Introduction
Trinity Sunday, celebrated a week after Pentecost, is a significant feast in the Christian liturgical calendar. It honors the doctrine of the Trinity, the three persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. This unique day invites believers to contemplate and celebrate the complex yet foundational Christian belief in one God in three persons. A call to worship on Trinity Sunday is a powerful way to begin a service, setting the tone for reflection, praise, and a deeper understanding of the divine mystery.
Understanding the Trinity
The doctrine of the Trinity is central to Christian theology. It encapsulates the belief that God is one being who exists simultaneously and eternally as three distinct persons:
1. God the Father: The creator and sustainer of the universe.
2. God the Son (Jesus Christ): The incarnate Word, the savior of humanity.
3. God the Holy Spirit: The presence of God active in the world, guiding and sanctifying believers.
This triune nature of God is not explicitly detailed in Scripture but is inferred from various passages. For instance, the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19, where Jesus instructs His disciples to baptize "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit," underscores the Trinitarian formula.
The Importance of the Call to Worship
A call to worship is a crucial part of the liturgy, acting as an invitation to the congregation to transition from the ordinary to the sacred. On Trinity Sunday, the call to worship is particularly poignant as it focuses the congregation’s hearts and minds on the mystery and majesty of the Triune God. It is a time to reflect on God's nature and to enter into a communal experience of worship with a sense of reverence and awe.
Elements of a Trinity Sunday Call to Worship
A well-crafted call to worship for Trinity Sunday should include:
1. Scriptural References: Passages that highlight the nature of the Trinity, such as Matthew 28:19, 2 Corinthians 13:14 ("The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all"), and John 14:16-17 (where Jesus speaks of the coming of the Holy Spirit).
2. Affirmations of Faith: Statements or creeds that profess belief in the Triune God, such as the Nicene Creed or the Apostles' Creed.
3. Prayers and Hymns: Invocations and songs that reflect Trinitarian themes, like "Holy, Holy, Holy! Lord God Almighty!" which praises the triune nature of God.
4. Responsive Readings: Interactive elements where the congregation participates, enhancing the communal worship experience.
Example of a Call to Worship for Trinity Sunday
Leader: "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
Congregation: "Amen."
Leader: "Grace and peace to you from Him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth."
Congregation: "To Him who loves us and has freed us from our sins by His blood, and has made us to be a kingdom and priests to serve His God and Father—to Him be glory and power forever and ever! Amen."
Leader: "We gather today to worship the one true God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit."
Congregation: "We come to lift our voices in praise and to open our hearts in worship."
Leader: "Let us confess our faith together with the words of the Nicene Creed."
All: "We believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all worlds; Light of Light, very God of very God; begotten, not made, being of one substance with the Father, by whom all things were made. Who, for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary, and was made man; and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate; He suffered and was buried; and the third day He rose again, according to the Scriptures; and ascended into heaven, and sits on the right hand of the Father; and He shall come again, with glory, to judge the quick and the dead; whose kingdom shall have no end. And we believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord and Giver of Life; who proceeds from the Father and the Son; who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified; who spoke by the prophets. And we believe one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the remission of sins. And we look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen."
Leader: "Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Congregation: "Let us worship our Triune God with joy and reverence!"
Conclusion
A call to worship on Trinity Sunday is more than a ceremonial opening; it is a profound reminder of the mysterious and wondrous nature of God. By incorporating scripture, affirmations of faith, and participatory elements, the congregation is invited into a deeper understanding and appreciation of the Trinity. This sets a sacred tone for the worship service, guiding the hearts and minds of believers toward the awe-inspiring truth of one God in three persons.
