Online Worship - Sunday, February 21, 2021
Sermon: “You are my Beloved”
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Just as Jesus was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven:
“You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
~ Mark 1:10-11
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This Sunday we begin a new sermon series called “In the Footsteps of Jesus.” Through the season of Lent, we will walk in the physical and historical footsteps of Jesus from his baptism at the Jordan River to his final week in Jerusalem to consider what Jesus’ steps teach us about how we are to walk this Lenten season. We will begin at the Jordan River at Jesus’ baptism and we will see that while Jesus didn’t need to be baptized, he chose to be baptized with us, calling us Beloved.
Please register your attendance here! You can also list prayer requests as well. To be added to the Prayer Chain click here.
See below for the Order of Worship.
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Sunday Worship
February 21, 2021 - 11 AM
“You are My Beloved”
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The Order of Service
Welcome to Trinity online.
As we prepare for a time of worship, we invite you to find an intentional space in your home for worship. We encourage you to light a candle or place something that
reminds you of Trinity or your connection with God nearby. Children are invited
to take out their worship boxes to prepare for worship.
Prelude: My Son, the Beloved ~ David Blackwell
In those days, Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And as he came out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
Welcome and Announcements
As we light our candles in the sanctuary, I invite you to join us in lighting your own candle at home. As we place the cross in the holder, we invite you to place something that reminds you of Trinity or your connection with God in front of you.
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Call to Worship
As we begin this first Sunday of Lent, we commit ourselves to live as Jesus lived.
Let us walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
Today we walk to the Jordan River where Jesus was baptized,
marking the beginning of his ministry.
Let us walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
We walk with Jesus as he was tempted in the wilderness
but did not lose sight of his ministry.
Let us walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
So let us journey with Jesus,
let us deepen our understanding and our faith.
Let us walk in the footsteps of Jesus.
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Hymn: This Is the Spirit’s Entry Now - Hymnal no. 608
The United Methodist Hymnal ©1989 The United Methodist Publishing House. All rights reserved.
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Prayer of Confession and Pardon:
(By Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr.)
Thou Eternal God, out of whose absolute power and infinite intelligence the whole universe has come into being, we humbly confess that we have not loved thee with our hearts, souls and minds, and we have not loved our neighbors as Christ loved us. We have all too often lived by our own selfish impulses rather than by the life of sacrificial love as revealed by Christ. We often give in order to receive. We love our friends and hate our enemies. We go the first mile but dare not travel the second. We forgive but dare not forget.
And so as we look within ourselves, we are confronted with the appalling fact that the history of our lives is the history of an eternal revolt against you.
But thou, O God, have mercy upon us. Forgive us for what we could have been but failed to be. Give us the intelligence to know your will. Give us the courage to do your will. Give us the devotion to love your will.
In the name and spirit of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
Passing of the Peace:
We’d love to know you worshiped with us! Please register your attendance here. We also encourage you to comment during the service so we can be in community with you! Click here to sign up for all our eCommunications.
Children’s Time: Hannah Day Donoghue
We invite the children who are worshiping at home to pay extra special attention. Each week Hannah Day Donoghue will send out Children’s Worship Bulletin and Coloring Page for the children to do at home during this time.
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Lord’s Prayer:
Our Father,
who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name.
Thy kingdom come,
thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
and the power, and the glory forever. Amen.
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Duet: And Can It Be? ~ Dan Forrest
And can it be? Amazing love, how can it be? And can it be that I should gain an interest in the Savior’s blood? Died He for me, who caused His pain? For me, who Him to death pursued? Amazing love! How can it be that Thou, my God, shouldst die for me? He left His Father’s throne above, so free, so infinite His grace; emptied Himself of all but love, and bled for Adam’s helpless race: “Tis mercy all, immense and free, for, O my God, it found out me. And can it be?. . . . No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him, is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, and clothed in righteousness divine, bold I approach the eternal throne, and claim the crown, through Christ my own. Amazing love! . . . .”
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6 What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? 2 By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it? 3 Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we have been buried with him by baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 We know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin. 7 For whoever has died is freed from sin.
The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God.
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13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
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Sermon: “You are My Beloved”
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Invitation to the Offering:
We invite you to consider giving on-line or giving by text! To give on-line, click here. To give by text, text “GIVE” to 703-783-3034. For further information about online giving, visit here.
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Offertory Prayer
All good gifts come from you, dear Lord,
and from these riches we bring this offering.
Help us to use it for the furtherance of your purpose in this place,
and for the benefit of those in need. Amen.
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Hymn: When Jesus Came to Jordan - Hymnal no. 252
The United Methodist Hymnal ©1989 The United Methodist Publishing House. All rights reserved.
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Dismissal with Blessing:
During this time, children are invited to take one of the stickers and place it on your clothing to remember that you are sent into the world remembering the love of God and Jesus Christ.
Postlude: Little Prelude in e minor ~ J.S. Bach
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Today’s Prelude: This anthem, a setting of Mark 1:9-11, relates the bible narrative of Christ’s baptism in a simple, dignified manner. Originally published for choir, it is performed today as a vocal duet. Text: Mark 1:9-11; New Revised Standard Version Bible (NRSV), © 1989 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Music newly composed, and copyright © 2015 Birnamwood Publications (ASCAP), a division of MorningStar Music Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-713613. All rights reserved.
Today’s Duet: “And Can It Be, That I Should Gain?”, thought to be the second hymn (of six thousand) that Charles Wesley wrote, was written in 1738 to celebrate his conversion on May 21st of that year. Dan Forrest’s setting of the text, with new music, captures beautifully Wesley’s amazement that Christ's love for “Adam’s helpless race” was so great that he would die for our salvation. Forrest’s expression of this sense of amazement can be seen, especially, in his many repetitions of Wesley’s question, “And can it be?”, as if to ask, “Can it really and truly be?” Originally written for choir, the piece is performed today as a vocal duet. © 2014 by Beckenhorst Press, Inc. All rights reserved. Reprinted with permission under ONE LICENSE #A-713613. All rights reserved.
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The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God.
Worship Online this Sunday: While we aren’t meeting in person, we will be worshiping online via livestream on Trinity’s Facebook page and through our website. Each Saturday evening, we will send out an email with links to the worship sites and the bulletin for worship that Sunday. This Sunday, we will invite you to be intentional about finding a space in your home to worship and to be truly present in a time of worship. For additional questions about how to worship online, please contact the Church Office.
Lenten Kits - Pick up your Lenten kit today! The Christian Formation Team put together Lenten Kits to guide us in our journey in the footsteps of Jesus. Each kit includes ashes for Ash Wednesday, weekly devotionals, meditations and additional activities for ALL ages to help us to better understand and walk with Jesus throughout the season of Lent. The activities will include things we will reference each week in worship. You can pick up your Lenten Kit from the plastic bin outside the Church Office through next Wednesday, February 24th. If you can’t make it to the Church, please let us know and we can arrange to deliver or to mail you your kit. For additional questions, contact Trinity Program Director, Hannah Day Donoghue.
Fellowship Time via ZOOM on Sunday after Church: After worship this morning, we invite you to a time of fellowship via Zoom led by our Program Director Hannah Day Donoghue! This will be a time for us to connect after worship, check-in, and to have a time of conversation about worship. Click here to join. For questions, contact our Program Director, Hannah Day Donoghue.
Church Council meeting today Sunday, February 21st, 1 PM via ZOOM: This afternoon at 1 PM, we are having our bi-monthly Church Council meeting. If you are a member of Church Council we hope you are able to attend. You can join via Zoom. For questions contact Church Council Chair, Jeff Lane.
Join us for Youth Group via Zoom from 5:30-7 PM. For more information contact Hannah Day Donoghue.
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Trinity Community News & Prayers |
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It is with sadness we share the death of John Lumsden, long time Trinity member. We extend our prayers and sympathies to his wife Mary, their daughters Sally, Cheryl, Virginia, and Linda and their families, 13 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren, and a great-great-grandchild, as well as their extended family and friends. A Service of Death and Resurrection will be held at Everly-Wheatley Funeral home on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 10:30 AM. Burial will be held at Quantico National Cemetery on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 1:00 PM. A Celebration of Life service will be held at Trinity UMC at a later date. Expression of sympathy can be sent to Mary Lumsden and family, c/o The Hermitage, 5000 Fairbanks Avenue, #175, Alexandria, VA 22311.
It is with sadness we share the death of Leroy Trice Gravatte, III. We express our prayers and sympathies to his family and friends. A graveside service will be held at Ivy Hill Cemetery on Tuesday, February 23, 2021 at 11 AM.
The Board of Ministry (BOM) has recommended Rev. Mi Sook Ahn to full membership this Annual Conference. She sends her wholehearted gratitude to Trinity for our support, prayers and encouragement.
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In the Footsteps of Jesus, Lenten Sermon Series (February 21 - April 4, 2021): What does it mean to walk in the footsteps of Jesus? During the season of Lent, we will walk in the physical footsteps of Jesus Christ, tracing his ministry journey from the Jordan River where he was baptized to Jerusalem, where he spent his final days. As we walk in the footsteps of Jesus, we see how Jesus lived, how he treated others, what he taught, and the everyday choices he made. What does Jesus’ journey teach us about how we are to live this Lenten season? Join us as we consider what it means to live in the footsteps of Jesus.
Lenten Small Group Bible Study- Join Pastor Grace and our Program Director Hannah for a 5 week Wednesday night Bible study from February 24th-March 24th from 7:30-8:30 PM. We will have time to build community and dive deeply into the scripture for the upcoming Sunday. We highly encourage folks to join for all 5 weeks, as we hope to grow deeper in community and deeply dwell in the Word of God. Email Hannah Day Donoghue by February 21st to sign up for this Zoom study.
2021 Lenten Mission Offering: You can help Trinity Church reach its Lenten Mission giving goal of $5,000 with $1,000 designated for Community Lodgings, $1,000 for ALIVE!, $1,000 for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief) Disaster Relief Fund, $1,000 for Rising Hope, and $1,000 for Casa Chirilagua. Please click here to give online to Lenten Mission Offering (969) or send a check via the mail notating “Lenten Mission Offering” on the memo line. We are accepting donations through the end of May. For more information contact our Missions Chair, Mary Gillman.
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Trinity Church’s Weekly News |
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Order your Easter Lilies & Azaleas today! The Flower Committee invites you to reserve an Easter Lily or Pink Azalea for our Easter Sunday services. Plants are $25 each. Please pay electronically here, choose Flower Fund (765) and comment what type of plant(s) you wish to reserve. Our Office Manager, Jenessa Stokes will confirm your order and request the dedication you wish to have printed in the bulletin for Easter Sunday. Plants will be available for pick up at the Church on Easter Sunday after worship. Please know that all proceeds help us cover the costs of flowers, wreaths, and supplies throughout the year. For questions or assistance contact the Church Office.
Volunteers Needed to Help with Food Ministry: Mission is seeking volunteers who are willing to make food deliveries to Rising Hope Mission Church on Tuesday or Thursday mornings. Someone from the Mission Team will determine delivery contents and will help you load your vehicle. Sign up here. For additional questions or concerns contact Mary Gillman.
ALIVE! is restarting its Housewares program! They will be holding a drive-through collection event in the parking lot of Fairlington UMC on Saturday, February 6th, from 8:30 AM – 11:30 AM. Should this model be successful, ALIVE! will continue to schedule regular collection days. Volunteers will be present to receive donated items on a contactless and socially distanced basis. For the foreseeable future, this will be the only way to donate household items. Please limit donations to items listed on the ALIVE! Housewares page.
Rising Hope has made an urgent request for paper grocery bags. They are critical in delivering food to families in the community. Please consider helping with this effort by collecting them and then dropping them off in the large plastic bin outside the Church Office door, across from the mailbox. You can’t miss it! We will ensure that they’ll be included with the weekly food delivery. Thank you for your continued support with this ministry.
Join the Trinity Prayer Chain: During times of trial and uncertainty, we pray to grow in our faith and encourage one another. To respond to our growing prayer needs, we will be starting an email prayer chain to share our prayer concerns with one another. We will share joys as well as concerns and needs. If you are interested in being part of this prayer chain or have a prayer request, please email us here.
Centering Prayer meets weekly on Wednesdays from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM, via Zoom. Centering Prayer is a 20 minute practice to sit in quiet prayer to make ourselves open to God. A reading is shared by the leader with a short discussion prior to the prayer time. Click here to connect. For more information contact, Alva Smircina.
COVID-19 Vaccination Registration Information for Alexandria City Residents who are 65 years and over: If you are 65 and over, or have a condition that places you at high risk for severe illness from COVID-19, please complete this registration form by clicking here. For more information contact Alexandria City Health Department.
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Giving at Trinity
How to give at Trinity:
There are three ways to give at Trinity!
1. Give online through our online donation portal.
2. Give by text at 703-783-3034. Just send a text that says “Give” and the Amount.
For further questions about how to give, visit here!
Trinity has switched our financial management system from Vanco to Breeze. If you still give through Vanco, you can access your Legacy Vanco account here. We encourage you to switch to Breeze, our new online management system as soon as you can. Please cancel your Vanco account first and then set up your new giving through Breeze. Thank you for however you give, it is all very much appreciated! For additional questions or concerns, contact the Church Office.
Did you know you can support Trinity UMC with a tax-free transfer from your IRA? If you are age 72 (or 70½ before Jan 1, 2020) and have a Traditional, Rollover, SEP, or SIMPLE IRA, you are required by law to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) annually. But did you know that you can use the RMD as a way to make a tax-free transfer to a charity, including Trinity UMC? The transfer must be directly from your IRA to Trinity, and your broker can help you with this process so that you get the full tax benefit. Please notify Trinity when you authorize a transfer so that we may confirm receipt.
Another way to provide financial support to Trinity is with a gift of stock. Please consult with your broker and a tax adviser (prior to selling stocks intended to benefit Trinity) on how to handle to maximize the tax benefits. But if you do decide to give stock – please contact the church help. We can provide a form for your broker or tax adviser to facilitate the transfer.
As always, Trinity is very grateful for any gifts. It makes everything we do at Trinity possible. If all else fails - please contact Rich McKinney. Thank you again for your giving - no matter how you give!
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Sunday, February 21st
11:00 AM Worship at via Facebook Live and Trinity Website
12:00 PM Fellowship Time via Zoom
1:00 PM Church Council Meeting via Zoom
5:30 PM Youth Group via Zoom
Wednesday, February 24th
6:00 PM Centering Prayer via Zoom
7:30 PM Lenten Small Group Bible Study via Zoom
Thursday, February 25th
8:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal via Zoom
Sunday, February 28th
11:00 AM Worship at via Facebook Live and Trinity Website
12:00 PM Fellowship Time via Zoom
5:30 PM Youth Group via Zoom
Sunday, March 3rd
6:00 PM Centering Prayer via Zoom
Thursday, March 4th
8:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal via Zoom
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