Easter Sunday, March 31st 10:30 a.m.
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 in 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.
Kids are expected! We believe that kids are welcome to "act their age" and encouraged to fully participate in worship. Options for households with kids are the "Pray Ground" , the carpeted area in the front near the chapel, best for children ages 1 - 5. Nursery Care, off the lounge, is open from 9-12noon. Godly Play is offered downstairs beginning at 10am. They return to their caregivers at 11am in time for the Peace. If you need assistance finding any of these options, just ask a Greeter.
Accessibility: “Priority Seating” is provided for caretakers of those with mobility needs. Our entrances have auto-open buttons, and our elevator is ADA compliant. Both the downstairs restrooms and one of the upstairs restrooms are accessible. If you have any questions about signage, please ask an usher or one of the ministers.
Hearing Assistance: Hearing assistance devices are available from the welcome table. Just ask a Greeter.
Donations: We welcome donations to support the mission and ministry of 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,
holy communion.net. Thank you!
Prelude “The Trumpet shall sound” from Messiah by G. F. Handel, arr. Hal H. Hopson
Welcome
Opening Acclamation Please rise in body or spirit
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
Opening Hymn: Hail Thee, Festival Day 1982 Hymnal #588
Arr. Jeremy Bankson
Liturgy of Word
The first part of the service is the Liturgy of the Word: we read and respond to appointed lessons from Scripture.
Collect of the Day
The Lord be with you
And also with you
Let us pray.
Almighty God, who through your only-begotten Son Jesus Christ overcame death and opened to us the gate of everlasting life: Grant that we, who celebrate with joy the day of the Lord’s resurrection, may be raised from the death of sin by your life-giving Spirit; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The Lessons We hear the stories of the experience of God from our spiritual ancestors. Following an ancient pattern originally from Jewish synagogue worship, readings follow a calendar shared by Christians around the globe.
1st Lesson Please be seated. Acts 10:34-43
Peter said, “I really am learning that God doesn’t show partiality to one group of people over another. Rather, in every nation, whoever worships him and does what is right is acceptable to him. This is the message of peace he sent to the Israelites by proclaiming the good news through Jesus Christ: He is Lord of all! You know what happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism John preached. You know about Jesus of Nazareth, whom God
anointed with the Holy Spirit and endowed with power. Jesus traveled around doing good and healing everyone oppressed by the devil because God was with him. We are witnesses of everything he did, both in Judea and in Jerusalem.
They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him up on the third day and allowed him to be seen, not by everyone but by us. We are witnesses whom God chose beforehand, who ate and drank with him after God raised him from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Hymn Please rise, in body or in spirit. He is Risen 1982 Hymnal #180
arr. Mark Schweizer
2nd Lesson Colossians 3:1-4
Therefore, if you were raised with Christ, look for the things that are above where Christ is sitting at God’s right side. Think about the things above and not things on earth. You died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
When Christ, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel Please remain standing John 20:1-18
The congregation is invited to sing the Alleluia before the Gospel reading.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Early in the morning of the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been taken away from the tomb. She ran to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said, “They have taken the Lord from the tomb, and we don’t know where they’ve put him.” Peter and the other disciple left to go to the tomb. They were running together, but the other disciple ran faster than Peter and was the first to arrive at the tomb. Bending down to take a look, he saw the linen cloths lying there, but he didn’t go in. Following him, Simon Peter entered the tomb and saw the linen cloths lying there. He also saw the face cloth that had been on Jesus’ head. It wasn’t with the other clothes but was folded up in its own place. Then the other disciple, the one who arrived at the tomb first, also went inside. He saw and believed. They didn’t yet understand the scripture that Jesus must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to the place where they were staying. Mary stood outside near the tomb, crying. As she cried, she bent down to look into the tomb. She saw two angels dressed in white, seated where the body of Jesus had been, one at the head and one at the foot. The angels asked her, “Woman, why are you crying?”
She replied, “They have taken away my Lord, and I don’t know where they’ve put him.” As soon as she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she didn’t know it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who are you looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she replied, “Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him and I will get him.” Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned and said to him in Aramaic, “Rabbouni” (which means Teacher). Jesus said to her, “Don’t hold on to me, for I haven’t yet gone up to my Father. Go to my brothers and sisters and tell them, ‘I’m going up to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Mary Magdalene left and announced to the disciples, “I’ve seen the Lord.” Then she told them what he said to her.
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The congregation is invited to sing the Alleluia after the Gospel reading
Sermon The Rev. Earl Mahan
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 men and for our salvation
he came down from heaven;
by the power of the Holy Spirit
he became incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.
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 and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified.
He 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 Please rise, or kneel, in body or in spirit.
Our Lord lives, for death has no dominion over him. And so we, God’s holy church, proclaim the resurrection, saying: Christ is risen! Amen, Alleluia!
Created in the image and likeness of God, we pray to see God’s image in one another. May our lives proclaim: Christ is risen! Amen, Alleluia!
Tested in our faith and strengthened by God’s love, we pray for open hearts, that we may live to proclaim: Christ is risen! Amen, Alleluia!
Joining with those who share in the passion of Christ through illness, famine, war, temptation, and trial, we pray for their courage and strength that those who suffer may proclaim: Christ is risen! Amen, Alleluia!
You are invited to add your own prayers, silently or aloud.
United in our hope that we and all who die may live again, we pray for family and friends who have died, proclaiming: Christ is risen! Amen, Alleluia!
Celebrant: Living and true God, you raised your son Jesus Christ as the pledge of our freedom from sin and death, receive our true praise and prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord, the great Amen and our Alleluia, now and forever.
Amen.
Peace Please rise in body or in spirit.
Alleluia! Christ has been raised from the dead. The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you.
You are invited to greet those around you by saying “Peace be with you” or simply “Peace.”
Welcome and Announcements Please be seated for a few brief announcements.
Offertory Anthem On Earth has Dawned this Day of Days Jeremy Bankson
On earth has dawned this day of days, whereon the faithful give God praise!
For Christ has risen from the tomb, and light and joy have conquered doom!
At early morn with spices rare, the women three assembled there,
All to anoint fair Mary’s son who over death had victory won.
“Whom seek ye here?” the angel said; “The Lord has risen from the dead.
See where he lay, let joy begin. The tomb is empty - enter in!”
So let our songs to heaven wing, the vault with alleluias ring
In praise of Christ our risen Lord, new life to all he doth afford!
Offertory Hymn This Little Light
Please rise in body or in spirit and sing as the ushers bring forward our financial offering.
The Liturgy of the Table
The second part of the liturgy moves to the Table. As we remember Jesus’ last supper with his disciples, we gather in a way Christians have for millenia.
Eucharistic Prayer A
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.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Almighty God, Creator of heaven and earth.
Here a Proper Preface is sung or said.
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:
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 and 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:
Christ has died. Christ is risen. Christ will come again.
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.
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. AMEN.
Great Amen The presider concludes with prayer for the coming of God’s reign. The congregation sings the “Great Amen” to the tune of Halle Halle
Lord’s Prayer Pray in the language of your heart.
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
Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
Therefore, let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Communion Anthem Christ is Risen Allen Pote
Communion Hymns The congregation is invited to join in the singing of communion hymns
Now the Green Blade Riseth 1982 Hymnal #204
This Joyful Eastertide 1982 Hymnal #192
(arr. Joseph Willcox Jenkins)
Post Communion Prayer please rise in body or in spirit
After the distribution of communion, the Post-Communion prayer will be the “Hallelujah Chorus,” printed in full on the next two pages. Please join in the singing.
Dismissal
The Blessing
The Presider concludes with a prayer of blessing for the congregation. Amen.
Concluding Hymn: O praise ye the Lord Hymnal 1982 #432
Postlude Nicaea for brass and organ arr. Rich Mays
Weather permitting, please join us for a coffee and light snack reception outdoors and in Mitchell Hall following the service!
Children age 12 and under are invited to join us for an Egg Hunt. If children do not have a basket or bag, we are happy to provide one.
If the weather does not cooperate, we will hunt eggs in Mitchell Parish Hall.
Service Leaders
Preacher: The Rev. Earl Mahan
Celebrant: The Rev. Julie Graham
Deacon: The Rev. Chester Hines
Crucifer: William Kelly
Chalice Bearer: Kari Potts
Reader: Fran Caradonna, Allison Reed
Intercessor: Markie Jo Crismon
Greeters: Colleen Haggerty, Bob Lowes, Jean Parker, Elizabeth Hines
Video Producer: Tyler Schwartz
Guest Musicians:
Flower & Music Dedications
In loving memory of Carol Moran, Jenny Wayne, Grace Cummings
Announcements
More information on upcoming events can be found at holycommunion.net/info
Office Closed: The office at Holy Communion will be closed on April 1st in observance of Easter Monday.
Adult Forum Series: Join The Rev. Chester Hines for a study of the Book of Galatians on April 7, 14, 21, and 28! The Forum meets on Sundays following the 8:00 o’clock service from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. in Mitchell Hall.
JCRC’s Passover Seder: Join JCRC's Community Outreach for Peace Passover Seder at 5-7pm on April 11th at The Jewish Community Center's Performing Arts Center in Creve Coeur Holy Communion has been invited to attend. Reach out to The Rev. Julie Graham for more information. https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/ev/reg/fp6ep7z/lp/eff29ea4-033c-4290-8a01-b715a69cc434
Laundry Love: Through Laundry Love, Holy Communion members have supported our University City community since 2017. Each third Tuesday of the month, this ministry shares pizza and conversation while putting quarters in the machines for our neighbors, with regulars now waiting for HC volunteers when we walk through the door. Join us for the next Laundry Love ministry on April 16, 6pm-8pm at Classic Coin Laundromat on Balson Ave. Volunteer for a one-hour shift by signing up at the link on the Holy Communion website under the Laundry Love page or talk to Julie Farrar or Mary Duba. Love never ends and neither does laundry!
Synapsory Brunch & Fashion Show: Grace Gatherings ministry initiative for people with disabilities is supported by the ongoing consultation of Synapsory, a nonprofit for families with kids with specific needs to provide regulation,rest, and renewal. Synapsory has invited Holy Communion to its fundraising brunch and fashion show. May 4th 11am, Clayton. Let Julie know if you can support with your attendance!
Camp Phoenix: Camp Phoenix is the official summer camp of The Episcopal Diocese of Missouri. We welcome all students between the ages of 8 and 18 to attend -- you do not have to be a member of an Episcopal Church to have a great time with us! August 4 - 9, 2024
Staff
The Rev. Earl Mahan, Rector
call 314-721-7401 x303 text 314-669-6231
The Rev. Julie Graham, Associate Rector
call 314-721-7401 x302 text 314-886-7594
The Rev. Chester Hines, Deacon
call 314-367-7332 chinesj@charter.net
Darcy Brainard, Parish Administrator
call 314-721-7401 x301
Mary Chapman, Director of Music
Jim Kern, Financial Administrator
Vestry
Fran Caradonna, Senior Warden
Rudy Walz, Junior Warden
Kellie McCoy, Treasurer
Pat Redington, Secretary
Rebecca Comas
Colleen Hagerty
Bob Lowes
Heidi Volkl
Andrew Wasson
Tim Anderson
www.holycommunion.net
Music used and reprinted with permission under OneLicense #A-704988 and WorshipCast License #13476 and St James Music Press License #14747
