First Sunday of Lent, Feb 22
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 how 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 in 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. Godly Play is also offered on the second Sunday of each month starting at 10:15 am. Meet in the Godly Play room downstairs by the lower level entance.
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 AutoOpen 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. Thank you!
THE SEASON OF LENT is a time of repentance, renewal, and return. Rooted in the ancient practices of the Church, Lent invites us into forty days of intentional self-examination and prayer as we prepare to walk with Christ toward the cross and the promise of resurrection. In the Episcopal Church, Lent is marked not by despair but by honesty; a season that tells the truth about our lives, our world, and our deep need for God’s mercy and grace.
Throughout Lent, the Church calls us to the disciplines named in the Book of Common Prayer: self-examination and repentance; prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and reading and meditating on God’s holy Word. The Gospel readings trace Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem, confronting temptation, injustice, suffering, and the cost of faithful love. These stories invite us to look inward and outward, to notice where we have turned away from God and neighbor, and to open ourselves again to the transforming power of grace.
Lent is also a season of hope and reorientation. Through confession and forgiveness, we are not weighed down but set free; freed to be reconciled, restored, and renewed in Christ. As we practice repentance, we are reshaped for mission, learning once more how to live as Easter people even as we walk the road of the cross.
In this holy season, the Church invites us to return to the Lord with our whole hearts, trusting that God’s mercy is steadfast, and beyond the wilderness lies new life.
Prelude (10:30 Service)
Welcome
Processional Hymn (10:30 Service) SEE INSERT
A Penitential Order
Please rise in body or spirit
Celebrant Blessed be the God of our salvation.
People Who bears our burdens and forgives our sin. Amen.
Celebrant Jesus said, "The first commandment is this: Hear, O Israel:
The Lord your God is the only Lord. Love the Lord your
God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your
mind, and with all your strength. The second is this: Love
your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment
greater than these." Mark 12:29-31
Deacon Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence is kept for a time.
Deacon Most holy and merciful God: We confess to you and to one another, and to the whole communion of saints in heaven and on earth, that we have sinned by our own fault in thought, word, and deed; by what we have done, and by what we have left undone.
People We have not loved you with our whole heart, and mind, and strength. We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We have not forgiven others, as we have been forgiven.
Deacon Our past unfaithfulness: the pride, hypocrisy, and impatience of our lives,
People We confess to you, O God.
Celebrant Our self-indulgence, and our exploitation of other people, our anger at our own frustration, and our envy of those more fortunate than ourselves,
People We confess to you, O God.
Deacon For all false judgments, for uncharitable thoughts toward our neighbors, and for our prejudice and contempt toward those who differ from us,
People Accept our repentance, O God.
Celebrant For our waste and pollution of your creation, and our lack of concern for those who come after us,
People Accept our repentance, O God.
Deacon Restore us, good Lord, and let your anger depart from us.
People Favorably hear us, for your mercy is great.
DECLARATION OF PARDON & FORGIVENESS
Celebrant May the Eternal God forgive you and free you from your sins, heal and strengthen you by the Holy Spirit, and raise you to new life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.
Kyrie Eleison (sung)
Liturgy of the Word
The Collect of the Day SEE INSERT
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
The Lessons
1st Lesson SEE INSERT
Reader The Word of the Lord
People Thanks be to God.
The Psalm (spoken in unison) SEE INSERT
2nd 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.
Nicene Creed (spoken in unison)
Celebrant Let us affirm our faith in God.
We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is, seen and unseen.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God, begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven,
was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and became truly human.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father,
who with the Father and the Son is worshiped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic 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
Deacon Let us pray for the Church and for the world.
Leader We pray for the whole church, all leaders and ministers, and all the holy people of God.
Silence.
Wash us through and through,
People And cleanse us from our sin.
Leader We pray for our nation, for all the nations of the earth, and for all who govern and judge.
Silence.
Purge us from our sin,
People And we shall be pure.
Leader We pray for those who hunger, those who thirst, those who cry out for justice, those who live under the threat of terror, and those without a place to lay their head. Silence. Make them hear of joy and gladness,
Silence.
People that those who are broken may rejoice.
Leader We pray for those who are ill, those in pain, those under stress, and those who are lonely.
Silence.
Give them the joy of your saving help,
People and sustain them with your bountiful Spirit.
Leader In this season of Lent we pray for those who prepare for baptism, and we pray that we all might be given the grace and strength to repent and grow closer to you, O God.
Silence.
Create in us clean hearts, O God,
People and renew a right spirit within us.
Leader We pray for those who have died, (especially _____ ) and who have entered into the land of eternal Light and your abiding peace.
Silence.
Cast them not away from your presence,
People and take not your Holy Spirit from them.
Leader We especially pray for… (The people may add there intercessions and thanksgivings, either silently or aloud.)
Celebrant Lord Jesus, you taught your disciples that you must undergo great suffering and be killed before rising again; grant us the strength and wisdom to be your followers and to take up our cross to follow you, this day and always. 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 Walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us, an offering and sacrifice to God. Ephesians 5:2
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 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.
The Celebrant continues
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth. You bid your faithful people cleanse their
hearts, and prepare with joy for the Paschal feast; that, fervent in prayer and in works of mercy, and renewed by your Word and Sacraments, they may come to the fullness of grace which you have prepared for those who love you.
Celebrant Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Celebrant and People 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.
Celebrant Holy and gracious God: In your infinite love you made us for yourself; and, when we had fallen into sin and become subject to evil and death, you, in your mercy, sent Jesus Christ, your only and eternal Son, to share our human nature, to live and die as one of us, to reconcile us to you, the God and maker of all.
Jesus stretched out his arms upon the cross, and offered himself in obedience to your will, a perfect sacrifice for the whole world.
On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Savior Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, 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; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore we proclaim the mystery of faith:
People Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
Celebrant We celebrate the memorial of our redemption, Almighty God, in this sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving. Recalling Christ’s death, resurrection, and ascension, we offer you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of your Son, the holy food and drink of new and unending life in Christ. Sanctify us also that we may faithfully receive this holy Sacrament, and serve you in unity, constancy, and peace; and at the last day bring us with all your saints into the joy of your eternal kingdom.
All this we ask through Jesus Christ our Savior. By Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty God, now and forever. 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 Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.
People Therefore, let us keep the feast.
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 Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. 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
Celebrant
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. Brenda Sol, Rector
bsol@holycommunion.net
The Rev. Chester Hines, Deacon
call 314-367-7332
Mary Chapman, Director of Music
Darcy Brainard, Parish Administrator
call 314-721-7401
Jim Kern, Financial Administrator
Vestry
Kellie McCoy, Senior Warden
Joe Donahou, Junior Warden
Pat Redington, Secretary
Rudy Walz
Tim Anderson
Gloria Grenwald
Bex Comas
Heidi Volkl
Karen Payne
Nancy Donohoo
www.holycommunion.net
Music used and reprinted with permission under OneLicense #A-704988 and WorshipCast License #13476
INSERT
First Sunday of Lent, Feb 22
Prelude: O Man Bewail Thy Grievous Sin J. S. Bach
Processional Hymn: Forty Days and Forty Nights H150
Offertory Anthem: Locus iste Anton Bruckner
Communion Hymns: Humbly I Adore Thee H314
It is Well with My Soul L188
Recessional Hymn: O Love, How Deep, How Broad, How High H448
Postlude: Chaconne Louis Couperin
The Collect
Almighty God, whose blessed Son was led by the Spirit to be tempted by Satan: Come quickly to help us who are assaulted by many temptations; and, as you know the weaknesses of each of us, let each one find you mighty to save; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
First Lesson: Genesis 2:15-17; 3:1-7
The Lord God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to till it and keep it. And the Lord God commanded the man, “You may freely eat of every tree of the garden; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall die.”
Now the serpent was more-crafty than any other wild animal that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God say, ‘You shall not eat from any tree in the garden’?” The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden; but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the middle of the garden, nor shall you touch it, or you shall die.’“ But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not die; for God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together and made loincloths for themselves.
The Psalm 32 Please read in unison.
1 Happy are they whose transgressions are forgiven, *
and whose sin is put away!
2 Happy are they to whom the Lord imputes no guilt, *
and in whose spirit there is no guile!
3 While I held my tongue, my bones withered away, *
because of my groaning all day long.
4 For your hand was heavy upon me day and night; *
my moisture was dried up as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, *
and did not conceal my guilt.
6 I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." *
Then you forgave me the guilt of my sin.
7 Therefore all the faithful will make their prayers to you in time of trouble; *
when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach them.
8 You are my hiding-place;
you preserve me from trouble; *
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
9 "I will instruct you and teach you in the way that you should go; *
I will guide you with my eye.
10 Do not be like horse or mule, which have no understanding; *
who must be fitted with bit and bridle,
or else they will not stay near you."
11 Great are the tribulations of the wicked; *
but mercy embraces those who trust in the Lord.
12 Be glad, you righteous, and rejoice in the Lord; *
shout for joy, all who are true of heart.
Second Lesson: Romans 5:12-19
As sin came into the world through one man, and death came through sin, and so death spread to all because all have sinned-- sin was indeed in the world before the law, but sin is not reckoned when there is no law. Yet death exercised dominion from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sins were not like the transgression of Adam, who is a type of the one who was to come.
But the free gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died through the one man's trespass, much more surely have the grace of God and the free gift in the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abounded for the many. And the free gift is not like the effect of the one man's sin. For the judgment following one trespass brought condemnation, but the free gift following many trespasses brings justification. If, because of the one man's trespass, death exercised dominion through that one, much more surely will those who receive the abundance of grace and the free gift of righteousness exercise dominion in life through the one man, Jesus Christ.
Therefore just as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all, so one man's act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all. For just as by the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man's obedience the many will be made righteous.
The Gospel: Matthew 4:1-11
Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished. The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” But he answered, “It is written,
‘One does not live by bread alone,
but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple, saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written,
‘He will command his angels concerning you,’
and ‘On their hands they will bear you up,
so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor; and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.” Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written,
‘Worship the Lord your God,
and serve only him.’”
Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.
Announcements
More information on upcoming events can be found at holycommunion.net
New Rector Sunday, March 1: Brenda Sol’s first Sunday with us as our new Rector is March 1. There will be opportunities to meet and introduce yourself to Brenda after both services. We will have a continental breakfast and coffee following the 8:00 service, and light refreshments after the 10:30. Please wear a nametag to help Rev. Brenda learn who you are!
Children’s Chapel: There will be no Children’s Chapel March 1 to welcome Rev. Brenda.
Lenten Book & Adult Forum: Do you want to enrich your Lent with a book and discussion? Begin reading Living the Way of Love by Mary Sullivan at the start of Lent (Feb 18)! Then on Sundays, March 1, 8, 15 & 22, we will dive deeper into conversation at Adult Forum. Join this Adult Forum series led by our new Rector, Rev. Brenda Sol! Questions? Email Darcy at office@holycommunion.net.
HoCo Community Care and Clothing Cupboard: We've had a direct request from Gary Spiller, executive Director of Student Services and Innovation, asking if we can increase our donations of food items if at all possible. Thank you for any increase in food items, along with clothing, and gift cards. Questions? Email Maryanne at coley7365@sbcglobal.net.
Servers
Guest Preacher: The Reverend Peter Speropulos
Deacon: The Reverend Chester Hines
Music Director: Mary Chapman
Organist: Earl Naylor
Crucifer: Tim Anderson
Torch Bearer: Ilona Potter, Luca Barbato
Readers: Lisa Hummel (8), Gloria Grenwald (10:30)
Announcements: Rudy Walz (10:30)
Greeters: Mark Willingham (8), Bob Lowes (10:30)
Chalice Bearers: Karen Payne (8), Marlene O’Brien (10:30)
Streamers: Ariz Diaz
