12:00pm August 26th, 2023: C. Douglas Black
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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: 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.
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: 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
Hymn
Please rise, in body or in spirit, as the hymn begins.
The King of Love, My Shepherd Is The Hymnal 1982 #645 verses 1, 2 & 6
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 Doug, and grant him 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.
1st Lesson Please be seated 1 Corinthians 12: 4-11
A Reading from the Gospel of John.
“Peace I leave with you. My peace I give you. I give to you not as the world gives. Don’t be troubled or afraid.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Remembrances Karl Beckmann, Hal Parker, Bill Black
The Gospel John 14:1-6
A reading from the Gospel of John.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
“Don’t be troubled. Trust in God. Trust also in me. My Father’s house has room to spare. If that weren’t the case, would I have told you that I’m going to prepare a place for you? When I go to prepare a place for you, I will return and take you to be with me so that where I am you will be too. You know the way to the place I’m going.”
Thomas asked, “Lord, we don’t know where you are going. How can we know the way?”
Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Homily:
Please be seated, at the invitation of the preacher.
The Rev. Julie Graham
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 Doug to your never-failing love; receive him into the arms of your mercy, and remember him according to the favor which you bear unto your people. Amen.
Grant that, increasing in knowledge and love of you, he 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 Doug, 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 Doug. Acknowledge, we humbly beseech you, a sheep of your own fold, a lamb of your own flock, a sinner of your own redeeming. Receive him into the arms of your mercy, into the blessed rest of everlasting peace, and into the glorious company of the saints in light. Amen.
Hymn
It is Well with My Soul- Lift Every Voice and Sing #188
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
All are invited to join a light lunch reception in Mitchell Hall following the service.
The family will greet you at the reception.
Service Leaders
Preacher and Officiant: The Rev. Julie Graham
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Director of Music: Mary Chapman
Organist: Cheryl Foster
Ushers: Jim McElroy, Rudy Nickens, Hal Parker, Jean Parker
Altar Guild: Jean Parker
Video Production: Markie Jo Crismon
