8:00 Service January 23: The Third Sunday after the Epiphany
You will find our live stream on our homepage, on Facebook (where you can interact with others watching with comments), and on Youtube.
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.
Things are different right now. The pandemic means we are keeping things simple, short, and safe. We also now require vaccination, for in person services for those who are eligible. You must be free of COVID-related symptoms, close contact, and not have positive tests to attend. There are a few other ground rules. Read our full guidelines here.
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
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 Rector’s Pilgrimage class will start meeting soon, for new members.
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
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 Sentence
The congregation is invited to respond using the words in bold
I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth. Isaiah 49:6b
O Lord, Open our lips.
And our mouths shall proclaim your praise.
Praise to the holy and undivided Trinity, one God: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Canticle
The Third Song of Isaiah (60:1-19) Translation: Order of St. Helena
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 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 Nehemiah Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10
When the seventh month came and the people of Israel were settled in their towns, all the people gathered together in the area in front of the Water Gate. They asked Ezra the scribe to bring out the Instruction scroll from Moses, according to which the Lord had instructed Israel.
So on the first day of the seventh month, Ezra the priest brought the Instruction before the assembly. This assembly was made up of both men and women and anyone who could understand what they heard. Facing the area in front of the Water Gate, he read it aloud, from early morning until the middle of the day. He read it in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand, and everyone listened attentively to the Instruction scroll.
Standing above all of the people, Ezra the scribe opened the scroll in the sight of all of the people. And as he opened it, all of the people stood up. Then Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all of the people answered, “Amen! Amen!” while raising their hands. Then they bowed down and worshipped the Lord with their faces to the ground.
They read aloud from the scroll, the Instruction from God, explaining and interpreting it so the people could understand what they heard.
Then Nehemiah the governor, Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people said to all of the people, “This day is holy to the Lord your God. Don’t mourn or weep.” They said this because all the people wept when they heard the words of the Instruction.
“Go, eat rich food, and drink something sweet,” he said to them, “and send portions of this to any who have nothing ready! This day is holy to our Lord. Don’t be sad, because the joy from the Lord is your strength!”
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
The Psalm Psalm 19
The Psalm is read responsively. The congregation is invited to read the verses in bold.
The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the firmament shows the handiwork of the Lord.
One day tells its tale to another,
and one night imparts knowledge to another.
Although they have no words or language,
and their voices are not heard,
their sound has gone out into all lands,
and their message to the ends of the world.
In the deep has God set a pavilion for the sun;
it comes forth like a bridegroom out of his chamber;
it rejoices like a champion to run its course.
It goes forth from the uttermost edge of the heavens
and runs about to the end of it again;
nothing is hidden from its burning heat.
The law of the Lord is perfect and revives the soul;
the testimony of the Lord is sure
and gives wisdom to the innocent.
The statutes of the Lord are just and rejoice the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear
and gives light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean and endures for ever;
the judgements of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold,
more than much fine gold,
sweeter far than honey,
than honey in the comb.
By them also is your servant enlightened,
and in keeping them there is great reward.
Who can tell how often they offend?
Cleanse me from my secret faults.
Above all, keep your servant from presumptuous sins;
let them not get dominion over me;
then shall I be whole and sound,
and innocent of a great offense.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart
be acceptable in your sight;
O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.
The Gospel
The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke (Luke 4:14-21)
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit to Galilee, and news about him spread throughout the whole countryside. He taught in their synagogues and was praised by everyone.
Jesus went to Nazareth, where he had been raised. On the Sabbath he went to the synagogue as he normally did and stood up to read. The synagogue assistant gave him the scroll from the prophet Isaiah. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written:
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because the Lord has anointed me.
He has sent me to preach good news to the poor,
to proclaim release to the prisoners
and recovery of sight to the blind,
to liberate the oppressed,
and to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.
He rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the synagogue assistant, and sat down. Every eye in the synagogue was fixed on him. He began to explain to them, “Today, this scripture has been fulfilled just as you heard it.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon:
The Rev. Julie Graham
The Prayers of the People
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 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 Calvary Episcopal Church in Columbia.
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.
We give you thanks for all those who celebrate birthdays this week (especially Ilena Albarron, Ieva Blackwell, Chidi Ezenwa, Sarah Stanage, Poli Rijos, Jennifer Mariani, Rachel Penczykowski. And for those celebrating anniversaries (especially Ron Bullock & Bob Niedringhaus) 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 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 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.
Welcome & Announcements:
Announcements are shared.
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
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.
Dismissal
Our worship has ended, our service in the world continues.
The Deacon dismisses the congregation. You are invited to join us after the service for virtual coffee hour.
Let us Bless the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Service Leaders
Preacher: The Rev. Julie Graham
Presider: The Rev. Mike Angell
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Assisting: Josephine Ezenwa
Intercessor:
Reader:
Usher:
Service Notes:
The Form of Worship is Adapted from Enriching Our Worship
The Third Song of Isaiah is a Translation by the Order of St. Helena
The Scripture translation is the Common English Bible
The Psalms come from the Inclusive Language Psalter of the Anglican Church of Canada.
The Prayers of the People were adapted by our rector.
All texts used by permission.
