Advent 4: Blue Christmas, December 24 at 10:30am
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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.
Pandemic Precautions Continue | Up-to-date vaccination is required for everyone eligible. Windows are open. In the spirit of protecting the most vulnerable members of the congregation, we ask that you attempt to distance, especially if asked. We ask that all members of the congregation respect others’ choices about masking. Please refrain from coming to church if you are sick or experiencing any new symptoms.
Communion |All are welcome to receive. When it comes time, please follow the directions of the ushers. Walk past the chalice bearer to return to your pew from the other side. If you would like to receive wine you may either “sip” or hand your wafer to the chalice bearer, who will “intinct” (dip) for you. If you would prefer not to receive, simply cross your arms across your chest and the minister will give you a blessing. Gluten free wafers are available, on request from the minister.
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
Accessibility | Our entrances have auto-open buttons, and our elevator is ADA compliant. Both the downstairs restrooms and one of the upstairs restrooms are accessible. Priority seating is provided for caretakers of small children and those with mobility needs. If you have any questions about signage, please ask an usher. Hearing assistance devices are available from the welcome table. Just ask an usher.
Get Involved | If you begin by filling out a “Connect Card” by hitting “Next Steps” on the button on any page. You can also use the Connect Cards in the pews 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.
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.
Prelude Gene Dobbs Bradford & Matt Lawder
The in-person congregation is invited to stand as the clergy enter and reverence the altar.
Lighting of the Candle
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.
Bidding Prayer
Comfort, comfort, Lord, your Holy people. Comfort those who sit in darkness, mourning ‘neath our sorrow’s load. Speak to us of the peace that awaits us, of the balm of healing for our weary souls. Help us to know, even in the midst of this season where so many are joyful, so many are bright, that you hear the cries of your people. You come down to deliver them.
Let us know this day that we do not grieve, we do not sorrow alone. But let us pray for the needs of the whole world, for peace and justice on earth, for the unity and mission of the Church, and especially for the Church in our country and in this city of St. Louis. And because Christ particularly loves them, let us remember in his name the poor and helpless, the cold, the hungry and the oppressed, the sick and those who mourn, the lonely and unloved, the aged and little children, as well as all those who do not know and love the Lord Jesus Christ.
Finally, let us remember all those who rejoice with us, but upon another shore and in a greater light, that multitude which no one can number, whose hope was in the Word made flesh, and with whom, in Jesus, we are one for evermore.
Amen.
Instrumental Reflection
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 second book of the prophet Samuel 2 Samuel 7:1-11, 16
When the king was settled in his palace, and the Lord had given him rest from all his surrounding enemies, the king said to the prophet Nathan, “Look! I’m living in a cedar palace, but God’s chest is housed in a tent!”
Nathan said to the king, “Go ahead and do whatever you are thinking, because the Lord is with you.”
But that very night the Lord’s word came to Nathan: Go to my servant David and tell him: This is what the Lord says: You are not the one to build the temple for me to live in. In fact, I haven’t lived in a temple from the day I brought Israel out of Egypt until now. Instead, I have been traveling around in a tent and in a dwelling. Throughout my traveling around with the Israelites, did I ever ask any of Israel’s tribal leaders I appointed to shepherd my people: Why haven’t you built me a cedar temple?
So then, say this to my servant David: This is what the Lord of heavenly forces says: I took you from the pasture, from following the flock, to be leader over my people Israel. I’ve been with you wherever you’ve gone, and I’ve eliminated all your enemies before you. Now I will make your name great—like the name of the greatest people on earth. I’m going to provide a place for my people Israel, and plant them so that they may live there and no longer be disturbed. Cruel people will no longer trouble them, as they had been earlier, when I appointed leaders over my people Israel. And I will give you rest from all your enemies.
And the Lord declares to you that the Lord will make a dynasty for you. Your dynasty and your kingdom will be secured forever before me. Your throne will be established forever.
The Word of the Lord
Thanks be to God
Gospel Processional
Please rise in body or in spirit
The Gospel Reading (Luke 1:26-38)
Please stand for the reading of the Gospel.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
When Elizabeth was six months pregnant, God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth, a city in Galilee, to a virgin who was engaged to a man named Joseph, a descendant of David’s house. The virgin’s name was Mary. When the angel came to her, he said, “Rejoice, favored one! The Lord is with you!” She was confused by these words and wondered what kind of greeting this might be. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid, Mary. God is honoring you. Look! You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be great and he will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of David his father. He will rule over Jacob’s house forever, and there will be no end to his kingdom.”
Then Mary said to the angel, “How will this happen since I haven’t had sexual relations with a man?”
The angel replied, “The Holy Spirit will come over you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the one who is to be born will be holy. He will be called God’s Son. Look, even in her old age, your relative Elizabeth has conceived a son. This woman who was labeled ‘unable to conceive’ is now six months pregnant. Nothing is impossible for God.”
Then Mary said, “I am the Lord’s servant. Let it be with me just as you have said.” Then the angel left her.
The Gospel of our Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon:
Please be seated, at the invitation of the preacher.
The Rev. Erin Pickersgill
The Prayers of the People
Please rise or kneel in body or in spirit.
The Leader and People pray responsively.
In the spirit of this season let us now confidently ask God for what we need. We pray, as well, for ourselves as we participate in whatever way we can this Christmas.
All are invited to offer their prayers aloud or silently
God hear our Prayer
And in your mercy answer.
For our families and friends that they may know love and peace and happiness in you and that they may continue to help and support us.
All are invited to offer their prayers aloud or silently for families and friends
God hear our Prayer
And in your mercy answer.
For those we have loved who have died. For all the losses that we know, that all may be redeemed by your Easter promise.
All are invited to offer their prayers aloud or silently for those who have died
God hear our Prayer
And in your mercy answer.
For the peace proclaimed by the Christmas angels, to come throughout the whole world.
All are invited to offer their prayers aloud or silently for our region and world
God hear our Prayer
And in your mercy answer.
God of great compassion and love, listen to the prayers of these your people. Grant to all, especially all who are bereaved and saddened this Christmas, the blessing we ask in the name of Christ, Emmanuel, God with us.
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.
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
Offertory Anthem:
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 thanks to God for the grace and mercy made available to us in Christ. In response all say:
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 Holy Spirit to sanctify the bread and wine, and the gathered congregation.
The Eucharistic prayer concludes with a plea for the coming of God’s reign.
Through Christ and with Christ and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, to You be honor, glory and praise, now and forever.
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.
Music During Communion
Post Communion Prayer
Lord, you now have set your servant free, to go in peace as you have promised. For these eyes of mine have seen the Savior whom you have prepared for all the world to see: A light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.
The Blessing
The people stand or kneel as the presider proclaims the final blessing.
The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious unto you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace, both now and forever more. Amen. Amen.
Dismissal
Our worship has ended, our service in the world continues.
The Deacon dismisses the congregation:
Let us go forth in the name of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Exit Music
Service Leaders
Guest Musicians: Gene Dobbs Bradford and Matt Lawder
Preacher: The Rev. Erin Pickersgill
Celebrant: The Rev. Julie Graham
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Readers: Barbara Robinson
Crucifer & Intercessor: Janice Nihill
Ushers: Susan Norris
Announcements: Fran Caradonna
Stream Producers: Markie Jo Crismon
Music reprinted and broadcast with permission by OneLicense # A-704988
The Scripture Translation is the Common English Bible. All are used by permission.
The Form of worship is from Enriching Our Worship prayer 1.
