8:00 Service May 7, 2023: Fifth Sunday of Easter
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
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. 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” in your pew, or at the Welcome Table, 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.
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.
Opening Acclamation
Please rise in body or spirit
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Collect for Purity
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 A Song of Jerusalem Our Mother Isaiah 66:10-14
Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her *
all you who love her,
Rejoice, rejoice with her, *
all you who mourn over her,
That you may drink deeply with delight *
from her comforting breast.
For thus says our God, *
“I will extend peace to her like a river,
the wealth of nations like an overflowing stream.
“You shall nurse and be carried on her arm,
and you shall nestle in her lap.
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you; *
you shall be comforted in Jerusalem.
“You shall see, and your heart shall rejoice, *
you shall flourish like the grass of the fields.”
Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and 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.
1st Lesson Please be seated. Acts 7:55-60
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles
But Stephen, enabled by the Holy Spirit, stared into heaven and saw God’s majesty and Jesus standing at God’s right side. He exclaimed, “Look! I can see heaven on display and the Human One standing at God’s right side!” At this, they shrieked and covered their ears. Together, they charged at him, threw him out of the city, and began to stone him. The witnesses placed their coats in the care of a young man named Saul. As they battered him with stones, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, accept my life!” Falling to his knees, he shouted, “Lord, don’t hold this sin against them!” Then he died.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16
The Psalm is read in unison
In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge;
let me never be put to shame; *
deliver me in your righteousness.
Incline your ear to me; *
make haste to deliver me.
Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe, *
for you are my crag and my stronghold;
for the sake of your name, *
lead me and guide me.
Take me out of the net that they have secretly set for me, *
for you are my tower of strength.
My times are in your hand; *
for you have redeemed me, O Lord, O God of truth.
rescue me from the hand of my enemies,
and from those who persecute me.
Make your face to shine upon your servant, *
and in your loving-kindness save me.”
2nd Lesson
1 Peter 2:2-10
A Reading from the first Letter of Peter
Instead, like a newborn baby, desire the pure milk of the word. Nourished by it, you will grow into salvation, since you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Now you are coming to him as to a living stone. Even though this stone was rejected by humans, from God’s perspective it is chosen, valuable. You yourselves are being built like living stones into
a spiritual temple. You are being made into a holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices that
are acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Thus it is written in scripture, Look! I am laying a cornerstone in Zion, chosen, valuable. The person who believes in him will never be shamed.[a] So God honors you who believe. For those who refuse to believe, though, the stone the builders tossed aside has become the capstone. This is a stone that makes people stumble and a rock that makes them fall. Because they refuse to believe in the word, they stumble. Indeed, this is the end to which they were appointed. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people who are God’s own possession. You have become this people so that you may speak of the wonderful acts of the one who called you out of darkness into his amazing light. Once you weren’t a people, but now you are God’s people. Once you hadn’t received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Please rise in body or in spirit for the reading of the Gospel.
The Gospel John 14:1-14
The Holy Gospel of our Savior 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. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you have really known me, you will also know the Father. From now on you know him and have seen him.”
Philip said, “Lord, show us the Father; that will be enough for us.”
Jesus replied, “Don’t you know me, Philip, even after I have been with you all this time? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Don’t you believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words I have spoken to you I don’t speak on my own. The Father who dwells in me does his works. Trust me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me, or at least believe on account of the works themselves. I assure you that whoever believes in me will do the works that I do. They will do even greater works than these because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father can be glorified in the Son. When you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon:
Please be seated, at the invitation of the preacher.
David Luckes
Nicene Creed
Please rise in body or in spirit. The Nicene Creed is an ancient (381 AD) formulation of faith. In 1988 the Lambeth Conference of bishops from across the Anglican Communion requested churches remove the “filioque” clause (“and from the Son”), which was added centuries later. We share the original version with our Eastern Orthodox and Old Catholic siblings in faith.
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People
The Leader and People pray responsively
Gracious God, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
That we all may be one.
We pray for the Church in El Salvador; in the Diocese of Missouri we pray for all the people serving in and served by our Jubilee Ministries, including the Diocesan Task Force on Hunger. Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for Michael, our presiding bishop, Deon our bishop and for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
We pray for our president, the members of Congress, the Supreme Court, our governor, and for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world.
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
We give you thanks for all the blessings of this life; especially for Gavin Rose, Marta Mieze, Bridget Voda, Alisa Williams, and all those graduating this spring; for Michael Salsich, Dan Midden, and all those celebrating birthdays this week; and Susan Norris and Tom Rose and Cecily and Nick Hawsworth and all those celebrating anniversaries this week. Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake; That our works may find favor in your sight.
We pray for the LGBTQ+ community facing discriminatory action from our Missouri government. Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble; That they may be delivered from their distress.
Give to the departed eternal rest; Let light perpetual shine upon them.
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others. You are invited to add your own prayers, silently or aloud.
The presiding priest may offer an additional prayer.
The Peace
Alleluia! Christ has been raised from the dead. 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.
Welcome & Announcements:
Announcements are shared. You may be seated.
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
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. This season we are praying a modified version
of “Prayer C” found starting on page 371. The prayer, originally written by Capt. Howard Galley, a lay theologian and member of the LGBTQ+ community was revolutionary at the time. Like many prayers from the Eastern Orthodox tradition, it has more congregational responses than other Episcoapl Eucharistic prayers. We are using a proposed alternative, authorized by bishop Deon. It includes a modified phrase in the second paragraph, in sensitivity to disabled members of the body of Christ. There is also edited language to be more inclusive of gender.
Please rise, in body or in spirit.
May God 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 our thanks and praise.
God of all power, Source and Sustainer of the Universe,
you are worthy of glory and praise.
Glory to you for ever and ever.
At your command all things came to be: shining light
and enfolding dark; the vast expanse of interstellar space,
galaxies, suns, the planets in their courses,
and this fragile earth, our island home.
By your will they were created and have their being.
From the primal elements you brought forth the human race. You made us
the stewards of creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed
your trust; and we turned against one another.
Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.
Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets
and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the
fullness of time you sent your only Son, born your servant Mary, to
fulfill your Law, opening for us the way of freedom and peace.
By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.
And therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory,
in their unending hymn:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The presider gives thanks to God for the reconciling work of Christ’s passion and resurrection and remembers Jesus’ last supper with his disciples.
Remembering now his work of redemption,
and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving,
We celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection
as we await the day of his coming.
The presider continues with prayer for the Holy Spirit to sanctify the bread and wine, and the gathered congregation.
...let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name.
Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread.
The presider concludes with a doxology:
your Church gives honor, glory, and worship,
from generation to generation. 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, 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.
Post Communion Prayer
All are invited to rise or to kneel in body or in spirit.
Let us pray.
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.
The Blessing
Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road and may God’s blessing be with you always. Amen.
The Dismissal
Alleluia, Alleluia. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Service Leaders
Preacher: David Luckes
Presider: The Rev. Mike Angell
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Chalice Bearer: Karen Payne
Readers: Donna Baudendistal and Earl Bonds
Usher: Mark Willingham
