The Fifth Sunday of Easter
May 7, 2023
8 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.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite One
The Very Rev. Gary Jones, Interim Dean Celebrant
The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
The Word of God
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ is risen. BCP page 323
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
The Collect for Purity and the Summary page 323
Gloria in Excelsis page 324
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Celebrant Let us pray.
O Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know thy Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leadeth to eternal life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Reading
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
The Gospel
1 Peter 2:2–10
John 14:1–14
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory be to thee, O Lord.
After the Gospel reading, the Deacon says The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise be to thee, O Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Edward L. Stein, Assisting Priest
The Nicene Creed page 326
The Prayers of the People Form III, page 387
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And with thy spirit.
The People greet one another in the name of the Lord, after which the people are seated for brief announcements.
The Holy Communion
Offerings of alms and bread and wine are received.
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer II, page 340
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And with thy spirit.
Celebrant Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them up unto the Lord.
Celebrant Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. People It is meet and right so to do.
Sanctus and Benedictus
Celebrant and People
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts:
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
The Eucharistic Prayer continues page 341
The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
You do not have to be an Episcopalian to receive Holy Communion. Communion is received either kneeling or standing 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; ask at the altar rail.
Prayer after Communion page 339
The Blessing
The Dismissal
Celebrant Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia. People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 7:55–60
Filled with the Holy Spirit, Stephen gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!” But they covered their ears, and with a loud shout all rushed together against him. Then they dragged him out of the city and began to stone him; and the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning Stephen, he prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he knelt down and cried out in a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he died.
The Epistle 1 Peter 2:2–10
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation — if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good. Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture: “See, I am laying in Zion a stone, a cornerstone chosen and precious; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.” To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe, “The stone that the builders rejected has become the very head of the corner,” and “A stone that makes them stumble, and a rock that makes them fall.” They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do. But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
The Gospel
John 14:1–14
Jesus said, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.” Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.” Philip said to him, “Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.” Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.”
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember Judith D. Mood.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of their parents Priscilla Rodman Wandel and John Philip Wandel by Gail Wandel Hendryx and Deborah Wandel Francis.
Weekday Services
Morning Prayer, 7:30 a.m., Monday-Friday on Zoom
Evening Prayer, 6 p.m., Monday- Friday on Zoom
Oración del Mediodía, lunes y jueves 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
Sunday, May 7, 2023
Announcements
TODAY
Welcome to May Fete • 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. Join us in this wonderful tradition!
Monday, May 15: Barbara Brown Taylor and John Philip Newell • A unique opportunity to hear two of the most sought-after speakers on faith and spirituality today. Space is limited, and tickets are $25 each, with all proceeds going to Casa Mateo, a new ministry with immigrants. Barbara and John Philip will have a wide-ranging conversation in the Cathedral, drawing particularly on John Philip’s newest book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, and on Barbara’s widely celebrated book, An Altar in the World. This is an evening you will not want to miss. May 15, 7-9 p.m. (doors open at 6:30). Registration required. Learn more at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/taylornewell
Sunday evening, May 14: John Philip Newell • Internationally acclaimed teacher of Celtic spirituality, popular speaker, and celebrated author, John Philip Newell, will give a special public address and book signing at the Cathedral on May 14, at 6 p.m. His most recent book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, has been met with wide acclaim. Register to attend at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/ sacredearth
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
Treble Choir Spring Concert • Don’t miss this special performance on Saturday, May 20. The Houston Treble Choir will be singing at St. Thomas Episcopal Church and School, 4900 Jackwood Street, Houston at 3 p.m.
Senior Sunday • We will honor our high school seniors, May 21, during the 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. services in the Cathedral. There will also be a reception at 10 a.m. in the Mellinger Room.
Summer Place • Beginning May 28, different councils will host this special coffee hour. Drop by and see what the councils are up to, visit with your friends, and enjoy some coffee and snacks. All are welcome! Sundays at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall.
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
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. Or feel free to contact the Cathedral offices at 713-222-2593 and let the receptionist know that you would like to learn more about our 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.