10:30 Service August 22: Thirteenth 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.
Grant, O merciful God, that your Church, being gathered together in unity by your Holy Spirit, may show forth your power among all peoples, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
Opening Hymn
Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah - 1982 Hymnal #690
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 Kings (1 Kings 8:1, 6, 10-11, 22-30, 41-43)
Then Solomon assembled Israel’s elders, all the tribal leaders, and the chiefs of Israel’s clans at Jerusalem to bring up the chest containing the Lord’s covenant from David’s City Zion.
The priests brought the chest containing the Lord’s covenant to its designated spot beneath the wings of the winged creatures in the inner sanctuary of the temple, the most holy place.
When the priests left the holy place, the cloud filled the Lord’s temple,
and the priests were unable to carry out their duties due to the cloud because the Lord’s glory filled the Lord’s temple.
Solomon stood before the Lord’s altar in front of the entire Israelite assembly and, spreading out his hands toward the sky, he said:
Lord God of Israel, there’s no god like you in heaven above or on earth below. You keep the covenant and show loyalty to your servants who walk before you with all their heart. This is the covenant you kept with your servant David, my father, which you promised him. Today, you have fulfilled what you promised. So now, Lord, Israel’s God, keep what you promised my father David, your servant, when you said to him, “You will never fail to have a successor sitting on Israel’s throne as long as your descendants carefully walk before me just as you walked before me.” So now, God of Israel, may your promise to your servant David, my father, come true.
But how could God possibly live on earth? If heaven, even the highest heaven, can’t contain you, how can this temple that I’ve built contain you? Lord my God, listen to your servant’s prayer and request, and hear the cry and prayer that your servant prays to you today. Constantly watch over this temple, the place about which you said, “My name will be there,” and listen to the prayer that your servant is praying toward this place. Listen to the request of your servant and your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Listen from your heavenly dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive!
Listen also to the immigrant who isn’t from your people Israel but who comes from a distant country because of your reputation— because they will hear of your great reputation, your great power, and your outstretched arm. When the immigrant comes and prays toward this temple, then listen from heaven, where you live, and do everything the immigrant asks. Do this so that all the people of the earth may know your reputation and revere you, as your people Israel do, and recognize that this temple I have built bears your name.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
The Psalm (Psalm 84)
The Psalm is read responsively. The congregation is invited to read the verses in bold.
How dear to me is your dwelling,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul has a desire and longing for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God.
The sparrow has found her a house
and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young;
by the side of your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my Sovereign and my God.
Happy are they who dwell in your house!
They will always be praising you.
Happy are the people whose strength is in you,
whose hearts are set on the pilgrims’ way!
Those who go through the desolate valley will find it a place of springs,
for the early rains have covered it with pools of water.
They will climb from height to height,
and you, the God of gods, will reveal yourself in Zion.
Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
hearken, O God of Jacob.
Behold our defender, O God;
and look upon the face of your anointed.
For one day in your courts is better than a thousand in my own room,
and to stand at the threshold of the house of my God
than to dwell in the tents of the wicked.
For you, Lord God, are both sun and shield;
you will give grace and glory;
no good thing will you withhold, O Lord,
from those who walk with integrity.
O Lord of hosts,
happy are they who put their trust in you!
Gospel Procession
Halle Halle Halle- Carribean Hallelujah
The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John (John 6:56-69)
Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me and I in them. As the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me lives because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven. It isn’t like the bread your ancestors ate, and then they died. Whoever eats this bread will live forever.” Jesus said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.
Many of his disciples who heard this said, “This message is harsh. Who can hear it?”
Jesus knew that the disciples were grumbling about this and he said to them, “Does this offend you? What if you were to see the Human One going up where he was before? The Spirit is the one who gives life and the flesh doesn’t help at all. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. Yet some of you don’t believe.”Jesus knew from the beginning who wouldn’t believe and the one who would betray him. He said, “For this reason I said to you that none can come to me unless the Father enables them to do so.” At this, many of his disciples turned away and no longer accompanied him.
Jesus asked the Twelve, “Do you also want to leave?”
Simon Peter answered, “Lord, where would we go? You have the words of eternal life. We believe and know that you are God’s holy one.”
The Gospel of the Lord
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon:
The Rev. Julie Graham
Anthem:
Deep River (arr. Harry T. Burleigh) - Micheal Lowe
The Prayers
please stand as you are able for the prayers
In peace, we pray to you, Lord God.
For all people in their daily life and work;
For our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
For this community, the nation, and the world;
For all who work for justice, freedom, and peace.
For the just and proper use of your creation;
For the victims of hunger, fear, injustice, and oppression.
For all who are in danger, sorrow, or any kind of trouble;
For those who minister to the sick, the friendless, and the needy.
For the peace and unity of the Church of God;
For all who proclaim the Gospel, and all who seek the Truth.
For the Church in El Salvador; [here the leader prays for a church or ministry in the cycle of prayer of Diocese of Missouri]; for Michael, our presiding bishop, Deon our bishop, and for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
For all who serve God in the Church.
For those on our prayer list and for the special needs and concerns of this congregation.
The people may add their own petitions silently or aloud,
Hear us, Lord;
For your mercy is great.
For those celebrating a birthday this week especially Phoebe Thoroughman, Callum Docherty, Tim Anderson, and Laurie Justiss. We thank you, Lord, for all the blessings of this life.
The people may add their own petitions silently or aloud.
We will exalt you, O God our King;
And praise your Name for ever and ever.
We pray for all who have died, that they may have a place in your eternal kingdom.
The People may add their own petitions
Lord, let your loving-kindness be upon them;
Who put their trust in you.
We pray to you also for the forgiveness of our sins.
Have mercy upon us, most merciful God;
in your compassion forgive us our sins,
known and unknown, things done and left undone;
and so uphold us by your Spirit
that we may live and serve you in newness of life,
to the honor and glory of your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Absolution (the priest pronounces absolution)
Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. 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.
Concluding Prayers
Please stand, as you are able.
The Priest adds a concluding collect. We all pray together:
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
This Little Light of Mine - Lift Every Voice and Sing Hymnal # 160
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. Julie Graham
Presider: The Rev. Marc Smith
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Readers: Fran Caradonna
Ushers: Colleen Haggerty, Peter Tchoukaleff
Intercessor: Helen Burton
Singer: Micheal Lowe
Director of Music: Mary Chapman
Stream Producers: Sean Lovellette
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.
