Christ Church Cathedral  

Mobile, Alabama
 

  

Cathedral E-News        January 1, 2015

                                       

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The Second Sunday 
after Christmas 
   
 
All Years
RCL
 
January 4, 2014
    

 

The Holy Eucharist

Rite II  

10:00 am    

 

      

 

"The Journey of the Magi" (1894) by James Jacques Joseph Tissot (French painter and illustrator, 1836-1902), oil on canvas, Minneapolis Institute of Arts.

  


 


 

  THE COLLECT

O God, who wonderfully created, and yet more wonderfully restored, the dignity of human nature: Grant that we may share the divine life of him who humbled himself to share our humanity, your Son Jesus Christ; who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

______________________________________________

 

 

MINISTERS FOR SUNDAY

 

 

 

Celebrant and Preacher

Dean Gibson 

 

Assisting

Deacon Wagner 

 

First Reading

Alison Mitchell 

 

Second Reading

Tray Hamil 

 

Intercessor

Lynn Yankie 

 

Chalice Bearers

Harwell Coale, Bob Israel 

 

Oblationers

Toni Brown, Tony Brown 

 

Crucifers

John Owen McElhaney, Kate Watkins 

 

Acolytes

Janie Chow, Jordan Chow, Elinor Gibson, Lawson Hamil, Julianna Ramo 

 

 

 

 

Children's Chapel

Skip Archer, Rose Elliott

 

 

Altar Guild

Barbara Archer, Jennifer Grehan, Donna Moree, 

M. J. Ramo, Martha Ann Stafford 

 

 

Flower Guild

Kay Whiting 

 

 

Ushers

Chuck McKay, Tony Brown, Burnley Davis, Jordan Ellis, Thad Hendrix, David Ross 


 

 

Hospitality Team

Sage Bolt, Lucy Brady, 

David Brady, Carolyn Eichold,Betsy McCafferty, Shannon Reeves, 

Laura Rutherford 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WORSHIP NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY 
Second Sunday after Christmas Day
January 4,  2015

  

 

Although the feast of the Epiphany of Our Lord Jesus Christ is not until Tuesday, January 6, we read and sing about his appearing this Sunday, two days in advance. The Wise Men who have been resting in the southeast corner of the church will travel to the Holy Family near the lectern. Our celebration of Christmas continues as we give thanks for the divine blessings brought to us through the birth of Jesus.

 

Our collect reminds us that through Christ, God has "restored the dignity of human nature," and we pray that "we may share in the divine life" of the One who humbled himself for us. The lessons appointed for this Sunday center around being led by The Lord to our "home" in Him. The prophet Jeremiah gives a poetic account of how God leads his people home to the place promised to them: "I will let them walk by brooks of water, in a straight path in which they shall not stumble; for I have become a father to Israel, and Ephraim is my firstborn." Paul sets out his glorious vision of the Church in his letter to the Ephesians, establishing Christ as the mediator of God's blessings--"He destined us for adoption as his children through Jesus Christ, according to the good pleasure of his will"--and offering thanksgiving for the wisdom and power that are made available to us as we come to know Him. Our gospel lesson is the continuation of Matthew's account of the birth of Jesus. Wise men from the East have seen the star of Jesus' appearing and have journeyed to Jerusalem to find the child who has been born "king of the Jews." Frightened at their news, King Herod calls together his own counsel of wisdom and asks where the prophets say this child is to be born. He sends the visitors from the East on to the prophesied place, Bethlehem, asking that they return with news about the child. Arriving at the place where the star stops, the wise men are "overwhelmed with joy"; they see Jesus with his mother Mary, and they kneel before him and offer the precious gifts they have brought with them. Then, warned in a dream not to return to Herod, "they left for their own country by another road."

 

How are we being led by the light of Christ that has come into the world? As this new year unfolds, I would invite you to join me in reading the Bible daily and asking God to open our hearts and minds to the place prepared for us in the great divine story of God's love for humanity. What ways of living do you feel drawn toward as you consider your own life in the light of that love? How can we, in our shared life at Christ Church Cathedral, invite others in our community and throughout our diocese to experience that love?

 

The Very Reverend Beverly F. Gibson

Dean

Christ Church Cathedral

 

"Worship Notes for this Sunday" are posted and archived 

each week on our new website here: 

http://www.christchurchcathedralmobile.org/worship-notes-for-this-sunday 

 



 

MUSIC NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY  

Second Sunday after Christmas Day 

January 4, 2015

  

 

A very Happy New Year to you and yours from your Cathedral music ministry! As we begin this new year, we are ever mindful of our history and traditions as we press forward toward new challenges and innovations. On a personal note, I am very grateful that the old year brought me here to be your Organist and Choir Master. I'm looking forward to this new year as we continue to grow an exciting and life giving music ministry together.

 

The music for Sunday focuses on the story of the three Wise Men, the Sages from afar, the Magi, or, in the words of one clergyperson, the Wise Guys. Even though the Feast of the Epiphany is actually celebrated on Tuesday, January 6th (come to our noon Eucharist in the Chapel that day), the lectionary gives us the option to read their story this Sunday. No matter how fanciful their tale may seem, they are an important piece of Christ's story, as they bring his birth to an international stage. The Magi give us a sense of wonder and pilgrimage as they travel, guided by a star, to Bethlehem where they find a poor family with a newborn child. Then, they present precious gifts that foreshadow Jesus' life among us.

 

This week, we sing We three kings, What child is this, Angels from the realms of glory, and The first nowell. All of these hymns speak of the Magi and their journey. At Bethlehem, they experience an "aha" moment, an epiphany. The 3rd verse of our communion hymn speaks eloquently of the Magi:

 

Sages, leave your contemplations;

brighter visions beam afar:

seek the great Desire of nations;

ye have seen his natal star.

-          From Piae Cantiones, 1582; translated by Jane M. Joseph (1894-1929)

 

Mary must certainly have been awed, excited, and yet overwhelmed by the amazing occurrences surrounding her son's birth. Our offertory anthem speaks of Mary and Jesus quite beautifully.  The following, drawn from the 2nd verse, speaks of Jesus' relationship with his mother.

 

Sing of Jesus, son of Mary,

In the home at Nazareth,

Toil and labor cannot weary

Love enduring unto death.

Constant was the love he gave her,

Though he went forth from her side,

Forth to preach, and heal, and suffer,

Till on Calvary he died.

-          Roland Ford Palmer (1891-1985)

 

Think about the many depictions of the Magi as we sing on Sunday. Certainly, many of those who encountered Jesus throughout his life must have experienced "aha" moments about a great many things, but what a bittersweet epiphany Christ's true mission must have been for his mother. We all are called to experience epiphanies in different ways as God is revealed in creation, the church, and in our neighbors. As your Organist and Choir Master, I hope this new year will bring about epiphanies for us through our music. Perhaps one more quote is worth writing. Although we won't sing In the bleak midwinter on Sunday, we did sing it during communion on Christmas eve. Here is the  4th verse. Perhaps this is good to keep in mind as we contemplate the Epiphany of the Lord.

 

What can I give him,

Poor as I am?

If I were a shepherd,

I would bring a lamb;

If I were a wise man,

I would do my part;

Yet what I can I give him

Give my heart.

-          Christina Rossetti (1830-1894)

 

 

Christopher W. Powell
Organist and Choir Master
 
  

"Music Notes for this Sunday" are posted and archived 

each week on our new website here: 

 http://www.christchurchcathedralmobile.org/music-notes-for-this-sunday

 

 

 

 

CATHEDRAL NOTES

 

 

WEDNESDAY NOON EUCHARIST 

Resumes Wednesday, January 6 

 

 

 

ORDINATION 

TO THE 

PRIESTHOOD 

Saturday, January 10 

10:00 a.m. 

 

If you'd like to help with the Ordination and Reception on Saturday, January 10, please sign-up on the form at the ministry table or contact the Cathedral Office at 438-1822 or 

office@christchurchcathedralmobile.org

 

Staffing Needs: 

Greeters: 8:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. We will need 10 to 12 greeters stationed around the campus. 

Ushers: 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. We will need ushers to hand out bulletins, assist during the service and help prepare the church for Sunday. 

 

 

 

EPIPHANY CONCERT

HILDEGARD, HOWELLS

HOOK & HASTINGS 

Sunday, January 11, 2015 

at 4:00 p.m. 

 

An hour-long concert featuring a sung medieval play by Hildegard von Bingen, the first recorded composer of Western music, organ/choral pieces by Herbert Howells, the English romanticist, and the sounds of the Victorian era Hook & Hastings pipework of our organ, dating from 1907. This program will also feature a reflection on Hildegard by The Very Reverend Beverly F. Gibson, Ph.D., Dean. 


 

Click here for information on concerts planned 

 

ALTERNATE ROUTE TO CHURCH 

Sunday, January 11 

Due to possible traffic delays and to help ensure the day runs smoothly for our members and the participants in the First Light Marathon, you may want to take an alternate route to church on Sunday, January 11. The marathon route is available at www.firstlightmarathon.com

 

 

 

MORNING CIRCLE 

Monday, January 12 

10:30 a.m. 

at the home of Peggy McClelland 

157 Oakway 

 

Leader: Sara Phillips 

For information or directions, 

call Carolyn Stephenson 

at 342-5637. 

 

 

 

WALK ABOUT-PRESENTATION OF 

CANDIDATES FOR THE BISHOP OF OUR DIOCESE

 

You may meet the candidates at the Walk Abouts

Walk Abouts are open to every member of parishes in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. Registration begins Friday, January 2. 

 

Monday January 19 

Lunch-11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. 

St. Francis of Assisi, Gulf Breeze. 

 

Walkabout-6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 

Church of the Nativity, Dothan. 

 

Tuesday January 20 

Lunch-11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. 

St. Mary's, Andalusia. 

 

Walkabout-6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 

St. John's, Monroeville 

 

Wednesday January 21 

Walkabout-6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. 

St. Paul's, Daphne 

 

  

Cathedral Notes will be posted each week on the 

News/Events page on our new website here:

http://www.christchurchcathedralmobile.org/newsevents.html  

  

  

 

 

CATHEDRAL PRAYERS

O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.    

 

WE PRAY FOR:  

 

Members: 

Brink Brinkley, John Wade Thurber, Nick Nichols, Butch Trawick, Billie van der Giessen, Peter van der Giessen, Patti Biel, Alice Carwie, Raymond Fields, Lisa Williams, Fairley Morton, David Sanders 

 

Friends & Family: 

Leland Moore, Sr., Deborah Beverley, Peggy Naughton, Gary Davis, Harrison Leff, Michael Cameron, Nancy & Don Cameron, Rob & Amy Archer Ellis, Dottie McCord, Joyce Lee, Davis Nelson, Michael Sumrall, Gwen Cook, Alfred Showers, Michael Daves, Michael Sumrall, Jim Elia, Anne Brown, Mark Brown, Harriett Lillich, Bonnie Orillion, Dave Carlyn Block, Rachel McClanahan, Beverly Schubert, Tom Cunningham, Francis Grace Hirs, Norma Beazley, Curtis Bullock, Valerie Boatman, Ann Jones, Hank Wozniek, Lisa Thompson, Stella Phillips, James Thomas, Ted Fraiche, Mark Miles, Susan Guilian, Tot Swanson, Art Swanson, Hayden Jenkins, Maggie Jenkins, Betty Ruth Patek, Carolyn Pryor, Merle Findley, Louise Douglas, Shirley & Dunlap Peeples, Steve Harris, Sandy Fortner, Johnny McLeod, Marian Macpherson Currie, Jim & Dianne McCall, Mary Lou Peake, Bill Goodloe, Kit & Roger Geil and the Geil family, Angel & Larry Torres, Kathy Boucvalt, Bill Stevens, Mancil Lee, Ginger Simpson, Karen Sentilles, Lila Fisk, Kendall Stanton, Tracey Johnson, Joe Lowrey, Temple Webber, Celeste Hall, Joel Hopper, Betty Browder, David Lannie, The Rev. Mark Wilson, Allan Tucker, Wyatt Ison, Sallie Jackson, Curt Kennington, Kathy Sanders, Davis Sarrett, Willie Stanton, Clarise Waters, Glenn Hill, Leslie Ellis Sharbel, Cora Lemmon, Dewey Hardeman, Humphrey Godfroy, Marian Hall, Homer Kemp, Jane Behlen, Katie Sippel, Dan Jones, Florence Tucker, Betty Larison, Kathy Brook Palefsky, Mike Barnett, Bill Miles, Frankie Garner, Eleanor Taylor, Bill Hamilton, Carrier Yankie, Carolyn Graham, Ralph and Catherine Neal, Willie Stanton, Jr. 

 

For Those Serving in the Military: 

Darrien Gibson, Kelley Hood, Evan Sizemore, Robert McNeil, The Rev. Bowen Woodruff, Daniel White-Spunner Reed, Jonathan Duralde, Ron Lansong, Sam Garcia, Chris Marslender, Jerry Olin, Abby Hutchins, Tyler Gamble, Jean-Michael Lemieux, Albert Robinson IV, Michael Nassar, Josh Power, Ryan Anthony Thomas, Randy Johnson, Susan Reniewicz, Brian Caselton, Brian Hudson, Keith Moss, Ryan Walker, Tyler Oubre, Brian Pennell, John Snyder, Louis Coggin, Jason Norris, Conner Thigpen, Zack Miller, Parker Hollinghead, Todd & Jordana Mouthaan 

 

Anglican Cycle of Prayer: The Anglican Church of Lagos, Nigeria 

 

Cathedral Cycle of Prayer: St. James', Fairhope, Alabama; the ministry of Sara Phillips, Pastoral Leader of St. Mary's, Coden 

 

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer: The Church in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Iran and Iraq, and Solid Rock Ministry Church of God, Mobile 

 

Prison Ministry Cycle of Prayer: Jackson County Corrections Facility, Marianna, Florida 

 

Flowers: The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in memory of Emanuel Lattof and Alphonse Lattof. 

 

 

 

Cathedral Prayers will be updated weekly on our new website here:

http://www.christchurchcathedralmobile.org/cathedral-prayers.html  

 

 

 

 THE MESSENGER: DECEMBER 2014  

 Lay Minister Schedule for December 2014 & January 2015  

     

 

Cathedral Calendar 

Cathedral Website 

Diocesan Website 

Email webmaster   

 

 

 

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL MISSION 

The Cathedral is the spiritual center of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.  The Cathedral is a dynamic and evolving church that serves as a liturgical, educational, and pastoral center for Diocesan life. It serves as a visible symbol of unity and promotes growth, hope, and a deepening trust in the Lord. The Cathedral is a place where the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be faithfully preached and responded to, and it will model new concepts and ideas for education, evangelism, and outreach to which the Gospel calls us.


 
    

 

 

 

 

Cathedral of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast

 

Clergy and Staff  


The Right Reverend Philip Menzie Duncan, II, Bishop
The Very Reverend Beverly F. Gibson, Ph.D., Dean
The Reverend Daniel Andrew Wagner, Deacon
Christopher William Powell, Organist and Choir Master
Carolyn S. Jeffers, Provost
Brenda J. Stanton, Financial Secretary
Marla J. Reis, Cathedral Secretary
Polly M. Garner, Assistant to the Provost
Deidre and Joe Williamson, Nursery
Judy J. Jones, Housekeeping

 

  

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Questions, suggestions, changes?

Please email

Cindy McCrory:

 christchurchcathedralmobile@gmail.com

or

Carolyn Jeffers:

office@christchurchcathedralmobile.com   

 


Christ Church Cathedral          115 South Conception St.          Mobile, AL  36602
251.438.1822          251.433.3403 fax
www.christchurchcathedralmobile.org