10:30 Sunday June 20, 2021
Fourth Sunday after Pentecost
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. Masks are required thorughout the service. There are a few other ground rules.
Distancing: As much as we wish we could greet one another, out of love for our neighbor we have to stay distanced. Please maintain 6 or more feet from other households at all times. Consider sending a text, a message on Facebook, or even writing a letter or email to someone who could use some peace. A wave, a peace sign, or a “smize” (a smile with your eyes) will do.
Masks: Please ensure all members of your household over age 6 are wearing a mask covering both the mouth and nose at all times. Ushers have some masks available, if you forgot yours. Please do not remove your mask or lift your mask at any time. When it comes time for communion, simply slip the wafer under your mask.
Singing: at this time we cannot sing safely as a group. If you are worshiping from home, sing out. In Person: you are welcome to hum or quietly recite the words along with the musician. Either way please leave on your mask
Donations: We welcome donations to support the work of Holy Communion, whether a payment on a pledge or simply an offering. An offering box is available at the welcome table, if you would like to make a gift after the service. You can also text GIVE to (833) 864-5384 or give any time on our website holycommunion.net/give
Is there wheelchair accessibility? Yes. Our entrances have auto-open buttons, and our elevator is ADA compliant. Both the downstairs restrooms and one of the upstairs restrooms are accessible. Everyone is invited to remain seated during the service as they need.
What about hearing assistance? We can help there, too. Hearing assistance devices are available from the ushers. Just ask.
How do I 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 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.
Preludes
The service begins with several minutes of preludes from the Holy Communion music archives.
Procession
The in-person congregation is invited to stand as the clergy enter and reverence the altar.
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 Dialogue and the Collect of the Day
Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity.
And blessed be God’s reign, now and forever. Amen.
The congregation watching from home are invited to light a candle with us as the candles on the altar are lighted.
Let us pray.
O Lord, make us have perpetual love and reverence for your holy Name, for you never fail to help and govern those whom you have set upon the sure foundation of your loving-kindness; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Opening Hymn
Eternal Father Strong to Save - 1982 Hymnal #608
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 first book of Samuel (1 Samuel 17:32-49)
“Don’t let anyone lose courage because of this Philistine!” David told Saul. “I, your servant, will go out and fight him!”
“You can’t go out and fight this Philistine,” Saul answered David. “You are still a boy. But he’s been a warrior since he was a boy!”
“Your servant has kept his father’s sheep,” David replied to Saul, “and if ever a lion or a bear came and carried off one of the flock, I would go after it, strike it, and rescue the animal from its mouth. If it turned on me, I would grab it at its jaw, strike it, and kill it. Your servant has fought both lions and bears. This uncircumcised Philistine will be just like one of them because he has insulted the army of the living God.
“The Lord,” David added, “who rescued me from the power of both lions and bears, will rescue me from the power of this Philistine.”
“Go!” Saul replied to David. “And may the Lord be with you!”
Then Saul dressed David in his own gear, putting a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David strapped his sword on over the armor, but he couldn’t walk around well because he’d never tried it before. “I can’t walk in this,” David told Saul, “because I’ve never tried it before.” So he took them off. He then grabbed his staff and chose five smooth stones from the streambed. He put them in the pocket of his shepherd’s bag and with sling in hand went out to the Philistine.
The Philistine got closer and closer to David, and his shield-bearer was in front of him. When the Philistine looked David over, he sneered at David because he was just a boy; reddish brown and good-looking.
The Philistine asked David, “Am I some sort of dog that you come at me with sticks?” And he cursed David by his gods. “Come here,” he said to David, “and I’ll feed your flesh to the wild birds and the wild animals!”
But David told the Philistine, “You are coming against me with sword, spear, and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the Lord of heavenly forces, the God of Israel’s army, the one you’ve insulted. Today the Lord will hand you over to me. I will strike you down and cut off your head! Today I will feed your dead body and the dead bodies of the entire Philistine camp to the wild birds and the wild animals. Then the whole world will know that there is a God on Israel’s side. And all those gathered here will know that the Lord doesn’t save by means of sword and spear. The Lord owns this war, and he will hand all of you over to us.”
The Philistine got up and moved closer to attack David, and David ran quickly to the front line to face him. David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone. He slung it, and it hit the Philistine on his forehead. The stone penetrated his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
The Psalm (Psalm 9:9-20)
The Psalm is read responsively. The congregation is invited to read the verses in bold.
You will be a refuge for the oppressed,
a refuge in time of trouble.
Those who know your name will put their trust in you,
for you never forsake those who seek you, O Lord.
Sing praise to the Lord who dwells in Zion;
proclaim to the peoples the things God has done.
The avenger of blood will remember them
and will not forget the cry of the afflicted.
Have pity on me, O Lord;
see the misery I suffer from those who hate me,
O you who lift me up from the gate of death;
so that I may tell of all your praises and rejoice in your salvation
in the gates of the city of Zion.
The ungodly have fallen into the pit they dug,
and in the snare they set is their own foot caught.
O Lord, you are known by your acts of justice;
the wicked are trapped in the works of their own hands.
The wicked shall be given over to the grave,
and also all the peoples that forget you.
For the needy shall not always be forgotten,
and the hope of the poor shall not perish for ever.
Rise up, O Lord, let not the ungodly have the upper hand;
let them be judged before you.
Put fear upon them, O Lord;
let the ungodly know they are but mortal.
Gospel Procession
Do Lord, Lift Every Voice and Sing Hymnal #164
The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Mark (Mark 4:35-41)
Later that day, when evening came, Jesus said to them, “Let’s cross over to the other side of the lake.” They left the crowd and took him in the boat just as he was. Other boats followed along.
Gale-force winds arose, and waves crashed against the boat so that the boat was swamped. But Jesus was in the rear of the boat, sleeping on a pillow. They woke him up and said, “Teacher, don’t you care that we’re drowning?”
He got up and gave orders to the wind, and he said to the lake, “Silence! Be still!” The wind settled down and there was a great calm. Jesus asked them, “Why are you frightened? Don’t you have faith yet?”
Overcome with awe, they said to each other, “Who then is this? Even the wind and the sea obey him!”
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon:
The Rev. Mike Angell
Anthem:
Till All the Jails are Empty - Carl Daw
Sharon Lightfoot
The Prayers
Let us pray in the way Christ taught us, and in the language of our hearts.
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.
Those worshiping online with us are invited to add your prayers in the comments at any time, or by using the form on our homepage. Know that people will pray for you.
God-in-community, you created humankind in your image and blessed us with the capacity to love. As we celebrate Pride month, we thank you for the gift of diverse sexualities and gender identities, especially those of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Queer siblings, which reflect your multi-faceted likeness.
God of power, send your Spirit to lead your Church. We repent of the harm done to our LGBTQ+ siblings, and recommit ourselves to making your church a place of refuge and fulfillment for all people. We pray for Michael our Presiding Bishop; Deon our bishop; and all those who minister in your name.
God of love,
Hear our prayer.
God of wisdom, we ask your guidance for all who bear the authority of government throughout the world, this nation, and our neighborhoods. Inspire us to create communities of justice and inclusion.
God of love,
Hear our prayer.
God who, in Jesus, came among us as one who heals, we ask you to bring reconciliation and healing wherever there is division, sickness, and sorrow. We pray for all those affected by the coronavirus pandemic, from this city to the farthest reaches of your creation.
God of love,
Hear our prayer.
God of creation, we thank you for the gifts of gender and sexuality. We pray for all who live under the threat of violence, oppression, and intimidation from their families, neighbors, or the state. We pray especially this day for our partners at Cristosal working on behalf of Human Rights in Central America Open our hearts and our minds to your creative brilliance and help us to transgress the boundaries that prevent us from honoring your goodness in one another.
God of love,
Hear our prayer.
God of harmony, we thank you for the gift of this community, especially those celebrating birthdays this week: Barbara Shaw, Earl Bonds, Catriona Docherty and Morag Docherty. And those celebrating anniversaries: Cheyanne and Sean Lovellette. Inspire this congregation to do the work you have called us to do. Help our parish to embody our core values of welcome, diversity and community, that we might reflect your radical love to the world.
God of love,
Hear our prayer.
God of life, we pray for all who have died, especially those who have fought and died to advance equality for the LGBTQ+ community that in the glorious company of the saints they may find rest eternal.
God of love,
Hear our prayer.
Concluding Prayers
Please stand, as you are able.
O God, you created us in your image and blessed us with the capacity to love. Accept the prayers of your people. Teach us to fully and radically love all your children as their true and whole selves and lead us with courage to continually advocate for people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and gender expressions, just as your Holy Spirit advocates for us. In the name of Jesus, your beloved, we pray. Amen.
Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we your unworthy servants give you humble thanks
for all your goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all whom you have made.
We bless you for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such an awareness of your mercies,
that with truly thankful hearts we may show forth your praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to your service,
and by walking before you
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory throughout all ages. Amen.
The Peace
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
The Peace is then exchanged. Consider sending a text, a message on Facebook, or even writing a letter or email to someone who could use some peace. If you are in the space, please do not approach people outside your household. A wave, a peace sign, or a “smize” (a smile with your eyes) will do.
Concluding Hymn
God is Love, Let Heaven Adore Him - 1982 Hymnal #379
Dismissal
The Deacon dismisses the congregation:
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.
Procession
The in-person congregation is invited to stand as the clergy exit and reverence the altar.
Postlude
If you are in the church, please make your way outside as soon as you can after the service. The clergy will greet you outdoors.
Service Leaders
Preacher: The Rev. Mike Angell
Celebrant: The Rev. Julie Graham
Assisting: The Rev. Marc Smith
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Readers: Brad Currey
Ushers: David Luckes
Intercessor: Shirley Mensah
Musician: Sharon Lightfoot
Director of Music: Mary Chapman
Stream Producers: Markie Jo Crismon and
Music reprinted and broadcast with permission by OneLicense # A-704988
The Psalms are copyright of the Anglican Church of Canada. The Scripture Translation is the Common English Bible. All are used by permission.
The Prayers of the People: On June 28, 1969, a group of queer women of color, drag queens, lesbians, and gay men resisted a police raid on the Stonewall Inn, a popular gay bar on Christopher Street in the New York. The ensuing riots lasted for five nights. This act of resistance, led by queer women of color like Marsha P. Johnson and Sylvia Rivera, is now known as the Stonewall Uprising and is widely recognized as the birth of the Gay Liberation movement in the United States. Since then, LGBTQ+ communities around the world have recognized June as Pride Month—a time to celebrate our God-given identities and recommit to the work of liberation for our community These prayers originally come from Trinity Wallstreet in New York.
