October 19: Bishop’s Visit
The Sundays after Pentecost
Fall 2025
8:00 & 10:30 a.m. 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 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.
Children’s Worship: Kids are expected and encouraged to participate in worship! The Pray Ground (the carpeted area at the front of the Sanctuary) is open for those in need of some wiggle room. Children are welcome to help with greeting and passing the offertory plate.
Children’s Chapel: After the Gospel reading, children are welcome to proceed to the Children's Chapel (at the end of the lounge) for engaging in a scripture lesson, pray and sing as an alternative to the sermon. For children infant through early elementary age though all ages are welcome. Older kids are invited to be worship leaders. Kids under the age of four need to bring their caregiver.
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 of the 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.
Order of Worship
for the Celebration of
THE HOLY EUCHARIST,
with Rites for
RECEPTION
October 19, 2025
Gathering & Welcome
Processional Hymn Praise to the living God! H372
Opening Dialogue
Bishop Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity.
People And blessed be God’s reign, now and forever. Amen.
Bishop There is one Body and one Spirit.
People There is one hope in God’s call to us.
Bishop One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism.
People One God and Maker of all.
Bishop God is with you.
People And also with you.
Bishop Let us pray.
Collect of the Day
Almighty and everlasting God, in Christ you have revealed your glory among the nations: Preserve the works of your mercy, that your Church throughout the world may persevere with steadfast faith in the confession of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Word of God
The First Reading Genesis 32:22-31
The same night Jacob got up and took his two wives, his two maids, and his eleven children, and crossed the ford of the Jabbok. He took them and sent them across the stream, and likewise everything that he had. Jacob was left alone; and a man wrestled with him until daybreak. When the man saw that he did not prevail against Jacob, he struck him on the hip socket; and Jacob's hip was put out of joint as he wrestled with him. Then he said, "Let me go, for the day is breaking." But Jacob said, "I will not let you go, unless you bless me." So he said to him, "What is your name?" And he said, "Jacob." Then the man said, "You shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel, for you have striven with God and with humans, and have prevailed." Then Jacob asked him, "Please tell me your name." But he said, "Why is it that you ask my name?" And there he blessed him. So Jacob called the place Peniel, saying, "For I have seen God face to face, and yet my life is preserved." The sun rose upon him as he passed Penuel, limping because of his hip.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm Psalm 121
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills; *
from where is my help to come?
2 My help comes from the Lord, *
the maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot be moved *
and he who watches over you will not fall asleep.
4 Behold, he who keeps watch over Israel *
shall neither slumber nor sleep;
5 The Lord himself watches over you; *
the Lord is your shade at your right hand,
6 So that the sun shall not strike you by day, *
nor the moon by night.
7 The Lord shall preserve you from all evil; *
it is he who shall keep you safe.
8 The Lord shall watch over your going out and your coming in, *
from this time forth for evermore.
The Second Reading 2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
As for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it, and how from childhood you have known the sacred writings that are able to instruct you for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work.
In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage, with the utmost patience in teaching. For the time is coming when people will not put up with sound doctrine, but having itching ears, they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own desires, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander away to myths. As for you, always be sober, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Gospel Procession Arise Shine
The Proclamation of the Gospel Luke 18:1-8
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to Luke.
People Glory to you, O Christ.
Jesus told his disciples a parable about their need to pray always and not to lose heart. He said, "In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor had respect for people. In that city there was a widow who kept coming to him and saying, `Grant me justice against my opponent.' For a while he refused; but later he said to himself, `Though I have no fear of God and no respect for anyone, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will grant her justice, so that she may not wear me out by continually coming.'" And the Lord said, "Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God grant justice to his chosen ones who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long in helping them? I tell you, he will quickly grant justice to them. And yet, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?"
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, O Christ.
The Sermon The Right Reverend Deon K. Johnson
Presentation and Examination of the Candidates
The Bishop says
The Candidate(s) will now be presented.
Presenter
I present ____________ to be received into this Communion.
The Bishop asks the candidates
Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil?
Candidate
I do.
Bishop
Do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
Candidate
I do, and with God’s grace I will follow Christ as my Savior and Lord.
After all have been presented, the Bishop addresses the congregation, saying
Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
People We will.
The Bishop then says these or similar words
Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own commitment to Christ. (Silence is kept for a time.)
The Baptismal Covenant
Presider Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil and renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
People I do.
Presider Do you believe in God the Father?
People I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Presider Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and
was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Presider Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Presider How will you connect to Christ in community?
People With God's help I will continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.
Presider How will you resist evil and turn to Christ?
People With God's help I will persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord.
Presider How will you show Christ in your life?
People With God's help I will proclaim by word and example the Good News of God found in Jesus Christ.
Presider How will you seek and serve Christ in your life?
People With God's help I will seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving my neighbor as myself.
Presider How will you work for the reign of Christ?
People With God's help I will strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.
Presider How will you steward God’s creation?
People With God's help I will strive to safeguard the dignity and integrity of creation, and respect, sustain, and renew the life of the Earth.
Presider May Christ dwell in your hearts through faith, that you may be rooted and grounded in love and bring forth the fruit of the Spirit. Amen.
Prayers for the Candidates
Presider Let us now pray for these persons who have renewed their commitment to Christ.
Leader Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Send them into the world in witness to your love.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Then the Bishop says
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at their Baptism. Send them forth in the power of that Spirit to perform the service you set before them; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
For Reception
__________, we recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you. Amen.
Then the Bishop says
Almighty and everliving God, let your hand ever be over these your servants, let your Holy Spirit ever be with them, and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Exchange of the Peace
Presider The Peace of Christ be always with you.
People And also with you.
We are a community of reconciliation and peace; therefore, we greet each other with a sign of our desire for peace.
Welcome & Announcements
Please be seated for a few brief announcements.
The Offertory
Offertory Anthem
Angels Unaware by Pepper Choplin
This anthem is inspired by Hebrews 13:1-2, which says,
"Let brotherly love continue. Be not forgetful to entertain strangers:
for thereby some have entertained angels unawares."
People are around, are around on the corner, people who have needs, who have need of care.
Many who take time to be kind have been kind to angels unaware.
People on the street, on the street we are walking, open up your eyes, you may see them there.
Many who take time to be kind have been kind to angels unaware.
Or is the stranger just a brother of humanity? Or a sister who is tired, who is suffering inside,
who needs healing in her soul? Brothers, sisters are around.
People are around, they're around on the corner, people who have needs,
who have need of care.
Many who take time to be kind have been kind to angels unaware.
If we open up our eyes, and we try to be kind, showing love and care,
it's like there are angels everywhere
Offertory Hymn
Doxology
Please rise in body, or in spirit, and sing (10:30) as the Greeters bring forward our offerings.
THE LITURGY OF THE TABLE
The Great Thanksgiving
Presider The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Presider Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Presider Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give God thanks and praise.
We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God,
source of life abundant.
From before time you made ready the creation.
Your Spirit moved over the deep
and brought all things into being:
sun, moon, and stars;
earth, winds, and waters;
and every living thing.
You made us in your image,
and taught us to walk in your ways.
But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away;
and yet, as a mother cares for her children,
you would not forget us.
Time and again you called us
to live in the fullness of your love.
And so this day we join with Saints and Angels
in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity,
lifting our voices to magnify you as we sing.
Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God.
To deliver us from the power of sin and death
and to reveal the riches of your grace,
you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant,
that she might conceive and bear a son,
Jesus the holy child of God.
Living among us, Jesus loved us.
He broke bread with outcasts and sinners,
healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor.
He yearned to draw all the world to himself
yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love.
Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross
the sacrifice of his life,
and to be glorified by you.
On the night before he died for us,
Jesus was at table with his friends.
He took bread, gave thanks to you,
broke it, and gave it to them, and said:
“Take, eat:
This is my Body, which is given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine.
Again, he gave thanks to you,
gave it to them, and said:
“Drink this, all of you:
This is my Blood of the new Covenant,
which is poured out for you and for all
for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it,
do this for the remembrance of me.”
Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation,
and remembering Christ, crucified and risen,
who was and is and is to come,
we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine,
and ourselves, a living sacrifice.
Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts
that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ.
Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth
and make us your new creation,
the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.
In the fullness of time bring us,
with [___________ and] all your saints,
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
to feast at the banquet prepared
from the foundation of the world.
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.
The Lord’s Prayer
Presider As our Savior has taught us, we are bold to pray.
People 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, the power and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Presider Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People Therefore let us keep the feast.
And may add.
Invitation to Communion
Presider These are God’s holy gifts, for you, God’s holy people. So come to this table you who have been here often and you who have not been here in a long time. You who have tried to follow Jesus and you who have failed. You who are full of faith and full of doubt. Come, it is Christ himself who invites you to meet him here.
Sharing the Sacred Meal
Communion Hymns
Seek ye First the Kingdom of God H711
Sweet Hour of Prayer L178
Post Communion Prayer
Presider Together, let us pray.
People Eternal God, you have renewed us with the living bread from heaven; by it you nourish our faith, increase our hope, and strengthen our love: teach us always to hunger for him who is the true and living bread, and enable us to live lives grounded in service to you and to one another; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BLESSING
RECESSIONAL HYMN
Ye Servants of God, Your Master Proclaim H535
Dismissal
Deacon Go in Peace to love and serve the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Announcements
Bishop Deon Johnson: Please welcome the Bishop TODAY as our guest preacher, teacher, and celebrant! Hot breakfast will be served at 9am! Join us!
Third Week Outreach: Every third Tuesday is Laundry Love, our clean laundry ministry. We share pizza & fellowship while supplying quarters for the machines for anyone in need at Classic Coin Laundromat in UCity. Use the website to sign-up for October 21: Service & Outreach > Laundry Love.
In-Gathering Chili Cook-off! On Sunday, October 26, we will gather for a CHILI COOK-OFF to celebrate Annual Giving! Please remember to turn in your pledge card on this day to make it official! Email Darcy at office@holycommunion.net to sign up for our chili cook-off to compete! Taste chili and vote on a winner!
October 26 Evensong: All are invited for a musical prayerful service as the Holy Communion choir joins the Cathedral choir for Evensong on October 26, 5pm at Christ Church Cathedral. A reception will follow the service.
Theology on Tap Relaunch! Join us on Thurs, Oct 30. This event begins at 7pm at Schlafly Bottleworks (7260 Southwest Ave, Maplewood). Discuss biblical themes amongst friends in a relaxed setting. All are welcome!
Bring a Friend Sunday: Each first Sunday on the month, is bring a friend to church day! Welcome to everyone who is a friend! We are so glad to have you worship with us!
Saturday Compline Hiatus: We are pausing Compline until our All-Souls Candlelight Service Nov. 2.
MTUG Donations: Thanks to our own Abby Mueller for our MTUG weekend. Donations of toiletries for the Metro Trans Umbrella Community Center are still being gratefully accepted. Look for the box in Mitchell Lounge.
Prisoner Visitation & Support: is having its visitor training conference in St. Louis this year, and the keynote address will be open to the public. Please join on Saturday, Oct. 25, at 6 PM at the Drury Inn at the Arch, 2 South 4th St. Speaker, Bobby Bostic, who was incarcerated at the age of 16 with a sentence of over 200 years, will share his story. For additional information, speak to Denise Carpenter.
Servers
Celebrant & Preacher: The Right Reverend Deon Johnson
Assisting Clergy: The Reverend Earl Mahan
Assisting Clergy: The Reverend Julie Graham
Deacon: The Reverend Chester Hines
Music Director: Mary Chapman
Organist: Earl Naylor
Crucifer: Rudy Walz
Torch Bearers: Ilona Potter & Luca Barbato
Greeters: Earl Bonds (8), Heidi & Jacob Volkl (10:30)
Readers: Lisa Hummel (8), Denise Carpenter (10:30)
Announcements: Fran Caradonna (10:30)
Chalice Bearers: Karen Payne (8), Marlene O’Brien (10:30)
Streamers: Rebecca Comas & Lyle Barbato
The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri Land Acknowledgement
In humility, we recognize and acknowledge that we in the Diocese of Missouri worship and live on the traditional ancestral lands of the Osage Nation, the Illiniwek/Peoria Tribe, the O-Gah-Pah (Quapaw) Tribe, the Otoe-Missouria Tribe, and other First Peoples. We recognize our mutual dependence upon and benefit from this land; we proclaim our solidarity with and our debt to the Peoples who first claimed and improved this land as their home. We acknowledge our complicity in the process of colonization that dispossessed the First Peoples from their ancestral lands. We affirm our commitment to stand with indigenous communities today and henceforth as they seek justice and resist continued threats to their sovereignty and humanity.
We are also cognizant that the history of The Episcopal Church is intertwined with the history of colonialism and slavery in the United States. More than four centuries ago, the first Africans were brought to the Americas and enslaved. Two centuries ago, enslaved and indigenous persons contributed to the exploration of this state by Lewis and Clark. Our state’s history is entangled with both the Missouri Compromise making this state officially a slave state, and the cases of Scott v. Emerson that petitioned for Dred and Harriet Scott’s emancipation. We acknowledge the tragic legacy of slavery in our diocese, and the blood, sweat, and tears of enslaved people that soak the earth beneath our feet in Missouri. This legacy persists today as we continue to work towards racial justice, equity, liberation, and community, here in Missouri and across The Episcopal Church.
Music used and reprinted with permission under OneLicense #A-704988
and WorshipCast License #13476
Setting from Welcome Table: Mass of Spirituals Words © 1969, 1981, 1997, 2010 ICEL. Published with the approval of the Committee on Divine Worship, USCCB. Setting © 2012 GIA
