3:00pm March 18: The Burial of the Dead: Sondra Ellis
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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.
Things are different right now. The pandemic means we are keeping things simple, short, and safe. We also now require vaccination, for those who are eligible. You must be free of COVID-related symptoms, close contact, and not have positive tests to attend. There are a few other ground rules. Read our full guidelines here.
Distancing: As much as we wish we could greet one another, out of love for our neighbor we have to stay distanced. Please maintain 6 or more feet from other households at all times. Consider sending a text, a message on Facebook, or even writing a letter or email to someone who could use some peace. A wave, a peace sign, or a “smize” (a smile with your eyes) will do.
Masks: Please ensure all members of your household over age 2 are wearing a mask covering both the mouth and nose at all times. Ushers have some masks available, if you forgot yours. Please do not remove your mask or lift your mask at any time. When it comes time for communion, simply slip the wafer under your mask.
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” at the Welcome Table or online, we’d be glad to keep you up to date with all that goes on here. You can also use the Connect Cards 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
“Adagio” Tomaso Albinoni
“Spring” (from the Four Seasons) Antonio Vivaldi
Hymn
Please rise, in body or in spirit, as the hymn begins.
All Things Bright and Beautiful 1982 Hymnal #405
Anthem in Procession
The congregation is invited to respond using the words in bold
I am resurrection and I am life says the Lord.
Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. For I know that my Redeemer lives,
and at the last will stand upon the earth;
and though worms destroy this body,
yet in my flesh shall I see God,
whom I shall see and my eyes behold,
who is my friend and not a stranger.
We do not live to ourselves,
and we do not die to ourselves.
If we live, we live to the Lord,
and if we die, we die to the Lord;
so then, whether we live or die,
we belong to the Lord.
Happy from now on are those who die in the Lord!
So it is, says the Spirit,
for they rest from their labor.
The Collect
The Presider leads ancient prayers that help frame our worship. You are invited to light a candle at home with us, as we light candles on the altar.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, whose mercies cannot be numbered: Accept our prayers on behalf of your servant Sondra, and grant her an entrance into the land of light and joy, in the fellowship of your saints; 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 calendar shared by Christians around the globe.
A Reading from the book of the prophet Micah (Micah 6:1-8)
With what should I approach the LORD and bow down before God on high? Should I come before him with entirely burned offerings, with year-old calves? Will the LORD be pleased with thousands of rams, with many torrents of oil? Should I give my oldest child for my crime; the fruit of my body for the sin of my spirit? He has told you, human one, what is good and what the LORD requires from you: to do justice, embrace faithful love, and walk humbly with your God.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Remembrance
Jan Hermann of the Herb Society of St. Louis.
The Psalm Psalm 30:4-13
The Psalm is read responsively. The congregation is invited to read the verses in bold.
Sing to the Lord, you servants of God; *
give thanks for the remembrance of the holiness of God.
For the wrath of God endures but the twinkling of an eye, * the divine favour for a lifetime.
Weeping may spend the night, *
but joy comes in the morning.
While I felt secure, I said,*
“I shall never be disturbed.
Lord, with your favour, you made me as strong as the mountains.” * Then you hid your face, and I was filled with fear.
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me; *
O Lord, be my helper.”
You have turned my wailing into dancing; *
you have put off my sack-cloth and clothed me with joy.
Therefore my heart sings to you without ceasing; *
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.
Remembrance
Laura Ellis, on behalf of the family
The Gospel
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John (John 6:37-40)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus Said, “Everyone whom the Father gives to me will come to me, and I won’t send away anyone who comes to me. I have come down from heaven not to do my will, but the will of him who sent me. This is the will of the one who sent me, that I won’t lose anything he has given me, but I will raise it up at the last day. This is my Father’s will: that all who see the Son and believe in him will have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.”
The Gospel of our Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Homily:
Please be seated, at the invitation of the preacher.
The Rev. Mike Angell
The Lord’s Prayer
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 Prayers of the People
The Leader and People pray responsively. Please rise, or kneel, in body or in spirit.
Priest: In peace, let us pray to the Lord.
Almighty God, you have knit together your elect in one communion and fellowship, in the mystical body of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord: Grant, we beseech you, to your whole Church in paradise and on earth, your light and your peace. Amen.
Grant that all who have been baptized into Christ’s death and resurrection may die to sin and rise to newness of life, and that through the grave and gate of death we may pass with Christ to our joyful resurrection. Amen.
Grant to us who are still in our pilgrimage, and who walk as yet by faith, that your Holy Spirit may lead us in holiness and righteousness all our days. Amen.
Grant to your faithful people pardon and peace, that we may be cleansed from all our sins, and serve you with a quiet mind. Amen.
Grant to all who mourn a sure confidence in your care, that, casting all their grief on you, they may know the consolation of your love. Amen.
Give courage and faith to those who are bereaved, that they may have strength to meet the days ahead in the comfort of a reasonable and holy hope, in the joyful expectation of eternal life with those they love. Amen.
Help us, we pray, in the midst of things we cannot understand, to believe and trust in the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, and the resurrection to life everlasting. Amen.
Grant us grace to entrust Sondra to your never-failing love; receive her into the arms of your mercy, and remember her according to the favor which you bear unto your people. Amen.
Grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of you, she may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in your heavenly kingdom. Amen.
Grant us, with all who have died in the hope of the resurrection, to have our consummation and bliss in your eternal and everlasting glory, and, with all your saints, to receive the crown of life which you promise to all who share in the victory of your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Silence may be kept.
Father of all, we pray to you for Sondra, and for all those whom we love but see no longer. Grant to them eternal rest. Let light perpetual shine upon them. May his soul and the souls of all the departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
The Peace
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
Please do not approach people outside your household. A wave, a peace sign, or a “smize” (a smile with your eyes) will do.
The Commendation
Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
You only are immortal, the creator and maker of humankind; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and to earth shall we return. For so did you ordain when you created me, saying, “You are dust, and to dust you shall return.” All of us go down to the dust; yet even at the grave we make our song: Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Give rest, O Christ, to your servant with your saints,
where sorrow and pain are no more, neither sighing, but life everlasting.
Into your hands, O merciful Savior, we commend your servant Sondra. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive her into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
The Commital
The congregation may be seated after the family makes their way into the chapel.
Anthem
Amazing Grace Words: John Newton Tune: New Britain, anonymous
Amazing grace! how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see!
‘Twas grace that taught my heart to fear, and grace that fear relieved! How precious did that grace ap-pear the hour I first believed!
The Lord has promised good to me, His word my hope secures!
He will my shield and portion be as long as life endures.
Through many dan-gers, toils, and snares, I have already come!
‘Tis grace that brought me safe thus far, and grace will lead me home.
The Committal prayers (said by the priest and family in the chapel):
In sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life through our Lord Jesus Christ, we commend to Almighty God our sister Sondra, and we commit her body to its final resting place; earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust. The Lord bless her and keep her, the Lord make his face to shine upon her and be gracious to her, the Lord lift up his countenance upon her and give her peace. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
The Lord’s Prayer is said. Other prayers may be added.
Rest eternal grant to her, O Lord;
And let light perpetual shine upon her.
May her soul, and the souls of all the departed,
through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.
The family returns from the chapel after the committal.
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.
Hymn
For All the Saints- 1982 Hymnal #287 vs 1-4, 7 & 8
Dismissal
Our worship has ended, our service in the world continues.
The Deacon dismisses the congregation:
Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia. Alleluia!
Thanks be to God. Alleluia. Alleuia!
Postlude
“Movement 1” from Eine Kleine Nachtmusik W. A. Mozart
Service Leaders
Preacher and Officiant: The Rev. Mike Angell
Assisting: The Rev. Julie Graham
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Lectors: Geoff Ellis, Elizabeth Ellis
Eulogists: Laura Ellis, Jan Hermann
Guest Musicians: Chamber Music Society of St. Louis
Director of Music: Mary Chapman
Organist: Stephen Cook
Ushers: Members of the Robert Committee at Holy Communion
Altar Guild: Jean Parker
