Time in the Word - Trinity

The Trinity in Your Life
Trinity Sunday
May 12-17, 2008

Trinity Sunday is the first Sunday after Pentecost. It can be called “God Sunday” It is a day of the church year to discuss the nature of God as one God in three persons. This may lead to more interest and the significance in doctrine and teaching. The term Trinity is not found in the Bible yet its teaching is found throughout the Scriptures.

The teaching of the Trinity is very much in evidence in the readings and propers for the coming week. The Prayer of the Day and the Hymn of the week deal with the Trinity. The Psalm harmonizes with the Old Testament lesson – God’s voice of creation. In the Epistle lesson the Trinity blesses. The Gospel shows God the Son commissioning His Disciples to baptize in the Name of the Trinity.

Monday, May 12, 2008 – Psalm 16:8-11- This is the Psalm from which the Introit for Trinity Sunday is taken. These words describe the joy of total security. They speak of the joy the believer has and enjoys as we remember the gracious provision and care of the Lord. Having the Trinity in your life means that we have a God in whom we take refuge.

Tuesday, May 13, 2008 - Genesis 1:1-2:4a – Created by God the Father. God the Father created the universe. In this first of two creation accounts, God, the first person of the Trinity, causes the entire universe to come into existence with humankind, made in God’s image, as the crown of creation. How did he do it? By the power of his Word. How did he feel about his work? It was good.



Wednesday, May 14, 2008 – Acts 2:14a, 22-36 – Blessed by God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit – The apostles having been baptized with the Holy Spirit and spoken the good news in other languages to various groups now stand with Peter who served as their spokesman. The Spirit, explains Peter is bestowed on all people…sons…daughters…young men…old men…men…women. The Spirit is irrespective of sex, age and rank.

Thursday, May 15, 2008 - Matthew 28:16-20 – Commissioned by God the Son to baptize in the Name of the Trinity. At the time of his ascension, Jesus gives his disciples the Great Commission to win the world in the name of the Trinity. Before leaving earth, Jesus meets with his disciples for the last time. He reminds them that he has all authority, the very authority of God, for he is the Son of God. With this authority he gives them a mandate to make the whole world Christian by baptism and teaching. In carrying out the commission, he assures them that he will be with them. Though he leaves the earth, he will still be with them in their hearts and minds.

Friday, May 16, 2008 – Psalm 8 – This Psalm is suggested for Trinity Sunday. It is a Psalm in praise of the Creator. Two matters especially impress the writer of the Psalm. (1) The Glory of God reflected in the starry heavens and (2) the astonishing condescension of God to be mindful of puny man, to crown him with glory almost god-like and to grant him lordly power over his creatures.

Saturday, May 17, 2008 –Acts 1:9-11 – Is the inspiration for the hymn “A Hymn of Glory Let Us Sing “{LSB 493} Verse 8 is a virtual outline of the entire book of Acts. The apostles were to be witnesses in Jerusalem (chapters 1-7) Judea and Samaria (chapters 8-9) and the ends of the earth (chapters 10-28) There were to be witnesses but not until they had received their marching orders from the Holy Spirit. These events lead us in the church of the 21st Century to live the share the faith with whomever the Lord places in our lives.

Collect for Trinity – Almighty and everlasting God, You have given us grace to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity by the confession of a true faith and to worship the Unity in the power of the Divine Majesty. Keep us steadfast in this faith and defend us from all adversities; for You, O Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, live and reign, one God, now and forever.

A Prayer for our choir – God of majesty, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven, be with Your servants who make music for Your people that with joy we on earth may glimpse Your beauty. Bring us to the fulfillment of that hope of perfection that will be ours as we stand before Your unveiled glory.

A Prayer for guidance in our calling – Almighty and everlasting God, You have called Your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where w ego but only that Your hand is leading us and Your love support us.

For Agriculture - Almighty God, You blessed the earth to make it fruitful, bringing forth in abundance whatever is needed for the support of our lives. Prosper; we implore You, the work of farmers, especially in this planting season. Grant them seasonable weather that they may gather in the fruits of the earth and thus proclaim Your goodness. May we see by this noble vocation that by Your aid we are helping to feed the world and cause all who give thanks over their food to treat those who produce it with honor and respect.

A prayer before we study the Word – Almighty God, our heavenly Father, without Your help our labor is useless, and without Your light our search is in vain. Invigorate the study of Your holy Word that, by due diligence and right discernment, we may establish ourselves and others in Your holy faith.

Sources:

THE LUTHERAN HYMNAL © 1940 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LUTHERAN WORSHIP © 1982 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LUTHERAN SEVICE BOOK © 2006 Concordia Publishing House, St. Louis, MO

LECTIONARY PREACHING WORKBOOK SERIES A JOHN BROCKHOFF © 1980 CSS PUBLISHING, LIMA, OH

Schnorr von Carolsfeld, woodcuts © WELS