8:00 Service December 19: The Fourth Sunday of Advent
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 those who are eligible. There are a few other ground rules. Read our full guidelines here.
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 5 are wearing a mask covering both the mouth and nose at all times. (Children over age 2 are encouraged to wear masks, but not required). 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.
Donations: We welcome donations to support the work of Holy Communion, whether a payment on a pledge or simply an offering. We will pass the plates starting All Saints Day. 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.
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.
Advent Bidding Prayer
Dear People of God: In the season of Advent, it is our responsibility and joy to prepare ourselves in heart and mind, for the coming of Christ Jesus, our savior and judge. This season we walk the way of shepherds and wise ones, seeking after the holy child of Bethlehem.
Let us hear and heed in Holy Scripture the story of God’s loving purposes, the proclamation of prophets, the hope of salvation. But first, let us pray for the needs of the whole world that Christ came to save.
For peace and good will over all the earth, for leaders of nations and communities. For those who work for justice and peace. Come, O Lord, and set us free.
For the mission and unity of the church, for bishops, priests, deacons, and all who minister in Christ’s name. Come, O Lord, and set us free.
Because this of all things would rejoice Christ’s heart, let us remember in his name the poor and the helpless, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and the unloved, the aged and little children. You are free to add your own prayers silently or aloud. Come, O Lord, and set us free.
Finally, let us remember before God his strong and humble mother, and those who rejoice with us but upon another shore and in a greater light, that whole multitude which no one can number whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Christ Jesus, we are one for evermore. Come, O Lord, and set us free.
The Collect of the Day
The Presider leads ancient prayers that signify our longing for Christ’s coming, and the coming of God’s reign as we light an additional candle each week during Advent.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
Purify our conscience, Almighty God, by your daily visitation, that your Son Jesus Christ, at his coming, may find in us a mansion prepared for himself; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for 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 the Prophet Micah Micah 5:2-5a
As for you, Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
though you are the least significant of Judah’s forces,
one who is to be a ruler in Israel on my behalf will come out from you.
His origin is from remote times, from ancient days.
Therefore, he will give them up
until the time when she who is in labor gives birth.
The rest of his kin will return to the people of Israel.
He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
They will dwell secure,
because he will surely become great throughout the earth;
he will become one of peace.
When Assyria invades our land and treads down our fortresses,
then we will raise up against him seven shepherds and eight human princes.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
The Psalm Psalm 80:1-7
The Psalm is read responsively. The congregation is invited to read the verses in bold.
Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock;
shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim.
In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh,
stir up your strength and come to help us.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
show the light of your countenance,
and we shall be saved.
O Lord God of hosts,
how long will you be angered despite the prayers of your people?
You have fed them with the bread of tears;
you have given them bowls of tears to drink.
You have made us the derision of our neighbours,
and our enemies laugh us to scorn.
Restore us, O God of hosts;
show the light of your countenance,
and we shall be saved.
The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke (Luke 1:39-45(46-55))
Please stand for the reading of the Gospel.
Mary got up and hurried to a city in the Judean highlands. She entered Zechariah’s home and greeted Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the child leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. With a loud voice she blurted out, “God has blessed you above all women, and he has blessed the child you carry. Why do I have this honor, that the mother of my Lord should come to me? As soon as I heard your greeting, the baby in my womb jumped for joy. Happy is she who believed that the Lord would fulfill the promises he made to her.”
Mary said,
“With all my heart I glorify the Lord!
In the depths of who I am I rejoice in God my savior.
He has looked with favor on the low status of his servant.
Look! From now on, everyone will consider me highly favored
because the mighty one has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
He shows mercy to everyone,
from one generation to the next,
who honors him as God.
He has shown strength with his arm.
He has scattered those with arrogant thoughts and proud inclinations.
He has pulled the powerful down from their thrones
and lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty-handed.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
remembering his mercy,
just as he promised to our ancestors,
to Abraham and to Abraham’s descendants forever.”
The Sermon:
Please be seated, at the invitation of the preacher.
The Rev. Chester Hines
The Nicene Creed
The Episcopal Church does not have a separate statement of faith or list of things we believe. Instead we hold the ancient Apostles’ and Nicene Creeds to be our statements of faith. They contain the core of our belief as Christians, but do not limit our faith. Please stand as we say:
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became truly human. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father, who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Confession
The deacon bids the confession:
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. 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.
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.
Announcements:
Announcements are shared. You may be seated.
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
A Prayer for Stewardship
We give thanks for the generosity that makes our life together possible. We ask the congregation to prayerfully consider making a commitment to giving in the year ahead. For more information head to holycommunion.net/pledge
Gracious and everlasting God, the giver of all good gifts, you have blessed us and our parish abundantly. Grant us the hope to dream and the courage to live into our possibilities. Make us faithful stewards, both for the provision of our necessities and for the relief of those who are in need. Bless the efforts of our Annual Giving this year to extend the work of the spiritual renewal in our church and community of faith. Through Jesus Christ, who gave all of himself, we offer this prayer. Amen.
Eucharistic Prayer
The second part of the liturgy moves to the Table. As we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, we gather in a way Christians have for millennia. Please stand.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give God thanks and praise.
The presider offers our thanks to God for the grace and mercy made available to us in Christ.
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The presider gives thanks to God for the reconciling work of Christ’s passion and resurrection and remembers Jesus’ last supper with his disciples. The people are invited to respond to the words:
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The presider concludes with prayer for the coming of God’s reign.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory is
yours, Almighty God, now and forever. 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 Breaking of the Bread
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Administration of the Sacrament
All are welcome to receive. When it comes time, please maintain a distance of greater than 6 feet in a single file line up to the front. Please come to the priest on the side of the church where you are sitting. Make your way down the side aisle to return to your seat. Under the bishop’s order, wine is not available at this time. If you would rather receive a blessing, please come forward to the altar rail during communion and cross your arms across your chest. Gluten free wafers are available, on request, from the minister.
Post Communion Prayer
God of abundance, you have fed us with the bread of life and cup of salvation; you have united us with Christ and one another; and you have made us one with all your people in heaven and on earth. Now send us forth in the power of your Spirit, that we may proclaim your redeeming love to the world and continue forever in the risen life of Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Blessing
The people stand or kneel as the presider proclaims the final blessing.
May Almighty God, by whose providence our Savior Christ came among us in great humility, sanctify you with the light of blessing and set you free from all sin; and the blessing of God the holy and undivided Trinity be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen
Dismissal
Our worship has ended, our service in the world continues.
The Deacon dismisses the congregation:
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Procession
The in-person congregation is invited to stand as the clergy exit and reverence the altar.
Service Leaders
Preacher: The Rev. Chester Hines
Celebrant: The Rev. Mike Angell
Assisting: Josephine Ezenwa-Okpala (seminarian)
Intercessor: Donna Baudendistel
Reader: Fran Caradonna
Usher:
Liturgical Changes and Notes for Advent 2021
Blue frontal color and matching vestments: The altar is covered with a blue frontal, and the clergy wear blue vestments. Blue is an ancient liturgical color that symbolizes preparation and Mary, Jesus’ mother.
Lighting of the Advent Wreath: The Presider reads ancient prayers that signify our longing for Christ’s coming, and the coming of God’s reign as we light an additional candle each week during Advent.
Advent Bidding Litany instead of Prayers of the People. We bring our prayers for the church and the whole earth to the beginning of the service, instead of praying the Prayers of the People in the middle. This litany is adapted from the service of Lessons and Carols for Advent.
Spanish in the Liturgy: As more Spanish-speakers and folks with Latinx heritage are joining the church, and moving into the area, the Worship Committee decided to intentionally include Spanish in some specific places in our liturgy. You’ll notice that the Lord’s Prayer is printed both in Spanish and English.
Scripture Readings from the Common English Bible, which was the most recently “authorized” translation by General Convention (in 2012). This text was edited by the most diverse group of translators that have ever come together on a Bible edition, and was written to be accessible for most readers of English.
Psalms from the Anglican Church of Canada The psalm translation is from the Anglican Church of Canada. The psalter uses language faithful to the intent of the writers of the psalms as poems expressing the relationship between God and the people of Israel and fair to current users of the psalms who have found the predominately masculine language a barrier to the integration of the psalms into their life of prayer and worship.
Stewardship Prayer: During our annual giving campaign, we pray this prayer to remind us of the theology of giving and to give thanks to God for the generosity of our members that funds our work of mission and ministry.
