Isaiah 6:1-8 Isaiah's vision of God in the Temple
Psalm 29 Worship the Lord in holy splendour
Romans 8:12-17 God's Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are children of God
John 3:1-17 Jesus with Nicodemus: Can a man be born again?

Suggested Hymns (From Denis Towner. TIS = Together in Song; AHB = Australian Hymn Book; SA = Sing Alleluia)
Isaiah 6: 1-8
Holy God, we praise your name TIS.127 AHB.86
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God almighty TIS.132 AHB.65
Let all mortal flesh keep silence TIS.497 AHB.418
Stand up and bless the Lord TIS.449 AHB.383
Thuma mina (Send me, Lord) TIS.749
Ye watchers and yew holy ones TIS.150 AHB.87

Psalm 29
O give the Lord, you children of God TIS.17
You are holy, you are whole TIS.753

Romans 8: 12-17
Baptized into your name most holy TIS.481
By your kingly power, O risen Lord TIS.386 AHB.306
Holy Spirit, ever dwelling TIS.410 AHB.323
Lord, keep us steadfast in your word TIS.436
Loving Spirit, loving Spirit TIS.414

John 3: 1-17
Father in heaven, grant to your children TIS.465 AHB.399
Lift high the cross TIS.351 AHB.271
Lord, your almighty Word TIS.447 AHB.61
So God loved the people of the world TIS.241 SA.78
To God be the glory, great things he has done TIS.147 AHB.85

Other Possible Hymns
(Numbers refer to The Australian Hymn Book and Sing Alleluia.)
SA 71 Our Father by whose name
SA 40 (TIS 99) God, we praise you, God we bless you
4 Father most holy, merciful and tender
5 (TIS 101) Come you people, come, adore him
37 (TIS 117) The Lord Jehovah reigns
84 (TIS 142) Glory be to God the Father
104 (TIS 160) Father all loving thou rulest in majesty
115 (TIS 52) Let us sing to the God of salvation
320 (TIS 407) Breathe on me breath of God
331 (TIS 425) Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire
454 (TIS 478) I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity [verses 1-4,7,8]

Sermon summary

Talk of the Holy Trinity is often dismissed, even by Christian believers, as a lot of theory, as if it were of interest only to theologians and of no practical significance in the lives of ordinary people; but I believe it is of enormous practical importance. It makes a difference whether a person says, for example, "I believe in God or something of the sort; there must be something like that, so I suppose I believe in God", or whether one says, "Yes, I believe in God, who is our Creator, Redeemer and Counsellor; that is, I believe in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit." It makes a difference whether you believe in God as an elemental spirit or you believe in the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. What we believe about God makes a difference to the way we live.

If God is far away, you may think that nothing you could do would make any difference, for such a god would be immovable and unchangeable, and sharing your concerns in prayer would not make a lot a sense.

The idea that people, with their machines and their organising ability, can stand in the place of God, or at least that they need not feel in any way accountable to a higher power, has the most profound implications, for example, in the way we are governed, in our attitude to the environment, and in the way we treat each other in families and personal relationships. These are consequences of belief in a remote and uncaring God, if indeed any belief in God remains at all. It does matter for the way we live what you believe about God: that is, whether he is remote, or whether he cares or whether he acts in our world, does make a difference.

We believe that God cares about the world and we believe God did something very special because he cared: he sent his Son to us to form a new and everlasting relationship with us (John 3:16), and he comes to us personally in the Holy Spirit: (John 3:7-8; John 1:33-34; Mark 1:8; John 15:26; Romans 8:14-17). If we believe this about God, then God is certainly not remote and uncaring. It makes a difference to believe in God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
 

Order of Service for Trinity Sunday, Year B

CALL TO WORSHIP Let us worship God
"Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts;
the whole earth is full of his glory." -- Isaiah 6:3

HYMN 65 Holy, holy, holy! Lord God almighty
PRAYER OF ADORATION Te Deum Part 1, front of Hymn Book
CONFESSION Isaiah the prophet, confronted by a vision of God said:
"Woe is me! I am lost, for I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!"
-- Isaiah 6:5
We confess to you Lord God, our Creator, our failure to serve you as Lord of all we have to use and to care for in this earth you have made
Lord have mercy.

We confess to you Jesus Christ, eternal Word of God, our Saviour and Lord, our lack of love for you and our fellow human beings.
Christ have mercy.

We confess to you Holy Spirit, God with us, Counsellor and teacher of all truth, we have been deaf to your call and inspiration.
Lord have mercy.

DECLARATION OF FORGIVENESS
The good news is that all who trust in Christ will have their sins forgiven and receive eternal life. As you hold this faith, I declare that you are set free from all your sins in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Thanks be to God.

DOXOLOGY: Hymn 84 Glory be to God the Father

WELCOME AND GREETING EACH OTHER

INTRODUCTION OF THEME:
OLD TESTAMENT Isaiah 6:1-8 Isaiah's vision of God in the Temple
PSALM 29 Worship the Lord in holy splendour
Choir Lord come and heal your church
EPISTLE Romans 8:12-17 God's Spirit witnesses with our spirit
GOSPEL John 3:1-17 Jesus with Nicodemus: Can a man be born again?

HYMN 37 The Lord Jehovah reigns
SERMON
HYMN 454 I bind unto myself today the strong name of the Trinity [omit vs 5,6]
OFFERING AND DEDICATION
SHARING TIME [Notices, celebrations, requests for intercessions]
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
For all people in their daily life and work;
for our families, friends and neighbours, and for those who are alone.

For this community, our country, and the world;
for all who work for justice, freedom and peace.

For the just and proper use of your creation;
for the victims of hunger, fear, injustice and oppression.

For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
for those who minister to the sick, the friendless and the needy.

For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
for all who proclaim the gospel, and for all seek the truth.

For the Uniting Church in Australia,
for John, president of the Assembly, and James President elect to take office next month, and for the work of the Assembly when it meets.

for ... our moderator and for .... our presbytery minister, for .... chairperson of presbytery,
for elders and members of the parish council,
and for all who hold office in this congregation;
for all who serve God in the church.

For our own needs, and for others for whom you have called us to pray.

Hear us, Lord
for your mercy is great.

We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of life.
We exalt you, O God our king;
and praise your name for ever and ever.

We give thanks for all those who have died in the peace of Christ, and for the promise of your eternal kingdom.
In Christ you have called us to eternal glory;
to you be praise for ever and ever. Amen.

COLLECT FOR THE DAY
THE LORD'S PRAYER [Front of the Hymn Book]

HYMN 399 Father in heaven/ grant to your children
WORD OF MISSION
BLESSING
DISMISSAL Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

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