May 31, 2026

Retired Lutheran pastor, Richard Lischer, shared this interpretation of the Trinity he discovered while contemplating a stained glass window depiction of the Trinity: "The fairly typical Trinitarian design of three interconnecting triangles reminded me of an aerial photograph taken of our small farming community," wrote Lischer. "Besides the straight and orderly rows of crops in the fields, another distinct pattern emerged: well-worn paths crisscrossing from one farmhouse to another. These paths, worn into the ground by generations of neighbors visiting and helping out in times of need, linked the town, they knit the community together."

God in three persons, Blessed Trinity, longs to be a palpable presence in our lives, so God, in God's infinite wisdom, walks a number of paths to reach us.

~Homiletics, shared by Catherine Dempesy

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WORDS OF GREETING AND GATHERING

Pastor Alexis Ward Owens

WELCOMING STATEMENT

RISE believes that God has open arms, and so should we. Our Creator wants us to love, accept and affirm every human being, including persons of every age, race, ethnic background, nationality, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or socioeconomic status, educational background, religion or creed, and physical or mental ability. We celebrate our diversity and recognize the sacred worth and dignity of all. Everyone is invited and encouraged to join us as we seek to follow Jesus with mutual respect, understanding, and love.

*Read more about “Why Pronouns Matter” HERE.

OPENING AFFIRMATION

~Homiletics, adapted

We have come to worship God:

Creator, Holy One, Sovereign God, Maker of heaven and earth.
Jesus Christ, God-with-us, Savior, brother, Lord.
Holy Spirit, tongues of fire, rushing wind, still small voice.
Gracious and Almighty God, three-in-one!

Let’s worship!

Opening SongS

Songs Will Happen!

“Dance”

~Michael Stern

Dance as if no one was watching
Sing as if no one could hear
Love as if your heart had not been broken

Walk throughout the woodland alters
Gaze as if seeing for the first time
Love as if your heart had not been broken

Laugh as if you were a child
Live as if your dreams had come true
Love as if your heart had not been broken

Dance as if no one was watching
Gaze as if seeing for the first time
Love as if your heart had not been broken

Sing as if no one could hear you
Live as if your dreams had come true.

“Meet me in the Garden”

~Shannon Dove, arr. Brent Holl

Play me the Rock of Ages, You sing and I’ll turn the pages
Help me count my blessings, it’s gonna take all day.
Meet me down in the Garden, I’ll bring along this old guitar and
sit for a while and strum…

Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see

Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.

Play me the Rock of Ages, You sing and I’ll turn the pages
Help me count my blessings, it’s gonna take all day.
Meet me down in the Garden, I’ll bring along this old guitar and
sit for a while and strum…

___________________________

This arrangement contains the refrain of Shannon Dove’s, “Granny Mary’s Song” written for and about his grandmother. When Shannon discovered that my Grandma’s name was also Mary, he said, “Well, then this is our song, bro!” Shannon’s original version shares more details of his grandmother and her inspiration to his life. You can hear the full song and more of Shannon’s original songs at: https://shannondove.hearnow.com/dove-songs

Scripture ReadingS

Matthew 28:16-20 (NRSV)

16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him, but they doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit 20 and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Acts 2:14,22-24,37-47 (NRSV)

14 But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, “Fellow Jews and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say.
22 …Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know— 23 this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. 24 But God raised him up, having released him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him.” 40 And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added. 42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.
43 Awe came upon everyone because many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together and had all things in common; 45 they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.

THEOLOGICAL Reflection

Pastor Alexis

“The Trinity, The Storyteller, and Me!”

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

What is your favorite book? A story that has stuck with you for a long time or has some particular importance to you, and why? What is it about that story that resonates?
Do you find it easy or difficult to share your faith with others? Why or why not?
What are some tangible next steps you could take to begin talking about your faith more freely? Can you identify one person you think would appreciate hearing a story about this cool thing called the trinity? Or who might want to know about a community of people who will love and journey with them as they attempt to figure out what it is that they believe about the creator of the universe?