Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost
September 10, 2023 8:00 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.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite One
The Rev. Canon Kathy Rock Pfister
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 Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. BCP page 323
People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
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.
Grant us, O Lord, we pray thee, to trust in thee with all our heart; seeing that, as thou dost alway resist the proud who confide in their own strength, so thou dost not forsake those who make their boast of thy mercy; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Reading Exodus 12:1-14
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel Matthew 18:15-20
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. 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. Elizabeth Parker, Assisting Priest
The Nicene Creed page 326
The Prayers of the People Form III, page 387
The General Confession page 331
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.
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
Deacon Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. People Thanks be to God.
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary
The Old Testament Exodus 12:1-14
The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the land of Egypt: This month shall mark for you the beginning of months; it shall be the first month of the year for you. Tell the whole congregation of Israel that on the tenth of this month they are to take a lamb for each family, a lamb for each household. If a household is too small for a whole lamb, it shall join its closest neighbor in obtaining one; the lamb shall be divided in proportion to the number of people who eat of it. Your lamb shall be without blemish, a year-old male; you may take it from the sheep or from the goats. You shall keep it until the fourteenth day of this month; then the whole assembled congregation of Israel shall slaughter it at twilight. They shall take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and the lintel of the houses in which they eat it. They shall eat the lamb that same night; they shall eat it roasted over the fire with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Do not eat any of it raw or boiled in water, but roasted over the fire, with its head, legs, and inner organs. You shall let none of it remain until the morning; anything that remains until the morning you shall burn. This is how you shall eat it: your loins girded, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand; and you shall eat it hurriedly. It is the passover of the Lord. For I will pass through the land of Egypt that night, and I will strike down every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both human beings and animals; on all the gods of Egypt I will execute judgments: I am the Lord. The blood shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live: when I see the blood, I will pass over you, and no plague shall destroy you when I strike the land of Egypt. This day shall be a day of remembrance for you. You shall celebrate it as a festival to the Lord; throughout your generations you shall observe it as a perpetual ordinance.
The Epistle Romans 13:8-14 Owe no one anything, except to love one another; for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery; You shall not murder; You shall not steal; You shall not covet”; and any other commandment, are summed up in this word, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore, love is the fulfilling of the law. Besides this, you know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
The Gospel Matthew 18:15-20
Jesus said, “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the
offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember John David Kirkland Jr.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Elizabeth Eikenburg by Bette Brinson.
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
Sunday, September 10, 2023
Announcements
TODAY
Sunday School Returns • Sunday School resumes meeting this morning. 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 Becoming an Acolyte • Cathedral Youth, grades 7 – 12, can become actively involved in serving the church as acolytes and participate in Sunday services every few weeks. Learn all you need to know by attending a two-day training session. Upcoming dates are Saturday, Sept. 16 at 11 a.m. or Sundays, Sept. 10 and 17 at 2:30 p.m. Contact the Rev. Ed Stein with questions at 713-781-6406, or email: edward.stein1@att.net
It Seemed Good to the Holy Spirit • This three part Dean’s Hour series begins today and runs through September, offering a look at the next chapter in the life of the Cathedral. Sundays at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall.
On Sept 10 we explore the calls of Abraham, Jesus, and Paul, asking how we might faithfully say “Yes” to God in this exciting time.
On Sept 17, we will thank our vestry for its work over the past fourteen months, reflect on the interim journey we’ve walked over the last year, and prepare ourselves for the arrival of Dean Nathaniel Katz.
On Sept. 24, we will get to know a little more about our next dean and also thank our search committee for bringing him to the Cathedral.
Bible Studies • The Cathedral will offer several Bible studies this fall. Learn about your options and how to participate at www.christchurchcathedral. org/biblestudies
Newcomer Party • The Welcome Council would like to invite you to our Newcomer Party, Tuesday, September 12, at 6 p.m. in the Bishop’s Courtyard. Whether you’ve just stepped through our doors or have been here a while but still feel new, this party is for you! Come connect with us and other friends who are ready to learn more about this phenomenal Cathedral community. Contact Minister for Community Life and Welcome, Elizabeth Cuevas, at ecuevas@christchurchcathedral.org for more details.
Destination Unknown • Our popular lock-in for middle school youth returns with an action-packed adventure where we will explore some exciting things in Houston. September 22 from 6–11:30 p.m. Contact Minister for Youth, Marcia Quintanilla, for more information at: mquintanilla@ christchurchcathedral.org. Register today at www.christchurchcathedral.org/ destinationunknown
Pastoral Care Lunch & Care • Caring for our neighbors is a call for every Jesus follower. Pastoral Care Volunteers will gather for a light lunch, a brief discussion and a card-writing project for those members who need to hear we remember and love them! No previous experience needed. Sept. 24 from 12:20–2 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. No registration required, but if you plan on attending please email Minister for Pastoral Care, Claire Soard at csoard@christchurchcathedral.org for food-ordering purposes.
Wednesday Tours at the Cathedral • Tour guides are here to welcome you at the bell tower from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 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
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.
Tours of the Cathedral are available every Sunday following the 11 a.m. service and on the third Sunday of each month after the 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. services. If you would like a tour, meet the tour guide by the eagle lectern.
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.