Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost August 18, 2024 11:00 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. We are glad you are here!
The Cathedral is equipped with a hearing loop for assisted listening via telecoil.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite One
The Rev. Canon Bradley Varnell Celebrant
The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
Opening Voluntary
Prelude in c minor, BWV 546
J.S. Bach (1685–1750)
Choral Introit Tone VII
V. Haste thee, O God, unto my rescue, and save me: O Lord, make haste to my deliverance:
R. Let mine enemies be ashamed and confounded, that seek after my soul.
Hymn 665
Celebrant
The Word of God
Michael
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 S 204 Old Scottish Chant
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And with thy spirit. Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty God, who hast given thy only Son to be unto us both a sacrifice for sin and also an example of godly life: Give us grace that we may always most thankfully receive that his inestimable benefit, and also daily endeavor ourselves to follow the blessed steps of his most holy life; through the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Reading Proverbs 9:1–6
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Fear the Lord, you that are his / saints, * for those who fear him lack / nothing. The young lions lack and suffer / hunger, * but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is / good. Come, children, and/listen to me; * I will teach you the fear of the / Lord. Who among you loves / life * and desires long life to enjoy pros/perity?
Keep your tongue from evil / speaking * and your lips from lying / words. Turn from evil and do / good; * seek peace and / pursue it.
The Second Reading Ephesians 5:15–20
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 488 Slane
Alleluia Tone II
V. Alleluia. O come, let us sing unto the Lord: R. Let us heartily rejoice in the strength of our salvation. Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel John 6:51–58
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory be to thee, O Lord.
After the Gospel reading, the Priest says The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise be to thee, O Christ.
The Sermon
The Rev. Canon Marcea Paul, Chief of Staff, The Episcopal Diocese of Texas
The Nicene Creed page 326
The Prayers of the People Form III, page 387
The Confession and Absolution 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, after which the people are seated for brief announcements.
The Holy Communion
Offerings of alms and bread and wine are received.
At the Offertory
Solo
Felix Mendelssohn (1809–1847)
Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in their heavenly Father’s realm. Joy on their head shall be for everlasting, and all sorrow and mourning shall flee away for ever.
— from Elijah
Ben McGee, soloist
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer II, page 340
Sursum Corda S 112
Sanctus and Benedictus S 114 Healey Willan (1880–1968)
The People kneel as able.
The Eucharistic Prayer continues page 341
Fraction Anthem
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Agnus Dei 158
Healey Willan
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
Verleih uns Frieden gnädiglich, Herr Gott, zu unsern Zeiten. Es ist doch ja kein andrer nicht, der für uns könnte streiten, denn du, unser Gott alleine.
Felix Mendelssohn
In these our days so perilous, Lord, peace in mercy send us; No God but thee can fight for us, No God but thee defend us; Thou, our only God and Savior.
— Martin Luther (1483–1546)
If Lay Eucharistic Visitors are taking the Sacrament to members of our Cathedral family: Celebrant In the name of this congregation, I send you forth bearing these holy gifts, that those to whom you go may share with us in the communion of Christ’s body and blood.
People We who are many are one body, because we all share one bread, one cup.
Prayer after Communion page 339
The Blessing
Hymn 460 (omitting * stanzas)
The Dismissal
Priest Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Closing Voluntary Sinfonia from Cantata 29
Hyfrydol
J.S. Bach
We welcome today’s organist, Andrew Bowen. Andrew came to Houston to be associate organist/director for St. Luke’s UMC and served other churches including The Church St. John the Divine. He completed his church music career with nine years as organist/choirmaster for Trinity Episcopal Church. From there he moved into the corporate talent management field with CenterPoint Energy, then Warner Bros UK (London) and finally Oracle. Having now retired, Andrew serves on boards for the Houston chapter of the American Guild of Organists and the Beersheba Springs Historical Society in the location of his second home in Tennessee.
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary
Old Testament Proverbs 9:1–6
Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table. She has sent out her servant-girls, she calls from the highest places in the town, “You that are simple, turn in here!” To those without sense she says, “Come, eat of my bread and drink of the wine I have mixed. Lay aside immaturity, and live, and walk in the way of insight.”
The Epistle Ephesians 5:15–20
Be careful then how you live, not as unwise people but as wise, making the most of the time, because the days are evil. So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit, as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
The Gospel John 6:51–58
Jesus said, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Jews then disputed among themselves, saying, “How can this man give us his flesh to eat?” So Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood have eternal life, and I will raise them up on the last day; for my flesh is true food and my blood is true drink. Those who eat my flesh and drink my blood abide in me, and I in them. Just as the living Father sent me, and I live because of the Father, so whoever eats me will live because of me. This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like that which your ancestors ate, and they died. But the one who eats this bread will live forever.”
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 honor of Barbara Barnes in celebration of her birthday by her family. The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are also given to the glory of God in loving memory of Burt Ballanfant by his family — Sarah, Ben, Andrea, and Amy.
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 18, 2024
Announcements
Homecoming Sunday • After a summer of sabbath rest, play and travel, our Cathedral community comes home to mark the start of a new program year. Sunday, August 25 will be jam packed — and we can’t wait for what it has in store! At all services we’ll commission those who participate in ministries for the year ahead. At 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. worship we’ll pray over students, parents, and teachers returning to school. And from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. all are invited to a Ministry Fair in Reynolds Hall to discover the many ways to connect with your Cathedral in the year ahead. www.christchurchcathedral.org/homecoming
Changes Coming to Weekday Worship • Beginning Monday, September 9, we add in person Noonday Prayer to our weekly service offerings. All are welcome for this 15 minute service in Golding Chapel, Monday–Friday, at 12:05 p.m. Additionally, we will offer Holy Eucharist on Wednesdays at 5:05 p.m., also in Golding Chapel, beginning September 11. Learn more at: www. christchurchcathedral.org/weekday-services
Fall Adult Formation Offerings • With the start of a new program year, many formation offerings kickoff in September. There are a variety of classes and small groups, as well as several Bible study groups. There will be in-person, online, and hybrid options. Whether you’re just scratching the spiritual surface or looking to go deeper in your faith, find one that’s right for you! Learn more at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/adultformation
Celebrating Karen Kraycirik • After nine years Karen Kraycirik will be departing the Cathedral staff to pursue her next mission in ministry. For almost a decade Karen has served the parish in a variety of roles, and her service has been extraordinary and exemplary. On Sunday, September 1, at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall, we’ll gather to celebrate Karen’s ministry at the Cathedral.
Education for Ministry • Education for Ministry (EfM) is a four-year program of Christian formation and fellowship and encourages a deepened understanding of faith and how it lives out in the world. Open to lay people, no prior theological experience required. Meets Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m. beginning September 3. Learn more at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/efm
Sunday School Returns • Sunday School for Children and Youth returns September 8! Each Sunday we gather together as a community and grow in our faith through teaching and discussion. Classes are offered each Sunday from 10–11 a.m. in English, and from 1–2:30 p.m. in Spanish. To learn about what is offered for specific age groups visit: www.christchurchcathedral.org/ sundayschool
Looking for Children’s Ministry • Follow Agnus to childcare for infants (6 weeks–5 yrs) on the 1st floor of the Jones Building, or enjoy some time on the Huffington Playground. Questions? Contact KariAnn Lessner at kalessner@christchurchcathedral.org
For more information about these and other events at the Cathedral, visit www.christchurchcathedral.org/events.
