Trinity Sunday is one of the seven principal feasts of the Church Year. It is always the Sunday after Pentecost. White is used on Trinity Sunday (e.g., a white overlay on the communion table, pulpit, and lectern, and white banners on the walls). The following liturgy is adapted from the Book of Common Prayer. See also the article “Trinity Sunday: Dos and Don’ts.”
PROCESSIONAL HYMN While the Ministers enter and the candles are lit, a fitting hymn is played. E.g.,
- “Come, Thou Almighty King” — This hymn invites the “Father all-glorious,” the “incarnate Word,” and the “holy Comforter” to come and help the Church to worship properly, then praises the “great One in Three.”
ACCLAMATION The first words spoken are the acclamation.
Blessed be God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
And blessed be his kingdom, now and forever. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP Then, the Minister greets the people and issues a call to worship. For example,
Happy Lord’s Day, and happy Trinity Sunday! Trinity Sunday is the last major feast in the Church Calendar until All Saints’ Day in November. It comes directly after the Easter season for a reason. Over the last few months, we have celebrated how the Father sent the Son to live, die, and live again, and how the Son ascended to poured out the Spirit from the Father at Pentecost. It’s in the missions of the Son and the Spirit that the Trinity is revealed to us. We know that God is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit because the Father sent the Son and the Spirit into the world for us and our salvation. Now, in the season after Pentecost, it is fitting to reflect back on the unity of the divine economy, to acknowledge that the various colors on which we have been focusing are refractions of one brilliant gospel light—the light of the Triune God.
As Charles Wesley penned in his great hymn to the Trinity,
Hail! holy, holy, holy Lord!
whom One in Three we know;
By all Thy heav’nly host adored,
by all Thy church below.
One undivided Trinity
with triumph we proclaim;
Thy universe is full of Thee
and speaks Thy glorious name.
Thee, Holy Father, we confess,
Thee, Holy Son, adore,
Thee, Spirit of truth and holiness,
we worship evermore.
Thee Persons equally divine
we magnify and love;
And both the choirs ere long shall join
to sing Thy praise above.
Hail! holy, holy, holy Lord,
our heavenly song shall be;
Supreme, essential One, adored
in co-eternal Three.
ALL: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
OPENING PRAYER (COLLECT)
Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given us 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 bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Let’s listen attentively as we let God’s Word be the first word that we hear.
FIRST READING A layperson reads the first passage from the lectern Bible.
A reading from the Book of Proverbs, Chapter 8, beginning at verse 1:
[Proverbs 8:1–4, 22–31]
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
PSALM Psalm 8 may be sung from the Seedbed Metrical Psalter to the tune of “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.” If the Psalm is read, no introduction is given, and the Gloria Patri is said after the Psalm.
1 Lord, our Lord, majestic is Your name throughout the whole wide earth;
You display and set Your splendor o’er the heav’ns which show Your worth.
2 From the mouths of infant children, You establish strength and praise;
Make the enemy and vengeful cease before Your wondrous ways.
3 When I see Your glor-ious heavens, moon and stars which You ordain;
4 What is man that You regard him, son of man with care maintain?
5 Yet You made him slightly lower than the angels high above;
Crowning him with glory, honor, just beneath the God of love.
6 You made him to rule creation, put all things beneath his feet—
7/8 Sheep and oxen, beasts and cattle, birds of heav’n and fish of sea;
All that swim within the pathways of the sea declare Your worth.
9 Lord, our Lord, majestic is Your name throughout the whole wide earth.
SECOND READING
A reading from Paul’s Epistle to the Romans, Chapter 5, beginning at verse 1:
[Romans 5:1–5 is read]
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
HYMN E.g.,
- Hail! Holy, Holy, Holy Lord! — This hymn is one of Charles Wesley’s many great hymns to the Trinity. It is #24 in our church’s hymnal (Our Great Redeemer’s Praise).
GOSPEL READING A Minister reads the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Saint John, Chapter 16, beginning at verse 12:
[John 16:12–15 is read]
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.
CATECHISM QUESTION Question 6 of the catechism may be said responsively.
Brothers and sisters, we have heard the Word of the Lord. Now, let us answer this question:
Q. 6. How many persons are there in God?
There are three persons in God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. They are of one substance, power, and eternity. And this is the catholic faith: that we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confusing the persons nor dividing the substance.
THE SERMON The Minister expounds one or more of the Scripture lessons, and may draw from the catechism question. Recommended length: 1200–1500 words.
THE ATHANASIAN CREED While the Athanasian Creed is significantly longer than the Nicene Creed or Apostles’ Creed, there is no better time than Trinity Sunday to confess its clear and weighty teaching. The Athanasian Creed is included as a responsive reading in #692 of our church’s hymnal (“Our Great Redeemer’s Praise“).
Let us confess our faith with a loud voice in the words of the Athanasian Creed:
Whosoever will be saved, before all things it is necessary that he hold the catholic faith; Which faith except every one do keep whole and undefiled, without doubt he shall perish everlastingly. And the catholic faith is this: That we worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity; Neither confounding the persons nor dividing the substance. For there is one person of the Father, another of the Son, and another of the Holy Spirit. But the Godhead of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit is all one, the glory equal, the majesty coeternal. Such as the Father is, such is the Son, and such is the Holy Spirit. The Father uncreated, the Son uncreated, and the Holy Spirit uncreated. The Father incomprehensible, the Son incomprehensible, and the Holy Spirit incomprehensible. The Father eternal, the Son eternal, and the Holy Spirit eternal. And yet they are not three eternals but one eternal. As also there are not three uncreated nor three incomprehensible, but one uncreated and one incomprehensible. So likewise the Father is almighty, the Son almighty, and the Holy Spirit almighty. And yet they are not three almighties, but one almighty. So the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Spirit is God; And yet they are not three Gods, but one God. So likewise the Father is Lord, the Son Lord, and the Holy Spirit Lord; And yet they are not three Lords but one Lord. For like as we are compelled by the Christian verity to acknowledge every Person by himself to be God and Lord; So are we forbidden by the catholic religion to say; There are three Gods or three Lords. The Father is made of none, neither created nor begotten. The Son is of the Father alone; not made nor created, but begotten. The Holy Spirit is of the Father and of the Son; neither made, nor created, nor begotten, but proceeding. So there is one Father, not three Fathers; one Son, not three Sons; one Holy Spirit, not three Holy Spirits. And in this Trinity none is afore or after another; none is greater or less than another. But the whole three persons are coeternal, and coequal. So that in all things, as aforesaid, the Unity in Trinity and the Trinity in Unity is to be worshipped. He therefore that will be saved must thus think of the Trinity. Furthermore it is necessary to everlasting salvation that he also believe rightly the incarnation of our Lord Jesus Christ. For the right faith is that we believe and confess that our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is God and man. God of the substance of the Father, begotten before the worlds; and man of substance of His mother, born in the world. Perfect God and perfect man, of a reasonable soul and human flesh subsisting. Equal to the Father as touching His Godhead, and inferior to the Father as touching His manhood. Who, although He is God and man, yet He is not two, but one Christ. One, not by conversion of the Godhead into flesh, but by taking of that manhood into God. One altogether, not by confusion of substance, but by unity of person. For as the reasonable soul and flesh is one man, so God and man is one Christ; Who suffered for our salvation, descended into hell, rose again the third day from the dead; He ascended into heaven, He sits on the right hand of the Father, God, Almighty; From thence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead. At whose coming all men shall rise again with their bodies; and shall give account of their own works. And they that have done good shall go into life everlasting and they that have done evil into everlasting fire. This is the catholic faith, which except a man believe faithfully he cannot be saved.
CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER
THE INVITATION
If you truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from this point forward in his holy ways; draw near with faith, and take this holy sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God.
THE CONFESSION
Almighty God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men; we acknowledge and lament our many sins, which we have, from time to time, most grievously committed, by thought, word, and deed, against your divine majesty. We earnestly repent, and are sincerely sorry for our misdoings; the remembrance of them is grievous to us. Have mercy upon us, have mercy upon us, most merciful Father. For the sake of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, forgive us all that is past; and grant that we may ever hereafter serve and please you in newness of life, to the honor and glory of your name, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER FOR ABSOLUTION
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, in your great mercy you have promised forgiveness to all who turn to you with sincere repentance and true faith. Have mercy upon us; pardon and deliver us from all our sins, confirm and strengthen us in all goodness, and bring us to everlasting life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
WORDS OF ASSURANCE
Our Savior speaks comforting words to all who truly turn to him: “Come unto me, all you that are burdened and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.” For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. If anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. He is the propitiation for our sins.
THE SURSUM CORDA AND THE SANCTUS
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our God.
It is fitting and right to do so.
O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, it is very fitting, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto you, who, with your co-eternal Son and Holy Spirit, are one God, one Lord; not only one person, but three persons in one substance. For that which we believe of your glory, O Father, the same we believe of your Son, and of the Holy Spirit, without any difference or inequality. Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you, and saying,
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Amen.
HYMN
PRAYER OF CONSECRATION The congregation may be reminded to keep their eyes open for this prayer, which contains the words of institution that must never be omitted.
Almighty God, our heavenly Father; of your tender mercy, you gave your only Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. By once offering himself there, he made a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, offering, and satisfaction for the sins of the whole world.
So now, most merciful Father, we humbly ask you to bless and sanctify, with your Word and Spirit, these gifts of bread and wine; and grant that we may receive them according to the holy institution of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ, in remembrance of his death and passion, and be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood.
In the same night that he was betrayed, he took* bread; and when he had given thanks, he brake* it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat; this* is my Body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.”
Likewise after Supper he took* the Cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink you all of this; for this* is my Blood of the New Testament, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins: Do this as often as you shall drink it, in remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
ALL: Christ has died;
Christ is risen;
Christ will come again.
THE MINISTRATION The Minister may then say,
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Thanks be to God.
The Ministers receive the Bread and Cup, and then immediately deliver it to the people, saying,
The body of our Lord Jesus Christ, [which was given for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. Take and eat this in remembrance that Christ died for you, and feed on him in your heart by faith, with thanksgiving.]
The blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, [which was shed for you, preserve your body and soul unto everlasting life. Drink this in remembrance that Christ’s blood was shed for you, and be thankful.]
Or, the Minister may say,
The Blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.
The Body of Christ, the bread of heaven.
During the distribution, a fitting hymn may be played. If the consecrated bread or wine is consumed before all have communed, the Minister consecrates more, repeating the Prayer of Consecration. When all have communed, the Minister covers what remains of the consecrated elements with a fair linen cloth.
CHORUS E.g., “Glorify Thy Name”
Father, we love you, we worship and adore you,
Glorify thy name in all the earth.
Glorify thy name, glorify thy name,
Glorify thy name in all the earth.
Jesus, we love you, we worship and adore you,
Glorify thy name in all the earth.
Glorify thy name, glorify thy name,
Glorify thy name in all the earth.
Spirit, we love you, we worship and adore you,
Glorify thy name in all the earth.
Glorify thy name, glorify thy name,
Glorify thy name in all the earth.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray.
Our Father, who is in heaven, hallowed be your name; your kingdom come; your will be done; on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. For yours is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
DOXOLOGY “Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow” is sung.
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heav’nly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
Amen.
THE BLESSING & SENDING John Wesley’s Trinitarian benediction (below) or another Trinitarian benediction (e.g., The Grace) may be used.
Now, to God the Father, who first loved us, and made us accepted in the Beloved; to God the Son, who loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood; to God the Holy Spirit, who sheds the love of God abroad in our hearts, be all love and all glory in time and to all eternity.
Amen.
Let us bless the Lord and exalt his name among the nations.
Thanks be to God.