10:30 Service July 2, 2023: Fifth Sunday after Pentecost
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
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 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 selection of music opens the service.
Welcome
If you are new to us, consider filling out our “get connected” form, let us get to know you better.
Opening Hymn: God of Our Fathers The Hymnal 1982 #718
Opening Acclamation
Please rise in body or spirit
Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity.
And blessed be God’s reign, now and forever. Amen.
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: Goodness is Stronger than Evil
Sung through 3-4 times
Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Almighty God, you have built your Church upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief cornerstone: Grant us so to be joined together in unity of spirit by their teaching, that we may be made a holy temple acceptable to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and 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. Genesis 22:1-14
A Reading from the Book of Genesis
After these events, God tested Abraham and said to him, “Abraham!”
Abraham answered, “I’m here.”
God said, “Take your son, your only son whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah. Offer him up as an entirely burned offering there on one of the mountains that I will show you.” Abraham got up early in the morning, harnessed his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, together with his son Isaac. He split the wood for the entirely burned offering, set out, and went to the place God had described to him.
On the third day, Abraham looked up and saw the place at a distance. Abraham said to his servants, “Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will walk up there, worship, and then come back to you.”
Abraham took the wood for the entirely burned offering and laid it on his son Isaac. He took the fire and the knife in his hand, and the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, “My father?”
Abraham said, “I’m here, my son.”
Isaac said, “Here is the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the entirely burned offering?”
Abraham said, “The lamb for the entirely burned offering? God will see to it, my son.” The two of them walked on together.
They arrived at the place God had described to him. Abraham built an altar there and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son Isaac and laid him on the altar on top of the wood. Then Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to kill his son as a sacrifice. But the Lord’s messenger called out to Abraham from heaven, “Abraham? Abraham?”
Abraham said, “I’m here.”
The messenger said, “Don’t stretch out your hand against the young man, and don’t do anything to him. I now know that you revere God and didn’t hold back your son, your only son, from me.” Abraham looked up and saw a single ram caught by its horns in the dense underbrush. Abraham went over, took the ram, and offered it as an entirely burned offering instead of his son. Abraham named that place “the Lord sees.” That is the reason people today say, “On this mountain the Lord is seen.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 13
The Psalm is read in unison
1 How long, O Lord?
Will you forget me for ever? *
How long will you hide your face from me?
2 How long shall I have perplexity in my mind,
and grief in my heart, day after day? *
3 Look upon me and answer me, O Lord my God; *
give light to my eyes, lest I sleep in death;
4 lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over this one,” *
and my foes rejoice that I have fallen.
5 But I put my trust in your mercy; *
my heart is joyful because of your saving help.
6 I will sing to the Lord who has dealt with me richly; *
I will praise the name of the Lord Most High.
2nd Lesson Romans 6:12-23
A Reading from the letter of Paul to the church in Rome.
So then, don’t let sin rule your body, so that you do what it wants. Don’t offer parts of your body to sin, to be used as weapons to do wrong. Instead, present yourselves to God as people who have been brought back to life from the dead, and offer all the parts of your body to God to be used as weapons to do right. Sin will have no power over you, because you aren’t under Law but under grace.
So what? Should we sin because we aren’t under Law but under grace? Absolutely not! Don’t you know that if you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, that you are slaves of the one whom you obey? That’s true whether you serve as slaves of sin, which leads to death, or as slaves of the kind of obedience that leads to righteousness. But thank God that although you used to be slaves of sin, you gave wholehearted obedience to the teaching that was handed down to you, which provides a pattern. Now that you have been set free from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. (I’m speaking with ordinary metaphors because of your limitations.) Once, you offered the parts of your body to be used as slaves to impurity and to lawless behavior that leads to still more lawless behavior. Now, you should present the parts of your body as slaves to righteousness, which makes your lives holy. When you were slaves of sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What consequences did you get from doing things that you are now ashamed of? The outcome of those things is death. But now that you have been set free from sin and become slaves to God, you have the consequence of a holy life, and the outcome is eternal life. The wages that sin pays are death, but God’s gift is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel Please remain standing
Please rise, in body or in spirit. We sing the “Alleluia” to the tune of Goodness is Stronger.
The Gospel Matthew 10:40-42
The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
“Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me. Those who receive a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Those who receive a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded.”
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The congregation is invited to sing the Alleluia after the Gospel reading.
The Sermon:
Please be seated, at the invitation of the preacher.
The Rev. Loretta Go
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 and authorized 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
God-in-community, you created humankind in your image and blessed us
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For the Church in El Salvador; for St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in St. Louis, for Michael, our presiding bishop, Deon our bishop, and for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
For all who serve God in the Church.
For those on our prayer list and for the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
The people may add their own petitions silently or aloud,
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
For those celebrating a birthday this week, especially Tyler Schwartz and Rachel Clark; we thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
The people may add their own petitions silently or aloud.
We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
The people may add their own petitions
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
Confession and Absolution
The confession, from "Enriching our Worship" asks us to think about the structures of injustice in which we participate: "the evil done on our behalf. The presider pronounces absolution, that sins are forgiven.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Have mercy upon us, most merciful God;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown, things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Presider: 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 Peace
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.
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 Great is Thy Faithfulness Lift Every Voice and Sing #189
Offertory Hymn
This Little Light of Mine
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’s work and revelation in creation.
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.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, we worship you our God and Creator in voices of unending praise.
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, please maintain a distance of greater than 6 feet in a single file line up to the front. Please come to the priest on the side of the church where you are sitting. Make your way down the side aisle to return to your seat. Under the bishop’s order, wine is not available at this time. If you would rather receive a blessing, please come forward to the altar rail during communion and cross your arms across your chest. 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.
Communion Hymns
Lead Me, Guide Me Lift Every Voice and Sing #194
Leanin’ on the Everlasting Arms Lift Every Voice and Sing #196
Post Communion Prayer
All are invited to rise or to kneel in body or in spirit.
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
The Presider concludes with a prayer of blessing for the congregation.
May God give us a song of hope, and a world where we can sing it. May God give us a song of faith and a people to believe in it. May God give us a song of kindliness and a country where we can live it. And the blessing of the Triune God be with you always. Amen
O Beautiful for Spacious Skies The Hymnal 1982 #719
The Dismissal Our worship has ended, our service in the world continues.
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Service Leaders:
Preacher: The Rev. Loretta Go
Presider: The Rev. Mike Angell
Assisting: The Rev. Julie Graham
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Musicians: Andrew Wasson, Leslie Caplan
Crucifer: William Kelly
Chalice Bearer: Janice Nihill
Reader: Shirley Mensah, GD Pushparaj
Intercessor: Grace Gorski
Usher: Ellis Anderson, Rudy Nickens
Video Producer: Markie Jo Crismon
Music used and reprinted with permission under OneLicense #A-704988; WorshipCast License #13476 ; and St. James Music Press, license No. #14747.
