Christmas Eve Children’s Service: December 24 @ 5:00
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 2 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.
Communion: 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 communion minister on the side of the church where you are sitting. Make your way down the side aisle to return to your seat. Wine is not available at this time. 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
Wheelchair 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.
Hearing Assistance: Hearing assistance devices are available from the welcome table. Just ask an usher.
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.
Prelude Gèsu Bambino by Pietro Yon
Welcome
A priest welcomes the congregation.
Processional Hymn: Please stand.
O Come, all ye faithful Hymnal 83, vv. 1, 3, 4, 6
O come, all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant,
O come ye, O come ye to Bethlehem;
Come, and behold him, born the King of angels;
Refrain O come, let us adore him, O come, let us adore him,
O come, let us adore him, Christ the Lord.
Sing, choirs of angels, sing in exultation,
sing, all ye citizens of heaven above;
Glory to God, glory in the highest; Refrain
See how the shepherds, summoned to his cradle,
leaving their flocks, draw nigh to gaze;
We too will thither bend our joyful footsteps Refrain
Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born this happy morning;
Jesus, to thee be glory given;
Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing; Refrain
Opening Acclamation
The congregation is invited to respond using the words in bold
Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity.
And blessed be God’s reign, now and forever. Amen.
The Collect of the Day
Please stand.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray.
O God, you have caused this holy night to shine with the brightness of the true Light: Grant that we, who have known the mystery of that Light on earth, may also enjoy Christ perfectly in heaven; where with you and the Holy Spirit he lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
The Lessons
1st Lesson Please be seated. Isaiah 9:2-7
The people walking in darkness have seen a great light. On those living in a pitch-dark land, light has dawned. You have made the nation great; you have increased its joy. They rejoiced before you as with joy at the harvest, as those who divide plunder rejoice. As on the day of Midian, you’ve shattered the yoke that burdened them, the staff on their shoulders, and the rod of their oppressor. Because every boot of the thundering warriors, and every garment rolled in blood will be burned, fuel for the fire. A child is born to us, a son is given to us and authority will be on his shoulders. He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace. There will be vast authority and endless peace for David’s throne and for his kingdom, establishing and sustaining it with justice and righteousness now and forever. The zeal of the Lord of heavenly forces will do this.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Congregational Hymn In the Bleak Midwinter Hymnal 112
In the bleak midwinter, frosty wind made moan,
earth stood hard as iron, water like a stone; snow had fallen,
snow on snow, snow on snow,
in the bleak midwinter, long ago.
Our God, heaven cannot hold him, nor earth sustain;
heaven and earth shall flee away when he comes to reign.
In the bleak midwinter a stable place sufficed the Lord God Almighty, Jesus Christ.
Angels and archangels may have gathered there, cherubim and seraphim thronged the air;
but his mother only, in her maiden bliss, worshiped the beloved with a kiss.
What can I give him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring a lamb;
if I were a Wise Man, I would do my part; yet what I can I give him: give my heart.
Sequence Hymn Angels We Have Heard on High Hymnal 96 vv. 1 - 2
Angels we have heard on high,
singing sweetly through the night,
and the mountains in reply echoing their brave delight.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
Shepherds, why this jubilee?
Why these songs of happy cheer?
What great brightness did you see?
What glad tidings did you hear?
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
The Nativity Story Please be seated at the invitation of the Preacher.
Sequence Hymn Angels We Have Heard on High Hymnal 96 vv. 3-4
Come to Bethlehem and see
him whose birth the angels sing;
come, adore on bended knee
Christ, the Lord, the newborn King.
Gloria in excelsis Deo.
See him in a manger laid
whom the angels praise above;
Mary, Joseph, lend your aid,
while we raise our hearts in love.
The Prayers of the People
Please stand. The Leader and People pray responsively.
God of Love, on this holy night, you sent your son to be born among us, making us your children and holy, too. With prophets, shepherds and magi, may we seek Jesus and find him in everyone we meet.
God of Love: Hear our prayer.
God of the angels whose song was “Peace on earth, goodwill to all”, we pray for the leaders of this nation, and this world. May conflicts end, divisions cease, and justice prevail.
God of Love: Hear our prayer.
God of the shepherds who shared good news of great joy, we pray for the Church and all who minister in it. May we be messengers of hope, inclusion and love for your people everywhere.
God of Love: Hear our prayer.
God of the manger, you came to us a helpless baby, cradled in straw because there was no room at the inn. We pray for those who are homeless or hungry, sick or in need, and those we now name silently or aloud:
God of Love: Hear our prayer.
God of heaven and earth, we pray for those who have died and those who mourn, and those we now name silently or aloud:
God of Love: Hear our prayer.
Celebrant: Son of God, child of Mary
Born in the stable at Bethlehem,
Be born again in us this day
That through us the world may know
The wonder of your love. Amen
The Peace
Please stand.
The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
You are invited to greet those around you by saying “Peace be with you” or simply “Peace.”
Offertory Anthem
O Holy Night sung by Dawn Padmore
Offertory Carol
Go Tell It On The Mountain LEVAS 21
Presentation of the Offering
please stand
All things come of thee, O Lord.
And of thine own have we given thee.
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
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 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 Christ’s redeeming work, 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, for ever and ever. 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.
Hymns During Communion Sung by all.
Away in a Manger LEVAS 27
Away in a manger, no crib for his bed,
the little Lord Jesus laid down his sweet head.
The stars in the bright sky looked down where he lay,
the little Lord Jesus asleep on the hay.
The cattle are lowing, the baby awakes,
but little Lord Jesus no crying he makes.
I love thee, Lord Jesus! Look down from the sky,
and stay by my side until morning is nigh.
Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay
close by me for ever, and love me I pray.
Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,
and fit us for heaven to live with thee there.
Hymns During Communion
It Came Upon a Midnight Clear Hymnal 89
It came upon the midnight clear,
that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
to touch their harps of gold:
“Peace on the earth, good will to men,
from heaven’s all-gracious King.”
The world in solemn stillness lay
to hear the angels sing.
Still through the cloven skies they come
with peaceful wings unfurled,
and still their heavenly music floats
o’er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains
they bend on hovering wing,
and ever o’er its Babel-sounds
the blessed angels sing.
Yet with the woes of sin and strife
the world has suffered long;
beneath the heavenly hymn have rolled
two thousand years of wrong;
and warring humankind hears not
the tidings which they bring;
O hush the noise and cease your strife
and hear the angels sing!
For lo! the days are hastening on,
by prophets seen of old,
when with the ever-circling years
shall come the time foretold,
when peace shall over all the earth
its ancient splendors fling,
and all the world give back the song
which now the angels sing.
Post Communion Prayer
Gracious God, tonight you have united earth and heaven in sending your Son to take our human nature. May we, who have tasted heavenly things, share in the life of Christ’s kingdom. We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
The Lighting of the Candles
Hymn after Communion Silent Night Hymnal 111
The Christmas Blessing
The people stand or kneel as the presider proclaims the final blessing.
May God, who sent angels to proclaim the glad news of the Savior’s birth, fill you with joy and make you heralds of the Gospel. And the blessing of God the holy and undivided Trinity be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
Final Hymn
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.
Service Leaders
Presider The Rev. Mike Angell
Storyteller The Rev. Julie Graham
Deacon The Rev. Chester Hines
Lector Ava Mensah, Olivia Mensah
Intercessor Hope Jernagan
Crucifer Josephine Ezenwa
Ushers Fran Caradonna
Special gifts made to support the Christmas Greens and Music:
In thanksgiving for my church family and for many precious memories given by Helen Burton
The many blessings received this year despite challenges and difficulties. And most importantly the joy of gathering to sing and worship together. Building the Blessed Community. AMDG.
Given by Andrew Carpentier
In honor of the Holy Communion Choir
In memory of Henry Cummings given by Nancy Cummings
In honor of Barbara Ottolini given by Sondra Ellis
In thanksgiving for Holy Communion given by Julie Graham
In honor of the Parish Guild
In thanksgiving for the people of Holy Communion given by Ellis, Mike, and Silas
In honor of G. Arthur Padmore
For Bryant Payne and a lifetime of memories given by Karen Willard, and Brooklyn Payne
In honor of Honor of The Rev Christian Kehl and Gloria Kehl given by Babs Kehl-Fairchild
In honor of Leonard and Betty Walz given by Rudy Walz
Music reprinted and broadcast with permission by OneLicense # A-704988
The Scripture Translation is the Common English Bible, used by permission.
