Service Outline
Gathering Music
(Instrumental song played to set the tone for the day)
Welcome/Announcements
(Highlights of community for the week ahead. For all updates, please sign up for our newsletter.)
Musical Interlude
(Threshold moment to prepare ourselves for the service)
Trinity Affirmation
(Statement we make each week as a promise to each other and a renewal of the commitment to who we are as a community)
Song of Celebration
(Our Gathering Song! You’ll find the music in the Trinity Songbook, in the United Methodist Hymnal, or on the screens.)
Passing of the Peace
(A moment to extend a sign of peace to each other. If you’d prefer a contact-less peace, please cross your arms.)
Prayers of the People
(Sharing our prayers. All are invited to share their joys and concerns with the community and God. You may come forward, receive a lit candle from the leader, speak your prayer and then place your candle in the sand on the table. The leader will respond “Healing and Joyful Spirit” and all are invited to reply, “Receive our prayer.”)
Children’s Moment
(All children from birth to grade 5 are welcome to come forward for the Children’s Moment. Children birth-age 4 are welcome in our nursery. Children grades Kindergarten-3rd are welcome to come to our classroom for programming.)
Readings
(The text[s] for the message)
Message
(Otherwise known as the Sermon. Led by our lead pastor, usually.)
Song of Response
(Our sung response to the message)
Sharing of Our Gifts
(Our offering. Digital gifts are shared via QR code. In the service, the wooden bowl goes to Trinity, and the woven basket goes to our special offering.)
Musical Anthem
(Led by our choir, Earth Band, or as a solo)
Doxology
(You likely know the tune. The words are always on the screen!)
Special Element
(Please see the next page for explanations of our special elements.)
Benediction
(Blessing for going forth into the world)
Song for Going Forth
(We sing one more time before we leave!)
Trinity Sending
(“Now that our Celebration has Ended… Let Our Service Begin!”)
Postlude
(An instrumental piece to carry until we see you next week!)
Special Elements
First Sunday of the Month:
Communion: We gather at the table for the ritual of communion. At Trinity, all are welcome to participate in this sacrament. We have communion by intinction, which means that you are invited to come forward and receive a piece of gluten-free, nut-free, vegan bread (we promise it tastes good!). You can then dip your bread into grape juice.
Other Sundays include a different element, which may be:
Meditation: We share in a time of quiet or guided meditation. This time gives us a place to center ourselves in the midst of the chaos of our lives.
Body Prayers: We expand our prayers from a mind-exercise into our bodies. While these may vary from month-to-month, we will always demonstrate before we begin. You are welcome to participate or to watch.
Prayer to the Four Directions: Another embodied experience, where we are invited to decenter ourselves and center creation in our worship.
Special Music or Arts: This will certainly vary from month to month–but the fifth Sundays include an additional artistic element.
Prayer Stations or Other Rituals: This can be season or day specific, and instructions will be made clear. We invite you to participate at your comfort level in all of these special elements.
