Dear St. Paul's Family,
This Sunday we will resume celebrating the Holy Eucharist, for the 10 in-person attendees we are able to welcome. In addition to a smaller crowd, many things will be different due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We won't process. Only one acolyte will be on the altar, and won't be allowed to help. I will not be allowed to sing, so I will speak the entire Eucharistic Prayer. I will wear a mask the entire time and, although you won't be able to see this, the bread/wafers will remain covered until the time of distribution. All of these are our best efforts to reduce the spread of any contagion. And through it all, we WILL celebrate communion.
Additionally, most of you will not have the the opportunity to be physically present. And some of you that are physically present may not yet be comfortable receiving the sacrament. Because of that, the 'regular' Post Communion Prayer (noted below) will be replaced with a Prayer for Communion with Christ (also noted below). The intention is to recognize that not everyone will receive communion on this Sunday and that we join in a sort of spiritual communion all together regardless of our physical locations. It may feel odd at first, but I think you'll find comfort and appreciation as we pray the prayer together. Bishop Doug suggested this specific prayer and it's placement in our liturgy.
'Regular' Post Communion Prayer
Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly
beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen. (Book of Common Prayer pg. 339)
A Prayer for Communion with Christ
In union, O Lord, with your faithful people at every altar of your Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, we desire to offer to you praise and thanksgiving. We remember your death, Lord Christ; we proclaim your resurrection; we await your coming in glory. And since some of us cannot receive you today in the Sacrament of your Body and Blood, I beseech you to come spiritually into our hearts. Cleanse and strengthen us with your grace, Lord Jesus, and let us never be separated from you. May we live in you, and you in us, in this life and in the life to come. Amen. (Adapted from A Prayer for Communion with Christ, pg. 147 of A Prayer Book for The Armed Services 2008)
In other news, a baptism will be celebrated this Sunday! Due to the in-person attendance restriction, it will be a separate, private service on Sunday afternoon. Please keep Dalton Thomas Floyd, his parents Thomas and Mallory Floyd, and his godparents Raymond Floyd and Morgan Porter in your prayers on Sunday afternoon!
Be assured of my prayers dear ones. Feel free to call me if you need to talk or need a prayer. If you'd like to be added to the list of Sunday attendees for a future Sunday, please let me know. We are trying to give as many people as possible a chance to be back in our beautiful church building. Until then, don't forget to catch us via our Live Stream.
Blessings!
Mother Michelle
priest@stpaulslaporte.org | 219-575-0226
LaPorte County VOCID-19 NEW cases, July 8, 2020