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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.

Prelude a musician plays music as the candles are lighted.

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: Come Lazarus

Penitential Order

Blessed be the God of our salvation.

Who bears our burdens and forgives our sins. Amen.

Jesus said, “The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel: The Lord your God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31

The Confession

The Deacon (or other minister) bids the confession:

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

Silence is kept for a time.

God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives.We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.

Kyrie

This particular setting, traditional to Ukraine is shared in solidarity with those in the midst of conflict.

The Absolution

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

The Collect of the Day

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, you alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant your people grace to love what you command and desire what you promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and 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 Prophet Ezekiel Ezekiel 37:1-14

The Lord’s power overcame me, and while I was in the Lord’s spirit, he led me out and set me down in the middle of a certain valley. It was full of bones. He led me through them all around, and I saw that there were a great many of them on the valley floor, and they were very dry.

He asked me, “Human one, can these bones live again?”

I said, “Lord God, only you know.”

He said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, Dry bones, hear the Lord’s word! The Lord God proclaims to these bones: I am about to put breath in you, and you will live again. I will put sinews on you, place flesh on you, and cover you with skin. When I put breath in you, and you come to life, you will know that I am the Lord.”

I prophesied just as I was commanded. There was a great noise as I was prophesying, then a great quaking, and the bones came together, bone by bone. When I looked, suddenly there were sinews on them. The flesh appeared, and then they were covered over with skin. But there was still no breath in them.

He said to me, “Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, human one! Say to the breath, The Lord God proclaims: Come from the four winds, breath! Breathe into these dead bodies and let them live.”

I prophesied just as he commanded me. When the breath entered them, they came to life and stood on their feet, an extraordinarily large company.

He said to me, “Human one, these bones are the entire house of Israel. They say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished. We are completely finished.’ So now, prophesy and say to them, The Lord God proclaims: I’m opening your graves! I will raise you up from your graves, my people, and I will bring you to Israel’s fertile land. You will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and raise you up from your graves, my people. I will put my breath in you, and you will live. I will plant you on your fertile land, and you will know that I am the Lord. I’ve spoken, and I will do it. This is what the Lord says.”

The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

The Psalm Psalm 130

The Psalm is sung. The congregation is invited to join in the refrain.

1 Out of the depths *
have I called you, O Lord;

2 Lord, hear my voice; *
let your ears consider well the voice of my supplication.

3 If you, Lord, were to note what is done amiss, *
O Lord, who could stand?

4 For there is forgiveness with you; *
therefore you shall be feared.

5 I wait for you, O Lord; my soul waits for you; *
in your word is my hope.

6 My soul waits for you, O Lord, *
more than sentinels for the morning,
more than sentinels for the morning.

7 O Israel, wait for the Lord, *
for with the Lord there is mercy;

8 with whom there is plenteous redemption, *
and who shall redeem Israel from all their sin.

A Reading from the Letter to the Romans Romans 8:6-11

The attitude that comes from selfishness leads to death, but the attitude that comes from the Spirit leads to life and peace. So the attitude that comes from selfishness is hostile to God. It doesn’t submit to God’s Law, because it can’t. People who are self-centered aren’t able to please God.

But you aren’t self-centered. Instead you are in the Spirit, if in fact God’s Spirit lives in you. If anyone doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, they don’t belong to him. If Christ is in you, the Spirit is your life because of God’s righteousness, but the body is dead because of sin. If the Spirit of the one who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, the one who raised Christ from the dead will give life to your human bodies also, through his Spirit that lives in you.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Sequence Hymn

Please rise, in body or in spirit.

The Holy Gospel

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. John 11:1-45
Glory to you, Lord Christ.

A certain man, Lazarus, was ill. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This was the Mary who anointed the Lord with fragrant oil and wiped his feet with her hair. Her brother Lazarus was ill.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, saying, “Lord, the one whom you love is ill.”

When he heard this, Jesus said, “This illness isn’t fatal. It’s for the glory of God so that God’s Son can be glorified through it.” Jesus loved Martha, her sister, and Lazarus. When he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was. After two days, he said to his disciples, “Let’s return to Judea again.”

The disciples replied, “Rabbi, the Jewish opposition wants to stone you, but you want to go back?”

Jesus answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours in the day? Whoever walks in the day doesn’t stumble because they see the light of the world. But whoever walks in the night does stumble because the light isn’t in them.”

He continued, “Our friend Lazarus is sleeping, but I am going in order to wake him up.”

The disciples said, “Lord, if he’s sleeping, he will get well.” They thought Jesus meant that Lazarus was in a deep sleep, but Jesus had spoken about Lazarus’ death.

Jesus told them plainly, “Lazarus has died. For your sakes, I’m glad I wasn’t there so that you can believe. Let’s go to him.”

Then Thomas (the one called Didymus) said to the other disciples, “Let us go too so that we may die with Jesus.”

When Jesus arrived, he found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Bethany was a little less than two miles from Jerusalem. Many Jews had come to comfort Martha and Mary after their brother’s death. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went to meet him, while Mary remained in the house. Martha said to Jesus, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died. Even now I know that whatever you ask God, God will give you.”

Jesus told her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha replied, “I know that he will rise in the resurrection on the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me will live, even though they die. Everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

She replied, “Yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, God’s Son, the one who is coming into the world.”

After she said this, she went and spoke privately to her sister Mary, “The teacher is here and he’s calling for you.” When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to Jesus. He hadn’t entered the village but was still in the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who were comforting Mary in the house saw her get up quickly and leave, they followed her. They assumed she was going to mourn at the tomb.

When Mary arrived where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother wouldn’t have died.”

When Jesus saw her crying and the Jews who had come with her crying also, he was deeply disturbed and troubled. He asked, “Where have you laid him?”

They replied, “Lord, come and see.”

Jesus began to cry. The Jews said, “See how much he loved him!” But some of them said, “He healed the eyes of the man born blind. Couldn’t he have kept Lazarus from dying?”

Jesus was deeply disturbed again when he came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone covered the entrance. Jesus said, “Remove the stone.”

Martha, the sister of the dead man, said, “Lord, the smell will be awful! He’s been dead four days.”

Jesus replied, “Didn’t I tell you that if you believe, you will see God’s glory?” So they removed the stone. Jesus looked up and said, “Father, thank you for hearing me. I know you always hear me. I say this for the benefit of the crowd standing here so that they will believe that you sent me.” Having said this, Jesus shouted with a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” The dead man came out, his feet bound and his hands tied, and his face covered with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Untie him and let him go.”

Therefore, many of the Jews who came with Mary and saw what Jesus did believed in him.

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.

The Rev. Julie Graham

Lenten Statement of Faith

This alternative statement of faith adapts traditional language from the Nicene and Apostle’s creeds alongside the Biblical story. It was composed by the Bishop of Missouri.

As children of God let us rise in body or in spirit and affirm our faith.

We believe in God, creator of heaven and earth.

We believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of our sister Mary; Baptized by John the Baptist, filled with the Holy Spirit: to preach the kingdom of God to the poor, to heal the sick, to receive those who have been cast out, to revive Israel for the salvation of the nations, and to have mercy upon all people.

Jesus suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of God, and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. AMEN.

The Prayers of the People

The Leader and People pray responsively.

In this holy season of Lent, we are called to a journey of self-examination, repentance, and prayer following the example of Jesus our Savior. Let us in our prayers offer to God the yearnings of our hearts.

We pray for the whole church, all leaders and ministers, and all the holy people of God; especially Justin the Archbishop of Canterbury, Michael our Presiding Bishop, Deon our Bishop, for all clergy and lay leaders. In the Diocese of Missouri we pray for St. Paul’s in Ironton. We lift our eyes to the hills, O God.
In you is our help and strength.

We pray for our nation, for all the nations of the earth, and for all who govern and judge; especially our president, our governor, and our elected representatives. May they learn to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with you. We lift our eyes to the hills, O God.
In you is our help and strength.

We pray for those who put themselves in harm’s way and places of danger; those who willingly risk their lives; particularly for those serving in emergency services. We lift our eyes to the hills, O God.
In you is our help and strength.

We pray for those who hunger, those who thirst, those who cry out for justice, those who live under the threat of terror, and those without a place to lay their head. We lift our eyes to the hills, O God.
In you is our help and strength.

We pray for those who are ill, those in pain, those under stress, and those who are lonely; especially those on our prayer list. We lift our eyes to the hills, O God.
In you is our help and strength.

We pray in this season of Lent for those who prepare for baptism and renewal, and we pray that we all might be given the grace and strength to repent and grow closer to you, O God. We lift our eyes to the hills, O God.
In you is our help and strength.

We pray for the many milestones in our lives and those who celebrate with us, for celebrations of all kinds especially for Nancy Adams, Rebecca Comas, Bob Lowes and Rebecca Messbarger. celebrating birthdays this week. We lift our eyes to the hills, O God.
In you is our help and strength.

We pray for those who have died and who have entered into the land of eternal Light and your abiding peace.We lift our eyes to the hills, O God.
In you is our help and strength.

You are invited to add your own prayers, silently or aloud. The priest prays the concluding collect:

Lord Jesus, you are the Resurrection and the Life; as we await the celebration of your Resurrection, grant us and the whole world the wondrous gift of your Life, and hear our prayers we offer to you this day and always. 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: Out of the Deep by Robert Young

Out of the deep have I called unto thee;
Lord, hear my voice, O hear my voice.
Lord, thou hast searched my heart, and known me.
Thou knowest my downsitting and my uprising;
Thou understandest my thoughts long before.
For lo, there is not a word in my tongue,
but thou, O Lord, knowest it altogether.

Whither shall I go then from thy Spirit?
Or whither go then from my presence?
If I climb up into heaven, thou art there.
If I go down to hell, thou art also there.
If I take the wings of the morning,
and remain in the uttermost part of the sea,
even there shall thy hand lead me,
and thy right hand shall hold me.

O God, our help in ages past, our help for years to come.
Our shelter from the stormy blast, and our eternal home.

Offertory Hymn

Ewe Thina Traditional South African arr. John Bell

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

Verses:

He breaks the bonds of hell, dying on the cross.
We walk His way. We walk His way.

He breaks the bonds of hell, dying on the cross.
We walk His way. We walk His way. [Refrain]

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

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
    have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
    have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world:
    grant us peace.

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.

I Surrender All Lift Every Voice and Sing #133

Breathe on Me, Breath of God The Hymnal 1982 #508

Post Communion Prayer

God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth.
Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.

Blessing

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

Grant, most merciful Lord, to your faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with a quiet mind; and the blessing of the Triune God be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.

Concluding Hymn:

Come Holy Ghost, Creator Blest Lift Every Voice and Sing #112

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 Psalm Translation is from come from the Inclusive Language Psalter of the Anglican Church of Canada.
Penitential Order: During Lent, we move the confession off to the front of the service, instead of during the prayers of the people. In the second half of Lent, this is simplified a bit more than earlier in the season.
Lay Me Low: The second half of Lent we sing the South African tune “Woza” for the Gospel Procession. Our music director Mary Chapman adapted it to the Great Amen.
The Hymn “Ewe Thina” also comes from South Africa. It has been adapted by the Scottish musician and minister John Bell.
No Alleluias in Lent: The word “Alleluia” is neither sung nor spoken during Lent, except at a funeral service. As we catch ourselves where we are accustomed to using this word, we are reminded of the solemnity of Christ’s dying for the sins of the world.
Silence: In our busy world, we are not accustomed to much silence. Lent is a season of austerity, of reflection, and for slowing down. As such, we emphasize moments of silence in the liturgy.
Music used and reprinted with permission under OneLicense #A-704988 and WorshipCast License #13476

Service Leaders

Preacher: The Rev. Julie Graham

Celebrant: The Rev. Mike Angell
Crucifer: William Kelly
Chalice Bearer: Joe Adams
Readers: Michael Salsich, Shirley Mensah
Usher: Robert Lowes
Video Producer: Rebecca Comas