Pastor’s Corner “The Trinity at the Heart of Worship”

Last Sunday, we focused on one of the primary gifts of the Spirit: Unity. Pentecost was the day God fulfilled his promise to reunite humanity with himself and create a new, community united in Christ by the Spirit. Forgiveness made possible by the crucifixion of Jesus, and union made possible by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. The result is personal renewal flowing from re-union with God and flowing into communion with each other and overflowing into inviting others into this re-union. I pointed to the conclusion of Acts 2 as true evidence of the Spirit-filled life:

And [the 3120+ baptized believers from all nations] devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:43-47)

This upcoming Sunday, Trinity Sunday, we will continue to celebrate this unity as we honor the communal nature of our Triune God. Our Creator is revealed in Scripture and creed as an eternal, interpersonal, divine community, each Person distinct, yet an undivided Union – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, loving, listening, responding to each other. His Trinitarian Union is at the very heart of our worship:

“[T]here is only one way to come to the Father, namely through Christ in the communion of the Spirit, in the communion of the saints, whatever outward form our worship may take. [This way of grace] releases joy and ecstasy. With inward peace we are lifted up by the Spirit into the presence of the Father, into a life of wonderful communion, into a life of praise and adoration in union with Christ. We know that the living Christ is in our midst, leading our worship, our prayers and our praises.” (James B. Torrance)

Join us this Sunday as we “worship one God in Trinity, and Trinity in Unity, neither confounding the Persons, or dividing the Substance” (The Athanasian Creed).

Your Pastor in Christ,