April 19, 2020 5 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral Houston, Texas
Second Sunday of Easter five o’clock in the evening The Very Rev. Barkley S. Thompson, Dean Officiant We welcome you to Christ Church Cathedral. Since 1839, this Christian community has gathered for worship.
Interlude on a Tune by Turlough O’Carolan
The Word of God Welcome to this holy place. Friend and stranger, saint and sinner, all who gather here. Come all who hunger, all who thirst for life in all its fullness. Come with hope or hesitation; come with joy or yearning; come. People Generous God and generous Savior, touch us through your Spirit. Officiant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Officiant Let us pray. Officiant People Officiant
Stay with us, Lord, since the day is far spent and the night is coming; kindle our hearts on the Way, that we may recognize you in the scriptures, in the breaking of the bread, and in each other. Amen.
First Reading Reader
Acts 2:14a, 22–32
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd, “You that are Israelites, listen to what I have to say: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with deeds of power, wonders, and signs that God did through him among you, as you yourselves know — this man, handed over to you according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of those outside the law. But God raised him up, having freed him from death, because it was impossible for him to be held in its power. For David says concerning him, ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand so that I will not be shaken; therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; moreover my flesh will live in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One experience corruption. You have made known to me the ways of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ Fellow Israelites, I may say to you confidently of our ancestor David that he both died and was buried, and his 1
tomb is with us to this day. Since he was a prophet, he knew that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would put one of his descendants on his throne. Foreseeing this, David spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, saying, ‘He was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh experience corruption.’ This Jesus God raised up, and of that all of us are witnesses.” Reader People
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Interlude on a Traditional Tune from Eriskay Island in the Outer Hebrides The Holy Gospel
John 20:19–31
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name. Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Reflection
The Rev. Becky Zartman, Canon Missioner for Welcome and Evangelism
Interlude on a Traditional Scottish Tune 2
Expression of Faith Lord, you have always given bread for the coming day; And though I am poor, today I trust in you. Lord, You have always given strength for the coming day; And though I am weak, today I trust in you. Lord, You have always given peace for the coming day; And though of anxious heart, today I trust in you. Lord, You have always kept me safe in trials; And now, tried as I am, today I trust in you. Lord, You have always marked the road for the coming day; And though it may be hidden, today I trust in you. Lord, You have always lightened this darkness of mine; And though the night is here, today I trust in you. Lord, You have always spoken when time was ripe; And though you may be silent now, today I trust in you.
Prayers of the People (The People may remain seated) The Leader begins
As evening falls and courage sometimes falters, let us turn our hearts to God in prayer. Silence
We pray for those gathered here and all that lies heavy on our hearts. We pray that you would know our needs even before we recognize them. Grant us those good things for which we dare not, or in our blindness cannot, ask. Silence
We pray for those in positions of leadership in the world, our nation, our state, and our city. Grant them the spirit of wisdom, charity, and justice, that they may promote the well-being of all people. Silence
We pray for the sick, the bereaved, the oppressed, and the homeless, that they may be comforted by your Holy Spirit, who brings light to the darkest places. Silence
We pray for the broken and torn fabric of the earth as it yearns for healing, trusting that you make all things new. Silence
We pray for this and all communities of faith. We pray that you would open the hearts of your faithful to seek your truth and pursue it in love. 3
Silence
We pray that you would disturb us, Lord, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little; when with the abundance of things we possess we have lost our thirst for the water of life. Push back, we pray, the horizons of our hopes, and move us into your future in strength, courage, hope, and love.
The Confession and Absolution Officiant
Let us confess our sins.
God of all mercy, we confess that we have sinned against you, opposing your will in our lives. We have denied your goodness in each other, in ourselves, and in the world you have created. We repent of the evil that ensnares us, the evil we have done, and the evil done on our behalf. Forgive, restore, and strengthen us through our Savior Jesus Christ, that we may abide in your love and serve only your will. Amen. Officiant
Through the cross of Christ, God have mercy on you, pardon you, and set you free. Know that you are forgiven and be at peace. God strengthen you in all goodness and keep you in life eternal. Amen.
Interlude on Two English Country Dances from John Playford, 1651 The Dismissal Officiant People
Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia. Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
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The Book of Remembrance This week we remember Eugenia Odell Still, Richard Page Keeton, and Charles King Sanders.
The lilies on the Altar and Rood Screen at Easter were given to the glory of God … in loving memory of John D. Kirkland and David Kirkland by Kate Kirkland. in loving memory of her sister, Frances Bludau Kallus, by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes.
in loving memory of Mike’s mother, Lillian Frances Grimes, by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes.
in thanksgiving for their grandson, Gavin in loving memory of their niece, Melissa Collins, Franco, by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes. in loving memory of her husband, Gay C. by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes. in loving memory of their nephew, Tyler Bludau, Brinson, Jr., by Bette Butter Brinson. in loving memory of Billie and Leo Butter by in loving memory of Mike’s father, Dr. Fred Bette Butter Brinson. Grimes Sr., by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes. by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes.
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Welcome
Sunday, April 19, 2020 Announcements Canon Callaham has accepted the call to be chaplain of Episcopal High School • After six years of service to the Cathedral, Canon Callaham will finish his time at the Cathedral May 31, and he will be greatly missed. Once we are able to gather, we will give him a proper farewell. Starting June 1, the Rev. Kathy Pfister will be our new canon vicar. She will be coming to us from Good Shepherd in Austin, and she has a wealth of experience. Again, once we are able to gather, we will give her a proper welcome. Read more about this news on the Cathedral website, under “News.” Acts in Easter, a new way for the Cathedral to engage our faith and stay connected • Today, the Cathedral community begins reading the Book of Acts together. Acts is about how the Holy Spirit forms and shapes Christian community in times of uncertainty. Join in reading the book together, bit by bit over the 50 days of Easter. In addition, join a weekly online small group for discussion and fellowship. Children, youth, and family ministries are also programming around Acts, so Cathedral members of all generations can participate. Today’s reading assignment is Acts 1:1–1:26. Learn more on our website. Look on the homepage under the images for the button labeled ‘Acts in Easter.’ Every weekday at 12:05 p.m., go to Facebook for a live worship service • Our intrepid priests are on live video every weekday for the noonday worship service. Leave a comment and we will pray for you. Go to facebook.com/cccathedraltx to tune in. During the 50 days of Easter, these weekday worship services will focus on the book of Acts. Connect with the Cathedral digitally • Go to our website, christchurchcathedral. org, to learn about how you can connect with the Cathedral on Facebook, Instagram, Zoom, and elsewhere. It’s easier than you think, it’s fun, and it’s a really wonderful way to stay connected to your community and engage your faith. How to make a donation online • It is simple to make a donation on the Cathedral website, as an Easter offering or for any other reason. Look for the tab at the top of the site that says, “Give.” Click on the tab for a variety of ways to make a gift to the Cathedral. We are now offering options to pay via PayPal as well as a new “text-to-give” option. Simply text “Give” to 888-998-1634, and follow the instructions. If you have questions, contact Chief Administrative Officer and Minister for Stewardship Karen Kraycirik at kkraycirik@christchurchcathedral.org or 713-590-3338. For more information about these and other events at the Cathedral, visit christchurchcathedral.org, or cccathedraltx
After-Hours Emergency Pastoral Care Line • 713-826-5332
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas The Rt. Rev. Jeff W. Fisher, Bishop Suffragan The Rt. Rev. Kai Ryan, Bishop Suffragan The Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso, Assistant Bishop The Very Rev. Barkley S. Thompson, Dean The Rev. Arthur A. Callaham, Canon Vicar The Rev. Simón Bautista Betances, Canon Missioner for Latino Ministries The Rev. Becky Zartman, Canon Missioner for Welcome and Evangelism The Rev. Gregory Seme, Curate The Rev. John A. Logan Jr., Canon Emeritus The Rev. Edward L. Stein, Assisting Priest The Rev. Jim Morgan, Pastoral Associate, Chaplain at The Beacon Robert L. Simpson, Canon for Music Daryl Robinson, Cathedral Organist Thomas Marvil, Organ Scholar Lucy Chambers, Bookstore Manager
1117 Texas Avenue • Houston, Texas 77002 • 713-222-2593 christchurchcathedral.org Portions of this service are adapted from the Iona Community Worship Book and the Prayer Books of the Church of Ireland, the Anglican Church of New Zealand, and the the Northumbrian Community. Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun. Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with an openly carried handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a handgun that is carried openly.