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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.

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.

Procession

The in-person congregation is invited to stand as the clergy enter and reverence the altar.

Prelude

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.

Opening Hymn

Brightest and Best of the Stars of the Morning Hymnal 1982 #117

At home, we invite you to sing out! In person, you are welcome to quietly recite the words or hum.

Opening Acclamation

The congregation is invited to respond using the words in bold

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 Arise, Shine

The Collect of the Day

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, by the leading of a star you manifested your Holy Child to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Savior, 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 Isaiah Isaiah 60: 1-19 Arise, shine, for your light has come, *
and the glory of God has dawned upon you.

For behold, darkness covers the land; *
deep gloom enshrouds the peoples.

But over you the Holy One will rise, *
and the glory of God will appear upon you.

Nations will stream to your light, *
and rulers to the brightness of your dawning.

Your gates will always be open; *
by day or night they will never be shut.

They will call you, The City of our God, *
The Zion of the Holy One of Israel.

Violence will no more be heard in your land, *
ruin or destruction within your borders.

You will call your walls, Salvation, *
and all your portals, Praise.

The sun will no more be your light by day; *
by night you will not need the brightness of the moon.

The Holy One will be your everlasting light, *
and your God will be your glory.

The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

The Psalm 72:1-7;10-14

We say the Psalm together.

Give the king your justice, O God, *
and your righteousness to the king’s son;

that he may rule your people righteously *
and the poor with justice;

that the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *
and the little hills bring righteousness.

He shall defend the needy among the people, *
rescuing the poor and crushing the oppressor.

He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, *
from one generation to another.

He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, *
like showers that water the earth.

In his time shall the righteous flourish; *
there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.

The rulers of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, *
and the rulers of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.

All rulers shall bow down before him, *
and all the nations do him service.

For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress *
and the oppressed who has no helper.

He shall have pity on the lowly and poor *
and shall preserve the lives of the needy.

He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, *
and dear shall their blood be in his sight.

Processional Please stand.

At home, we invite you to sing out! In person, you are welcome to quietly recite the words or hum.

The Gospel

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew (Matthew 2:1-12)

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in the territory of Judea during the rule of King Herod, magi came from the east to Jerusalem. They asked, "Where is the newborn king of the Jews? We've seen his star in the east, and we've come to honor him." When King Herod heard this, he was troubled, and everyone in Jerusalem was troubled with him. He gathered all the chief priests and the legal experts and asked them where the Christ was to be born. They said, "In Bethlehem of Judea, for this is what the prophet wrote:

‘You, Bethlehem, land of Judah, by no means are you least among the rulers of Judah, because from you will come one who governs, who will shepherd my people Israel.’"

Then Herod secretly called for the magi and found out from them the time when the star had first appeared. He sent them to Bethlehem, saying, "Go and search carefully for the child. When you've found him, report to me so that I too may go and honor him." When they heard the king, they went; and look, the star they had seen in the east went ahead of them until it stood over the place where the child was.

When they saw the star, they were filled with joy. They entered the house and saw the child with Mary his mother. Falling to their knees, they honored him. Then they opened their treasure chests and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Because they were warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they went back to their own country by another route.

The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon:

Please be seated, at the invitation of the preacher.

The Rev. Chester Hines

The Prayers of the People

This Epiphany season, we pray that God’s light might shine to guide us through these times.

We pray for Christ’s church, help us to grapple with the ways our historic institutions and leaders have been complicit in structures of oppression. Help us to continually reform our ways. We pray for our Bishop Deon, for all priests, deacons, and baptized ministers We pray for those in our congregation in discernment and formation for holy orders: Josephine, Meg, and David. We pray for our partners in the Church in El Salvador, and in the Diocese of Missouri for the Church of St. Michael and St. George in Clayton.
Arise Shine, for your light has come.
And the Glory of God has dawned upon you.

We pray for all those in positions of public trust, for our elected leaders, that they may be enlightened with wisdom, setting aside divisive rhetoric for the sake of justice, equity, and the common good.
Arise Shine, for your light has come.
And the Glory of God has dawned upon you.

We pray for creation, that we might see a way forward to caring for the earth, its creatures, and all affected by wildfires, floods, and other climate disasters. Give us the courage to work for a new relationship with our home.

Arise Shine, for your light has come.
And the Glory of God has dawned upon you.

Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us.

Arise Shine, for your light has come.
And the Glory of God has dawned upon you.

Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or Spirit especially those on our prayer list, give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom.

Arise Shine, for your light has come.
And the Glory of God has dawned upon you.

You are invited to add your own prayers, silently or aloud.

Arise Shine, for your light has come.
And the Glory of God has dawned upon you.

The priest adds a concluding collect.

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.

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 Hymn

We Three Kings Hymnal 1982 #128

The children of the congregation are invited to join the procession of the Star. The congregation is invited to sing the 1st and final verses and join in the singing of the refrain, “Oh… Star of wonder …”

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 stand.

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.

The presider offers our thanks to God for the grace and mercy made available to us in Christ.

The presider gives thanks to God for the reconciling work of Christ’s passion and resurrection 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 coming of God’s reign.

Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and forever.

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. 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.

Hymns During Communion

At home, we invite you to sing out! In person, you are welcome to quietly recite the words or hum.

He is King of Kings Lift Every Voice and Sing Hymnal #96

Jesu, Jesu Lift Every Voice And Sing Hymnal #74

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.

Birthday Blessings

All who celebrate birthdays in the month of January are invited to receive a special blessing from the priest and congregation

The Epiphany Blessing

The people stand or kneel as the presider proclaims the final blessing.

May Christ, the Son of God, be manifest in you, that your lives may be a light to the world; And the blessing of the Triune God, Eternal Majesty, Incarnate Word, and Abiding Spirit rest upon you this day and remain with you forever. Amen

Exit Hymn

Hail to the Lord’s Anointed Hymnal 1982 #616

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.

Postlude

Service Leaders
Preacher: The Chester Hines

Presider: The Rev. Julie Graham

Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines

Reader: Fran Caradonna, Mary Waters

Intercessor:
Chalice Bearer: Marlene O’Brien, Kari Potts
Crucifer: Scott Ferguson
Ushers: Elizabeth Hines
Announcements: Andrew Wasson

Guest Organist: Connor Scott

Video Producer: Lucas Kerbs

Service Notes:

The Form of Worship is Adapted from Enriching Our Worship
The Scripture translation is the Common English Bible
The Psalms come from the Inclusive Language Psalter of the Anglican Church of Canada.
”Arise Shine” is a composition of Ruth Cunningham shared with permission through Music that Makes Community. It has been adapted for our Alleluia by our director of Music.
Other hymns and music licensed for print and streaming through OneLicense # A-704988.
All texts and music used by permission.