starting February 20

Fridays 6:30-8 pm - Broad Ripple starting February 7

Equity Funds. Rolling submissions for 2025 Equity Funds will be accepted in phases: through May 4th and then again through November 2nd. This form is to be used to submit proposals and taken to Community Conversations scheduled for May 18th (MOVED) and November 9th. After those conversations, more solidified proposals (discerned through the larger group conversation) will then be taken to the Leadership Team for final disbursement requests. We ask that you use this form to prepare for presenting at a Community Conversation or if you are unable to attend those Equity Funds conversations the proposal will be taken to the group in your absence. Please refer to your emails for additional information. If you didn’t receive an email and would like to be on the list, please send an email to contact@indytrinity.org. 

Baptism and Family Covenants. We plan to hold baptisms on Sunday, June 1st  as a part of the Gathering. If you are interested or have questions, please contact Melissa Millis at melissa@indytrinity.org. If you’re interested in a Family Covenant in the near future, please contact Britney Foster at britney@indytrinity.org. 

THE BENEDICTION

Leader: The liberating Spirit of Christ binds us together 

ALL: with all the saints who have labored in faith 

Leader: that we might be the people of God:

ALL: Unwavering in practices of justice.

Leader: Resolute in pursuit of Wisdom that nourishes. 

Courageous in telling truths that set free.

ALL: Encouraged through love for one another, 

may God’s grace lead us from this place.

Amen.

Leader: Go in peace!

(Some liturgies adapted fromlectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com andenfleshed.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

6th: North/Carmel

13th: Fishers

20th/Easter: Broad Ripple

27th: North/Carmel

May

4th: Midtown/Downtown

11th: Fishers

18th:Broad Ripple

25th: North/Carmel