Holy Scripture instructs us to “hold fast to the confession of our hope without wavering, for God who has promised is faithful. And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another.” Hebrews 10:23-25 and “Bear one anothers burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Galatians 6:2

Our Book of Common Prayer accommodates “those who for reasonable cause cannot be present at a public celebration of the Eucharist.” with a liturgy called Communion Under Special Circumstances (BCP p.396) which we have prayerfully adapted for this time of physical distancing. Furthermore, the precedent for making a spiritual communion is set forth by the rubric on page 457 of the Book of Common Prayer, which states: “If a person desires to receive the Sacrament, but, by reason of extreme sickness or physical disability, is unable to eat and drink the Bread and Wine, the Celebrant is to assure that person that all the benefits of Communion are received, even though the Sacrament is not received with the mouth.” Saint Thomas Aquinas described spiritual communion as an ardent desire to receive Jesus in the sacrament and lovingly embrace him at a time or in circumstances when we cannot receive communion physically. In today’s liturgy as, in spirit, we gather with one another and the reserved sacrament (bread and wine consecrated at an earlier time) we share communion in our hearts, with prayers from the Book of Common Prayer, and from the Diocese of Malaita—part of the world-wide Anglican Communion to which Saint Paul’s and the Episcopal Church in Minnesota belongs.

First – sign up for Zoom – it’s FREE (https://zoom.us/signup) . We will be using Zoom to broadcast Sunday’s liturgy. Zoom delivers audio and video, and you can log in on your computers, laptops, tablets, smart phones, and telephones. When you log in, you may be prompted to install Zoom. Click yes to install Zoom.

Each week, will will provide you with the meeting ID or link to login with 10 minutes prior to every service.

If CALLING in by telephone, dial: 3126266799. The most recent E-pistle will have the the meeting number you will need to access the service.

If you have any problems, call Zoom at 888.799.9666 ext. 2 or go online to:https://support.zoom.us/hc/en-us