Sixth Sunday of Easter
May 14, 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 Service of Confirmation and The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
The Rt. Rev. Kathryn M. Ryan, Bishop Suffragan Celebrant
The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
Opening Voluntary
Nimrod from Enigma Variations Edward Elgar (1857–1934)
Hymn 657 Hyfrydol
The Word of God
Bishop Alleluia. Christ is risen.
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
Bishop There is one Body and one Spirit;
People There is one hope in God’s call to us;
Bishop One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism;
People One God and Father of all.
BCP page 413
The Collect of the Day
Bishop The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Bishop Let us pray.
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Reading 1 Peter 3:13–22
Now who will harm you if you are eager to do what is good? But even if you do suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear, and do not be intimidated, but in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be ready to make your defense to anyone who demands from you an accounting for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good, if suffering should be God’s will, than to suffer for doing evil. For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God. He was put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit, in which also he went and made a proclamation to the spirits in prison, who in former times did not obey, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, during the building of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were saved through water. And baptism, which this prefigured, now saves you — not as a removal of dirt from the body, but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers made subject to him.
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 398 Forest Green
The Holy Gospel John 14:15–21
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
Jesus said, ”If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. This is the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, because he abides with you, and he will be in you. I will not leave you orphaned;
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I am coming to you. In a little while the world will no longer see me, but you will see me; because I live, you also will live. On that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you. They who have my commandments and keep them are those who love me; and those who love me will be loved by my Father, and I will love them and reveal myself to them.”
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon The Rt. Rev. Kathryn M. Ryan, Bishop Suffragan
Presentation and Examination of the Candidates
Candidates stand; all others remain seated.
The Bishop says
The Candidates will now be presented.
Presenter I present these persons for Confirmation.
The Bishop asks the candidates
Bishop Do you reaffirm your renunciation of evil?
Candidate I do.
Bishop Do you renew your commitment to Jesus Christ?
Candidate I do, and with God’s grace I will follow him as my Savior and Lord.
After all have been presented, the Bishop addresses the congregation, saying Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?
People We will.
Bishop Let us join with those who are committing themselves to Christ and renew our own baptismal covenant.
The Baptismal Covenant All stand.
Bishop Do you believe in God the Father?
People I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
Bishop Do you believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God?
People I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
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was crucified, died, and was buried. He descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
Bishop Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
People I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting.
Bishop Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
People I will, with God’s help.
Bishop Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
People I will, with God’s help.
The Prayers for the Candidates
The Officiant then says to the congregation
Let us now pray for these persons who are to receive the Sacrament of new birth.
A Person appointed leads the following petitions Leader Deliver them, O Lord, from the way of sin and death. People Lord, hear our prayer.
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Leader Open their hearts to your grace and truth.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Fill them with your holy and life-giving Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Keep them in the faith and communion of your holy Church.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Teach them to love others in the power of the Spirit.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Send them into the world in witness to your love.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
Leader Bring them to the fullness of your peace and glory.
People Lord, hear our prayer.
The Bishop says
Almighty God, we thank you that by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ you have overcome sin and brought us to yourself, and that by the sealing of your Holy Spirit you have bound us to your service. Renew in these your servants the covenant you made with them at their Baptism. Send them forth in the power of that Spirit to perform the service you set before them; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The People sit during confirmations.
Family, friends, and mentors who are supporting candidates are welcome to join them as they take their places before the Bishop.
Laying on of Hands
The Bishop lays hands upon each one and says
Strengthen, O Lord, your servant N. with your Holy Spirit; empower them for your service; and sustain them all the days of their life. Amen.
The Bishop then prays over the candidates for Reception
N., we recognize you as a member of the one holy catholic and apostolic Church, and we receive you into the fellowship of this Communion. God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless, preserve, and keep you. Amen.
The Bishop prays over the candidate for Reaffirmation
N., may the Holy Spirit, who has begun a good work in you, direct and uphold you in the service of Christ and his kingdom. Amen.
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Prayer concluding the Rite of Confirmation
At the conclusion the Bishop says Almighty and everliving God, let your fatherly hand ever be over these your servants; let your Holy Spirit ever be with them; and so lead them in the knowledge and obedience of your Word, that they may serve you in this life, and dwell with you in the life to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Peace
Bishop 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
Offerings of alms and bread and wine are received.
At the Offertory
Anthem
Thomas Tallis (c.1505–1585)
If ye love me, keep my commandments, and I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may bide with you for ever, ev’n the spirit of truth.
— John 14:15–17
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer B
Bishop The Lord be with you.
People And also with you.
Bishop Lift up your hearts.
People We lift them to the Lord.
Bishop Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People It is right to give him thanks and praise.
The Bishop continues.
It is right, and a good and joyful thing, always and everywhere to give thanks to you, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth.
But chiefly are we bound to praise you for the glorious resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ our Lord; for he is the true Paschal Lamb, who was sacrificed for us, and has taken away the sin of the world. By his death he has destroyed death, and by his rising to life again he has won for us everlasting life.
Therefore we praise you, joining our voices with Angels and Archangels and with all the company of heaven, who for ever sing this hymn to proclaim the glory of your Name:
Sanctus and Benedictus S 125
Richard Proulx (1937–2010)
During the Great Fifty Days of Easter, it is Cathedral custom to remain standing.
We give thanks to you, O God, for the goodness and love which you have made known to us in creation; in the calling of Israel to be your people; in your Word spoken through the prophets; and above all in the Word made flesh, Jesus, your Son. For in these last days you sent him to be incarnate from the Virgin Mary, to be the Savior and Redeemer of the world. In him, you have delivered us from evil, and made us worthy to stand before you. In him, you have brought us out of error into truth, out of sin into righteousness, out of death into life.
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On the night before he died for us, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.”
Therefore, according to his command, O Father, Bishop and People
We remember his death, We proclaim his resurrection, We await his coming in glory;
The Bishop continues
And we offer our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to you, O Lord of all; presenting to you, from your creation, this bread and this wine.
We pray you, gracious God, to send your Holy Spirit upon these gifts that they may be the Sacrament of the Body of Christ and his Blood of the new Covenant. Unite us to your Son in his sacrifice, that we may be acceptable through him, being sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In the fullness of time, put all things in subjection under your Christ, and bring us to that heavenly country where, with all your saints, we may enter the everlasting heritage of your sons and daughters; through Jesus Christ our Lord, the firstborn of all creation, the head of the Church, and the author of our salvation.
By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever. Amen.
And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, Bishop and People
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
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The Breaking of the Bread
Bishop 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, p\lease tell an usher.
At the Administration
Anthem Howard Goodall (b.1958)
Love divine, all loves excelling, joy of heav’n, to earth come down, Fix in us thy humble dwelling, all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesu, thou art all compassion, pure unbounded love thou art; Visit us with thy salvation, enter ev’ry trembling heart.
Breathe, O breathe thy loving Spirit into ev’ry troubled breast, Let us all in thee inherit, let us find that second rest: Take away our power of sinning, Alpha and Omega be, End of faith as its beginning, set our hearts at liberty.
Come, almighty to deliver, let us all thy life receive; Suddenly return, and never, never more thy temples leave. Thee we would be always blessing, serve thee as thy hosts above; Pray, and praise thee, without ceasing, Glory in thy perfect love.
— Charles Wesley (1707–1788)
Prayer after Communion
Bishop Let us pray.
Bishop and People
Eternal God, heavenly Father, you have graciously accepted us as living members of your Son our Savior Jesus Christ, and you have fed us with spiritual food in the Sacrament of his Body and Blood. Send us now into the world in peace, and grant us strength and courage to love and serve you with gladness and singleness of heart; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Blessing
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Hymn 400 (omit * stanzas) Lasst uns erfreuen
The Dismissal
Deacon Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia. People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Closing Voluntary
Voluntary in D George Dyson (1883–1964)
Loose plate offerings from today’s services will be given to the Bishop’s discretionary fund.
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember Anne Wier Jones.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Mrs. James A. Haralson by her daughter, Mrs. Gary P. Pearson and her grandchildren, Gary, Jim, and Mary Bain.
The flowers on the choir stalls are given to the glory of God in celebration of the upcoming marriage of their daughter, Rainey Knudson, and Steve Satterwhite by Sally and Norman Reynolds.
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Welcome
Sunday, May 14, 2023
Announcements
Confirmation Reception • Join us in Reynolds Hall at 10 a.m. for a special reception for today’s confirmands with The Rt. Rev. Kathryn M. Ryan.
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 this evening, May 14, at 6 p.m. His most recent book, Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul, has been met with wide acclaim. Register to attend at: https://www.christchurchcathedral.org/sacredearth
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 wideranging 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
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 on 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.
For more information about these and other events at the Cathedral, visit www.christchurchcathedral.org
Hours Emergency Pastoral Care Line • 713-826-5332
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TODAY
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.
Welcome Team members are in the Cathedral Bookstore after the service to visit with you and answer any questions you may have.
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.
