Christ Church Cathedral July 23, 2023 5 p.m. Ordinary Time Order of Worship
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.
Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
five o’clock in the evening
The Rev. Bradley Varnell, Canon Missioner for Young Adult Ministry Celebrant
Good evening and welcome to the Well. To mark the season after Pentecost, we have prepared a new Order of Service for our worship. After the spoken prayers, any who wish to do so are invited to come forward and light a candle as a symbol of their prayer. After the votive offering is over, we will rise, sing, and then share the peace. Following the peace, the rhythm of the liturgy will return to the customary and familiar pattern of the table.
We are so glad that you are here. Come close, draw near, and receive the grace of God.
Opening Music
Traditional Irish Tunes
At the sound of the bell, please stand.
Opening Poem
You are sitting in a wagon being drawn by a horse whose reins you hold. There are two inside of you who can steer.
Though most never hand the reins to Me so they go from place to place the best they can, though rarely happy.
And rarely does their whole body laugh feeling God’s poke in the ribs.
If you feel tired, dear, my shoulder is soft, I’d be glad to steer a while.
— Kabir
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A Prayer for the Evening
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.
Please be seated.
The Reading Matthew 13:24–30, 36–43 Lector A reading from the Gospel of Matthew.
Jesus put before the crowd another parable: “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to someone who sowed good seed in his field; but while everybody was asleep, an enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and then went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared as well. And the slaves of the householder came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? Where, then, did these weeds come from?’ He answered, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The slaves said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he replied, ‘No; for in gathering the weeds you would uproot the wheat along with them. Let both of them grow together until the harvest; and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, Collect the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn.’” Then he left the crowds and went into the house. And his disciples approached him, saying, “Explain to us the parable of the weeds of the field.” He answered, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man; the field is the world, and the good seed are the children of the kingdom; the weeds are the children of the evil one, and the enemy who sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the age, and the reapers are angels. Just as the weeds are collected and burned up with fire, so will it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send his angels, and they will collect out of his kingdom all causes of sin and all evildoers, and they will throw them into the furnace of fire, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Let anyone with ears listen!”
A period of silence is observed.
The Reflection Jim Cowan
Two minutes of silence is observed following the reflection.
Prayers of the People (The people stand for the prayers.)
The Leader begins.
2 Hymn 488 Slane
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.
Additional Prayers and Lighting of Votive Candles
Please be seated
Following the Prayers of the People during the instrumental music and hymn, and at any time hereafter, you are welcome to come forward to light a votive candle as a symbol of your prayer. As we see others light candles, we recognize that we are all carrying prayer concerns known to us alone, and we are reminded to treat one another with kindness and care. Tapers and votives are located to the right of the altar and in front of the transept to the left. Please feel free to go to either of these places to light a candle.
The people stand for the hymn.
Hymn 490 Houston
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The Grace
See that there is peace among yourselves, and love one another. Follow the example of good men and women of old and God will comfort you and help you, both in this world and in the world to come. Amen.
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.
Offertory Hymn
1. I 2. He
wait took ed me
for from the
and and
from pa the tient
at and
length on to a
me rock he he
my es
voice tab and lish
4
b œ
&
ú œ
ú œ
a ú œ Lord fear
ú
& b œ
ú œ
œ œ œ
ú
-& b œ
ú œ
ú œ
ú œ
ú
& b œ
œ œ œ
œ œ œ
ú
my ful
God, pit,,
mir ly did y
bear; clay, -
did set in my
cline feet,,
cry ing to my
hear. way. - - -
I waited for the Lord / Psalm 40
Music: BALLERMA French song by François Barthélemon, 1741-1808 adapt. Robert Simpson, 1790-1832 ~ Words: Psalm 40: 1-2, from the Irish Presbyterian Hymnal. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. CCL # 11426131 and OneLicense.net #726591-A
The Holy Communion
The Great Thanksgiving
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 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.
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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.
All are welcome and encouraged to receive Communion, whatever one’s Christian tradition.
Prayer after Communion (The people may stand or kneel.)
Celebrant and People
Eternal Light, shine in our hearts. Eternal Power, be our strength. Eternal Wisdom, guide us as we serve you. Eternal Goodness, you have drawn us to your heart and united us in the Sacrament of Christ’s Body and Blood. Now grant that with all our heart, mind, and strength, we may evermore seek your face in all those we meet in the world. Amen.
The Blessing
Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go, love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is in you.
And the blessing of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit be among you and remain with you always. Amen.
— para. LR Knost
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God of day and God of darkness
1. God
2. Praise of to
day you and in
God day of and
dark dark ness, ness,
you we our
fore you the our
come as and a
night; end;
as praise the to
you shad who ows
make fa our ther,
dark mo ness ther,
bright. friend.
peace is ful
rest ing, ing
when let the us
for let the each
Sun rise of re
Music:
Reprinted
The Dismissal
tasks with which
mind dawn ing and
peace freshed and to
Celebrant Go forth confident in hope; praise God in all creation; follow Christ through whom all things are made; and in the power of the Spirit become a beacon of hope to the world.
People Thanks be to God.
Closing Music
Scottish Tune (published in 1700) Henry Playford
Becky Baxter, Music Coordinator and Harpist for The Well
Dr. Kimberly Clark, flautist
Mayara Velasquez, cellist
Hymn & b 4 3 ú œ
œ j œ œ
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œ œ œ
ú œ now
ú œ
-& b œ œ œ
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. œ j œ œ
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œ œ œ
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cre
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œ œ œ œ œ jus mor tice row- -& b ú œ fills
œ œ œ earth
ú œ
iant
. ú light.
-
stand source be and
.
love and and
deep nur ture en, us
Grant
to
all tion
still
groan
bod your y
might, mend,
for the the
rad you
will
send.
HYFRYDOL, harm. Rowland Hugh Prichard (1811-1887); Text: Marty Haugen (b. 1950); text ©Compilation, the Church Hymnary Trust
by permission. All rights reserved. CCL # 11426131 and OneLicense.net #726591-A
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The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember Khleber Van Zandt Attwell Jr.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of her mother, Josephine Nash Taylor on her birthday, by Michaux Taylor Thomas.
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Welcome
Sunday, July 23, 2023
Announcements
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
Education for Ministry • Learn about the Bible, Christian Tradition, and Church History. EfM is a four-year Christian Formation program through the School of Theology of the University of the South at Sewanee. Visit www.christchurchcathedral.org/efm for more information on registration, or contact Lucy Wagner at lmwagner1219@gmail.com
Parks and Rec for Cathedral Kids • Join us for summer 2023’s best way to connect 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
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 on Sundays through July 30, from 10-11 a.m. in the McGehee Conference Room. Please read the designated book in advance of each meeting. More information at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/onehitbiblestudy
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
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 25 at 6 p.m. via Zoom, (English and Spanish), and don’t miss our final discussion August 13 at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall. 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 - free of charge! Learn more and purchase tickets to attend the game at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/astros
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
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.
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.
