8:00 Service January 22, 2023: Third Sunday after Epiphany

E-bulletin

Jan 20

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: Vaccination is required for everyone eligible. Windows are open. There are a few other recommendations. These recommendations are in the spirit of protecting the most vulnerable members of the congregation.

Distancing: Keeping a distance of six feet or more is one tool to help limit spread.

Masks: Masks are recommended to protect your neighbor. We ask that all members of the congregation respect others’ choices about masking.

Refrain from coming if you are sick: If you are experiencing any new symptoms, if you are currently testing for COVID, or recovering from COVID, we ask that you give yourself time before coming to church in person.

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.

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.

Procession

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

Opening Acclamation

The congregation is invited to respond using the words in bold

Blessed be the one, holy, and living God.
Glory to God for ever and ever.

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.

Canticle

Precious Lord, Take My Hand Tommy Dorsey

Precious Lord, take my hand, lead me on, let me stand,
I am tired, I am weak, I am worn; through the storm,
through the night, lead me on to the light,
take my hand, precious Lord, lead me on.
When my way grows drear, precious Lord, linger near,
when my life is almost gone; hear my cry,
hear my call, hold my hand, lest I fall,
take my hand, precious Lord, lead me on.
When the darkness appears and the night draws near,
and the day is past and gone;
at the river I stand, guide my feet, hold my hand,
take my hand, precious Lord, lead me on.

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.

Give us grace, O Lord, to answer readily the call of our Savior Jesus Christ and proclaim to all people the Good News of his salvation, that we and the whole world may perceive the glory of his marvelous works; 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 set calendar for what will be read when. The translation used at Holy Communion is the Common English Bible translation.

A Reading from the Book of Exodus Isaiah 9:1-4

Nonetheless, those who were in distress won’t be exhausted. At an earlier time, God cursed the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but later he glorified the way of the sea, the far side of the Jordan, and the Galilee of the nations.

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light.
On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned.
You have made the nation great;
you have increased its joy.
They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest,
as those who divide plunder rejoice.
As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them,
the staff on their shoulders,
and the rod of their oppressor.

The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

The Psalm 27:1, 5-13

The Psalm is read in unison

1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; *
whom then shall I fear?
The Lord is the strength of my life; *
of whom then shall I be afraid?
5 For in the day of trouble, O God,
you shall keep me safe in your shelter; *
you shall hide me in the secrecy of your dwelling
and set me high upon a rock.
6 Even now you lift up my head *
above my enemies round about me.
Therefore I will offer in your dwelling
an oblation with sounds of great gladness; *
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Hearken to my voice, O Lord, when I call; *
have mercy on me and answer me.
8 You speak in my heart and say , “Seek my face.” *
Your face, Lord, will I seek.
9 Hide not your face from me, *
nor turn away your servant in displeasure.
You have been my helper; cast me not away; *
do not forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 Though my father and my mother forsake me, *
the Lord will sustain me.
11 Show me your way, O Lord; *
lead me on a level path, because of my enemies.
12 Deliver me not into the hand of my adversaries, *
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and also those who speak malice.
13 What if I had not believed
that I should see the goodness of the Lord *
in the land of the living!

A Reading from the First Letter to the Corinthians 1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Now I encourage you, brothers and sisters, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ: Agree with each other and don’t be divided into rival groups. Instead, be restored with the same mind and the same purpose. My brothers and sisters, Chloe’s people gave me some information about you, that you’re fighting with each other. What I mean is this: that each one of you says, “I belong to Paul,” “I belong to Apollos,” “I belong to Cephas,” “I belong to Christ.” Has Christ been divided? Was Paul crucified for you, or were you baptized in Paul’s name? Thank God that I didn’t baptize any of you, except Crispus and Gaius, so that nobody can say that you were baptized in my name! Oh, I baptized the house of Stephanas too. Otherwise, I don’t know if I baptized anyone else. Christ didn’t send me to baptize but to preach the good news. And Christ didn’t send me to preach the good news with clever words so that Christ’s cross won’t be emptied of its meaning.

The message of the cross is foolishness to those who are being destroyed. But it is the power of God for those of us who are being saved.

The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God

The Gospel

Please stand for the reading of the Gospel.

The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Matthew (Matthew 4:12-23)

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

Now when Jesus heard that John was arrested, he went to Galilee. He left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum, which lies alongside the sea in the area of Zebulun and Naphtali. This fulfilled what Isaiah the prophet said:

Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali,

alongside the sea, across the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles,

the people who lived in the dark have seen a great light,

and a light has come upon those who lived in the region and in shadow of death.

From that time Jesus began to announce, “Change your hearts and lives! Here comes the kingdom of heaven!”

As Jesus walked alongside the Galilee Sea, he saw two brothers, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew, throwing fishing nets into the sea, because they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” he said, “and I’ll show you how to fish for people.” Right away, they left their nets and followed him. Continuing on, he saw another set of brothers, James the son of Zebedee and his brother John. They were in a boat with Zebedee their father repairing their nets. Jesus called them and immediately they left the boat and their father and followed him.

Jesus traveled throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues. He announced the good news of the kingdom and healed every disease and sickness among the people.

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

The Sermon:

Please be seated, at the invitation of the preacher.

The Rev. Julie Graham

The Creed Please rise in body or in spirit.

This alternative statement of faith adapts traditional statements from the Nicene and Apostle’s creeds into a dialogue. It was composed by the Bishop of Missouri.

The Deacon asks the congregation:

Let affirm our hope in the light of Christ.

Do you believe and trust in God?

We believe in God, eternal, almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in Jesus the Christ?

We believe in Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of all, the Only Begotten One; who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, lived and loved among us, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; who descended to the dead, and on the third day rose again; Jesus, Our Savior, ascended into heaven, sits at the right hand of the loving God, and will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic and apostolic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the dead, and life everlasting. Amen.

The Prayers of the People

Please stand as you are able. The Leader and People pray responsively.

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 and those in our congregation in discernment and formation for holy orders. We pray for our partners in the Church in El Salvador, and in the Diocese of Missouri for Calvary Episcopal Church.