April 16, 2023
5 p.m.
We welcome you to Christ Church Cathedral. Since 1839, this Christian community has gathered for worship.
The Cathedral is equipped with a hearing loop for assisted listening via telecoil.
To learn more about the ministries we share in this place, you are invited to fill in one of the Welcome cards found in the pew rack.
Masks are available at all welcome tables, and the south transept (to the right) usually has room for those desiring physical distancing. We are glad you are here!
Christ Church Cathedral
Houston, Texas
Second Sunday of Easter
five o’clock in the evening
The Rev. Bradley Varnell, Canon Missioner for Community Life and Young Adult Ministry
Celebrant
Lighting of Votive Candles
During the opening contemplative music, worshipers are invited to observe prayerful quiet or to come forward to light a votive candle in acknowledgement of a prayer, concern, or in memory of a loved one.
Opening Music
Traditional Scottish and Irish Tunes
Hymn 296 Engelberg
The Word of God
The people remain standing. The Celebrant begins
Celebrant Welcome to this holy place.
People Friend and stranger, saint and sinner, all who gather here.
Celebrant 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.
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
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.
The people sit.
The First Reading
Reader A Reading from the first Letter of Peter.
1 Peter 1:3–9
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! By his great mercy he has given us a new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who are being protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you rejoice, even if now for a little while
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you have had to suffer various trials, so that the genuineness of your faith — being more precious than gold that, though perishable, is tested by fire — may be found to result in praise and glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Although you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and rejoice with an indescribable and glorious joy, for you are receiving the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
After a pause, the people stand for the hymn. Hymn
We will sing the entire hymn three times.
The people remain standing.
The Gospel
John 20:19–31
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
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& # 4 6 œ œ œ . ú Calm to the waves. œ œ œ . ú Calm to the wind. & # ú œ ú œ Je sus whis pers, ú œ . ú "Peace, be still." œ œ œ . ú Balm to our hearts. -& # œ œ œ . ú Fears at an end. œ œ œ ú œ In still ness, hear his . w voice.Text:
2002; © 2002 GIA Publications, Inc. ~ Music: Thomas Pavlechko, 2002; © 2002 Selah Publishing Co., Inc. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. CCL # 11426131; OneLicense.net # 726591-A
Mary Louise Bringle,
The cantor will sing the hymn once, and the congregation will join in singing the hymn two more times.
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.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Reflection
Two minutes of silence is observed following the reflection.
Prayers of the People (The people may stand or kneel for the prayers.)
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.
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.
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In the season of Easter the confession is omitted.
The people stand for the Peace.
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you.
The People greet one another in the name of the Lord.
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The Holy Communion
The people may be seated for the offertory hymn.
Live Into Hope
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Text: Jane Parker Huber, 1976; © 1980 Jane Parker Huber; fromASingingFaith . Used by permission; CAMERONIAN MIDNIGHT HYMN Scottish Hymn Melody ~ Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. CCLI # 11426131; onelicense.net # 726591-A
The people stand.
Celebrant Come, Lord Jesus, be our guest. With friend, with stranger, with young and old, be among us tonight.
People Come close to us that we may come close to you. Strengthen us that we may strengthen one another. Renew us that where we have failed, we may begin again.
The People kneel or stand.
In the beginning God made the world. The world flowed from God and God shaped it, filling it with light and life. God knew the world, but we chose not to know God. We turned from God, and though God sought us through patriarchs, matriarchs, and
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Offertory Hymn
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The Great Thanksgiving
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prophets, still we strayed. Our rebellion imperiled the fullness God intends for us, and when the world could bear no more, God sent Jesus, his Son. Among friends, gathered round a table, Jesus took bread, and, having blessed it, he broke the bread and gave it to his disciples saying, “This is my body which is given for you.” In the same way he took wine, and, having given thanks for it, he poured it and gave the cup to his disciples saying, “This cup is the new covenant with God, sealed with my blood. Take this and share it.” Lord Jesus Christ, present with us now, as we do in this place what you did in an upstairs room, breathe your Spirit upon us and upon this bread and wine, that they may be heaven’s food and drink for us, renewing, sustaining, and making us whole, and that we may be your body on earth, loving and caring for the world. Through, with, and for the love of Christ, we share this bread and cup in the unity of your Spirit, Father Almighty. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil.
For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The Invitation to Communion
Celebrant
So, come to this table, you who have much faith, and you who would like to have more; you who have been to this sacrament often, and you who have not been for a long time. You who have tried to follow Jesus, and you who have fallen short. Come. It is Christ who invites you to meet him here.
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The Dismissal
Celebrant Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace of the Son of God to you. Deep peace, deep peace. People Thanks be to God.
Closing Music
Traditional Scottish Tune
Becky Baxter, Music Coordinator and Harpist for The Well Dr. Kimberly Clark, flautist Sally Keller, cellist
Easter lilies from the Rood Screen need a good home. All lilies will be removed after the 1 p.m. service — starting at 2:30 p.m. and will remain in the columbarium until Thursday.
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember Muffie Moroney, Robert McMillan Goble, and Barbara Goodhart Hornbeck.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Cindi Blakely by her family.
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Welcome, Sunday, April 16, 2023 Announcements
TODAY
Tea and Talk • Join the Cathedral Bookstore and friends this evening at Tea and Talk after The Well for conversation and refreshment. Drop in from 5:45–6:30 p.m. in the Bookstore and Latham Lobby.
Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul • Join The Rev. Kathy Pfister for this three-week series as she explores Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, written by John Philip Newell in preparation for his visit to the Cathedral in May. April 16, 23, and 30 at 6 p.m. in Sanders Hall.
May Fete • Our annual May Fete celebration takes place on Sunday, May 7. Spend the day participating in one of the oldest Cathedral traditions! Gather at the Cathedral for a special bilingual worship service at 10 a.m. and stay for food, games, fellowship, and music. Come be a part of this wonderful tradition. Visit the cloister tables to learn more and volunteer, or visit: www. christchurchcathedral.org/mayfete.
Bishop Paul-Gordon Chandler: A Special Presentation on Kahlil Gibran • On the 100th Anniversary of Kahlil Gibran’s best-selling book, The Prophet, Bishop Paul-Gordon Chandler will take the listener on a fascinating journey through the all-embracing spirituality of Kahlil Gibran. Co-hosted by Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston, The American Lebanese Cultural Center, and Christ Church Cathedral. April 29, 4-6 p.m. The event is free, but registration is required: www. christchurchcathedral.org/bishopchandler
Six Pillars Builds a Bridge — Embracing “the other” in the way of Christ • Bishop Paul-Gordon Chandler, who has spent much of his life serving within the Islamic world, will present creative thinking in the area of Christian-Muslim relations, by exploring how these two major religions — which share much common heritage — can not only co-exist, but also enrich each other. April 30 at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall. Details at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/deanshourchandler
Barbara Brown Taylor and John Philip Newell: Celebrating Casa Mateo • Join us for a series of events with two of the most celebrated authors and teachers of spirituality today, Barbara Brown Taylor and John Philip Newell, May 14 at 6 p.m. and May 15 at 6:30 p.m. Learn more at: www. christchurchcathedral.org/taylornewell
Spring Neighborhood Gatherings • Neighborhood Gatherings offer a fun evening of fellowship and offer a way to connect with new friends and learn more about our community. They are hosted in the homes of Cathedral members across Houston. Upcoming events will be April 27, and May 9 and 11. RSVP required. Contact Lisa Cantu at lcantu@christchurchcathedral.org.
Looking for Children’s Ministry • Follow Agnus to childcare for infants (6 weeks–5 years), or the Huffington Playground. Have questions? Contact KariAnn Lessner at kalessner@christchurchcathedral.org
Make Your 2023 EMC Pledge • There’s still time to make your annual pledge. We invite you to join us as we renew our commitment to our beloved Cathedral in time, talent, and treasure. To submit your pledge, simply drop a pledge card into the offering plate or visit www.christchurchcathedral.org/pledge to pledge online. If you have questions, contact Minister for Stewardship Karen Kraycirik at kkraycirik@ christchurchcathedral.org or 713-590-3338.
After-Hours Emergency Pastoral Care Line • 713-826-5332
Weekday Services
Morning Prayer, 7:30 a.m., Monday-Friday on Zoom
Evening Prayer, 6 p.m., Monday- Friday on Zoom
Oración del mediodía, Mediodía, miércoles y viernes en Facebook
Contemplative Prayer, 11:15 a.m., Mondays in Mellinger Room Holy Eucharist, Noon, Wednesdays in Golding Chapel
Bilingual Holy Eucharist, 6 p.m., Wednesdays in Golding Chapel
Links available at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/weekdayservices
Welcome to Christ Church Cathedral!
We are blessed by your presence. If you are new to the Cathedral, please fill out the WELCOME card in your pew and put it in the offering plate or give it to an usher.
Tours of the Cathedral are available after the 5 p.m. service on the third Sunday every month. If you would like a tour, meet the tour guide by the eagle lectern.
Welcome Team members are in the Cathedral Bookstore after the service to visit with you and answer any questions you may have.
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 Northumbrian Community.
Please be advised that our services are Livesteamed to Vimeo and Facebook. Your participation in the service serves as your consent to the broadcast of your image and voice and to the broadcast of the image and voice of your participating minor children.
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.
