Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost
August 20, 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.
Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
The Rev. Elizabeth Parker, Assisting Priest Celebrant
The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
Opening Voluntary
Pastorale Herbert Sumsion (1899-1995)
Hymn 388 Hanover
The Word of God
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. BCP page 355 People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect for Purity page 355
Gloria in Excelsis S 280
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray.
Robert Powell (b.1932-2010)
Almighty God, you have given your only Son to be for us a sacrifice for sin, and also an example of godly life: Give us grace to receive thankfully the fruits of his redeeming work, and to follow daily in the blessed steps of his most holy life; 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 First Reading Genesis 45:1-15
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 470 Beecher
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After the Gospel reading, the Deacon says The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
Back to School Blessing
Children’s Sermon: An Invitation to New Beginnings
Back to School Prayer
Officiant Let us pray.
God of wisdom and love, God who sees us, we give you thanks for schools and classrooms and for the teachers and students who fill them each day. We thank you for this new beginning, for new books and new ideas. Today we give you thanks for these your children and youth, and we ask you to bless them with curiosity, understanding, and respect.
But in this celebration of education and learning, we do not forget there are children and families and teachers who do not have the resources they need. When systems are unjust, the outcomes are unacceptable. Today we remember those who are beginning school this year: those who have what they need to learn and grow in safety and those who lack supplies, teachers, safe buildings, and accommodations for all needs and abilities.
May these backpack tags be a sign to remind them that they matter and that through you they have everything they need to learn and grow this year in school and in Sunday School. May they be guided by your love. All this we ask in the name of Jesus, who as a child in the temple showed his longing to learn about you, and as an adult taught by story and example your great love for us. Amen.
Officiant Together, let us pray:
O God, our lives are in your hand: Look on us with favor as we begin another school year. Lead us into life-giving rhythms of grace and light, where our regular routines become the framework for worship and blessing. We pray for health and wholeness, fun and growth, surprise, and amazement for this school year ahead, knowing you will hold us all the way through. Help us to trust in your goodness all the days of our lives; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
— adapt. from “Blessing of Backpacks” by Wendy Claire Barrie and “Blessing of the Backpacks and Back-to-School Worship Liturgy” by Illustrated Ministries
The Sermon
The Very Rev. Gary Jones, Interim Dean
The Nicene Creed page 358
The Prayers of the People Form III, page 387
The General Confession page 360
The Holy Gospel Matthew 15: 21-28
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 Holy Communion
Offerings of alms and bread and wine are received.
At the Offertory
Anthem Henry Loosemore (1600-1670)
O Lord, increase my faith, strengthen me and confirm me in thy true faith; endue me with wisdom, charity, and patience, in all my adversity, sweet Jesus, say Amen.
—anon. English
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer A, page 361
Sanctus and Benedictus S 125
Richard Proulx (b.1937)
The Eucharistic Prayer continues page 362
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
William Byrd (c.1540-1623) arr. Alfred Whitehead (1887-1974)
I have longed for thy saving health, O Lord; thy law is my delight. O let my soul live and it shall praise thee, and thy judgments shall help me.
— Psalm 119:174-175
Prayer after Communion page 365
The Blessing
Hymn 397
The Dismissal
Nun danket alle Gott
Deacon Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. People Thanks be to God.
Closing Voluntary
Alla Marcia Henry Coleman (1888-1965)
Visitor information and refreshments are available in Reynolds Hall.
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary
The Old Testament Genesis 45:1-15 Joseph could no longer control himself before all those who stood by him, and he cried out, “Send everyone away from me.” So no one stayed with him when Joseph made himself known to his brothers. And he wept so loudly that the Egyptians heard it, and the household of Pharaoh heard it. Joseph said to his brothers, “I am Joseph. Is my father still alive?” But his brothers could not answer him, so dismayed were they at his presence. Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me.” And they came closer. He said, “I am your brother, Joseph, whom you sold into Egypt. And now do not be distressed, or angry with yourselves, because you sold me here; for God sent me before you to preserve life. For the famine has been in the land these two years; and there are five more years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest. God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth, and to keep alive for you many survivors. So it was not you who sent me here, but God; he has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt. Hurry and go up to my father and say to him, ‘Thus says your son Joseph, God has made me lord of all Egypt; come down to me, do not delay. You shall settle in the land of Goshen, and you shall be near me, you and your children and your children’s children, as well as your flocks, your herds, and all that you have. I will provide for you there—since there are five more years of famine to come—so that you and your household, and all that you have, will not come to poverty.’ And now your eyes and the eyes of my brother Benjamin see that it is my own mouth that speaks to you. You must tell my father how greatly I am honored in Egypt, and all that you have seen. Hurry and bring my father down here.” Then he fell upon his brother Benjamin’s neck and wept, while Benjamin wept upon his neck. And he kissed all his brothers and wept upon them; and after that his brothers talked with him.
The Epistle Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32
I ask, then, has God rejected his people? By no means! I myself am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, a member of the tribe of Benjamin. God has not rejected his people whom he foreknew. For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. Just as you were once disobedient to God but have now received mercy because of their disobedience, so they have now been disobedient in order that, by the mercy shown to you, they too may now receive mercy. For God has imprisoned all in disobedience so that he may be merciful to all.
The Gospel Matthew 15: 21-28
Jesus left that place and went away to the district of Tyre and Sidon. Just then a Canaanite woman from that region came out and started shouting, “Have mercy on me, Lord, Son of David; my daughter is tormented by a demon.” But he did not answer her at all. And his disciples came and urged him, saying, “Send her away, for she keeps shouting after us.” He answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.” But she came and knelt before him, saying, “Lord, help me.” He answered, “It is not fair to take the children’s food and throw it to the dogs.” She said, “Yes, Lord, yet even the dogs eat the crumbs that fall from their masters’ table.” Then Jesus answered her, “Woman, great is your faith! Let it be done for you as you wish.” And her daughter was healed instantly.
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember Audrey Jones Beck.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Judy Mood and in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary by Rob Mood.
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
Links available at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/weekdayservices
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 every Sunday following the 11 a.m. service. 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.
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.
Welcome
Sunday, August 20, 2023 Announcements
TODAY
Back to School Blessings • We will recognize students, teachers, and administrators, and offer blessings and prayers during our 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. services today in the Cathedral. We will also host a pencil pack in Reynolds Hall at 10 a.m. to help Cathedral kids put together supplies for students who attend Bruce Elementary.
Appreciation for Dean Jones • Don’t miss your chance to offer gratitude and wish Interim Dean Gary Jones a fond farewell today on his last Sunday at the Cathedral. There will be a special time set aside to celebrate his ministry here at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall.
Skills for Showing Up in Hard Places • Join Pastoral Care for the final session of this special 3-week series and build practical skills for those who want to engage in pastoral care ministry. Today at 3 p.m. in the Mellinger Room. Contact Minister for Pastoral Care, Claire Soard, with questions at: csoard@christchurchcathedral.org
Rally Day Ministry Fair • Our theme for 2023 is “Grace in Motion: praising - growing - serving - giving - belonging - caring.” Join us on Sunday, August 27 in Reynolds Hall from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and learn about the many ways God is at work in our community! See what your Cathedral has in store at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/rallyday
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
Bible Studies • The Cathedral will offer several Bible studies this fall beginning September 5. Learn about your options and how to participate at www.christchurchcathedral.org/biblestudies
Sunday School Returns • Sunday School resumes meeting September 10. Each Sunday we gather together as a community and grow in our faith through teaching and discussion. Classes are offered for children and youth each Sunday from 10-11 a.m. and Latino ministries from 1-2:30 p.m. Learn more and register at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/sundayschool
Destination Unknown • Our popular Lock-In for middle school youth returns with an action-packed adventure where we will explore some of the Houston’s exciting things. September 22 from 6 – 11:30 p.m. Registration available soon. Contact Minister for Youth, Marcia Quintanilla for more information at: mquintanilla@christchurchcathedral.org
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
