Second Sunday of Lent, March 1
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
Second Sunday of Lent, March 1
Prelude: O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, Pt. 1 & 2 J. S. Bach
Processional Hymn: The God of Abraham Praise H401
Offertory Anthem: Psalm 121 Heather Sorenson
Communion Hymns: It is Well with My Soul L188
Sweet Hour of Prayer L178
Recessional Hymn: When Christ was Lifted from the Earth H603
Postlude: O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig , Pt . 3 J. S. Bach
The Collect
O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Lesson: Genesis 12:1-4a
The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”
So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him.
The Psalm 121 Please read in unison.
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.
Second Lesson: Romans 4:1-5, 13-17
What then are we to say was gained by Abraham, our ancestor according to the flesh? For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness.” Now to one who works, wages are not reckoned as a gift but as something due. But to one who without works trusts him who justifies the ungodly, such faith is reckoned as righteousness.
For the promise that he would inherit the world did not come to Abraham or to his descendants through the law but through the righteousness of faith. If it is the adherents of the law who are to be the heirs, faith is null and the promise is void. For the law brings wrath; but where there is no law, neither is there violation.
For this reason it depends on faith, in order that the promise may rest on grace and be guaranteed to all his descendants, not only to the adherents of the law but also to those who share the faith of Abraham (for he is the father of all of us, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”) —in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist.
The Gospel: John 3:1-17
There was a Pharisee named Nicodemus, a leader of the Jews. He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God; for no one can do these signs that you do apart from the presence of God.” Jesus answered him, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God without being born from above.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can anyone be born after having grown old? Can one enter a second time into the mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Very truly, I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born of water and Spirit. What is born of the flesh is flesh, and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be astonished that I said to you, ‘You must be born from above.’ The wind blows where it chooses, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Nicodemus said to him, “How can these things be?” Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel, and yet you do not understand these things?
“Very truly, I tell you, we speak of what we know and testify to what we have seen; yet you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you about earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you about heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven except the one who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life.
“Indeed, God did not send the Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through 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 TODAY. 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 Mother Brenda learn who you are!
Children’s Chapel: There will be no Children’s Chapel today 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, Mother Brenda Sol! Questions? Email Darcy at office@holycommunion.net with questions.
Second Half Book Group: If you are interested in seeking a deeper spirituality, please consider the Second Half Book group. There are several of us who regularly share experiences and discuss books that prompt us to reflect on where we have been and where we are going. We are now taking up a new book The Inner Work of Age: Shifting from ROLE to SOUL, by Connie Zweig. We meet the first and third Thursday of each month from 1:30 to 2:30. If you think this sounds interesting and have questions, contact Babs Kehl-Fairchild at 314-799-3405.
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
Preacher: The Reverend Brenda Sol
Deacon: The Reverend Chester Hines
Music Director: Mary Chapman
Organist: Earl Naylor
Crucifer: Rudy Walz
Torch Bearer: Ilona Potter, Luca Barbato
Readers: Maryanne Angliongto (8), Sherifa Olivia Bethune (10:30)
Announcements: Pat Redington (10:30)
Greeters: Michael Salsich (8), Joe Donahou (10:30)
Chalice Bearers: Karen Payne (8), Elizabeth Hines (10:30)
Streamers: Ariz Diaz, Lyle Barbato
