HOLY TRINITY
FIRST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST, YEAR C

2019 - 16 June
2022 - 12 June
2025 - 15 June
2028 - 11 June
2031 - 08 June
2034 - 04 June
2037 - 31 May

LITURGY

SENTENCE
See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Sentence', in the 'General and seasonal' folder for suggestions on using a Sentence.

Praise the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Praise and adore him forever.
Praise the Lord in the heights of heaven.
Praise and adore him forever.
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty.
Praise and adore him forever.
He was and is and is to come.
Praise and adore him forever.

OR
Holy, holy, holy, the Lord God the Almighty, 
who was and is and is to come.  (Rev 4:8 NRSV)

OR
Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God of hosts. 
All the earth is filled with his glory.  (Isa 6:3)

OR
We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;
through him we have gained access to this grace in which we stand.  (Rom 5:1,2)

INTRODUCTION TO CONFESSION OF SINS
If the second Sentence above from Romans 5 has not been used as an opening sentence, then this introduction to the confession of sins may be used:

Friends in Christ: 
we have gained access to the grace in which we stand 
through our Lord Jesus Christ. 
Since we have peace with God through him, 
let us draw near to God our Father with a true heart 
to confess our sins, 
and ask him in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ 
to forgive us.

THE TRISAGION
The 'Trisagion' (literally: 'Thrice holy'), in either of the following forms, may be used as a confessional response before the absolution. The first two shorter versions may be said or sung three times.

Holy God,
holy and mighty,
holy and immortal,
have mercy on us.

OR
O Lord God most holy,
O Lord most mighty,
O holy and most merciful God,
have mercy on us.

OR, this version from the Good Friday order:
O Lord God most holy, 
O Lord most mighty,
O holy and most merciful God,
have mercy on us,
and do not condemn us to eternal death.

O Lord God most holy, 
O Lord most mighty,
O holy and most merciful God,
have mercy on us,
and lead us through death to eternal life.

O Lord God most holy, 
O Lord most mighty,
O holy and most merciful Saviour,
have mercy on us, and never abandon us.

LORD, HAVE MERCY
Although the 'Lord, have mercy' is essentially christological, it has often been interpreted in a trinitarian sense because of the threefold repetition. Hymn 897 in the Supplement, 'Kyrie, God, Father in heaven above', is a good example of this. Here is another trinitarian kyrie, adapted from a version in Löhe's Agenda.

Lord and Father, source of all goodness:
have mercy on us.
Lord, you sent your Son for the salvation of the world:
have mercy on us.
Lord, you give the seven gifts of the Spirit, filling heaven and earth:
have mercy on us.

Christ, only Son of the Father, foretold by prophets and born of a virgin:
have mercy on us.
Christ, ruler of the kingdom of heaven, the angels sing of your glory:
have mercy on us.
Christ, you intercede for us at the right hand of the Father:
have mercy on us.

Lord, Spirit, you flow from the Father and the Son, and are one with them:
have mercy on us.
Lord, you baptised Christ in the Jordan, and appeared as a dove:
have mercy on us.
Lord, fire divine, you make our hearts burn with love and praise:
have mercy on us.

The following christological version of the 'Lord, have mercy' may be also used.

Lord Jesus Christ, begotten not created, hear our prayer and save us.
Lord, have mercy.  OR  Kyrie, eleison.
Lord Jesus Christ, true God from true God, hear our prayer and help us.
Christ, have mercy.  OR  Christe, eleison.
Lord Jesus Christ, one with the Father, hear our prayer and give us peace.
Lord, have mercy.  OR  Kyrie, eleison.

PRAYER OF THE DAY (COLLECT)
Traditional
Almighty and eternal God, 
since you have given us grace, 
by the confession of the true faith, 
to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, 
and to worship the Unity 
by the power of your divine majesty: 
Keep us firm in this faith, 
and defend us forever from all evil; 
for you live and reign, 
one God, now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, modernised traditional
Almighty and eternal God, 
you have given us faith 
to affirm the glory of the eternal Trinity 
and to worship you as One. 
Keep us firm in this faith 
and safe with you forever. 
For you live and reign, one God, 
now and forever. 
Amen.

OR, new (revised alternative)
(Let us pray for faith in the Triune God. [silence])
Eternal God, 
you have revealed yourself 
as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 
and you live in the perfect unity of love. 
Give us a sure faith in you, 
so that we share in your holy fellowship and life 
as three Persons in one God, 
now and forever. 
Amen.

FIRST READING
Proverbs 8:1-4,22-31 Wisdom's role in creation

PSALM 
Psalm 8
Antiphon: 
O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  
(Ps 8:1a NIV)

SECOND READING
Romans 5:1-5 The Christian experience of the Trinity

ALLELUIA VERSE
Alleluia.
Glory to the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 
who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.
Alleluia.

OR
Alleluia.
(Jesus said:) 'The Spirit will glorify me, 
because he will take what is mine and declare it to you.'  
(John 16:14 NRSV)
Alleluia.

GOSPEL
John 16:12-15 The Spirit from God will bear witness to Jesus
(Begin: 'Jesus said to his disciples:')

PRAYER AFTER THE GOSPEL
This is the gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
Lord Jesus Christ, thank you for the Holy Spirit, 
who reveals the truth about God. 
May we give glory to you and the Father and the Spirit. 
Amen.

ATHANASIAN CREED
The Athanasian Creed is one of the three ecumenical creeds of Christendom. It is included in the Book of Concord among the Lutheran confessions. It may therefore be used in worship, along with the Apostles' Creed and the Nicene Creed. In fact, it has traditionally been used in some Lutheran congregations on Trinity Sunday.

However, there are problems with using this creed in congregational worship: it is long; it is difficult to understand; it is difficult to read it in unison; the versions generally available have not been in inclusive language; and the condemnatory sentences ('Whoever does not keep it whole and inviolate will doubtless perish eternally' etc) can be a stumblimg block to some worshippers unless explained - which is difficult in the context of worship. 

The Department of Liturgics suggests ways of using this creed which avoid some of these problems. See the document 'The Athanasian Creed in worship' in the 'Rites and services' folder.

OFFERING PRAYER
Loving Triune God, 
teach us, your children, 
to praise and glorify you with our lives 
and all that we have, 
by serving others. 
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE CHURCH
Call to prayer
God our Father has created us. In his love, he sent his Son to redeem us. Now he gathers together his holy people by the power of his Spirit. Let us come to him in the Spirit, through the name of Jesus, and ask him for all we need.

The regular response, OR:
Blessed are you, Lord God, King of the universe.
Blessed be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever and ever.

Suggested intercessions
*	for the church, that it may reflect the communal love of God
*	for the Lutheran Church of Australia, that the Spirit may guide us into all truth
*	that God would make his name known to all nations through Jesus Christ in the power of the Spirit
*	for wisdom to be proper stewards of God's creation
*	for scientists who seek to know about and use God's creation
*	for governments and industries, that they may use God's creation wisely
*	for all who have been baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit
*	for parents, that they may teach faith in the Triune God to their baptised children
*	for all who suffer, that they may be strengthened by hope in God

Concluding prayer
Lord God, you are the ground of our existence and the foundation of our faith. Support us in this faith as we live in your name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

OR
Call to prayer
God our Father has created us. In his love, he sent his Son to redeem us. Now he gathers together his holy people by the power of his Spirit. Let us come to him in the Spirit, through the name of Jesus, and ask him for all our needs.

Suggested intercessions
For all you have made, for the earth and the sea and all their creatures, 
and the universe of space and stars, planets and moons,
and for the world of spirits and angels,
blessed are you, Lord God, King of the universe.
Blessed be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever and ever.

For all humankind, made in your image,
male and female, adult and child, husband and wife, 
and people of every tribe, nation, race and language,
blessed are you, Lord God, King of the universe.
Blessed be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever and ever.

For your gift of community:
families and friends, towns and cities, states and nations, 
reflecting the communal love of the Trinity,
blessed are you, Lord God, King of the universe.
Blessed be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever and ever.

For your holy name made known through Jesus Christ our Lord,
and given to all who believe through the power of the Spirit,
blessed are you, Lord God, King of the universe.
Blessed be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever and ever.

For your holy catholic church 
where many are made one,
just as you are the Three-in-One,
blessed are you, Lord God, King of the universe.
Blessed be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever and ever.

For all who have been baptised in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
as they witness to your love and action in the world,
and for all parents who teach the true faith to their baptised children,
blessed are you, Lord God, King of the universe.
Blessed be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever and ever.

For the faithfulness of the church over two thousand years,
and for the guidance of your Spirit in the way of truth,
blessed are you, Lord God, King of the universe.
Blessed be Father, Son, and Holy Spirit forever and ever.

Concluding prayer
Lord God, you are the ground of our existence and the foundation of our faith. Support us in this faith as we live in your name, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.

SEASONAL PREFACE
It is indeed right and good, 
Lord God, holy Father, 
that we should at all times and in all places 
give thanks to you, 
through Jesus Christ our Lord; 
who with you and the Holy Spirit is one God, one Lord, 
whom we confess as the only true God 
and worship as the eternal Trinity, 
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. 
And so, with angels and archangels, 
and with all the company of heaven, 
we adore and praise your glorious name:

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
See below under 'Hymns and songs', 'Holy, holy, holy', for some suggestions. 

COMMUNION INVITATION
Through Christ Jesus we have access to the Father by one Spirit. 
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.

OR
The holy things of God
for the holy people of God.
(Thanks be to God.)
Come, everything is ready.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
The third prayer of the day (as listed above) may be used at this point. It may be modified as follows.

Eternal God, 
you have revealed yourself to us today 
in word and sacrament 
as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, 
and you live in the perfect unity of love. 
Give us a sure faith in you, 
so that we share in your holy fellowship and life 
as three Persons in one God, 
now and forever. 
Amen.

SEASONAL BLESSING
This seasonal blessing is used together with (ie before) the usual blessing in the order of service.

(May) God the holy Trinity, 
who has created, redeemed, and sanctified you, 
bring you to know and adore him as one God; . . .

DISMISSAL
Go in the peace of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Thanks be to God.  OR  In the name of Christ. Amen.

HYMNS AND SONGS

FOR THE READINGS

Please note:	* =	Modernised version available
	G3, G4 . . . =	Guitar chords available in the Music Package 3, 4 . . . 
	GS =	Guitar chords in the Supplement to LH

First reading  Proverbs 8:1-4,22-31
LHS
589	I sing the almighty power of God
779	My Lord of light who made the worlds G8
812	The Lord in wisdom made the earth G8
AT
333	You are our God
TIS
119	I sing the almighty power of God 
143	Immortal, invisible, God only wise
166	Sing a new song, sing a new song
167	How deep the riches of our God
415	Praise the Spirit in creation (vv 1,6)

Second reading: Romans 5:1-5
LHS 
118	O Holy Ghost, to Thee we all pray (vv 3,4)* G3
121	Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord (vv 1,3)* G4
127	Come, Holy Spirit, come (vv 2,3,4)* G4
128	O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God (vv 2,5,6)* G5
138	The Lord my God be praised G8
141	Father of heaven, whose love profound G5
321	Faith is a living power from heaven* G5
337	God from all eternity* (tune 276) G5
349	Jesus, I my cross have taken G3
397	Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us G4
411	If God be my defender* G3
441	With joyful hearts your praises bring* G3
852	God loved the world so that he gave G5
880	How shall I call you? GS
AT
40	Holy, holy
43	How shall I call you ?
349	There is a redeemer
359	Holy Spirit, living water
398	A child of God
448	Loving Spirit
TIS
118	We give immortal praise
131	Father of heaven, whose love profound
154	Great is your faithfulness, O God my Father
399	Come, Spirit of God, holy Lord
401	O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God
425	Come, Spirit blest, our hearts inspire
580	Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us

Gospel: John 16:12-15
LHS
116	Come, Holy Spirit, heavenly dove* G8
117	Come, Holy Ghost, our souls inspire
118	O Holy Ghost, to Thee we all pray (vv 1,2)* G3
121	Come, Holy Ghost, God and Lord (v 2)* G4
125	Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly dove G5
127	Come, Holy Spirit, come (vv 1,6)* G4
128	O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God (esp v 4)* G5
296	My Maker, be Thou nigh* G5
785	In Adam we have all been one G5
822	God has spoken by his prophets G6
AT
251	God sends us his Spirit
TIS
158	God has spoken by his prophets 
396	Come, Holy Spirit, our souls inspire
399	Come, Spirit of God, holy Lord (v 2)
401	O Spirit of life, O Spirit of God (esp v 4)
402	Come, gracious Spirit, heavenly dove
408	O breath of God, breathe on us now
412	God sends us his Spirit
413	Holy Spirit, come confirm us
422	Come, Holy Spirit, come!
436	Your words to me are life and health

OTHER HYMNS FROM THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL WITH SUPPLEMENT
Any hymns from the Trinity sections of the Lutheran Hymnal (135-142) or Supplement (776-779) are suitable for this day. The following may also be considered suitable:

116	Come Holy Spirit, heavenly dove *(esp verse 5)
197	Lord, keep us steadfast in thy word*
532	O Trinity, most blessed light (esp suitable for an evening service)
897	Kyrie, God, Father in heaven above (not easy for a congregation, but worth the choir giving it a go)
* modernised version available

OTHER SONGS FROM THE 'ALL TOGETHER' BOOKS
40	Holy, holy
41	Father, we adore you
42	Now unto the King eternal
43	How shall I call you
90	Father, bless us
115	Father in heaven
118	The baptism song
120	One God
155	We believe
158	Come, sing our praises loud
168	Hear our prayer
250	How majestic is your name
271	For the bread
301	Prayer of peace
362	I believe, I do

OTHER SONGS FROM TOGETHER IN SONG
See lists under 'Trinity' on page 1082 and under 'Trinity Sunday' on page 1092 in the indexes of the harmony edition of TIS.

SONG FROM SING TO JESUS
34	Holy Trinity, we praise

TAIZE SONGS SUITABLE FOR TRINITY
Volume one
Credo I
Kyrie eleison IX
Alleluias IVI
Sanctus Dominus
Cantate Domino (using words of 'Glory to the Father...')
Credo II
Tibi Deo

Volume two
Credo III
Gloria Patri et Filio I
Gloria Patri et Filio II
Sanctus Dominus II
There is one Lord

IONA COMMUNITY SONGS SUITABLE FOR TRINITY
Here are some songs from the Iona Community suitable for Trinity.

Note that the Iona Community is willing to allow a church or worship assembly to reproduce the words only of a song from these publications on a service sheet or overhead transparency that is to be used once only on a non-commercial basis, provided that the title of the song and the name of the copyright holder is clearly shown.

John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs vol. 1 Heaven shall not wai
page 18	Shake up the morning
page 30	Praise with joy

John L Bell & Graham Maule, Wild Goose Songs vol. 3 Love from below 
page 12	Today I awake
page 84	God the Creator

PSALM 8
For musical settings of Psalm 8, see Music Packages 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 8.

Versions of Psalm 8 may also be found in TIS, 3 Lord, our Lord, your glorious name, and 4 O Lord, our Governor.

A paraphrased version of Psalm 8 from the Iona Community may be found in John L Bell, Psalms of patience, protest and praise on page 8.

The following paraphrase, by David Schütz, is sung to the tune Portland, LHS 374. If reproducing this version, please put 'Words (c) David Schütz' at the beginning or the end of the psalm.

O Lord, our Lord, in all the earth
your glorious name is ever praised.
Even on lips of infant babes
your song is raised.

When I look at the sun and moon,
the stars and all in heav'n above,
how is it that we humans know
your saving love?

How can it be that you should care
for us poor creatures of the dust?
Yet you have made us like yourself
and honoured us.

Over all creatures great and small
you let us share your power to reign.
O Lord, our Lord, in all the earth
we praise your name.

LORD, HAVE MERCY
The hymn 'Kyrie, God, Father in heaven above' (LHS 897) has an ancient use in the church. It may be used instead of the 'Lord, have mercy', but will probably need a choir to assist the congregation.

TRISAGION
There are several songs available based on the Trisagion. They may be found in the following resources:

As One Voice (Australian Roman Catholic songbook, available through Openbook)
145	Holy is God

With One Voice (American Lutheran supplement to Lutheran Book of Worship)
603	Holy God

Gather (American Roman Catholic hymnal)
49	Psalm 117 / Holy is God, holy and strong

GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST
The hymn 'All glory be to God on high' (LH 136) is a paraphrase of the 'Glory to God' and may be used in its place. A modernised version may be found in the folder 'Modernised Lutheran Hymnal hymns'.

CREED
Naturally, several hymns and songs suggest themselves for use as creeds on this day. Traditionally, Lutherans sing Luther's hymn 'We all believe in one true God' LH 142*. Other alternatives are 'We all believe in one true God' LH 139*, 'We believe' ATA 155, and 'I believe' ATO 362.
* modernised version available

HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
Luther's hymn 'Isaiah mighty seer' (LHS 896) could be sung by a choir either instead of the 'Holy, holy, holy', or during communion (as in Luther's German Mass).

OR
Two verses (modernised here) of the hymn 'Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty' (LH 140, TIS 132) could be sung instead of the 'Holy, holy, holy' in the liturgy:

Holy, holy, holy, all the saints adore you,
casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea,
cherubim and seraphim falling down before you;
you were and are and evermore will be.

Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty!
All your works shall praise your name in earth and sky and sea;
holy, holy, holy, merciful and mighty,
God in three persons, blessed Trinity!

OR
This verse adapted by David Schubert from verse 2 of LH 501 is another possibility for use as a 'Holy, holy, holy'. (Note that TIS 121 is a different translation from LH of this hymn, using mainly different verses.)

'Holy, holy, holy',
praises are ascending
saints' and angels' voices blending.
Lord God, filling all things
with your kingly glory,
we your people here adore you.
Christ, you come
in God's name:
hear the prayers and praises
that your church now raises.

OR, the following by John Kleinig and David Schubert may be sung to the tune of LH 131 or another suitable 77.77 tune:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord,
great and ever-present God.
Earth joins heaven as we sing:
Praise to our triumphant king.

In this place let us proclaim
Christ who comes in God's own name;
join with angels as we sing:
Glory to our holy king.

OR, for other suggestions see the document'General notes and resources', under 'Holy, holy, holy', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

NOTES ON THE READINGS

See the document 'General notes and resources', under 'Notes on the readings', in the 'General and seasonal' folder.

PROVERBS 8:1-4;22-31: Celebrating the Trinity naturally calls forth thoughts inclusive of God's transcendent and infinite power and wisdom. In this reading, Wisdom is personified as a female fellow worker with God in the creation, set up before even the world began. While Wisdom is inseparable from God and has been with him from all eternity, she is described metaphorically in terms of a craftsworker exercising the application of creative process. Wisdom rejoiced not only in the advance of the creation but delighted in its pinnacle, the human race.

ROMANS 5:1-5: Our salvation is very much identified with each person of the Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is through the redemption wrought by the Son that peace with God is something which is factual, there for the taking and there in our realisation. He has introduced us into the gracious presence of the Father – we stand firm in that grace. While we rejoice in anticipated final glory, there are yet trials to suffer. To those who are justified, these, however, now work rather for a chain of growth producing patience, firm character and strong hope. In all of this the Holy Spirit has been flooding us with the love of God.

JOHN 16:12-15: Some religious sects insist that the Holy Spirit is merely a power without will, somewhat in the same vein as electricity. This teaching of our Lord shows clearly the personality of the Spirit. He is equal in participation in the purposes of the Trinity, working in harmonious union with the Father and the Son. Three equal persons, yet one divine being, they combine to effect the plan of salvation in individual believers. Jesus' teaching was not his own but what he received from the Father. In the same way, the Spirit gives not of his own, but glorifies the Son by imparting what Jesus taught and leading believers to a deeper understanding. The Spirit also takes and declares what Jesus has done and promised through the words of his disciples as they proclaim his word. Thus the kingdom of God grows.

VISUAL

COLOUR
The colour of the day is white. This colour does not extend throughout the rest of the week. The Monday after the festival returns to green.

FLOWERS
Three types of foliage could be used.

OR, white flowers could be used in one of the following arrangements:
*	in the shape of a triangle
*	in the shape of a circle, symbol of eternity
*	with umbrella grass cut to the shape of a triangle
*	with three large strelitzia (bird of paradise) leaves

ICONS
Rublev's icon of the holy Trinity (Three angels at the oak of Mamre) is a beautiful visual depiction of the trinitarian faith. This icon (or a colour transparency, banner or poster of it) may be displayed during the service. If an icon is available, it may be carried into the church in procession during the opening hymn.

VISUALS FOR THE READINGS
Pictures or symbols could be displayed on banners or the overhead screen during the readings. 

SYMBOLS
Any of the following symbols of the Trinity could be displayed
*	equilateral triangle
*	three interlocking circles
*	the triquetra (three equal interwoven arcs)
Note that any of these could be enclosed in a circle, representing perfection and eternity. 

OR 
A design could be made by combining a symbol of the Father (eg hand of blessing), the Son (eg a lamb or cross), and the Holy Spirit (eg dove).

DRAMA

'MEGA DRAMA'
See a drama for the day in Mega Drama  resources (Openbook Publishers), originally included in these worship resources when they were released on disks.

dramatising the READINGS
The readings can be read by more than one person to make the dramatic meaning of the text clearer. For instance, the first reading could be read by two readers: narrator and Wisdom (a female reader).

CHILDREN

SIGN OF THE CROSS
If the children were shown how to make the sign of the cross last week at the baptism font, reinforce this message by doing the same thing again today, emphasising that they wear God's name and sign on them like a name badge.

SYMBOLS OF THE TRINITY
The children could make and display symbols of the Trinity. In a talk with the children, these symbols may be used as a way of explaining the doctrine of God as three in one. Other possibilities are to use a clover leaf (St Patrick's illustration of the Trinity), or three candles all lit from the one flame. Some candle shops sell candles with three wicks. This may also be a good example, to show how the three flames are all the one candle. If the Rublev icon (see above under 'Visual', 'Icons'), or a picture of it, is available, an explanation of this icon could be given. An explanation may be found in the first chapter of Henri Nouwen's 'Behold the beauty of the Lord: praying with icons', published by Ave Maria Press.

'COME AND SEE JESUS'
The Come and See Jesus curriculum published by Openbook Publishers has a wealth of material and ideas that may be adapted for use in worship. Please note that a new edition of this material is now available for the Revised Common Lectionary.

The story for Trinity in year C is: 'The majesty of God seen in creation (Psalm 8)' (to be found in both the original edition and in the RCL edition Series C for Trinity).