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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: The pandemic means we are keeping things simple, short, and safe. Vaccination is required for everyone eligible. You must be free of COVID-related symptoms, close contact, and not have positive tests to attend. Windows are open. 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 households outside your bubble.

Masks: Masks will continue to be required until local transmission rates drop substantially. We thank you for respecting our guidelines and your neighbors in this transitional time.

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. Make your way down the side aisle to return to your seat. We are weighing options for re-introducing the chalice. Please listen for verbal announcements. 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” in your pew, or at the Welcome Table, 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.

Prelude

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.

Entrance Hymn: How Firm a Foundation H 637

Opening Dialogue Please rise in body or spirit

Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity.
And blessed be God’s reign, now and forever. Amen.

The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray.

Grant to us, Lord, we pray, the spirit to think and do always those things that are right, that we, who cannot exist without you, may by you be enabled to live according to your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and 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 calendar shared by Christians around the globe.

A Reading from the Book of Genesis Genesis 15:1-6

After these events, the Lord’s word came to Abram in a vision, “Don’t be afraid, Abram. I am your protector. Your reward will be very great.”

But Abram said, “Lord God, what can you possibly give me, since I still have no children? The head of my household is Eliezer, a man from Damascus.” He continued, “Since you haven’t given me any children, the head of my household will be my heir.”

The Lord’s word came immediately to him, “This man will not be your heir. Your heir will definitely be your very own biological child.” Then he brought Abram outside and said, “Look up at the sky and count the stars if you think you can count them.” He continued, “This is how many children you will have.” Abram trusted the Lord, and the Lord recognized Abram’s high moral character.

The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Psalm 33:12-22 read responsively, by verse

The Lord looks down from heaven, *
and beholds all the people in the world.
Enthroned in the heavens God gazes *
on all who dwell on the earth,
fashioning all the hearts of them *
and understanding all their works.
There is no ruler that can be saved by a mighty army; *
the strong are not delivered by their great strength.
The horse is a vain hope for deliverance; *
for all its strength it cannot save.
Behold, your eye, O Lord, is upon those who fear you, *
on those who wait upon your love,
to pluck their lives from death, *
and to feed them in time of famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord *
who is our help and our shield.
Indeed, our heart rejoices in God *
in whose holy name we put our trust.
Let your loving-kindness, O Lord, be upon us,
as we have put our trust in you.

Sequence Hymn Please rise, in body or in spirit. Heleluyan

The Gospel Luke 12:32-40

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Glory to you, Lord Christ.

“Don’t be afraid, little flock, because your Father delights in giving you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to those in need. Make for yourselves wallets that don’t wear out—a treasure in heaven that never runs out. No thief comes near there, and no moth destroys. Where your treasure is, there your heart will be too.

“Be dressed for service and keep your lamps lit. Be like people waiting for their master to come home from a wedding celebration, who can immediately open the door for him when he arrives and knocks on the door. Happy are those servants whom the master finds waiting up when he arrives. I assure you that, when he arrives, he will dress himself to serve, seat them at the table as honored guests, and wait on them. Happy are those whom he finds alert, even if he comes at midnight or just before dawn. But know this, if the homeowner had known what time the thief was coming, he wouldn’t have allowed his home to be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Human One is coming at a time when you don’t expect him.”

The Gospel of our Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.

The Sermon:

Please be seated, at the invitation of the preacher.

The Rev. Chester Hines

Prayers of the People

The Leader and People pray responsively. Please rise, or kneel, in body or in spirit.

In the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ,
let us pray to God our Maker saying: “Lord have Mercy.”

For the peace of the whole world, for the welfare of the Holy Church of God, and for the unity of all, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For Michael our Presiding Bishop, Deon our bishop, for the leaders of the Church in El Salvador, in the Diocesan cycle of prayer for: the Task Force on Hunger and all hunger and food ministries throughout the Diocese and for all clergy and people, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For Joseph our President, for the leaders of the nations, and for all in authority, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For this community, for every city, town and village, and for all the people who live within them, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For good weather, and for abundant harvests for all to share. We give thanks for all those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries this week especially especially Kelly Midden, Lisa Meeks, Chloe Oliff, Lauren Scoopmire, Elise Joerger and Susan Norris...let us pray to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

For those who travel by land, air, or water, for the sick and the suffering, for prisoners and captives, and for their safety, health and salvation
you are invited to add your own prayers, silently or aloud. Children are welcome to bring a prayer card up to the bowl in front of the lectern.

Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

For our deliverance from all affliction, strife and need, and for the absolution of our sins and offences, let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.

Remembering all who have gone before us in faith, and in communion with all the saints, we commit ourselves, one another, and our whole life to Christ our God; to you, O Lord our God.

Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.

God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that enslaves us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen.

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.

Welcome & Announcements:

Announcements are shared. You may be seated.

See Announcements

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

Who You and I Were Always Meant to Be Leslie Caplan

And then there were the angels going down
To aid Jacob, who you’d hardly call an angel
To his father’s face he only brought a frown
But he changed and worked to find his higher purpose
To find the highest self that he could be
Yes, the angels, the angels they are here
They’re what you and I were always meant to beYou don’t need a dream to see the angels
You don’t need a ladder to the skies
All you need to do is look around you
All you need to do is open up your eyes
Because the angels, the angels they are you
Yes, the angels, the angels they are me
Yes, the angels, the angels they are here
They’re what you and I were always meant to be

Jacob fell asleep with his head upon a stone
And as he slept, he saw the angels in the sky
Coming down to earth, and going up to heaven
But for us, what do these angels signify
Look not heavenward for angels, look around you
They are your friends, your family, they’re me
Yes, the angels, the angels they are here
They’re what you and I were always meant to be
We are told that first the angels were ascending

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 rise, in body or in spirit.

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 our thanks and praise.

The presider offers thanks to God for the grace and mercy made available to us in Christ.

In response all sing:

The presider gives thanks to God’s work and revelation in creation. The presider invites us to proclaim the mystery of faith. In response all say:
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.

Prayer for Spiritual Communion

This prayer of Spiritual Communion is offered in the online bulletin for those who cannot join us in person. It was written by parishioner Bob Lewis.

Gracious and Loving God, on this day we are not able to gather around your table to celebrate your presence in the sacrament of bread and wine. We are not able to share your peace with one another.

Nevertheless, we lift up our hearts, we join with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven as we proclaim you holy and receive you into our hearts by faith.

Strengthen our love for you. Help us offer our sacrifice with all your faithful people, that we may restore health and wholeness to one another and to all your creation. Give us patience and hope as we long for the day when we can gather and break bread together again. Through Christ our Savior. Amen.

Hymns During Communion

Deck Thyself my Soul with Gladness H 339

Post Communion Prayer

All are invited to rise in body or in spirit.

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.

Blessing

Live without fear: your Creator has made you holy, has always protected you, and loves you as a mother. Go in peace to follow the good road and may the blessing of the Triune God be among you, and remain with you always Amen.

Concluding Hymn:

The God of Abraham Praise H 401

please rise in body or in spirit

Dismissal

Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit.
Thanks be to God.

Postlude

Service Leaders

Preacher: The Rev. Chester Hines
Celebrant: The Rev. Julie Graham
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Assisting: Josephine Ezenwa
Usher: Paul Mensah, Susan Norris
Reader: Shirley Mensah
Video Producer: Tyler Schwartz
Singer: Leslie Caplan
Guest Organist: Ruth Tweeten

Leslie Caplan’s original piece is inspired by and dedicated to the members, staff, clergy and musicians of the Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion

Music used and reprinted with permission under OneLicense #A-704988.