July 16, 2023
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 cards found in the pew rack.
Solemn Evensong
with music to be sung at Cathedrals in Ireland and Scotland five o’clock in the afternoon
The Rev. Bradley Varnell, Canon Missioner for Young Adult Ministry
The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral
Robert L. Simpson, Canon for Music
Daryl Robinson, Cathedral Organist
Opening Voluntary
Prelude on Slane
Choral Introit
When rooks fly homeward and shadows fall, when roses fold on the hay-yard wall, when blind moths flutter by door and tree, then comes the quiet of Christ to me.
When stars look out on the Children’s Path and grey mists gather on carn and rath, when night is one with the brooding sea, then comes the quiet of Christ to me.
Gerre Hancock (1934-2012)
Arthur Baynon (1889-1954)
— Joseph Campbell (1879-1944)
The People stand as the procession enters the Cathedral.
Opening Procession
Evening Sentences BCP, page 61
Confession
The Officiant says to the people
Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God.
Officiant and People, all kneeling
Almighty and most merciful Father, we have erred and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep, we have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts, we have offended against thy holy laws, we have left undone those things which we ought to have done, and we have done those things which we ought not to have done. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, spare thou those who confess their faults, restore thou those who are penitent, according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesus our Lord; and grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake, that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life, to the glory of thy holy Name. Amen.
The Absolution
Preces and Responses All stand Bernard Rose (1916-1996)
Hymn 420 Engelberg
Psalm 108 Sung by Choir, People seated. Chant: Edward Bairstow (1874-1946)
O God, my heart is ready, my heart is ready : will sing and give praise with the best member that I have. Awake, thou lute, and harp : I myself will awake right early.
I will give thanks unto thee, O Lord, among the peoples : I will sing praises unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is greater than the heavens : and thy truth reacheth unto the clouds. Set up thyself, O God, above the heavens : and thy glory above all the earth. That thy beloved may be delivered : let thy right hand save them, and hear thou me.
God hath spoken in his holiness : I will rejoice and divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. Gilead is mine, and Manasses is mine : Ephraim also is the strength of my head. Judah is my sceptre, Moab is my wash-pot : over Edom will I cast out my shoe, upon Philistia will I triumph.
Who will lead me into the strong city : and who will bring me into Edom?
Hast not thou forsaken us, O God : and wilt not thou, O God, go forth with our hosts?
O help us against the enemy : for vain is the help of man.
Through God we shall do great acts : and it is he that shall tread down our enemies.
Glory be to the Father: And to the Son and to the Holy Ghost
As it was in the beginning: Is now and ever shall be world without end. Amen.
First Lesson Isaiah 52: 7-10
Reader A Reading from the Book of Isaiah.
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of the messenger who announces peace, who brings good news, who announces salvation, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.” Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices; together they shout for joy, for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth; shout together for joy, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people; he has redeemed Jerusalem. The Lord has bared his holy arm before the eyes of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God.
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Sung by Choir, People seated.
My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Savior. For he hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me, and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him throughout all generations. He hath showed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel, as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.
All stand
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Reader A Reading from the Gospel according to Luke.
After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way; I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves. Carry no purse, no bag, no sandals, and greet no one on the road. Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace to this house!’ And if a person of peace is there, your peace will rest on that person, but if not, it will return to you. Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house. Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Nunc Dimittis in C Charles Villiers Stanford
Sung by Choir, People seated.
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word; For mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people, to be a light to lighten the Gentiles, and to be the glory of thy people Israel. All stand
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Apostles’ Creed People and Choir monotone, all standing.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth; And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried. He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father almighty. From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
The Suffrages Sung by Choir. The People stand or kneel. Bernard Rose
The Lord’s Prayer Sung by Choir. Bernard Rose
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. Amen.
Collects and Prayers
Greeting
At the Offertory
Anthems Josef Rheinberger (1839-1901)
Bleib bei uns, denn es will Abend werden, und der Tag hat sich geneiget. Bide with us, for evening shadows darken, and the day will soon be over.
— Luke 24:29
Anthems Stephen Paulus (1949-2014)
Even before we call on your name to ask you, O God, When we seek for the words to glorify you, you hear our prayer; Unceasing love, O unceasing love, surpassing all we know.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, And to the Holy Spirit. Even with darkness sealing us in, we breathe your name, And through all the days that follow so fast, we trust in you; Endless your grace, O endless your grace, beyond all mortal dream.
Both now and for ever, and unto ages and ages, Amen.
—Michael Dennis Browne (b.1940)
The Blessing
May God, who has given us, in the lives of his saints, patterns of holy living and victorious dying, strengthen your faith and devotion, and enable you to bear witness to the truth against all adversity. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
Hymn 347 Litton
Closing Procession
On Wednesday, July 19, the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral will leave for Scotland and Ireland to sing services at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral, Dublin, St. Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast and St. Mary’s Cathedral, Edinburgh. This is the Choir’s 9th European tour. The music sung this afternoon is drawn from the repertoire the Choir will sing at these magnificent cathedrals.
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember John Barnett Baird.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God FOR . The flowers in the floor vases are given to the glory of God FOR .
Welcome
Sunday, July 16, 2023
Announcements
Summer Place • Come meet new folks and old friends at Summer Place. Cathedral councils will take turns hosting this special coffee hour each Sunday at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall. All are welcome! See the full schedule at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/summerplace
July Bible Study: One Hit Wonders of the Bible • Join us for a four-week summer Bible study exploring what some of the shortest books of scripture have to teach us. Led by Canon Bradley Varnell. Sundays, July 9-30 from 10-11 a.m, in Jeffers Conference Room. Please read the designated book in advance of each meeting. More information at: www. christchurchcathedral.org/onehitbiblestudy
Wednesday Tours at the Cathedral • Tour guides are here to welcome you at the bell tower from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. You may spend your time alone or the guide will share the Cathedral’s rich history with you. If you’re interested in learning about becoming a tour guide, contact Valerie Meisel at: vhmtexas@gmail.com
Parks and Rec for Cathedral Kids • Join us for summer 2023’s best way to reconnect with your Cathedral family in a proven equation: Great Folks + Cool Park = FUN! Bring the kids and your lawn chairs. Events will take place July 25 and August 6. More information at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/parksrec
You Are Invited • The Parish Choir extends a warm invitation for you to join its ranks any week this summer at the 9 o’clock Sunday Eucharist. No previous musical experience or long-term commitment is needed. Come to Sanders Hall by 8:20 a.m. on Sunday mornings for rehearsal. For more information, contact Canon for Music Robert Simpson at 713-590-3311.
Cathedral Choir Tour Preview Evensong • Christ Church Cathedral invites you to a Choral Evensong presented by the Cathedral Choir and featuring music they will sing on tour in Scotland and Ireland. This special service begins at 5 p.m. on July 16, and replaces The Well that evening.
Cathedral Reads • Cathedral Reads, our summer reading program for adults, will dive into The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende. Join us on Zoom July 18 and 25 (English and Spanish), and don’t miss our final discussion August 13. Recordings and additional information at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/cathedralreads
Episcopal Night at the Ballpark • Support the Astros July 28 and watch them beat the Tampa Bay Rays at Minute Maid Park. The night begins at 5 p.m. with a cookout in the Bishop’s Courtyard complete with hot dogs, sodas, and cracker jacks - all free of charge! Learn more and purchase tickets at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/astros
MOC Blood Drive • The Mission Outreach Council (MOC) of Christ Church Cathedral is hosting a blood drive on July 30. Sign up for a time to donate in advance. Learn more at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/giveblood
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.
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.
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.
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.