Trinity Sunday in the Home
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The church year focuses primarily on the story of Jesus Christ, the Son, beginning in Advent and continuing through Ascension. Advent also brings some attention to God the Creator with the Hebrew prophets. Pentecost, of course, turns to the Holy Spirit. So Trinity Sunday brings God's three persons together, reminding us that we worship one God who is experienced in three ways, identified as three persons. The concept of Trinity is abstract and really beyond understanding, a mystery.
Focus
Trinity Sunday expresses the Christian belief that God is larger than any single manifestation. We experience God creating and sustaining our lives and our world, God desiring to be in us; God coming to us, revealing God's own nature in Jesus and incorporating us into Christ, that we become parts of Christ's own body in the world; and God dwelling within and around us, providing guidance, comfort, and most of all, presence together with us through the Holy Spirit, leading us to transform the world. God is not just one of these expressions, though most traditions tend to place a heavier accent on one more than the others. There is more to God than any one part or any one experience or any one idea.
Mood
Trinity Sunday is to be a time of worship, praise and awe that God is beyond imagining.
Symbols
Many symbols show three-in-one: triangles, trefoils, triquetras, anything that is one with three parts, such as a shamrock. There are beautiful Celtic knots, too. We use a Swedish three-branched candle to show three candles making one candle. A pillar candle with three wicks would also illustrate the same principle. The legend from St. Patrick tells of his using a shamrock to demonstrate the Trinity.
Food
A three-layer cake shows one cake with three parts. Neapolitan ice cream is three flavors in one ice cream.
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To make a Trinity Cake, prepare a white cake mix; divide the batter into thirds (1 1/3 cup each); leave one white; add 8 drops red food coloring and ¼ teaspoon almond flavoring for pink layer; add ¼ cup chocolate syrup for chocolate layer; pour each into a 8-inch round cake pan. Bake about 26 minutes, the chocolate layer a bit longer. Don't put the chocolate layer on the bottom or it will sticks to the plate!
Worship Leaflets
PDF file for Trinity Sunday family worship leaflet has just a bit to sing, read and pray.
Print on heavy stock and you'll have reusable leaflets that may simply be pulled out to be used year after year. Covers may be decorated by children.
Reading should be done by both adults and children; it is important to involve everyone at an appropriate level.
Tips for Starting Church Year Celebration in the Home
Advent in the Home
Christmas in the Home—All Twelve Days
Epiphany in the Home
Lent in the Home
Holy Week in the Home
Easter in the Home
Ascension Day in the Home
Pentecost in the Home
Trinity Sunday in the Home
Ordinary Time in the Home
Baptismal Anniversaries in the Home
Valentine's Day in the Home