Advent 4, December 22
Season of Creation
ORDER OF SERVICE BULLETIN
8:00 & 10:30 AM, Holy Eucharist
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.
Get Involved: If you fill out a “Let’s Get Connected Card” found in your pew, or at the Welcome Table by the door where you came into the church, we’d be glad to keep you up to date with all that’s happening at Holy Communion. Or, simply scan the QR code below to visit holycommunion.net where you can share your contact information, find a worship bulletin, read the latest news, and more.
Communion: “These are the gifts of God for the people of God.”
At The Church of the Holy Communion, we believe that it is Christ himself who invites us to meet him in the bread and the cup. Though it is known by many names - Communion, Mass, Holy Eucharist, The Lord’s Supper, the Sacrament of the Altar - it is the means by which Christ’s real presence abides with us by faith. Therefore, all are welcome to receive. When it comes time for Communion, please follow the directions of the Greeters. The bread is offered to all, with gluten free wafers available, upon request, from the minister. If you would like to receive the wine, you may either drink from the cup, or intinct (dip) the wafer in the wine. Likewise, it is acceptable to receive only the bread, if for personal or health reasons you prefer to not consume wine. Those not receiving Communion, may also come forward. Indicate to the minister that you do not wish to receive Communion by simply crossing your arms across your chest, and the minister will offer a prayer for God’s blessing in your life.
Kids are expected! Kids are welcome to "act their age" and encouraged to fully participate in worship. Kids may use the "Pray Ground” (carpeted area near the chapel), take a Worship Wonder bag from the back of the Nave, or join their adults with kids' worship bulletins and crayons provided by greeters. Starting September 8th, Godly Play is offered downstairs beginning at 10 am. Kids return to their caregivers at 11am in time for the Peace. Mitchell Hall is our designated infant feeding area during the service. If you need assistance finding any of these options, just ask a Greeter.
Accessibility: “Priority Seating” is provided for caretakers of those with mobility needs. 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. If you have any questions, just ask a Greeter.
Donations: We welcome donations to support the mission and ministry Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion. Monetary donations can be placed in the offering plate that will be passed during the service, put in the wooden offering box found at the Welcome Table, by scanning the QR code below, or by electronic donations set up through your bank or on the church website, holycommunion.net
Preparing to Worship
Cover Image: “Mary: Love Forever Being Born”
By Kelly Latimore
A Poem for Advent "What do the stars say?” By Sister Ilia Delia, OSF
What do the stars say?
The light that meets our eyes after millions of years summons us to look beyond.
The dark that hovers over us is filled with light.
That underneath the appearance of the stable heavens is the bubbling energy of the universe.
We are forming, forming, forming and nothing can stop us.
There is a palpable power of attraction, pulling us toward we-no-not-where.
Love alone is the guide of the universe and the whole universe is in the human heart.
Tend to the heart and the power of love will name itself as God.
A Prayer in a Season of Discernment
Today, O God of all days, give us an experience of your heart. Draw us deep into your very being,
into the core of your love for us, others, and the world. Give us a glimpse of others the way you see
others: loving them, forgiving them, and delighting in the way they give glory to God through their
very existence. Help us to discern out of that open place of deep affection so that we too might be
useful vessels of your love in the world. Amen.
✠
Prelude (10:30 Service)
Welcome
Processional Hymn (10:30 Service) SEE INSERT
Opening Acclamation Please rise in body or spirit
Celebrant Light and peace in Jesus Christ our Lord.
People Thanks be to God!
Celebrant Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid.
People Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Kyrie
Celebrant Lord, have mercy
People Christ, have mercy
Celebrant Lord, have mercy
Liturgy of the Word
The first part of the service is the Liturgy of the Word, in which we read and respond to appointed lessons from Scripture. 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, or “lectionary,” shared by Christians around the world.
Prayers for the Lighting of the Advent Wreath and the Collect SEE INSERT
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
O Come O Come Emmanuel (Sung at 10:30 service) SEE INSERT
The Lessons
First Lesson
Reader The Word of the Lord
People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm (Spoken in unison) SEE INSERT
Second Lesson SEE INSERT
Reader The Word of the Lord
People Thanks be to God
Gospel Processional Hymn (10:30 Service)
The Holy Gospel SEE INSERT
Please rise in body or spirit
Before the Gospel Reading
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to ______.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After the Gospel Reading
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
A moment of silence is observed, following the sermon.
Affirmation of Faith (Spoken in unison) Nicene Creed
Celebrant Let us affirm our faith in God.
We believe in one God,
the Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in, Jesus Christ,
the only Child of God,
eternally begotten of the Creator,
Light from Light, true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Creator.
Through Christ all things were made.
For us and for our salvation,
Christ came down from heaven,
was incarnate by the Holy Spirit,
and born of the Virgin Mary,
and became truly human.
For our sake, Jesus was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
suffered death, and was buried.
On the third day, Christ rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures,
ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God.
Christ will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and the kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Giver of life,
who proceeds from the Creator,
who with the Creator and the Christ is worshipped and glorified,
and who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy, universal, 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 Prayers of the People
Celebrant N., Deacon in the Church of God, what cares and concerns of the world do you bring before us to be held up in prayer?
Deacon People of God, I bid your prayers for... The concerns of the community and wider world, including those who are sick, in need, or in want are named by the Deacon.
Deacon “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness—on them light has shined.” In this season of anticipation and hope, let us be seekers of the light and peddlers of hope found in Christ Jesus our Savior.
Leader You who dwell in the darkness and the light, in the silence and in the sound; dwell in the hearts of your people that in hope, peace, joy and love, we may be agents of your heavenly reign and await with anticipation the coming of Christ, the Morning Star. Christ be our light.
People Shine in our hearts.
Leader You who framed the brightness of the first light in creation; dispel the arrogance, animosity, and anger that shatters the unity of your holy Church. Fill your faithful people with the radiant light of truth, that we may be made one in faith, hope, and love. Christ be our light.
People Shine in our hearts.
Leader You who delivered your people from the misery of bondage in slavery to the land of promise; set us free from enslavement to division, disunity, and distrust in our public life and labor. Illumine those in authority with the light of vision, that they may lead the peoples of the nations to greater unity and concord. Christ be our light.
People Shine in our hearts.
Leader You who patterned the stars and called the sun in to being, who appointed the moon and chartered the cosmos. Pattern the hearts of people everywhere to see in each other the beauty of the universe and the splendor of creation, that divisions of race, class, gender, and ethnicity may dissolve into one common humanity. Christ be our light.
People Shine in our hearts.
Leader You who shower comfort and hope to the lowest, the lost, and the least, shower the light of compassion on the sick, the sorrowful and the suffering especially those we name [______] (Intercessions may be added silently or aloud). Help us to be your compassion and hope in the world. Christ be our light.
People Shine in our hearts.
Leader You who welcome into the brilliant light of eternity the souls of those who have died; welcome those whose lives have been cut short by violence, warfare, and strife. Shine the light of hope on our faithful dead, especially those we now name [______] (Intercessions may be added silently or aloud). Christ be our light.
People Shine in our hearts.
Leader You who delight in the complexity of creation and the splendor of each creature; help us to delight in the diversity of the earth, our island home. Inspire your people to care for the earth and its creatures and repent and return when we abuse, misuse, and neglect our fellow creatures. Christ be our light.
People Shine in our hearts.
Celebrant May Christ, the Morning Star who knows no setting, find us ever burning with the light of love, the spirit of truth, and the wellspring of hope; that following the way of Jesus and filled with the flame of the Holy Spirit, we may be a holy people whose lives and living inspire, incite, and inflame your world with compassion and care. Through Jesus the Christ, the light of the world. Amen.
The Peace
Please rise in body or in spirit.
Celebrant Sisters and Brothers, the peace of Christ be always with you. People And also with you. We greet one another with a sign of God’s peace.
Welcome and Announcements
Please be seated for a few brief announcements. On the third Sunday of the month, we remember birthdays
for the month, and invite those celebrating birthdays to come forward, as one of the clergy offers prayers and
blessings.
Offertory Sentence
Celebrant
Offertory Anthem
At the 10:30 service, a musical offering is presented by the choir or soloist.
Offertory Hymn
At the 10:30 service, please rise in body or in spirit and sing as the ushers bring forward our offerings.
The Liturgy of the Table
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 done since earliest times. At Episcopal Church of the Holy Communion, all
are welcome at the Communion Table.
The Eucharistic Prayer
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts
People We lift then to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Celebrant God of all power, Source and Sustainer of the Universe, you are worthy of glory and praise.
People Glory to you for ever and ever.
Celebrant At your command all things came to be: shining light and enfolding dark; the vast expanse of interstellar space, galaxies, suns, and this fragile earth, our island home.
People By your will they were created and have their being.
Celebrant From the primal elements you brought forth the human race, and blessed us with the capacity for memory, reason, and skill. You made us the stewards of your creation. But we turned against you, and betrayed your trust; and we turned against one another.
People Have mercy, Lord, for we are sinners in your sight.
Celebrant Again and again, you called us to return. Through prophets and sages you revealed your righteous Law. And in the fullness of time you sent your eternal Word, born of your servant Mary, to fulfill your Law, opening for us the way of freedom and peace.
People By his blood, he reconciled us. By his wounds, we are healed.
Celebrant Therefore we praise you, joining with the heavenly chorus, with prophets, apostles, and martyrs, and with all those in every generation who have looked to you in hope, to proclaim with them your glory, in their unending hymn:
Sanctus
Celebrant and People; Spoken at 8:00 service, sung at 10:30 service
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.
Then the Celebrant continues
On the night he was betrayed Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper, Jesus took the cup of wine, gave thanks, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for all for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Remembering now his work of redemption and offering to you this sacrifice of thanksgiving,
People We celebrate Christ’s death and resurrection as we await the day of his coming. Therefore, O God, we who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ, and made a new people by water and the Spirit, now bring before you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Savior. Sanctify us also, and let the grace of this Holy Communion make us one body, one spirit in Christ, that we may worthily serve the world in his name.
People Risen Lord, be known to us in the breaking of the Bread. God of our ancestors; Redeemer and Mother of Israel; God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ: Open our eyes to see your hand at work in the world about us. Deliver us from the presumption of coming to this Table for solace only and not for strength; for pardon only and not for renewal. Accept these prayers and praises, Almighty God, through Jesus Christ our great High Priest, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, your Church gives honor, glory, and worship, from generation to generation. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant And now as our Savior Christ has taught us, and in the language of our heart, we pray:
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
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
The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Celebrant The Gifts of God for the People of God.
Communion Hymns SEE INSERT
The congregation is invited to join in the singing of communion hymns
Post Communion Prayer
Please rise in body or in spirit.
Celebrant Together, let us pray
Celebrant and People Eternal God, for whom we await, you have fed us with the bread of heaven and the cup of salvation: keep us ever watchful, that we may be ready to stand before the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sending of Lay Eucharistic Visitors
At various times, Lay Eucharistic Visitors take the consecrated bread and wine to those who cannot physically be present for worship. When we do so, the following prayer may be offered:
Deacon We send you forth, bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the Body and Blood of Christ our Savior.
People We who are many are one body, because we all share one bread, one cup.
The Blessing
May the Sun of Righteousness shine upon you and scatter the darkness from before your path; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always. Amen.
Recessional Hymn SEE INSERT
Dismissal
Deacon Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!
People Thanks be to God!
Postlude (10:30 Service)
✠
Parish Staff
The Rev. C. Earl Mahan, Interim Rector
call 314-721-7401 x303 text 314-996-9814
emahan@holycommunion.net
The Rev. Julie Graham, Associate Rector
call 314-721-7401 x302 text 314-886-7594
jgraham@holycommunion.net
The Rev. Chester Hines, Deacon
call 314-367-7332
chinesj@charter.net
Darcy Brainard, Parish Administrator
call 314-721-7401
office@holycommunion.net
Mary Chapman, Director of Music
mchapman@holycommunion.net
Earl Naylor, Organist
organist@holycommunion.net
Jim Kern, Financial Administrator
jkern@holycommunion.net
Sarah Brown, Hospitality Attendant
sbrown@holycommunion.net
Parish Vestry
Fran Caradonna, Senior Warden
Rudy Walz, Junior Warden
Kellie McCoy, Treasurer
Pat Redington, Secretary
Rebecca Comas
Bob Lowes
Heidi Volkl
Andrew Wasson
Tim Anderson
Liturgical Source Material: Book of Common Prayer, Enriching Our Worship, An Order for the Celebration of the Holy Eucharist The Season of Advent Within the Diocese of Missouri, The Holy Bible: New Revised Standard Version
Music used and reprinted with permission under OneLicense #A-704988, WorshipCast License #13476, and St. James Music Press License #14747
INSERT
Music sung at 10:30 service
Prelude: Lo, How a Rose by Johannes Brahms
Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 22
Entrance Hymn: Praise We the Lord this Day H267
Lighting of the Advent Candle: O Come, O Come Emmanuel H56; Verse 4
Sequence Hymn: Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
Offertory Anthem: I Wonder as I Wander by Richard Shephard
Offertory Hymn: Praise to God, the One Who Made Us by R.G. Huff
Communion Hymns: Once He Came in Blessing H53
Soon and Very Soon L14
Exit Hymn: Blest be the King Who’s Coming H74
Lighting of the Advent Candle:
Leader: The candle of this fourth week of Advent is a candle of LOVE. Today the flame of
this candle reminds us of the love that came to this world when Jesus was born.
Jesus said, “As God has loved me, so I have loved you; remain in my love.”
Once the candles are lit, the Leader continues
Leader: Your light has shone in our shadowed world through the child-bearing of blessed Mary;
People: Grant that we who have seen your glory may daily be renewed in your image and prepared like her for the coming of your Son, who is the Lord and Savior of all. Amen.
Please join in singing the fourth verse of O Come, O Come Emmanuel together.
The Collect
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 forever. Amen.
First Lesson: Micah 5:2-5a
You, O Bethlehem of Ephrathah,
who are one of the little clans of Judah,
from you shall come forth for me
one who is to rule in Israel,
whose origin is from of old,
from ancient days.
Therefore he shall give them up until the time
when she who is in labor has brought forth;
then the rest of his kindred shall return
to the people of Israel.
And he shall stand and feed his flock in the strength of the Lord,
in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.
And they shall live secure, for now he shall be great
to the ends of the earth;
and he shall be the one of peace.
Canticle 15 Page 91, BCP
The Song of Mary Magnificat; Luke 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior; *
for he has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed: *
the Almighty has done great things for me, and holy is his Name.
He has mercy on those who fear him *
in every generation.
He has shown the strength of his arm, *
he has scattered the proud in their conceit.
He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, *
and has lifted up the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things, *
and the rich he has sent away empty.
He has come to the help of his servant Israel, *
for he has remembered his promise of mercy,
The promise he made to our fathers, *
to Abraham and his children for ever.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: *
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Second Lesson: Hebrews 10:5-10
When Christ came into the world, he said,
"Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
but a body you have prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings
you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, 'See, God, I have come to do your will, O God'
(in the scroll of the book it is written of me)."
When he said above, "You have neither desired nor taken pleasure in sacrifices and offerings and burnt offerings and sin offerings" (these are offered according to the law), then he added, "See, I have come to do your will." He abolishes the first in order to establish the second. And it is by God's will that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
The Gospel: Luke 1:39-45
In those days Mary set out and went with haste to a Judean town in the hill country, where she entered the house of Zechariah and greeted Elizabeth.
When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the child leaped in her womb. And Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and exclaimed with a loud cry, "Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And why has this happened to me, that the mother of my Lord comes to me? For as soon as I heard the sound of your greeting, the child in my womb leaped for joy. And blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord."
Announcements
More information on upcoming events can be found at holycommunion.net/info
Adult Forum: At 9 a.m. today in Mitchell Hall, come share Christmas stories, memories, and reflections.
Christmas Schedule: Pop-Up Christmas Pageant at 4:00 p.m. on 12/24; Candlelight Christmas Service at 10:30 p.m. on 12/24.
Office Closed: In observance of Christmas and the New Year, please note that Holy Communion’s office will be closed December 24th through January 2nd.
Pick-Up Choir Sunday, Jan 5: Join the Magi as they come to see the Newborn King on January 5th! We will host a Pick-up choir at the 10:30 service to celebrate Epiphany.
Come meet the choir in the sanctuary at 9:30, and we'll learn the music for that morning. Any questions? Email Mary at mchapman@holycommunion.net.
Servers
Preacher: The Reverend Earl Mahan
Celebrant: The Reverend Julie Graham
Deacon: The Reverend Chester Hines
Music Director: Mary Chapman
Organist: Earl Naylor
Readers: Courtney Dula (8), Bradley Curry (10:30)
Intercessor: Shirley Mensah (10:30)
Crucifer: William Kelly
Announcements: Rudy Walz (8) Tim Anderson (10:30)
Greeters: Adam Pearson (8), Susan Norris, Carol Schmidt (10:30) Streamer: MJ Crismon
Chalice Bearers: Elizabeth Hines (8), Kari Potts (10:30)
