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Holy Trinity

by Vicar Lisa

This upcoming Sunday is where we celebrate the Holy Trinity. Although the word Trinity is not used in the Bible, the origin of the doctrine may be found there.

From the very beginning of the church, Christians have understood the mystery of the Trinity, even before they began using the term Trinity. For example, the first Christians knew the Christ was the Creator (John 1:1–2), the “I Am” of the Old Testament (Exodus 3:14; John 8:58), equal to the Father (John 14:9), and the Judge of all the earth (Genesis 18:25; John 5:22), who is to be worshiped as only God is allowed to be (Deuteronomy 6:13; Luke 4:8; Matthew 14:33).

The first Christians knew the Holy Spirit was a separate Person with the Spirits own thoughts and will (John 16:13), who intercedes for us with God (Romans 8:27). New Testament writers mention all three Persons of the Trinity together numerous times (e.g., Romans 1:4; 15:30; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Ephesians 1:13–14;1 Thessalonians 1:3–6). The early believers knew that God and the Son sent the third Person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit — “another counselor”— to live in our hearts (John 14:16–17, 26; 16:7). These mysteries were accepted fully by the early church as revealed truth, yet without the label of “the Holy Trinity.”

There were many attempts by Christian theologians to define and explain God to the church. Explanations of spiritual reality to earthly beings will always fall short; some teachers’ explanations were a bit off, while others sank into heresy. Because no religion can exist without knowing who or what its follower’s worship, there was a great need to define God in a way that all followers of Christianity would agree upon as “official” or orthodox doctrine. And, if Jesus were not God, all Christians were heretics for worshiping a created being.

The church father Tertullian (AD 160–225) was the first to apply the term Trinity to God. From there, we can jump forward over a century of church discussion, schisms, and debate to the Council of Nicea in 325, when the Trinity was finally confirmed as official church doctrine.

The Trinity is Christianity’s most unique, defining, incomprehensible, and awesome mystery. It is the revelation of who our Almighty Creator is — not just God, but an infinite Being existing in eternity as three co-equal, infinite Persons, consubstantial yet distinct. The doctrine of the Trinity holds that God is one essence but three Persons; God has one nature, but three centers of consciousness; God is only one What, but three Who’s. Only the doctrine of the Trinity can explain it all.

Holy Trinity Sunday -- May 26, 2024

10 a.m. Worship with Communion

Council Meeting Notes

Zion's Lutheran Church Council met after worship on Sunday, May 12. The secretary's report was tabled for correction. The Treasurer's report, Financial Secretary's report and Trust Fund report were reviewed and approved.

Vicar Lisa reported that Zion’s received two new members by affirmation: Jennifer Graham and Cheryl Leef. Vicar Lisa will be attending seminary from June 2-8 and out of town for a family memorial service June 30 in Pennsylvania. The Rev. Nicole Garcia will preside at worship on June 2. The Rev. Jan Everhart will serve on June 30.

Zion’s next Sunday Adult Learning study will be on Biblical Stewardship. The Rev. Becky McNeil began a Kerygma Bible Study on the Lord's Prayer, held each Wednesday morning from 9:30 to 11:00.

On May 19, after worship and fellowship time, there will be an introductory session on the Reconciling in Christ process (inclusion policy). There are handouts along with an introductory video. Vicar Lisa and members of the RIC Core Team reminded the group that they can discuss these changes in our own way and in our own time. The Toolkit from the RIC website will be used only as a guide.

The Spring Retreat "Bee Blessed, A Fresh Look at the Beatitudes", has been rescheduled to July 20 from 9-4 at Grace Lutheran in Colorado Springs. Please let Vicar Lisa or Julie know if you would like to attend--we can carpool.

Lynn Chase was elected to complete the term vacated by David Lamb. Skylar Weber was hired to do our lawn care this summer (mowing, trimming, etc.). Julie is working on organizing and completing our church records. As many know, the church record books were missing for about 11 years, (and the entire time that Pastor Andrea was here) and found about two years ago. On the recommendation of Bishop Gonia, these records of membership, baptisms, funerals, marriages, confirmations and elections, were written in another book, and now need to be transferred and organized.

The next council meeting is scheduled for June 9.

Respectfully submitted,

Julie Wersal, Council President

Announcements

  • Fellowship Times: Join us after worship for Fellowship & Food. All are welcome. Then, next Sunday, June 2, is first Sunday potluck and Bible study, led by Mike McNeil. We look forward to seeing you there.
  • Bible Study: Our weekday study continues every Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. This Wednesday, Pastor Becky McNeil continues a Kerygma study on Spirituality and the Lord’s Prayer.
  • 5-Loaves Volunteers Sought: Next Saturday, May 25, is the 5-Loaves meal delivery. If you can help with meal delivery or preparation and packaging, please let Jo Moss, Peggy Gustafson, or Norine Hazen know.
  • Flowers: There are several days available this summer to sponsor flowers. Select the date in the flower book at the back of the sanctuary, write your name and the commemoration you want included in the bulletin. A minimum donation of $35 is encouraged and donation envelopes are in the flower book.
  • Save the Dates: Bee Blessed as the Women of the ELCA will be hosting a retreat entitled Bee Blessed (a fresh look at the Beatitudes) at Grace Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs on July 20.
  • VBS Info: Community Vacation Bible School will be from 9 a.m. to noon, June 10-14, at Fisher Peak Community Church on Santa Fe Trail. The theme is "Breaker Rock Beach — God's Rock-Solid Truth in a World of Shifting Sands”. This is for children pre-K through sixth grade. Details and registration forms can be found at: https://www.fisherspeakcc.org/vbs.

 

E-formation – Holy Trinity Sunday, May 26

The Holy Trinity

Trinity Sunday, the first Sunday following Pentecost (which is a day, not a season), has been kept since the tenth century as a special celebration of the mystery of the triune God, as in a similar way the Baptism of Our Lord follows the Christmas season with its trinitarian focus. Perhaps it is not helpful to begin a sermon by talking in a deprecatory manner about doctrine: trinitarian doctrine accompanies the Bible and the Christian poetic expressions of the ages to propose some language with which to praise our incomprehensible God. In all three readings, God welcomes us, who are sinners, persons who are perishing and who are saved in our experience of God as Father, Son, and Spirit.

John 3:1-17

On Trinity Sunday, Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus presents us with John’s language for the triune God: God; the Son, who is the only begotten one; and the Spirit, of whom the believers are born. This is expansive imagery of God: The Spirit of God as a womb amplifies the language of God as the Father of the Son.

Isaiah 6:1-8

On Trinity Sunday, Isaiah’s vision calls us to experience the overpowering presence of the almighty God. If our language about God has not left us speechless, it has not worked well to articulate divine power and mercy. Christians have seen in the triple “Holy” an oblique reference to the Trinity (see Rev. 4:8). Like Isaiah, we encounter God in worship, and like Isaiah, we are sent.

Romans 8:12-17

This passage from Paul contains early trinitarian theology. God is addressed as Abba, which probably meant “Papa.” Christ “the Son” ensures our adoption as sons and daughters. The Spirit enlivens our prayers. For Paul, we are already dead and have been made alive in Christ.

Zion's Lutheran Church

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719-846-7785