Pentecost Sunday, June 8
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 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. Kids not in the Pray Ground, are asked to stay in the pews with their caregivers during worship. Children are welcome to help with greeting and passing the offertory plate; speak with a Greeter, if interested!
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!
Prelude Come God, Creator, Holy Spirit by J. S. Bach
Welcome
Opening Hymn Alleluia! Sing to Jesus H460
Opening Acclamation Please rise in body or spirit.
Come Holy Spirit, our souls inspire!
And fill us with celestial fire!
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 Sung at 10:30 God Welcomes All
Liturgy of Word
Collect of the Day
O God, who on this day taught the hearts of your faithful people by sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: Grant us by the same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things, and evermore to rejoice in his holy comfort; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
First Lesson Please be seated. 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.'
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Psalm 104: 25-35
25 Yonder is the great and wide sea
with its living things too many to number, *
creatures both small and great.
26 There move the ships, and there is that Leviathan, *
which you have made for the sport of it.
27 All of them look to you *
to give them their food in due season.
28 You give it to them; they gather it; *
you open your hand,
and they are filled with good things.
29 You hide your face, and they are terrified; *
you take away their breath,
and they die and return to their dust.
30 You send forth your Spirit, and they are created; *
and so you renew the face of the earth.
31 May your glory, O Lord, endure for ever; *
may you rejoice in all your works;
32 you look at the earth and it trembles; *
you touch the mountains and they smoke.
33 I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; *
I will praise my God while I have my being.
34 May these words of mine please you; *
I will rejoice in the Lord.
35 Let sinners be consumed out of the earth,
and the wicked be no more. *
Bless the Lord, O my soul. Hallelujah!
Second Lesson Romans 8:14-17
All who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ-- if, in fact, we suffer with him so that we may also be glorified with him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Sequence Hymn Over My Head arr. John Bell
The Holy Gospel Please remain standing, in body or spirit.
John 14:8-17 (25-27)
Philip said to Jesus, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, `Show us the Father'? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
"If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you."
["I have said these things to you while I am still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid."]
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Sermon The Reverend Julie Graham
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
Father, we pray for your holy Catholic Church;
That we all may be one.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
That your Name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all bishops, priests, and deacons;
That they may be faithful ministers of your Word and Sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world;
That there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake;
That our works may find favor in your sight.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble;
That they may be delivered from their distress.
Give to the departed eternal rest.
Let light perpetual shine upon them.
We praise you for your saints who have entered into joy;
May we also come to share in your heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
The People may add their own petitions, silently or aloud.
Almighty God, by your Holy Spirit you have made us one
with your saints in heaven and on earth: Grant that in our
earthly pilgrimage we may always be supported by this
fellowship of love and prayer, and know ourselves to be
surrounded by their witness to your power and mercy. We
ask this for the sake of Jesus Christ, in whom all our
intercessions are acceptable through the Spirit, and who lives
and reigns forever and ever.
All Amen.
Peace Please rise in body or in spirit.
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 Sentence
I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present yourselves as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Romans 12:1
Offertory Anthem
We Now Implore the Holy Ghost by Buxtehude
Offertory Hymn
Please rise in body, or in spirit, and sing (10:30) as the Greeters bring forward our financial offering.
There is Enough by Kellie Meyer
The Liturgy of the Table
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.
We praise you and we bless you, holy and gracious God,
source of life abundant.
From before time you made ready the creation.
Your Spirit moved over the deep
and brought all things into being:
sun, moon, and stars;
earth, winds, and waters;
and every living thing.
You made us in your image,
and taught us to walk in your ways.
But we rebelled against you, and wandered far away;
and yet, as a mother cares for her children,
you would not forget us.
Time and again you called us
to live in the fullness of your love.
And so this day we join with Saints and Angels
in the chorus of praise that rings through eternity,
lifting our voices to magnify you as we sing (say):
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.
Glory and honor and praise to you, holy and living God.
To deliver us from the power of sin and death
and to reveal the riches of your grace,
you looked with favor upon Mary, your willing servant,
that she might conceive and bear a son,
Jesus the holy child of God.
Living among us, Jesus loved us.
He broke bread with outcasts and sinners,
healed the sick, and proclaimed good news to the poor.
He yearned to draw all the world to himself
yet we were heedless of his call to walk in love.
Then, the time came for him to complete upon the cross
the sacrifice of his life,
and to be glorified by you.
On the night before he died for us,
Jesus was at table with his friends.
He took bread, gave thanks to you,
broke it, and gave it to them, and said:
“Take, eat:
This is my Body, which is given for you.
Do this for the remembrance of me.”
As supper was ending, Jesus took the cup of wine.
Again, he gave thanks to you,
gave it to them, and said:
“Drink this, all of you:
This is my Blood of the new Covenant,
which is poured out for you and for all
for the forgiveness of sins.
Whenever you drink it,
do this for the remembrance of me.”
Now gathered at your table, O God of all creation,
and remembering Christ, crucified and risen,
who was and is and is to come,
we offer to you our gifts of bread and wine,
and ourselves, a living sacrifice.
Pour out your Spirit upon these gifts
that they may be the Body and Blood of Christ.
Breathe your Spirit over the whole earth
and make us your new creation,
the Body of Christ given for the world you have made.
In the fullness of time bring us,
with [___________ and] all your saints,
from every tribe and language and people and nation,
to feast at the banquet prepared
from the foundation of the world.
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.
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
God of promise, you have prepared a banquet for us.
Happy are those who are called to the Supper of the Lamb.
The gifts of God for the people of God.
Communion Hymns
The congregation is invited to join in the singing of communion hymns at 10:30.
God, Our Nation Feels the Loss by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette
As We Gather at Your Table arr. Carl P. Daw, Jr.
Post Communion Prayer Please rise in body, or in spirit.
Let us pray.
Almighty and everliving God,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the most precious Body and Blood
of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ;
and for assuring us in these holy mysteries
that we are living members of the Body of your Son,
and heirs of your eternal kingdom.
And now, Father, send us out
to do the work you have given us to do,
to love and serve you
as faithful witnesses of Christ our Lord.
To him, to you, and to the Holy Spirit,
be honor and glory, now and forever.
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
We Walk in Love by Deanna Witkowski
Dismissal
Deacon Go in Peace and serve the Lord!
People Thanks be to God.
Postlude
Improvisation on “Veni Creator” (H504) by Naylor
Announcements
More information on upcoming events can be found at holycommunion.net
Pentecost Sunday: Today at the 10:30 service, enjoy our annual Pentecost tradition - A multilingual reading of Acts 2:1-21! We hope you wore red!
Pride Evensong: June is PRIDE MONTH & The Diocese of Missouri is celebrating with an Evensong! Enjoy a free, celebratory concert at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Ladue, TODAY at 5pm in their Sanctuary.
Third Week Outreach
Trinity Hot Lunch: SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER! Every third Sunday of the month is Trinity Hot Lunch, where we prepare and serve lunch to our hungry community at Trinity Episcopal Church in the CWE. Call/text Scott Ferguson at (314) 610-2730 to sign up for Sunday, June 15!
Laundry Love: Every third Tuesday is Laundry Love, our clean laundry ministry. We share pizza & fellowship while supplying quarters for the machines for anyone in need at Classic Coin Laundromat in UCity. Tuesday, June 17 is coming up! Use our website to sign up under the tab: Service & Outreach > Laundry Love.
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 a musical skill to share? Please contact Mary Chapman at mchapman@holycommunion.net.
Tornado Relief Resources: Today’s collection plate will be donated directly to Tornado relief; please give generously! If you need help, or want to offer help, email Darcy at office@holycommunion.net for a comprehensive resource list of Tornado Relief Resources, or visit our website at holycommunion.net.
Live Streamers Wanted! Would you like to help live stream our 10:30 worship service? With a little training from a current streamer, you can! Our very user-friendly system is designed so that anyone can do it, no matter their technology capabilities. Talk to any current member of the live streaming team, or email office@holycommunion.net to volunteer.
Pentecost Multilingual Readers
Acholi (Northern Ugandan): Denise Abwola Atimango
Arabic: Lydia Roesler
French: Andy Carpentier
German: Mary Chapman
Hungarian: Robert Lewis
Mandarin Chinese: Griffin Young
Spanish: Aris Diaz
Servers
Preacher: The Reverend Julie Graham
Celebrant: The Reverend Earl Mahan
Music Director: Mary Chapman
Organist: Earl Naylor
Readers: Lisa Hummel (8), Scott Ferguson, Denise Carpenter (10:30)
Intercessor: Alison Nash (8), Shirley Mensah (10:30)
Announcements: Joe Donahou (10:30)
Greeters: Michael Salsich 8), Carol Schmidt, Bob Lowes (10:30)
Crucifer: William Kelly
Torch Bearers: Rudy Walz, Luca Barbato
Chalice Bearers: Karen Payne (8), Andrew Wasson, Marlene O’Brien (10:30)
Streamer: MJ Crismon
Cover Art: Pentecost by Kelly Latimore
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
