You will find our live stream on our homepage, on Facebook (where you can interact with others watching with comments), and on Youtube.

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: Vaccination is required for everyone eligible. Windows are open. There are a few other recommendations. These recommendations are in the spirit of protecting the most vulnerable members of the congregation.

Distancing: Keeping a distance of six feet or more is one tool to help limit spread.

Masks: Masks are recommended to protect your neighbor. We ask that all members of the congregation respect others’ choices about masking.

Refrain from coming if you are sick: If you are experiencing any new symptoms, if you are currently testing for COVID, or recovering from COVID, we ask that you give yourself time before coming to church in person.

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

Wheelchair 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.

Hearing Assistance: 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 a candle or two in the place where you worship, to light during the opening prayer.

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.

Entrance Hymn: In Christ there is No East Nor West Lift Every Voice and Sing Hymnal #62

Opening Acclamation

The congregation is invited to respond using the words in bold.

Blessed are you, holy and living One.
You come to your people and set them free.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen

Song of Praise: We Shall Overcome

The Collect of the Day

The Presider leads ancient prayers that help frame our worship. You are invited to light a candle at home.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.

Set us free, O God, from the bondage of our sins, and give us the liberty of that abundant life which you have made known to us in your Son our Savior Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Lessons

We hear the stories of the experience of God from our spiritual ancestors. Following an ancient pattern originally from Jewish synagogue worship, readings follow a set calendar for what will be read when. The translation used at Holy Communion is the Common English Bible translation.

A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah Isaiah 58:1-9a

Shout loudly; don’t hold back; raise your voice like a trumpet! Announce to my people their crime, to the house of Jacob their sins. They seek me day after day, desiring knowledge of my ways like a nation that acted righteously, that didn’t abandon their God. They ask me for righteous judgments, wanting to be close to God.

“Why do we fast and you don’t see; why afflict ourselves and you don’t notice?” Yet on your fast day you do whatever you want, and oppress all your workers. You quarrel and brawl, and then you fast; you hit each other violently with your fists. You shouldn’t fast as you are doing today if you want to make your voice heard on high. Is this the kind of fast I choose, a day of self-affliction, of bending one’s head like a reed and of lying down in mourning clothing and ashes? Is this what you call a fast, a day acceptable to the LORD?

Isn’t this the fast I choose: releasing wicked restraints, untying the ropes of a yoke, setting free the mistreated, and breaking every yoke? Isn’t it sharing your bread with the hungry and bringing the homeless poor into your house, covering the naked when you see them, and not hiding from your own family? Then your light will break out like the dawn, and you will be healed quickly. Your own righteousness will walk before you, and the LORD’s glory will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and God will say, “I’m here.” If you remove the yoke from among you, the finger-pointing, the wicked speech;

The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

The Psalm 112:1-9

The Psalm is read in unison

1 Hallelujah!
Happy are they who fear the Lord *
and have great delight in the divine commandments!

2 Their descendants will be mighty in the land; *
the generation of the upright will be blessed.

3 Wealth and riches will be in their house, *
and their righteousness will last for ever.

4 Light shines in the darkness for the upright; *
the righteous are merciful and full of compassion.

5 It is good for them to be generous in lending *
and to manage their affairs with justice.

6 For they will never be shaken; *
the righteous will be kept in everlasting remembrance.

7 They will not be afraid of any evil rumours; *
their heart is right; they put their trust in the Lord.

8 Their heart is established and will not shrink, *
until they see their desire upon their enemies.

9 They have given freely to the poor, *
and their righteousness stands fast for ever;
they will hold up their head with honour.

A Reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 2:1-12

When I came to you, brothers and sisters, I didn’t come preaching God’s secrets to you like I was an expert in speech or wisdom. I had made up my mind not to think about anything while I was with you except Jesus Christ, and to preach him as crucified. I stood in front of you with weakness, fear, and a lot of shaking. My message and my preaching weren’t presented with convincing wise words but with a demonstration of the Spirit and of power. I did this so that your faith might not depend on the wisdom of people but on the power of God.

What we say is wisdom to people who are mature. It isn’t a wisdom that comes from the present day or from today’s leaders who are being reduced to nothing. We talk about God’s wisdom, which has been hidden as a secret. God determined this wisdom in advance, before time began, for our glory. It is a wisdom that none of the present-day rulers have understood, because if they did understand it, they would never have crucified the Lord of glory! But this is precisely what is written: God has prepared things for those who love him that no eye has seen, or ear has heard, or that haven’t crossed the mind of any human being. God has revealed these things to us through the Spirit. The Spirit searches everything, including the depths of God. Who knows a person’s depths except their own spirit that lives in them? In the same way, no one has known the depths of God except God’s Spirit. We haven’t received the world’s spirit but God’s Spirit so that we can know the things given to us by God.

The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

Gospel Procession

Please rise in body or in spirit and join in singing the Alleluia before and after the Gospel.

The Holy Gospel Matthew 5:13-20

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew .

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Jesus said: “You are the salt of the earth. But if salt loses its saltiness, how will it become salty again? It’s good for nothing except to be thrown away and trampled under people’s feet. You are the light of the world. A city on top of a hill can’t be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a basket. Instead, they put it on top of a lampstand, and it shines on all who are in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before people, so they can see the good things you do and praise your Father who is in heaven.

“Don’t even begin to think that I have come to do away with the Law and the Prophets. I haven’t come to do away with them but to fulfill them. I say to you very seriously that as long as heaven and earth exist, neither the smallest letter nor even the smallest stroke of a pen will be erased from the Law until everything there becomes a reality. Therefore, whoever ignores one of the least of these commands and teaches others to do the same will be called the lowest in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever keeps these commands and teaches people to keep them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. I say to you that unless your righteousness is greater than the righteousness of the legal experts and the Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

Children’s Chapel After the Gospel, Children are invited to follow the procession to the front of the church, and make their way across the hall and into the lounge for Children’s Chapel. Children under the age of 5 will need their caregiver to attend with them. They will join the congregation for the procession of the magi.

The Sermon

Please be seated at the invitation of the Preacher.

Rudy Nickens

The Creed Please rise in body or in spirit.

This alternative statement of faith adapts traditional statements from the Nicene and Apostle’s creeds into a dialogue. It was composed by the Bishop of Missouri.

The Deacon asks the congregation:

Let affirm our hope in the light of Christ.

Do you believe and trust in God?

We believe in God, eternal, almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in Jesus the Christ?

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of all, the Only Begotten One; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived and loved among us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; who descended to the dead, and on the third day rose again; Jesus, Our Savior, ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the loving God, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic and apostolic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

Please rise in body or in spirit. The Leader and People pray responsively.

Let us pray for the Church and for the world.

God of love, we pray for your church: For Michael, our Presiding Bishop; Deon, our bishop; for all lay and ordained ministers; and for all who seek you in the community of the faithful. We pray for our companions in El Salvador and in the Diocese of Missouri for Grace Church in Kirkwood.

God of love,
Hear our prayers for the church.

God of freedom, we pray for our nation, and all the nations of the world: For peace and unity across barriers of language, color, and creed; for elected and appointed leaders, that they would serve the common good. Inspire all people with courage to speak out against hatred, to actively resist evil. Unite the human family in bonds of love.

God of freedom,
Hear our prayers for the world.

God of justice, we pray for the earth, your creation entrusted to our care: For the animals and birds, the mountains and oceans, and all parts of your creation that have no voice of their own. Stir up in us a thirst for justice that protects the earth and all its resources, that we may leave to our children’s children the legacy of beauty and abundance that you have given us.

God of justice,
Hear our prayers for the earth.

God of peace, we pray for this community: For our local leaders; for our schools and markets; for our neighborhoods and workplaces. Kindle in every heart a desire for equality, respect, and opportunity for all. We give you thanks for all those who celebrate birthdays this week especially Magdalene Linck. Give us courage to strive for justice and peace among all people, beginning here at home.

God of peace,
Hear our prayers for this community.

God of mercy, we pray for all in any kind of need or trouble: For those whose lives are closely linked with ours, and those connected to us as part of the human family. For refugees and prisoners; for the sick and suffering, the lonely and despairing; for those facing violence; for all held down by prejudice or injustice. Awaken in us compassion and humility of spirit, as we seek and serve Christ in all persons.

God of mercy,
Hear our prayers for all who are in need.

God of grace, we pray for those who have died: For the faithful in every generation, for those who have worked for justice; for prophets who called us to racial reconciliation; for martyrs who died because of hatred; and for all the communion of saints. Make us faithful to your call to proclaim your Good News, by word and example, and bring us at last into the glorious company of the saints in light.

God of grace,

Hear our prayers for those who have died

You are invited to add your own prayers, silently or aloud.

The priest adds a concluding collect.
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart [and especially the hearts of the people of this land], that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Confession

the Deacon bids the congregation:

Let us confess our sins against God and one another.

Almighty God, Source of all that is, Giver of every good gift. You create all people in your image and call us to love one another as you love us. We confess that we have failed to honor you in the great diversity of the human family. We have desired to live in freedom, while building walls between ourselves and others.

We have longed to be known and accepted for who we are, while making judgements of others based on the color of skin, or the shape of features, or the varieties of human experience.

We have tried to love our neighbors individually while yet benefitting from systems that hold those same neighbors in oppression.

Forgive us, Holy God. Give us eyes to see you as you are revealed in all people. Strengthen us for the work of reconciliation rooted in love.

Restore us in your image, to be beloved community, united in our diversity, even as you are one with Christ and the Spirit, Holy and undivided Trinity, now and forever. Amen.

Absolution

the presider pronounces God’s forgiveness:

Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.

The Peace
Please rise in body or in spirit.

The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.

You are invited to greet those around you by saying “Peace be with you” or simply “Peace.”

Welcome & Announcements:

Announcements are shared. You may be seated.

See Announcements

Offering 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

Offertory Anthem:

Offertory Hymn This Little Light

Please rise in body or in spirit and sing as the ushers bring forward our financial offering.

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 rise in body or in spirit.

The Lord be with you
And also with you.

Lift up your Hearts
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

The presider offers thanks to God for the grace and mercy made available to us in Christ.

In response all sing:

The presider gives thanks to God for Christ’s redeeming work, and remembers Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. The people are invited to respond to the words:

Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:

Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.

The presider concludes with prayer for the Holy Spirit to sanctify the bread and wine, and the gathered congregation.

The Eucharistic prayer concludes with a plea for the coming of God’s reign.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to you be honor, glory, and praise, for ever and ever.

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, we will make our way by row and then process toward the communion minister. 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.

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.

Hymns During Communion

You are welcome to join in singing the communion hymns.

We Walk in Love

Be Thou My Vision 1982 Hymnal #488

Post Communion Prayer

Loving God, we give you thanks for restoring us in your image and nourishing us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood.

Now send us forth a people, forgiven, healed, renewed; that we may proclaim your love to the world and continue in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

Epiphany Blessing

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

May Christ, the Son of God, be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light to the world; And the blessing of the Triune God, Eternal Majesty, Incarnate Word, and Abiding Spirit rest upon you this day and remain with you forever. Amen.

Concluding Hymn:

We are Marching in the Light of God Wonder Love and Praise Hymnal #787

Dismissal

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

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Service Notes:

The Form of Worship is Adapted from Enriching Our Worship
The Scripture translation is the Common English Bible
The Psalms come from the Inclusive Language Psalter of the Anglican Church of Canada.
The Prayers of the People are from resources prepared by the Standing Committee on Liturgy and Music of the Episcopal Church for the 2018 General Convention.
The Proper Preface was adapted by our rector.
“We Shall Overcome” is a traditional African-American Spiritual. It has been adapted for our Alleluia and Amen verses by our director of music. All texts and music used by permission.
Music used and reprinted with permission under OneLicense #A-704988 and WorshipCast License #13476

Service Leaders
Preacher: Rudy Nickens
Celebrant: The Rev. Mike Angell
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Assisting: The Rev. Mike Angell and Loretta Go
Crucifer: William Kelly
Readers: Fran Caradonna, Alisa Williams
Ushers: Olivia Mensah
Video Producer: Rebecca Comas