Our Mission | Welcome to The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, a welcoming and diverse community seeking to walk in the way of Jesus and to reveal Christ’s reconciling love in our city, nation, and world.

Pandemic Precautions Continue | Up-to-date vaccination is required for everyone eligible. Windows are open. In the spirit of protecting the most vulnerable members of the congregation, we ask that you attempt to distance, especially if asked. We ask that all members of the congregation respect others’ choices about masking. Please refrain from coming to church if you are sick or experiencing any new symptoms.

Communion | All are welcome to receive. When it comes time, please follow the directions of the ushers. Walk past the chalice bearer to return to your pew from the other side. If you would like to receive wine you may either “sip” or hand your wafer to the chalice bearer, who will “intinct” (dip) for you. If you would prefer not to receive, simply cross your arms across your chest and the minister will give you a blessing. Gluten free wafers are available, on request from the minister.

Donations | We welcome donations to support the work of Holy Communion, whether a payment on a pledge or simply an offering. You can also text GIVE to (833) 864-5384 or give any time on our website holycommunion.net/give

Accessibility | Our entrances have auto-open buttons, and our elevator is ADA compliant. Both the downstairs restrooms and one of the upstairs restrooms are accessible. Priority seating is provided for caretakers of small children and those with mobility needs. If you have any questions about signage, please ask an usher. Hearing assistance devices are available from the welcome table. Just ask an usher.

Get Involved | If you begin by filling out a “Connect Card” by hitting “Next Steps” on the button on any page. You can also use the Connect Cards in the pews to update your information, request prayers, or to ask a question. Turn them in to the wooden offering box in the entryway.

The congregation is invited to say the words together in bold. If you are worshiping with us from home, to prepare for worship, you may want to place an Advent Wreath or candle or two in the place where you worship, to light during the opening prayer.

Prelude
the organist or another musician plays music. Please silence cell phones and maintain quiet as we prepare for worship.

Lighting of the Christmas Candle

Please rise in body or in spirit
The service begins as a clergy member lights the candle in the center of the Advent wreath, holding candles that have been lit in each of the past four Sundays. The prayer for Christmas Eve is read.

O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light; Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy him perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Hymn Oh Come, All Ye Faithful Hymnal 83, vv 1, 3, 4, 6

Welcome

A priest welcomes the congregation. If you are new to us, consider filling out our “get connected” form, let us get to know you better.

After two short sentences of scripture and a word of welcome, the 2022 Christmas pageant commences. Our Christmas Pageant is adapted from Godly Play‘s A Children‘s Liturgy for Christmas Eve by Jerome Berryman.
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion holds the safety of our kids as our highest priority. We do not publish names of our children in social media or on our livestreams. We do recognize our kids ministry leadership by publishing names in the paper service leaflets when they serve. Please refrain from personal photos and/or recordings during the pageant. Opportunity for personal photos will be offered at the end of our story.

The Setting

This night is like no other night. It is a time to dream and sing our way to Bethlehem.

The little town we seek sits in the hill country some ten miles south of Jerusalem. For thousands of years the houses have gathered there on the hilltop like a family breaking bread. “Bethlehem” means “House of Bread.”

In the center of the village is a small inn. On this night it is overflowing with people seeking sleep and a place to eat. Behind the inn is a dark stable. A gray donkey chews his barley and broken straw while a weary cow leans and rests after the day’s plowing in the valley. A sheep nearby is nearly asleep. All is still and quiet in the little town.

Hymn to the tune of St. Louis Hymnal 79, vv 1 & 2

Mary and Joseph Arrive in Bethlehem

As night gathers, the last two travelers come slowly up the road. Look, there is a young woman about to be a mother. She is walking with her husband. They are Mary and Joseph from Nazareth! They have walked for six days to come to this city where King David was born, so long ago.

They have come, like so many others, because the Roman emperor wants to count each one, so he can take their money as a tax.

But it is late, and Mary is so weary. Where will they sleep? There is no room in the inn. They decide to sleep with the animals.

The Congregation and Choir sing O Little Town of Bethlehem, vs 2

Jesus is Born

Stars brighten slowly in the sky. All creation holds its breath. Suddenly, from the stable, comes the cry of a newborn child! Mary gently wraps the baby in a blanket and lays him in the feed box that his father has filled with straw.

Congregational Carol Away in a Manger Lift Every Voice and Sing 27 v 1 & 2

Shepherds and Angels

Children who are wearing angel wings and/or haloes are invited to come forward to the front of the church and stand with the angel band. Caregivers are also welcome up front, if needed. At the same time, children dressed as sheep or shepherds are invited to gather near the back of the church for their entrance after the next hymn.

In the hills outside Bethlehem, shepherds watch their shadowy sheep. All at once, the dark is lost in light, and in the midst of the light is something even brighter: the faces of angels. The fearful shepherds then hear music in the sky, and a voice says clearly,

Do not be afraid. Listen, I bring you news of great joy, a joy to beshared by all people. Today in the City of David a Savior is born!

He is Christ, the Lord.

Then more angels appear, a whole heavenly host of them, praising God and singing:

Congregational Carol
The children will sing verse one, please join in for verse three.

Angels We Have Heard On High Hymnal 96

Shepherds Head to Bethlehem

Children who are wearing shepherd costumes or sheep costumes are invited to come forward to the front of the church and stand with the shepherd crew. Caregivers are also welcome up front, if needed.

The shepherds run with joy across the fields to Bethlehem to the barn behind the inn. There they find the Holy Family and creep forward, overwhelmed with mystery, to find Nativity itself in the center of all that love.

Congregational Carol sung by all Niño Lindo

A Christmas Hope

So now we all come, to find God-with-us. We come, as people have come all through the ages, to bring our own gifts to this Child, God’s gift to us.

We tell this tale of wonder and majesty every year, as it has been told for thousands of years. The story of angels and shepherds, stables and mangers, Mary and Joseph and the Christ Child.

And though the message does not change, we hope that the message continues to change our hearts, to change our minds, to bring needed change to our world. This Christmas, may God’s promised peace be born in our world again.

Joy to you and your family on this Christmastide!

Congregational Carol sung by all

Hark the Herald Angels Sing Hymnal 87, vv. 1-3

The Peace Children and Rector. Please rise in body or in spirit.

May the Peace of the Lord be always with you.

And also with you.

Announcements:

Announcements are shared. You may be seated.

See Announcements

Offertory Carol:

We welcome donations to support the work of Holy Communion, whether a payment on a pledge or simply an offering. Plates will be passed. You can also give on our website or by texting GiveHoCO to (833) 864-5384

Go Tell It On The Mountain Lift Every Voice and Sing #21

Eucharistic Prayer

The second part of the liturgy moves to the Table. As we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, we gather in a way Christians have for millennia. Please stand.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Please remain standing.

On the night Jesus was betrayed, he took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper, Jesus took the cup; gave thanks, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” And so, gracious God, we bring you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. Merciful God, gather us by this Holy Communion into one body in your Christ. Make us a living sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray in the way Christ taught us, and in the language of our hearts.

Padre nuestro que estás en el cielo,
santificado sea tu Nombre,
venga tu reino,
hágase tu voluntad,
en la tierra como en el cielo.

Danos hoy nuestro pan de cada día.
Perdona nuestras ofensas,
como también nosotros perdonamos
a los que nos ofenden.
No nos dejes caer en tentación
y líbranos del mal.

Porque tuyo es el reino,
tuyo es el poder, y tuya es la gloria,
ahora y por siempre. Amén

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,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread

Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

Administration of the Sacrament

All are welcome to receive. When it comes time, please maintain a distance of greater than 6 feet in a single file line up to the front. Please come to the priest on the side of the church where you are sitting. Make your way down the side aisle to return to your seat. Under the bishop’s order, wine is not available at this time. If you would rather receive a blessing, please come forward to the altar rail during communion and cross your arms across your chest. Gluten free wafers are available, on request, from the minister.

Hymns During Communion

Love Came Down at Christmas Hymnal 1982 #84

What Child is This? Hymnal 1982 #115

It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Hymnal 1982 #89

Prayer for Spiritual Communion

This prayer of Spiritual Communion is offered in the online bulletin for those who cannot join us in person. It was written by parishioner Bob Lewis.

Gracious and Loving God, on this day we are not able to gather around your table to celebrate your presence in the sacrament of bread and wine. We are not able to share your peace with one another.

Nevertheless, we lift up our hearts, we join with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven as we proclaim you holy and receive you into our hearts by faith.

Strengthen our love for you. Help us offer our sacrifice with all your faithful people, that we may restore health and wholeness to one another and to all your creation. Give us patience and hope as we long for the day when we can gather and break bread together again. Through Christ our Savior. Amen.

Post Communion Prayer

Gracious God, tonight you have united earth and heaven in sending your Son to take our human nature. May we, who have tasted heavenly things, share in the life of Christ’s kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lighting of the Candles

Please tip your candle into the flame to receive the light;
after receiving the light, please hold your candle upright.

Hymn after Communion Silent Night Hymnal 1982 #111 v 1, 3, 2

The Christmas Blessing

Please rise in body or in spirit, or kneel as the presider proclaims the final blessing.

May God, who sent angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior’s birth, fill you with joy and make you heralds of the Gospel. And the blessing of God the holy and undivided Trinity be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen

At the conclusion of the blessing, please cup your hand behind the flame and extinguish your candle.

Final Hymn Joy to the World Hymnal 1982 #100

The in-person congregation is invited to stand as the clergy exit and reverence the altar.

Dismissal

Our worship has ended, our service in the world continues.
The Deacon dismisses the congregation:

Alleluia! Let us go forth in the name of Christ.

Thanks be to God. Alleluia!

Postlude

If you are in the church, please make your way outside as soon as you can after the service. The clergy will greet you outdoors.

Improvisation

Service Leaders
Presiding: The Rev. Julie Graham
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Guest Organist: Cheryl Foster
Narrators & Pageant Talent: The Youth of Holy Communion
With Special Thanks to: Angie Borroughs-Kelly, Panill Camp, John Kelly, The MacGregor Family, Paige McGinley, Rudy Walz

Music reprinted and broadcast with permission by OneLicense # A-704988

Special gifts made to support the Christmas Greens and Music:

Helen Burton: In joyful recognition of my Holy Communion family
Laurie & Ed Hansell: In Memory of John Kissel & Lottie Kissel Norwine
Jean & Hal Parker: In memory of Dolores Parker
Rebecca Rugen: In memory of Leah Rugen
Rudy Walz: In Honor of Betty and Lenard Walz, Sr.