Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026 (10:30 am)
All Scripture quotes from the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) Bible. Unless otherwise noted, all music reproduced under copyright license through RiteSong. Streaming permission for music in this service from ONE LICENSE (license #M-739297). All rights reserved.
The Liturgy of the Word
(Our liturgy comes directly from the Episcopal Book of Common Prayer.
This version is the approved Expansive Language Prayer A)
The responses of the people are in bolded italics.
Prelude
Opening Hymn SEE INSERT
Opening Acclamation
May 24 (Day of Pentecost)
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
May 31-July 12:
Celebrant Blessed be God: most holy, glorious, and undivided Trinity.
People And blessed be God’s reign, now and for ever. Amen.
Song of Praise Shalom My Friends
The Collect of the Day (remain standing in body or spirit) SEE INSERT
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
The Readings (please be seated) SEE INSERT
First Lesson
Reader The Word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Psalm
Reader We will now pray the psalm responsively by half verse.
Second Lesson
Reader The Word of the Lord.
All Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn We Are on Our Way
The Holy Gospel
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to ___.
All Glory to you, Lord Christ.
(After the Gospel reading)
Deacon The Gospel of the Savior.
All Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
Contemplative Silence
The Nicene Creed (Please rise in body or spirit)
Celebrant Let us affirm our faith in the words of the Nicene Creed.
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.
Prayers of the People (standing or kneeling in body or spirit) Form III
Leader Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
People That we all may be one.
Leader Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
People That your Name may be glorified by all people.
Leader We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
People That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
Leader We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
People That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Leader Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
People That our works may find favor in your sight.
Leader Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
People That they may be delivered from their distress.
Leader Give to the departed eternal rest;
People Let light perpetual shine upon them.
Leader We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
People May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Leader Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Silence
The People may add their own petitions
Concluding Collect
Celebrant O Lord our God, accept the fervent prayers of your people; in the multitude of your mercies, look with compassion upon us and all who turn to you for help; for you are gracious, O lover of souls, and to you we give glory, Creator, Son, and Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.
The Confession
Deacon Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence (kneeling in body or spirit)
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved you with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of our Savior Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in your will, and walk in your ways, to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Celebrant Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you all your sins through the grace of Jesus Christ, strengthen you in all goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep you in eternal life. Amen.
The Peace (Please rise in body or spirit)
Celebrant The peace of Christ be always with you.
People And also with you.
Offering:
Announcements & Offering (Please be seated)
As part of our offering, a basket of food, which will be delivered to the U-City School's Community Cupboard, will also be brought to the altar.
Blessing of Birthdays & Anniversaries
All Watch over your children, O Lord, as their days increase; bless and guide them wherever they may be. Strengthen them when they stand; comfort them when discouraged or sorrowful; raise them up if they fall; and in their heart may your peace which passes all understanding abide all the days of their life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Liturgy of the Table
Offertory Hymn or Anthem SEE INSERT
Doxology (Please rise in body or spirit) The Hymnal 1982, #380, vs. 3
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise God, all creatures here below;
praise God above, ye heavenly host:
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost.
Words: Thomas Ken (1637-1711)
Music: Old 100th, melody from Psaumes octante trois de David, 1551, alt.; harm. after Louis Bourgeois (1510?1561?)
Please rise or kneel, in body or spirit
The Great Thanksgiving
Celebrant God be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give our thanks and praise.
Celebrant It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ our Savior.
(Celebrant adds a Proper Preface)
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who forever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus
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:
Celebrant and People
Christ has died.
Christ is risen.
Christ will come again.
The Celebrant continues
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 for ever. AMEN.
The Lord’s Prayer
Celebrant As our Savior Christ has taught us, we now pray, using the language or version of our hearts,
Padre nuestro que estás . . . Our Father who art . . .
All Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
The Celebrant breaks the consecrated Bread. A period of silence is kept.
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Celebrant These are God's holy gifts, for you, God's holy people.
Deacon This is the table of company with Jesus. It is the table of sharing with the poor and lowly of the world, with whom Jesus identified.
Celebrant So come to this table you who have much faith or you who would like to have more; you who have been here often and you who have not been here in a long time. Come. It is Christ who invites you to meet him here.
People Amen. As the bread and wine are transformed, may we be changed into the likeness of Christ; bone of his bone, flesh of his flesh, loving and caring in the world.
Communion Protocol
Everyone is welcome at God’s table. The Greeters will direct you to the altar rail, where you are welcome to stand or kneel. The host (bread) will be dropped into your cupped hands. When you move to the wine, you may either drink from the cup, or have your host dipped. If you require gluten-free, let the server know. If you prefer a blessing, cross your arms over your chest, and if you are unable to come to the altar rail, let an usher know, and we will bring communion to you.
Communion Hymns SEE INSERT
The Sending of Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEVs)
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.
Post Communion Prayer (standing or kneeling, in body or spirit)
Celebrant Let us pray.
All Eternal God, you have graciously accepted us as living members of our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Savior. Amen.
The Blessing
Closing Hymn SEE INSERT
Dismissal
Deacon Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Alleluia, Alleluia!
All Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia!
Postlude
✠
Vestry
Kellie McCoy, Senior Warden
Joe Donahou, Junior Warden
Jim Wire, Treasurer
Pat Redington, Secretary
Rebecca Comas, Heidi Volkl,
Rudy Walz, Gloria Grenwald,
Karen Payne, Nancy Donohoo
Staff
The Rev. Brenda Sol, Rector
314-721-7401 x302; rector@holycommunion.net
The Rev. Chester Hines, Deacon
314-386-7762; chinesj@charter.net
Darcy Brainard, Parish Administrator
314-721-7401 x301; office@holycommunion.net
Mary Chapman, Director of Music
mchapman@holycommunion.net
Earl Naylor, Organist
organist@holycommunion.net
Erin Meadows, Financial Administrator
314-721-7401 x304; financeadmin@holycommunion.net
INSERT:
Pentecost Sunday, May 24
Prelude: Come God, Creator, Holy Spirit (H501) J. S. Bach
Processional Hymn: Alleluia! Sing to Jesus H460
Offertory Anthem: God is Gone Up Gerald Finzi
Communion Hymns: Breathe on Me, Breath of God H508
I Have Decided to Follow Jesus L136
Recessional Hymn: Go forth for God; Go to the World in Peace H347
Postlude: Improvisation on “Veni Creator” (H504) Naylor
Living Water Chant:
Where do we get that living water? (x3)
Together at the well.
The Collect
Almighty God, on this day you opened the way of eternal life to every race and nation by the promised gift of your Holy Spirit: Shed abroad this gift throughout the world by the preaching of the Gospel, that it may reach to the ends of the earth; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
First Lesson: Acts 2:1-21
When the day of Pentecost had come, the disciples were all together in one place. And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.
Now there were devout Jews from every nation under heaven living in Jerusalem. And at this sound the crowd gathered and was bewildered, because each one heard them speaking in the native language of each. Amazed and astonished, they asked, "Are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each of us, in our own native language? Parthians, Medes, Elamites, and residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya belonging to Cyrene, and visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, Cretans and Arabs-- in our own languages we hear them speaking about God's deeds of power." All were amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, "What does this mean?" But others sneered and said, "They are filled with new wine."
But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Indeed, these are not drunk, as you suppose, for it is only nine o'clock in the morning. No, this is what was spoken through the prophet Joel:
`In the last days it will be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams.
Even upon my slaves, both men and women,
in those days I will pour out my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy.
And I will show portents in the heaven above
and signs on the earth below,
blood, and fire, and smoky mist.
The sun shall be turned to darkness
and the moon to blood,
before the coming of the Lord's great and glorious day.
Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' "
Reader: The Word of the Lord
All:Thanks be to God.
The Psalm 104:25-35, 37
Please pray in unison at 8am; 10:30 sings the refrain only.
25 O Lord, how manifold are your works! *
in wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
26 Yonder is the great and wide sea
with its living things too many to number, *
creatures both small and great.
27 There move the ships,
and there is that Leviathan, *
which you have made for the sport of it.
28 All of them look to you *
to give them their food in due season. REFRAIN
29 You give it to them; they gather it; *
you open your hand, and they are filled with good things.
30 You hide your face, and they are terrified; *
you take away their breath,
and they die and return to their dust.
31 You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; *
and so you renew the face of the earth.
32 May the glory of the Lord endure for ever; *
may the Lord rejoice in all his works. REFRAIN
33 He looks at the earth and it trembles; *
he touches the mountains and they smoke.
34 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being.
35 May these words of mine please him; *
I will rejoice in the Lord.
37 Bless the Lord, O my soul. *
Hallelujah! REFRAIN
The Epistle: 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13
No one can say “Jesus is Lord” except by the Holy Spirit. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. To one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discernment of spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are activated by one and the same Spirit, who allots to each one individually just as the Spirit chooses.
For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ. For in the one Spirit we were all baptized into one body-- Jews or Greeks, slaves or free-- and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.
Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.
The Gospel: John 7:37-39
Deacon: The Holy Gospel of our Savior Jesus Christ according to John.
All: Glory to you, Lord Christ.
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, ‘Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.’” Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive; for as yet there was no Spirit, because Jesus was not yet glorified.
Deacon: The Gospel of the Savior.
All: Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Announcements
Fellowship Lunch: Join Deacon Chester for a no-host lunch at Cyrano’s Webster Groves (603 E Lockwood Ave) on Wednesday, May 27 at 1:00 pm. We'll explore creating a gathering of retired and/or interested members of Holy Communion for fellowship and connection. Please send your RSVP or questions to Chester (chinesj@charter.net).
Adult Forum NEW Book Series: Join Mother Brenda for a discussion on the book For Such a Time as This: An Emergency Devotional by Hanna Reichel at Adult Forum, on Sundays at 9am in Mitchell Hall, starting May 31 (chapters 1-7). Email office@holycommunion.net for a link to purchase the book & reading schedule info.
Gun Violence Prevention Sunday: On June 7, wear ORANGE to worship at Holy Communion in support of gun violence PREVENTION! Then, attend the Community March at 1:15pm, beginning at Webster Groves Presbyterian and ending at Emmanuel Episcopal for the Rally at 2:30pm with Bishop Deon!
Musicians Wanted: It's that time of year! We invite all musicians to share their talents during the summer services (June through Labor Day). Professional ability is not necessary - just a joy of sharing music with others! If you would like to provide an anthem during one of our services, please email Mary Chapman at mchapman@holycommunion.net.
The Contemplative Prayer Group: Now is a great time to join us, if you’ve ever been curious - Help us choose a new book! Wednesdays in the Vestry Room at 7:15pm for 1 hour. Each gathering includes a 20-minute silent meditation, faith sharing, and comments on the book/video. All are welcome!
Save the Date
Theology on Tap: Currently 2nd Thursdays from 6-8pm. Meet in the Crown Room at Schlafly Bottleworks on June 11, July 9 & Aug 13!
Servers
Preacher: The Reverend Chester Hines
Celebrant: The Reverend Brenda Sol
Music Director: Mary Chapman
Organist: Earl Naylor
Crucifer: Rudy Walz
Torch Bearer: Ilona Potter, Luca Barbato
Readers: Pat Redington (8), Zachary Adams (10:30)
Multilingual Readers: Aris Dias, Mary Chapman, Lydia Roesler,
Robert Lewis, Griffin Young, Andy Carpentier, Grace Gorski (10:30)
Intercessor: Bradley Currey (10:30)
Announcements: Joe Donahou (10:30)
Greeters: Earl Bonds (8), Carol Schmidt (10:30)
Chalice Bearers: Karen Payne (8), Andrew Wasson (10:30)
Streamer: Tyler Schwartz
