Liturgy for Trinity Sunday, Year C (Luke)
Passages of Scripture for Trinity Sunday
Isaiah 6:1–8 – The prophet Isaiah encounters the holiness of God in a heavenly vision, hearing the seraphim cry “Holy, holy, holy,” a reflection of God’s triune nature and call to mission.
Psalm 29 – A powerful song of God’s glory, emphasizing the voice of the Lord—thundering, majestic, and life-giving—an echo of the Father’s creative power, the Son’s authority, and the Spirit’s presence.
Romans 8:12–17 – Paul describes the relational life of the Trinity in action: the Spirit leads, we cry to the Father, and are co-heirs with the Son—this is how we live as children of God.
John 3:1–17 – Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about new birth through the Spirit, God’s love in sending the Son, and the promise of eternal life—all under the movement of the triune God.
Matthew 28:16–20 (alt.) – The Great Commission includes the clearest Trinitarian formula in the New Testament: “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Theological Thread
Trinity Sunday does not focus on an event, but on the very identity of God—God as relationship. The readings present Father, Son, and Spirit not as abstract ideas but as living Persons in mutual love, sending, redeeming, and guiding us.
From Isaiah’s vision of divine holiness to Paul’s intimate description of adoption, and Jesus’ teachings to Nicodemus, the Trinity is not a puzzle to solve but a reality to enter into with awe, humility, and joy.
Liturgy for Trinity Sunday
Prayer of Invocation
All:
Triune God—Father, Son, and Spirit—
We come before You not to solve Your mystery,
But to enter Your presence.
You are our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer.
May our worship reflect the harmony and love
That exist eternally within You.
Open our hearts to Your Word,
That we may live as children of the Living God.
Amen.
Call to Worship
One: Loving Father, angels sang for joy in your presence when you created with your voice the heavens and the earth.
All: We now use our voice to join that happy chorus and thank you, for you have given us gifts and all grace.
One: O Jesus Christ, you are the Word made flesh, the firstborn of many sisters and brothers in the family of God who have heard your music in their ears.
All: Open our hearts today that the sweetness of your name would find a home in our hearts.
One: O Holy Spirit, with tongues of fire, you have inspired speech and song of evangelists, preachers, poets, and musicians.
All: Visit us this day to kindle anew the fire of love and the light of understanding, that your church may lead to the renewal of our nation and world. Beloved of God, know that this God is your Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Join now in praise of the Loving Lord!
Call to Confession (Trinity Sunday):
God is holy—majestic in power, glorious in mystery, and perfect in love.
Isaiah trembled before the holiness of the Lord.
Nicodemus struggled to understand the Spirit’s work.
And we too, children of dust, stand in need of grace.
The voice of the Lord still calls:
“Whom shall I send?”—and before we can go,
we must be honest with God and with ourselves.
Let us return to the God who is Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—
confessing our sins, trusting in mercy, and longing for renewal.
Prayer of Confession
All: Father, Son, Holy Spirit, you live in peace and harmony with one another. You long for us to experience this with you and others. Why do we often feel unworthy of this acceptance and openness? Why do we allow sin or hesitation to separate us from others? Lord, have mercy. Teach us your truth and bring us into your peace and harmony. Amen.
Silent Confession
Assurance of Pardon
Leader:
In Christ, we are not condemned but set free.
By the Spirit, we are led into new life.
Children of the Living God, hear the good news:
All:
In Jesus Christ, we are forgiven! Thanks be to God!
Prayers of the People (Themes)
Praise for God’s mystery and majesty
Gratitude for the work of the Trinity in creation, redemption, and renewal
Prayers for unity in the Church, reflecting the unity of the Godhead
Intercession for peace, healing, and justice in the world
Petitions for the Spirit’s guidance in our lives and community
Benediction
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ,
the love of God the Father,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit
be with you now and always. Amen.
(2 Corinthians 13:13)
