7th Sunday of Easter, June 1
Sundays of Easter 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. Godly Play begins at 10am and is offered now through May 18! Godly Play teachers will assist kids in joining their caregivers for worship at the Peace, in time for receiving communion with their adults. Godly Play is located on the Lower Level, next to the Parish Office entrance.
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. Thank you!
The cover photo The Resurrection is credited to, and used with permission by artist, Kelly Lattimore.
Prelude
Welcome
Opening Hymn
Opening Acclamation
Please rise in body or spirit.
Alleluia! Christ is risen.
Christ is risen indeed! Alleluia!
The Celebrant continues
Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Song of Praise – Gloria
Spoken at 8:00; Sung at 10:30. S280
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
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 SEE INSERT
The Lord be with you
And also with you
First Lesson SEE INSERT
Please be seated.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm SEE INSERT
Please rise in body, or spirit. Read at 8:00; Sung at 10:30.
Second Lesson SEE INSERT
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn
The Holy Gospel SEE INSERT
Please remain standing, in body or spirit.
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to [ ____ ].
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon
Nicene Creed
Spoken in unison.
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
Deacon Shout aloud, rejoice and exult with all your hearts! Let us offer our prayers and thanksgivings with one voice, calling out the good news that Jesus Christ is risen!
A moment of silence is kept.
Leader Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene
came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb.
People At Easter time we celebrate Christ’s resurrection and the chance for resurrection in our lives.
Leader We pray for this world, our garden home — for the rain and the snow, the seed and the sprout — for the birthing room and the last place of rest —for every new creation.
People That we may treasure and preserve our world as stewards of God’s creation.
Leader We pray for all faithful people — for every human soul that turns to God in longing and in love.
People We pray for the poor, the hungry and those who suffer. That their needs might inspire acts of compassion.
Leader We pray for the nations of the earth — for those in authority, and for those under authority.
People As we strive for peace, we ask God to bless leaders of the world and faith communities with wisdom, compassion and forgiveness.
Leader We pray for those who are sick or suffering — for anyone who needs extra help just now.
People We pray especially for those named here today, aloud and in our hearts, especially… [Petitions may be added silently, or aloud.]
Leader We pray for those who have died, and for all who mourn.
People We pray especially for those named here today, aloud and in our hearts, especially… [Petitions may be added silently, or aloud.]
Leader With joy and exultation, we give thanks for the triumph of life over death, offering special thanks for those joys, sorrows, challenges and delights named here today, aloud and in our hearts.
People We pray for those who celebrate here today, aloud and in our hearts, especially… [Petitions may be added silently, or aloud.]
The Celebrant continues
Holy One, even before we call, you answer; while we are yet speaking,
you hear. We offer up these prayers in the name of the Risen Christ —
our Savior, Redeemer, and Friend.
All Amen.
Peace
Please rise in body or in spirit.
Alleluia! The peace of Christ be always with you.
And also with you. Alleluia!
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. 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:
O God, our times are in your hand: Look with favor, we pray, on your servants [ ___ ] as they begin another year. Grant that they may grow in wisdom and grace, and strengthen their trust in your goodness all the days of their lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Offertory Anthem SEE INSERT
Offertory Hymn
Please rise in body, or in spirit, and sing (10:30) as the Greeters 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
Please remain standing, in body or spirit.
Celebrant The Lord 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.
Then, facing the Holy Table, the Celebrant proceeds
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere
to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of
heaven and earth.
Celebrant
But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious
resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the
true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken
away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed
death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us
everlasting life.
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 he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Sung at 10:30 service.
Please stand or kneel, in body or spirit.
The Celebrant continues
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love
which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling
of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the
prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your
Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from
the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world.
In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy
to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error
into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
Celebrant continues, holding the cup
On the night before he died for us, our Lord 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 he 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, according to his command, O Father,
Celebrant and People
We remember his death,
We proclaim his resurrection,
We await his coming in glory;
The Celebrant continues
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you,
O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this
bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon
these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of
Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your
Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him,
being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time,
put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to
that heavenly country where, with [ ___________ and] all your
saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and
daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all
creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our
salvation.
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy
Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and
for ever. AMEN.
Great Amen
The congregation sings the “Great Amen” to the tune of Halle Halle.
Celebrant
And now, as our Savior
Christ has taught us,
we are bold to say,
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 Hymns SEE INSERT
The congregation is invited to join in the singing of communion hymns at 10:30.
Post Communion Prayer
Please rise in body, or in spirit.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Celebrant and People
Lord, make us instruments of your peace. Where there is
hatred, let us sow love; where there is injury, pardon; where
there is discord, union; where there is doubt, faith; where
there is despair, hope; where there is darkness, light; where
there is sadness, joy. Grant that we may not so much seek to
be consoled as to console; to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive; it is
in pardoning that we are pardoned; and it is in dying that we
are born to eternal life. 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
Recessional Hymn SEE INSERT
Dismissal
Deacon Alleluia, Alleluia! Go in Peace and serve the Lord!
People Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia!
Postlude
Music used and reprinted with permission under OneLicense #A-704988 and WorshipCast License #13476
Staff
The Rev. Earl Mahan, Rector
call 314-721-7401 x303 text 314-669-6231
emahan@holycommunion.net
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
Earl Naylor, Organist
Jim Kern, Financial Administrator
Vestry
Fran Caradonna, Senior Warden
Joe Donahou, Junior Warden
Kellie McCoy, Treasurer
Pat Redington, Secretary
Rebecca Comas
Heidi Volkl
Andrew Wasson
Tim Anderson
Rudy Walz
Gloria Grenwald
INSERT:
The Seventh Sunday of Easter, June 1
Gun Violence Prevention Sunday
Prelude: Mit Freuden zart by Ernst Pepping
Processional Hymn: Come ye Faithful, Raise the Strain H199
Offertory Anthem: For Everyone Born arr. Brian Mann
Communion Hymns: He Lives L42
Recessional Hymn: I Have Decided to Follow Jesus L136
Postlude: Allegro Maestoso by Flor Peeters
The Collect
O God, the King of glory, you have exalted your only Son Jesus Christ with great triumph to your kingdom in heaven: Do not leave us comfortless, but send us your Holy Spirit to strengthen us, and exalt us to that place where our Savior Christ has gone before; who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
Lighting the Flame of Peace
Leader We kindle this flame as a symbol of hope and peace. May it burn not only in this place but also in our hearts. May its light dispel the shadow from before our path that we may see clearly the road that is ahead. May it be a reminder that hope is a flame that can never be extinguished.
All We stand together in hope. We stand together in faith. We stand together in love. We stand individually as ambassadors of hope, vessels of faith, and sentinels of love. We stand as a community committed to making no peace with gun violence. We pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to inflame and enkindle our lives, our churches, our communities, our cities, and our nation with a passion for lasting peace; through Jesus Christ the Author of Peace. Amen.
Let us pray:
Inspire us, o God, with the gift of shalom, the gift of wholeness and the promise of your presence. Give us wisdom to seek nonviolence as an answer to the violence of our lives and world. Give us courage to seek wholeness in a fractured and divided world, to find reconciliation rather than revenge, to abandon the instruments of violence and death and entrust our lives, our homes and our families to you. May your presence fill us and others with the thirst for unity, wholeness, and the desire to see all people valued as created in your image. May we and others receive your Shalom that we might be faithful instruments of your love. Amen.
(Adapted from Episcopal Peace Fellowship, “Gift of Shalom”)
First Lesson: Acts 16:16-34
With Paul and Silas, we came to Philippi in Macedonia, a Roman colony, and, as we were going to the place of prayer, we met a slave girl who had a spirit of divination and brought her owners a great deal of money by fortune-telling. While she followed Paul and us, she would cry out, "These men are slaves of the Most High God, who proclaim to you a way of salvation." She kept doing this for many days. But Paul, very much annoyed, turned and said to the spirit, "I order you in the name of Jesus Christ to come out of her." And it came out that very hour.
But when her owners saw that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace before the authorities. When they had brought them before the magistrates, they said, "These men are disturbing our city; they are Jews and are advocating customs that are not lawful for us as Romans to adopt or observe." The crowd joined in attacking them, and the magistrates had them stripped of their clothing and ordered them to be beaten with rods. After they had given them a severe flogging, they threw them into prison and ordered the jailer to keep them securely. Following these instructions, he put them in the innermost cell and fastened their feet in the stocks.
About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was an earthquake, so violent that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were unfastened. When the jailer woke up and saw the prison doors wide open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself, since he supposed that the prisoners had escaped. But Paul shouted in a loud voice, "Do not harm yourself, for we are all here." The jailer called for lights, and rushing in, he fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. Then he brought them outside and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They answered, "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." They spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. At the same hour of the night he took them and washed their wounds; then he and his entire family were baptized without delay. He brought them up into the house and set food before them; and he and his entire household rejoiced that he had become a believer in God.
Psalm 97 Spoken at 8:00 a.m.; Sung at 10:30 a.m.
1 The Lord is King;
let the earth rejoice; *
let the multitude of the isles be glad.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him, *
righteousness and justice are the foundations of his throne. REFRAIN
3 A fire goes before him *
and burns up his enemies on every side.
4 His lightnings light up the world; *
the earth sees it and is afraid.
5 The mountains melt like wax at the presence of the Lord, *
at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth. REFRAIN
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, *
and all the peoples see his glory.
7 Confounded be all who worship carved images
and delight in false gods! *
Bow down before him, all you gods. REFRAIN
8 Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice, *
because of your judgments, O Lord.
9 For you are the Lord,
most high over all the earth; *
you are exalted far above all gods. REFRAIN
10 The Lord loves those who hate evil; *
he preserves the lives of his saints
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
11 Light has sprung up for the righteous, *
and joyful gladness for those who are truehearted.
12 Rejoice in the Lord, you righteous, *
and give thanks to his holy Name. REFRAIN
Second Lesson: Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21
At the end of the visions I, John, heard these words:
"See, I am coming soon; my reward is with me, to repay according to everyone's work. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end."
Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by the gates.
"It is I, Jesus, who sent my angel to you with this testimony for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star."
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come."
And let everyone who hears say, "Come."
And let everyone who is thirsty come.
Let anyone who wishes take the water of life as a gift.
The one who testifies to these things says, "Surely I am coming soon."
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!
The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints. Amen.
The Gospel: John 17:20-26
Jesus prayed for his disciples, and then he said. "I ask not only on behalf of these, but also on behalf of those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one. As you, Father, are in me and I am in you, may they also be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given them, so that they may be one, as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become completely one, so that the world may know that you have sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. Father, I desire that those also, whom you have given me, may be with me where I am, to see my glory, which you have given me because you loved me before the foundation of the world.
"Righteous Father, the world does not know you, but I know you; and these know that you have sent me. I made your name known to them, and I will make it known, so that the love with which you have loved me may be in them, and I in them."
Announcements
More information on upcoming events can be found at holycommunion.net
Gun Violence Prevention & Guest Preacher: TODAY, June 1, we support Gun Violence Prevention during the 10:30 service by WEARING ORANGE, and discussing ways to help prevent gun violence in our community.
Join us as guest preacher, Rev. Erin Pickersgill, Developer of Children & Youth Ministry at the Diocese, leads worship with Holy Communion!
Pentecost Sunday: Please wear RED to celebrate Pentecost on June 8! Do you speak a non-English language? Sign up to be a reader for our multi-lingual Pentecost reading at the 10:30 service! Email Darcy at office@holycommunion.net to sign up or inquire.
Pride Evensong: June is PRIDE MONTH & The Diocese of Missouri will be celebrating with an Evensong! Enjoy a free, celebratory concert at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Ladue on Sunday, June 8 at 5pm in the Sanctuary.
Pride Sunday Worship & Parade: On June 29, join Holy Communion’s 10am Interfaith Worship downtown at Pride Fest! Then march with us in the Pride Parade afterwards! To help us organize a group to parade march, please email office@holycommunion.net. *Interfaith Worship replaces HoCo’s 10:30 service on 6/29/25.
Summer Church Music! All musicians are invited to share their talent with the congregation by providing special music for our summer services. Do you have something to share? Please contact Mary Chapman at mchapman@holycommunion.net.
Tornado Relief Resources: Email Parish Administrator, Darcy Brainard at office@holycommunion.net for a comprehensive resource list, or visit our website at holycommunion.net
Servers
Guest Preacher: The Reverend Erin Pickersgill
Celebrant: The Reverend Julie Graham
Deacon: The Reverend Chester Hines
Music Director: Mary Chapman
Organist: Earl Naylor
Readers: Lisa Hummel (8), MJ Crismon, Bradley Currey (10:30)
Intercessor: Maryanne Angliongto (8), Jordan Houry (10:30)
Announcements: Pat Redington (8), Rebecca Comas (10:30)
Greeters: Michael Salsich 8), Jean Parker, Heidi Volkl (10:30)
Crucifer: Lydia Roesler
Torch Bearers: William Kelly, Ilona Potter
Chalice Bearers: Karen Payne (8), Elizabeth Hines (10:30)
Streamer: Lucas Kerbs
Rudy Walz donated today’s floral arrangements for June Pride Month, in honor of all LGBTQIA+ who have passed, but remain with us in spirit; and for all who have supported LGBTQIA+ equality in the past & present.
