
A House of Prayer for all People and the Episcopal Church in Colorado
The Wilderness
The Feast of The Most Holy Trinity
June 4, 2023
Welcome to Saint John’s Cathedral! We are glad you are here. If you are new to Saint John’s please see this time as one of connection and restoration. Our prayer is that you encounter God as you participate in today’s service. Before the service begins, please take a moment to silence your electronic devices. Hearing Impaired guests: Hearing Loop Installed. Switch hearing aid to T-coil.
This digital service leaflet is best viewed in landscape mode on your device.
PRELUDE
The Wilderness Musicians
THE THANKSGIVING AT THE FONT
The People turn and face the north Font.
Presider | In the name of the one, holy, and undivided Trinity. |
People | Amen. |
Presider | As we prepare to celebrate the sacred mysteries, may we prayerfully remember that we are joined to Christ in the waters of baptism and clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the water gift of baptism. |
Prayerful silence is kept. An Assistant pours water into the Font at the following words.
Presider | We give you thanks, O God, for in the beginning you created us in your image and placed us in a well-watered garden. In the desert, you promised pools of water for the parched, and you gave us water from the rock. When we did not know the way, you sent the Good Shepherd to lead us to still waters. At the cross, you washed us from Jesus’ wounded side, and on this day, you shower us again with the water of life. We praise you for your salvation through water, for all water everywhere, and for the water in this font. Sanctify it, we pray, by the power of the Holy Spirit, the wellspring of life. Bathe us in your forgiveness, grace, and love. Satisfy all who thirst, and give us the life only you can give. To you be praise, honor, and glory, most Holy Trinity, now and forever. |
People | Amen. |
The People are sprinkled with holy water during the gathering song.
GATHERING SONG
Wade in the water
Wade in the water children
Wade in the water
God’s a-gonna trouble the water
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
Presider | God is with you. |
People | And also with you. |
Presider | Let us pray. |
Merciful and gracious God, you showed the fullness of your love when you gave your only Son for our salvation and sent down upon us the power of your Spirit. Complete within us the work of your love, that we who have communion in Christ may come to share fully the undying life he lives with you, in union with the Holy Spirit, God for ever and ever. Amen.
All sit.
THE READING
Genesis 1:1-2:4
A reading from the Book of Genesis.
When God began to create the heavens and the earth—the earth was without shape or form, it was dark over the deep sea, and God’s wind swept over the waters—God said, “Let there be light.” And so light appeared. God saw how good the light was. God separated the light from the darkness. God named the light Day and the darkness Night. There was evening and there was morning: the first day. God said, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the waters to separate the waters from each other.” God made the dome and separated the waters under the dome from the waters above the dome. And it happened in that way. God named the dome Sky. There was evening and there was morning: the second day. God said, “Let the waters under the sky come together into one place so that the dry land can appear.” And that’s what happened. God named the dry land Earth, and he named the gathered waters Seas. God saw how good it was. God said, “Let the earth grow plant life: plants yielding seeds and fruit trees bearing fruit with seeds inside it, each according to its kind throughout the earth.” And that’s what happened. The earth produced plant life: plants yielding seeds, each according to its kind, and trees bearing fruit with seeds inside it, each according to its kind. God saw how good it was. There was evening and there was morning: the third day. God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to separate the day from the night. They will mark events, sacred seasons, days, and years. They will be lights in the dome of the sky to shine on the earth.” And that’s what happened. God made the stars and two great lights: the larger light to rule over the day and the smaller light to rule over the night. God put them in the dome of the sky to shine on the earth, to rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. God saw how good it was. There was evening and there was morning: the fourth day. God said, “Let the waters swarm with living things, and let birds fly above the earth up in the dome of the sky.” God created the great sea animals and all the tiny living things that swarm in the waters, each according to its kind, and all the winged birds, each according to its kind. God saw how good it was. Then God blessed them: “Be fertile and multiply and fill the waters in the seas, and let the birds multiply on the earth.” There was evening and there was morning: the fifth day. God said, “Let the earth produce every kind of living thing: livestock, crawling things, and wildlife.” And that’s what happened. God made every kind of wildlife, every kind of livestock, and every kind of creature that crawls on the ground. God saw how good it was. Then God said, “Let us make humanity in our image to resemble us so that they may take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, the livestock, all the earth, and all the crawling things on earth.” God created humanity in God’s own image, in the divine image God created them, male and female God created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fertile and multiply; fill the earth and master it. Take charge of the fish of the sea, the birds in the sky, and everything crawling on the ground.” Then God said, “I now give to you all the plants on the earth that yield seeds and all the trees whose fruit produces its seeds within it. These will be your food. To all wildlife, to all the birds in the sky, and to everything crawling on the ground—to everything that breathes—I give all the green grasses for food.” And that’s what happened. God saw everything he had made: it was supremely good. There was evening and there was morning: the sixth day. The heavens and the earth and all who live in them were completed. On the sixth day God completed all the work that he had done, and on the seventh day God rested from all the work that he had done. God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all the work of creation. This is the account of the heavens and the earth when they were created.
Reader | Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people. |
People | Thanks be to God. |
Psalm 8
All sing.
Lord our God, the whole world tells the greatness | of your | name.
Your glory | reaches be- | yond the | stars.
Even the babble of infants de- | clares your | strength,
your power to halt the | enemy | and a- | venger.
I see your handiwork | in the | heavens:
the moon and the | stars you | set in | place.
What is humankind that you re- | member | them,
the human race | that you | care for | them?
You treat them like gods,
dressing them in | glory and | splendor.
You give them charge of the earth,
| laying all | at their | feet:
cattle and sheep, wild beasts
birds of the sky, fish of the sea,
every | swimming | creature.
Lord our God,
the whole world tells the | greatness | of your | name.
Your glory | reaches be- | yond the | stars.
Even the babble of infants de- | clares your | strength,
your power to halt the | enemy | and a- | venger.
I see your handiwork | in the | heavens:
the moon and the | stars you | set in | place.
What is humankind that you re- | member | them,
the human race | that you | care for | them?
You treat them like gods,
dressing them in | glory and | splendor.
You give them charge of the earth,
| laying all | at their | feet:
cattle and sheep, wild beasts
birds of the sky, fish of the sea,
every | swimming | creature.
Lord our God,
the whole world tells the | greatness | of your | name.
All stand.
GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
The Gospel Book is reverenced, kissed, and touched by the People.
Jesus is Lord of all the earth. He is the King of creation. Refrain |
Spread the good news o’er all the earth: Jesus has died and has risen. Refrain |
THE GOSPEL
Matthew 28:16-20
Presider | The Good News of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew. |
People | Praise and glory to Christ. |
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus told them to go. When they saw him, they worshipped him, but some doubted. Jesus came near and spoke to them, “I’ve received all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I’ve commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age.
Presider | Good News from the Lord. |
People | Praise to Christ, the Word. |
The People are seated.
THE REFLECTION
All stand.
GROUNDING SONG
All sit and the singing bowl is rung to begin and end our time of prayerful reflection.
OPEN SPACE
The People are invited to wander the cathedral in prayer or remain in their seats.
CONCLUDING PRAYER
Presider | Into your hands, gracious God, we commend all for whom we pray, trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ, our Savior. |
People | Amen. |
THE PEACE
Presider | Christ’s peace is with you. |
People | And also with you. |
The People greet one another with a sign of Peace and are then seated for announcements.
ANNOUNCEMENTS and STEWARDSHIP
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THE LITURGY OF THE ALTAR
OFFERTORY SONG
The Wilderness Musicians
All stand.
THANKSGIVING AT THE TABLE
Presider | God is with you. |
People | And also with you. |
Presider | Lift up your hearts. |
People | We lift them to the Lord. |
Presider | Let us give thanks to our Lord God. |
People | It is right to give our thanks and praise. |
It is right to praise you, almighty and merciful God,
through our Savior Jesus Christ.
You reveal your glory as the glory of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit: equal in majesty, undivided in splendor,
one Lord, one God, ever to be adored in your eternal glory.
And so, with all the choirs of angels and archangels, martyrs,
saints, and faithful in every generation, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
through our Savior Jesus Christ.
You reveal your glory as the glory of the Father,
the Son, and the Holy Spirit: equal in majesty, undivided in splendor,
one Lord, one God, ever to be adored in your eternal glory.
And so, with all the choirs of angels and archangels, martyrs,
saints, and faithful in every generation, we praise your name and join their unending hymn:
SANCTUS & BENEDICTUS
All sing.
The Presider continues.
Holy God, holy and mighty, holy and immortal:
you we praise and glorify, you we worship and adore.
You formed the earth from chaos;
you encircled the globe with air;
you created fire for warmth and light;
you nourish the lands with water.
You molded us in your image,
and with mercy higher than the mountains,
with grace deeper than the seas,
you blessed the Israelites and cherished them as your own.
That also we, estranged and dying,
might be adopted to live in your Spirit,
you called to us through the life and death of Jesus.
you we praise and glorify, you we worship and adore.
You formed the earth from chaos;
you encircled the globe with air;
you created fire for warmth and light;
you nourish the lands with water.
You molded us in your image,
and with mercy higher than the mountains,
with grace deeper than the seas,
you blessed the Israelites and cherished them as your own.
That also we, estranged and dying,
might be adopted to live in your Spirit,
you called to us through the life and death of Jesus.
In the night in which he was betrayed,
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;
broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:
Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Recalling now our Lord’s work of redemption and
offering to you our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving:
and gave it for all to drink, saying:
This cup is the new covenant in my blood,
shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.
Do this for the remembrance of me.
Recalling now our Lord’s work of redemption and
offering to you our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving:
People | Dying, you destroy our death. Rising, you restore our life. Lord Jesus, come in your glory. |
With this bread and cup we celebrate your faithfulness
to us and the whole world in your Son,
the first-born of your new creation.
We celebrate his life lived for others,
and his death and resurrection, which renews the face of the earth.
We await his coming,
when, with the world made perfect through your Wisdom,
all our sins and sorrows will be no more.
Let the Church say, “Amen.”
to us and the whole world in your Son,
the first-born of your new creation.
We celebrate his life lived for others,
and his death and resurrection, which renews the face of the earth.
We await his coming,
when, with the world made perfect through your Wisdom,
all our sins and sorrows will be no more.
Let the Church say, “Amen.”
People | Amen. |
Holy God, holy and merciful one, holy and compassionate,
send upon us, and these gifts of bread and wine,
your Holy Spirit,
whose breath revives us for life,
whose fire rouses us to love.
Enfold in your arms all who share this holy food.
Nurture in us the fruits of the Spirit,
that we may be a living tree, sharing your bounty with all the world.
Let the Church say Amen.
send upon us, and these gifts of bread and wine,
your Holy Spirit,
whose breath revives us for life,
whose fire rouses us to love.
Enfold in your arms all who share this holy food.
Nurture in us the fruits of the Spirit,
that we may be a living tree, sharing your bounty with all the world.
Let the Church say Amen.
People | Amen. |
Holy and gracious God,
receive our praise and petitions,
as Jesus received the cry of the needy,
and fill us with your blessing,
until, needy no longer and bound to you in love,
we feast forever with Mary, The God-bearer; Blessed John, our patron;
and all your saints; at the banquet table of the Lamb:
through whom all glory and honor is yours, O God, Living One,
with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, now and forever.
receive our praise and petitions,
as Jesus received the cry of the needy,
and fill us with your blessing,
until, needy no longer and bound to you in love,
we feast forever with Mary, The God-bearer; Blessed John, our patron;
and all your saints; at the banquet table of the Lamb:
through whom all glory and honor is yours, O God, Living One,
with the Holy Spirit, in your holy church, now and forever.
The Musicians and People sing | Amen. |
Silence.
As Jesus taught his friends, we now pray,
Presider and People
Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
hallowed be your Name,
your kingdom come, your will be done,
on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
Forgive us our sins
as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power,
and the glory are yours,
now and for ever. Amen.
THE BREAKING OF THE BREAD
The Presider breaks the consecrated Bread. An assistant fills the chalices with wine.
THE INVITATION TO COMMUNION
Come to the banquet, for all now is ready.
Following the invitation to Communion, the Ministers and People receive the Sacrament. For those desiring to receive wine, it is available from the common Cup or you are invited to leave the wafer in your open palm and a chalice minister will intinct for you.
MUSIC DURING COMMUNION
The Wilderness Musicians
All stand.
THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Presider
Let us pray.
Presider and People
We thank you for feeding us with the bread of heaven
and satisfying us with the cup of freedom.
Send us from this place as signs of your Presence
as we join you in repairing this fractured world.
Through our Healer and Friend, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
and satisfying us with the cup of freedom.
Send us from this place as signs of your Presence
as we join you in repairing this fractured world.
Through our Healer and Friend, Jesus Christ.
Amen.
THE BLESSING
Presider
The blessing of the one, holy, and undivided Trinity be upon you and remain with you forever.
People
Amen.
SENDING SONG
Thank you Lord
Thank you Lord
Thank you Lord
I just want to thank you Lord
Thank you Lord
Thank you Lord
I just want to thank you Lord
THE DISMISSAL
Presider | Go in peace. |
People | Thanks be to God. |
Presider and Preacher
The Right Reverend Rob O’Neill
Bishop in Residence
Welcome to the Banquet!: Trinity Sunday and LGBTQI+ Pride Month at The Wilderness
From the earliest days of Christianity, followers of Jesus have referred to Holy Communion as a banquet in three phases: As a participation in Jesus’s numerous meals throughout his ministry and in his final meal before his crucifixion; as the tangible sharing of sacramental bread and wine in the here and now; and as a foretaste of the heavenly banquet where the saints and we will feast with the Lamb. One of the privileges of being Christians is joyfully inviting more and more people to feast on our Lord at his altar. But before we ourselves feast on him, we are often disoriented by Jesus’s reversal of who is and isn’t the host at tables in the Gospels. Christ Jesus, God Incarnate, is the guest at more banquets in the Gospels than he is host, which may very well be a launchpad for prayer for us in this season. I am especially struck by this image given the current violent social and political climate toward transgender youth and adults, drag queens, and other minoritized populations. When we pause and contemplate on the Gospels, make music, pray with icons of our Lord and his Mother, use candles and incense at this service, or receive consecrated bread and wine, we are attuning our senses to the countercultural nature of life with Jesus. In the new creation inaugurated through his death and resurrection and accelerates through the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, our Enfleshed God permanently redefines which categories of flesh and people and bodies are “in” and which are “out”. One scholar, Dr. Shea Watts, in his book, Where the Spirit Is: Pentecostal Worship, Affect, Ritual, and Liberative Praxis writes, “LGBTQ bodies belong to the body of Christ and claim the body of Christ as queer.” When we use language like, “We as a church should be more welcoming of LGBTQ people…”, we are assuming that the body of Christ is straight. Perhaps LGBTQI+ Pride Month, in the wake of the majesty and mystery of Trinity Sunday, is a season to meditate on the queer body of Christ as guest and host of this sumptuous, sacramental banquet, forever blurring the boundary between “insider” and “outsider”.
Feasting,
Broderick
Broderick