Rejoicing in the Triune God
Trinity Sunday | May 31, 2026
Opening Thought
This Sunday, we arrive at Trinity Sunday
When I think of the Trinity, I am reminded that God is inherently relational. God is not distant or isolated; God is a community of perfect love. This reflects so beautifully on our own call to community here at Christ Church. We are not meant to walk our faith journeys alone. We need each other to fully experience the multifaceted grace of God. When we gather in the pews, when we share the peace, and when we work side by side in ministries like our Weekend Lunch program
We are reminded that understanding the Trinity isn't about solving a mathematical puzzle of "three in one." Instead, it is an invitation to participate in God's ongoing work in the world. We are drawn into the love of the Creator, redeemed by the sacrifice of the Son, and empowered by the Sustainer to carry that love beyond the walls of our church. Thanks be to God.
Engaging the Word
Our readings today sweep from the very beginning of creation to the birth of the early Church's mission, showcasing the scope of the Triune God's work.
Genesis (1:1-2:4a): We begin at the very beginning, when the earth was a formless void and a wind from God swept over the face of the waters
. This majestic poetic narrative walks us through the deliberate, loving ordering of creation, where God speaks light, sky, land, and life into existence, declaring it all to be good . Finally, God creates humankind in his own image, giving us breath, life, and dominion . It is a powerful reminder of God the Creator's boundless imagination and care for the physical world. Psalm 8: Chanted today to a setting by Jerome Webster Meachan
, this psalm is a profound hymn of wonder. The Psalmist looks up at the heavens, the moon, and the stars, and asks, "What is man that you should be mindful of him?" . Yet, despite our smallness in the vastness of creation, God adorns humanity with glory and honor . It is a beautiful echo of the Genesis reading, praising the Governor whose name is exalted in all the world . 2 Corinthians (13:11-13): In Paul's farewell to the Corinthians, we find the foundational Trinitarian blessing that has echoed through centuries of liturgy
. He writes, "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you" . This simple yet profound sign-off encapsulates the entire Christian experience of God's presence, urging the divided community to agree with one another and live in peace . Matthew (28:16-20): Our Gospel brings us to the Great Commission
. The disciples meet the resurrected Jesus on a mountain in Galilee, where some still doubted . Yet, Jesus entrusts them with the ultimate mission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit" . Jesus pairs this monumental task with the ultimate comfort, promising, "I am with you always, to the end of the age" .
A Journey in Song: Our Musical Guides
Our music for Trinity Sunday matches the theological weight and triumphant joy of the day, lifting our voices in praise of the Triune God.
Opening Voluntary: We are welcomed into worship with the bright, regal sounds of David N. Johnson's Trumpet Tune in D Major
. This joyful piece sets a tone of majestic celebration, fitting for a Sunday dedicated to the glory of God. Entrance Hymn: No Trinity Sunday would be complete without the grand procession to Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty
. This iconic hymn anchors our service, drawing our voices together in awe and adoration of the eternal Trinity. Sequence Hymn: As we prepare to hear the Gospel, we sing Come, thou fount of every blessing
. This beloved melody shifts our focus to God's continuous streams of mercy and grace, tuning our hearts to sing God's praise before we hear Christ's final commission to His disciples. Offertory Anthem: We will hear a beautiful solo presentation of Eric Thiman's anthem, Earth Does Not Hold, featuring words by Irene Glass
. Sung by soprano Mickey Brooks, the text reflects on the eternal nature of the soul and those who have "ended pilgrimage with God" . Communion Hymn: As we approach the altar rail to receive the Sacrament, we sing King of glory, King of peace
. This intimate hymn reflects the deeply personal love of the Son, inviting us to offer our own lives as praise as we partake in the heavenly banquet. Closing Hymn: We process out into the world to the triumphant strains of Come, thou almighty king
. This hymn serves as our rallying cry, sending us forth empowered by the Trinity to do the work God has given us to do. Closing Voluntary: We conclude our worship with Sigfrid Karg-Elert's masterful Marche Triomphale (Nun danket alle Gott) Op. 65, No. 59
. This triumphant march based on "Now Thank We All Our God" propels us out of the church doors with unshakeable majesty and gratitude.
A Closing Note on our Journey
When I was a child, I used to imagine the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit as three entirely separate beings sitting together on a cloud up in heaven, looking down and controlling the world—honestly, much like the Greek gods on Mount Olympus we learned about in school. As an adult, I can look back and chuckle at that image, but perhaps it wasn't as ridiculous as I once thought. Yes, they are wonderfully united as one God, the Holy Trinity, but they are also very distinct beings in themselves. Perhaps that Mount Olympus imagery was simply the best way my young mind could begin to comprehend the incredible, multifaceted greatness of God.
The mystery of the Trinity is not something to be solved, but a reality to be lived. God the Father creates and sustains us; God the Son redeems and befriends us; God the Holy Spirit empowers and comforts us. Knowing this Triune God changes how we engage with the world around us. We are deeply loved, and out of that love, we are called to action.
As Jesus commands in our Gospel reading, we are sent out into the world. We take the grace, love, and communion we experience here at the altar out into the streets of Macon
Let us step boldly into this new week, securely held by the Creator, walking in the footsteps of the Redeemer, and energized by the Sustainer. May we be a living reflection of the Trinity's perfect love to everyone we encounter.
A Prayer for the Week Ahead
Let us pray for the grace to walk in the light and love of the Holy Trinity.
Holy God, you created the heavens and the earth, and you made humankind in your image
We beseech you, O Lord;
Glory to you, Holy Trinity
Holy God, your Son gave us the Great Commission to make disciples of all nations
We beseech you, O Lord;
Glory to you, Holy Trinity
Holy God, you placed the same sky above all people: Bring peace to our neighborhoods and to nations across the world, and protect the vulnerable
We beseech you, O Lord;
Glory to you, Holy Trinity
Holy God, your Spirit dwells with us always to the end of the age
We beseech you, O Lord;
Glory to you, Holy Trinity
Collect for Trinity Sunday:
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in this faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever
Amen.
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