8:00 Service February 20: The Seventh 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.
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. You are invited to light a candle at home with us.
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 Genesis Genesis 45:3-11, 15
Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m Joseph! Is my father really still alive?” His brothers couldn’t respond because they were terrified before him.
Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” and they moved closer. He said, “I’m your brother Joseph! The one you sold to Egypt. Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here. Actually, God sent me before you to save lives. We’ve already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting. God sent me before you to make sure you’d survive and to rescue your lives in this amazing way. You didn’t send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt.
“Hurry! Go back to your father. Tell him this is what your son Joseph says: ‘God has made me master of all of Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t delay. You may live in the land of Goshen, so you will be near me, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everyone with you. I will support you there, so you, your household, and everyone with you won’t starve, since the famine will still last five years.’
He kissed all of his brothers and wept, embracing them. After that, his brothers were finally able to talk to him.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
The Psalm Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42
The Psalm is read responsively. The congregation is invited to read the verses in bold.
Do not fret yourself because of evildoers;
do not be jealous of those who do wrong.
For they shall soon wither like the grass,
and like the green grass fade away.
Put your trust in the Lord and do good;
dwell in the land and feed on its riches.
Take delight in the Lord,
who shall give you your heart’s desire.
Commit your way to the Lord and put your trust in the Holy One
who will bring it to pass.
God will make your righteousness as clear as the light
and your just dealing as the noonday.
Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for God.
Do not fret yourself over the one who prospers,
the one who succeeds in evil schemes.
Refrain from anger, leave rage alone;
do not fret yourself; it leads only to evil.
For evildoers shall be cut off,
but those who wait upon the Lord shall possess the land.
In a little while the wicked shall be no more;
you shall search out their place, but they will not be there.
But the lowly shall possess the land;
they will delight in abundance of peace.
The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash at them with their teeth.
But the deliverance of the righteous comes from the Lord,
who is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The Lord will help them and rescue them;
rescuing them from the wicked and delivering them,
because they seek refuge in God.
The Gospel
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke (Luke 6:27-38)
“But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them. Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.
“If you love those who love you, why should you be commended? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, why should you be commended? Even sinners do that. If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, why should you be commended? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be paid back in full. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have a great reward. You will be acting the way children of the Most High act, for he is kind to ungrateful and wicked people. Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.
“Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion—packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing—will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.”
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
The Sermon:
The Rev. Mike Angell
The Prayers of the People
The Leader and People pray responsively.
Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
God of justice, we pray for your 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. For Michael our Presiding Bishop; Deon, our bishop; for all ordained ministers, for Josephine, Loretta, Meg and David in formation for holy orders, for the wider work and ministry of all members of Christ’s Church; and for all who seek you in the community of the faithful. Equip us with compassion and love, to carry out your work of reconciliation in the world.
God of justice, Hear our prayers.
God of freedom, we pray for our nation, and all the nations of the world, that we might know our history and do the work to live into our ideals: For equity, justice, and peace across barriers of language, color, and creed; give to our elected and appointed leaders wisdom that they would serve the common good. Inspire all people with courage to speak out against hatred, to actively resist evil. Unite the human family in bonds of love.
God of freedom, Hear our prayers.
God of peace, we pray for this community: For our local leaders; for our schools and markets; for our neighborhoods and workplaces. Kindle in every heart a desire for equality, respect, and opportunity for all. Give us courage to strive for justice and peace among all people, beginning here at home. We give you thanks for those celebrating birthdays this week, especially Neil Docherty, Shirley Mensah, Mike Angell, Ron Bullock, Angie Burroughs Kelly, Paul Roesler, and Karen Sterbenz. And for those celebrating anniversaries this week.
God of peace, Hear our prayers.
God of love, we pray for those who have died (especially): For the faithful in every generation who have worked for justice; for prophets who called us to racial reconciliation; for martyrs who died because of hatred; for those who have died of COVID and for all the communion of saints. Make us faithful to your call to proclaim your Good News, by word and example, and bring us at last into the glorious company of the saints in light.
God of love, Hear our prayers.
You are invited to add your own prayers, silently or aloud.
God of Grace, Hear our prayers.
Grant, O God, that your holy and life-giving Spirit may so move every human heart and especially the hearts of the people of this land, that barriers which divide us may crumble, suspicions disappear, and hatreds cease; that our divisions being healed, we may live in justice and peace; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
God of unchangeable power, when you fashioned the world the morning stars sang together and the host of heaven shouted for joy; open our eyes to the wonders of creation and teach us to use all things for good, to the honor of your glorious name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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. Mike Angell
Officiant: The Rev. Julie Graham
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Assisting: Josephine Ezenwa and Loretta Go
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.
