Fourth Sunday of Easter
April 30, 2023
9:00 a.m.
We welcome you to Christ Church Cathedral. Since 1839, this Christian community has gathered for worship. 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!
The Cathedral is equipped with a hearing loop for assisted listening via telecoil.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
The Rev. Bradley Varnell, Canon Missioner for Community Life and Young Adult Ministry Celebrant
The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
Opening Voluntary
Preambule from Seven Sketches from the Psalms
Percy Whitlock (1903-1946)
Hymn 437 Birmingham
The Word of God
BCP page 355 People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ is risen.
The Collect for Purity page 355
Gloria S 278 William Mathias (1934–1992)
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, whose Son Jesus is the good shepherd of your people: Grant that when we hear his voice we may know him who calls us each by name, and follow where he leads; who, with you and the Holy Spirit, lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Reading
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
1 Peter 2:19–25
Hymn 343 St. Agnes
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After the Gospel reading, the Deacon says The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rt. Rev. Paul-Gordon Chandler
The Nicene Creed page 358
The Prayers of the People Form III, page 387
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, after which the people are seated for brief announcements.
The Fifth Grade Climb Prayer and Blessing
All of the 5th graders and the Sunday school teachers are invited to come forward at this time.
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty God, whose will it is to be glorified by your people, and who calls us each to be a light in the world: Shine, we pray, in our hearts, that we in our generation may show forth your praise, who called us out of darkness into your marvelous light; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.
Reader A reading from Matthew.
You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
Leader Let us pray.
O God, you have bound us together for a time as teachers, students, children and parents to work for the advancement of your kingdom in this place: We give you thanks for the ministry we have shared.
We thank you for the commitment of these young people. We thank you for their open hearts and inquiring minds as they learned and continue to learn about You, Your Word and Your Church.
We thank you for the perseverance of these parents and the commitment of these teachers, who by their witness and example help our sons and daughters to grow into the full stature of Christ.
And we thank you for this parish family, as they support these young people in their life in Christ.
Now, we pray, be with these 5th graders as they embark on a new adventure to shine your light into the world. Send your Spirit upon the Treehouse that it might continue to be a community of friendship, faith, and love, where batteries can be recharged, again and again; and grant that all of us, by drawing ever nearer to you, may always be close to each other in the communion of your saints. All this we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord. Amen.
Celebrant
May God, who has led you in the paths of light and life, lead you still, and keep you in his ways. May God, whose Son has loved you, love you still, and bring you peace and courage for your journey. May God, whose Spirit fills your hearts with joy, light you up inside and strengthen you in years to come. And the Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you forever.
Now 5th graders– You are all invited to join a very special event in the Treehouse following the service - and let your journey begin!
The Holy Communion
Offerings of alms and bread and wine are received.
At the Offertory
Anthem Hanz Werner Zimmerman (1930–2022)
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside still waters, he restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for thou art with me, thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies, Thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
— Psalm 23
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer B, page 367
Sanctus and Benedictus S 125
Richard Proulx (1937–2010)
During the Great Fifty Days of Easter, it is Cathedral custom to remain standing.
The Eucharistic Prayer continues page 368
The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The sacrament of Holy Communion has been precious to Christians for 2,000 years. It is a way in which many sense the reality of God’s forgiveness, our union with God and each other, and the eternal life to which we belong. Please know that you do not have to be an Episcopalian to receive Communion. To receive, you may kneel or stand at the altar rail. Receive the Bread in the palm of your hand and the Wine either by drinking from the cup or by intinction, touching the Bread to the Wine. Gluten-free Bread is available; simply ask at the altar rail. If you need Communion brought to you in the pew, please tell an usher.
At the Administration
Anthem
Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need thy tender care; in thy pleasant pastures feed us; for our use thy folds prepare.
Blessed Jesus! Blessed Jesus!
Thou hast bought us, thine we are.
Early let us seek thy favor, early let us learn thy will; do thou, Lord, our only Savior, with thy love our bosoms fill.
Blessed Jesus! Blessed Jesus!
Thou hast loved us: love us still.
David Ashley White (b.1944) — attrib. Dorothy Ann Thrupp (1779–1847)Prayer after Communion page 365
The Blessing
Hymn 460 (omit * stanzas) Hyfrydol
The Dismissal
Celebrant Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia. People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Closing Voluntary
Exultemus from Seven Sketches from the Psalms
Percy WhitlockReadings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 2:42–47
Those who had been baptized devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved.
The Epistle
1 Peter 2:19–25
It is a credit to you if, being aware of God, you endure pain while suffering unjustly. If you endure when you are beaten for doing wrong, what credit is that? But if you endure when you do right and suffer for it, you have God’s approval. For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps. “He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.” When he was abused, he did not return abuse; when he suffered, he did not threaten; but he entrusted himself to the one who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross,
so that, free from sins, we might live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but now you have returned to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
The Gospel John 10:1–10
Jesus said, “Very truly, I tell you, anyone who does not enter the sheepfold by the gate but climbs in by another way is a thief and a bandit. The one who enters by the gate is the shepherd of the sheep. The gatekeeper opens the gate for him, and the sheep hear his voice. He calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes ahead of them, and the sheep follow him because they know his voice. They will not follow a stranger, but they will run from him because they do not know the voice of strangers.” Jesus used this figure of speech with them, but they did not understand what he was saying to them. So again Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, I am the gate for the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and bandits; but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the gate. Whoever enters by me will be saved, and will come in and go out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.”
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember Frederic August Tietz Jr.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Tom Forrester Lord by his family.
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 9 a.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. Or join us in the Dean’s Hour located in Reynolds Hall.
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. Please be advised that our services are livestreamed 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.
TODAY
Welcome
Sunday, April 30, 2023
Announcements
The Climb • Rising 5th graders and their families are invited to come to the 9 a.m. service April 30, in the Cathedral. We will honor 5th graders with a brief prayer and the presentation of gifts. Following the service, 5th graders are invited to the Treehouse for their first week of Sunday School there!
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 ChristianMuslim relations, by exploring how these two major religions -- which share much common heritage — can not only co-exist, but also enrich each other. Join us at the Dean’s hour this morning, April 30 at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall. Details at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/deanshourchandler
Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul • Join the Rev. Kathy Pfister and explore Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, written by John Philip Newell, in preparation for his visit to the Cathedral in May. Today will be the final of three sessions, 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 between services to learn more and volunteer, or visit: www. christchurchcathedral.org/mayfete
John Philip Newell: Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul • Internationally acclaimed teacher of Celtic spirituality, popular speaker, and widely read author, John Philip Newell, will give a special public address and book signing at the Cathedral on Sunday evening, May 14, at 6 p.m. Register to attend at: www. christchurchcathedral.org/sacredearth
Barbara Brown Taylor and John Philip Newell: Celebrating Casa Mateo • Two of the most celebrated authors and teachers of spirituality today discuss some of the most challenging concerns facing humanity today. They will celebrate Casa Mateo, a new ministry supporting immigrants and asylum seekers in our community. May 15, 7-9 p.m. (Doors open at 6:30). Space is limited. Registration required. 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 May 9 and 11. RSVP required. Contact Lisa Cantu at lcantu@christchurchcathedral.org
Looking for Children’s Ministry • Follow Agnus to the Jones Building where you can find Sunday School at 10 a.m. for ages 2 years – 5th grade, as well as childcare for infants (6 weeks – 5 years), or the Huffington Playground. Have questions? Contact KariAnn Lessner at kalessner@christchurchcathedral.org
For more information about these and other events at the Cathedral, visit www.christchurchcathedral.org.
After-Hours Emergency Pastoral Care Line • 713-826-5332