Sunday, May 31 5 p.m.
Christ Church Cathedral Houston, Texas
The Day of Pentecost 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 Traditional Scottish Tune
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 2:1–21
A Reading from the Acts of Apostles.
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 1
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.’” Reader People
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Interlude on a Traditional Scottish Tune From the Christie Collection The Holy Gospel
John 20:19–23
Deacon A reading from the Gospel 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.” Deacon The word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
The Reflection
The Rev. Arthur A. Callaham, Canon Vicar
Interlude on the Scottish Hymn Tune “Glenfinlas” Expression of Faith Lord, you have always given bread for the coming day; And though I am poor, today I trust in you. 2
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 the Welsh Hymn Tune “Lledrod” The Dismissal Deacon Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. People Thanks be to God.
The Book of Remembrance This week we remember Patty Parrish Hurt and David Howard Miller. The Beauty of Flowers The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for their family, friends, and all of the Cathedral community, especially Art Callaham and his family, who will be sorely missed, by Donna and Carter Boyd. 4
Welcome Sunday, May 31, 2020 Announcements Today is Pentecost and Canon Vicar Art Callaham’s last Sunday at the Cathedral • Art preaches his final Cathedral sermon at 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. Please join us to hear Art’s words of faith and wisdom. We will all miss him, and we wish him the best in his new role as chaplain at Episcopal High School. An update on the plan to return to church • Dean Thompson has released preliminary details on the plan to return to church in his weekly email, which is also on our website (go to the “Connect” tab at the top and click “News”). No return date is set for now, but plans are being made so the Cathedral will be ready. Virtual worship will continue after the campus reopens. When more information is available, Dean Thompson will update everyone on the plans. Join a small group to discuss this year’s Cathedral Reads pick, A Prayer for Owen Meany • We’re so excited for another summer of Cathedral Reads. This year, adults are reading A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, and youth and children are reading R.J. Palacio’s Wonder. You can order both books from our Bookstore, for pick-up or for delivery. Order online by filling out the form on our website, where you can also sign up for a weekly discussion group (look for the Cathedral Reads banner or look under “Registrations”). There will be monthly discussion groups as well. On Tuesday, June 9, at 5:30 p.m. on Zoom, learn how to help make masks • Please join the Mission Outreach Council in our effort to make masks to contribute to Houston Responds’ Masks for All Project. We need sewers, cutters, runners, and materials; fill out the form on the Cathedral website (under “Registrations”) to let us know how you would like to serve. We’ll send you an email and connect you to other volunteers to share progress, ask or answer questions, and find fellowship over Zoom. Email the Rev. Greg Seme at gseme@ christchurchcathedral.org to get the Zoom link for each of the remaining meetings. 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 5
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.