MINISTERS FOR SUNDAY

 

Celebrant and Preacher Dean Gibson Assisting Canon Wagner First Reading Tray Hamil Psalmist Jerry Coggin Second Reading Lissa Watkins Intercessor Lynn Yankie Chalice Bearers Bradley Forster, Bill Skinner Oblationers Patsy and George Seymour Crucifers Annabel McKay,   Kate Watkins

Acolytes Lawson Hamil, Virginia Ladd, Sadie Ladd,  Jordan Moore, Leland Moore    Children's Chapel Skip Archer, Jordan Chow Altar Guild Barbara Archer, Jennifer Grehan, Donna Moree,  M. J. Ramo, Martha Ann Stafford Flower Guild Homer McClure Ushers Robby McClure, David Brady, Sonny Irvine,  Banks Ladd, Jex Luce, Homer McClure Hospitality Team Betty Reniewicz, Ginny Behlen, Gaye Formanek,   Joy Dean, Shannon Harris, Patsy Seymour, Laurie Koss

 

 

 

 

WORSHIP NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY

The Second Sunday of Lent   March 1, 2015

 

This week we will continue our consideration of Dr. Atul Gawande's "Five Questions for (the End of) Life," using them as a framework for our Lenten discipline of self-examination, repentance, and amendment of life. Last Sunday, we looked at the concept of covenant-an ongoing relationship over time-between God and his people, as we asked ourselves, "What is your understanding of where you are right now and of your brokenness or sinfulness?"

 

    The question for the second week in Lent will be: "What are your fears or worries for the future?" Our collect this week reminds us that God's "glory [...] is always to have mercy" and to be "gracious to all who have gone astray" and bring them again with faith to the "unchangeable truth" of God's Word in Jesus Christ. But does confidence in God's mercy and continual graciousness inform our view of the future? When you awaken in the night and worry, what do you worry about? When you pull back the curtain to examine what you really fear, what realities you try to avoid, what do you find? How does your faith strengthen you to confront those fears?

 

    Our scripture lessons this week present powerful examples of how faith in God's promises opens the way for grace and transformation. God's covenant-making with his people continues in our reading from Genesis, as God forms his covenant with Abram, now to be known as Abraham. Abraham will "walk before" God and be "blameless," and God will make him the ancestor of multitudes, nations. To an old man who was childless, whose old wife was barren, God made this promise. Abraham accepted.

 

    Paul tells us in his letter to the Romans that Abraham received this promise "through the righteousness of faith" rather than through the law. Faith is the basis "in order that the promise may rest on grace," and not on our merits. Abraham "hoped against hope" as he considered his aging body and Sarah's barrenness. His faith grew strong as he continued to give glory to God, confident that God was able to do and would do what he had promised.

 

    Our gospel lesson is a direct evocation of fear of the future. At this point in Mark's gospel, Jesus began quite openly to discuss with this disciples what would happen to him: he would suffer, be rejected, be killed, and then after three days rise again. This vision of the future terrified Peter, who took Jesus aside and "rebuked" him. Jesus responded sharply: "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things, but on human things." Then Jesus explained to them what it truly means to be Jesus' follower-taking up our cross, not worrying about the future, but trusting in God's promises and "losing ourselves" for the sake of the gospel.  

 

    How can we go about "losing ourselves," our fears and worries for the future, during Lent? How can we strengthen our trust in God's ability to sustain us, provide for us, empower us to claim a future of great promise?    

  

The Very Reverend Beverly F. Gibson

Dean

Christ Church Cathedral

 

 

"Worship Notes for this Sunday" are posted and archived each week on the Cathedral website.

 

 

 

 

THE BIBLE CHALLENGE

Week Two: Lent, March 1 - 8, 2015

 

 

 

    I hope that those of you who have decided to take the Bible Challenge have begun to find your rhythm in reading this week. Remember that the experts say that habits can take four weeks to form solidly, so be patient with yourself if you fall behind in reading, and don't give up! If you didn't begin last week, you can still start and read along at your own pace.

    Week two moves on at great speed through the magisterial story of Genesis. The enigmatic details of the account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah are worthy of note. What is the mission of those angelic visitors, and what do you make of Lot's hospitality to them? Then follows the troubling story of Abraham and his son Isaac, the fulfillment of God's promise. You will read about the twin brothers Jacob and Esau and their struggles. Jacob will wrestle with God, and he will contend with his father-in-law Laban as he labors for Rachel. Finally, Jacob will return to his homeland and receive a new name, Israel. The fathers of our faith emerge from these pages as distinctly human, and despite their shortcomings and their flaws, they are God's chosen ones, the inheritors of the covenant. How can their example strengthen us?

    In Matthew's gospel Jesus continues his teaching, establishing the importance of searching and asking, of treating others as we would be treated, and of refraining from judgment of others. We begin to see the challenges of following a leader who has no visible seat of power and who calls outsiders to be followers, as Jesus calls Matthew the tax collector and says, "I have come to call not the righteous, but sinners." Jesus sends his disciples out into a dangerous world, "like sheep into the midst of wolves," but he empowers them with the Spirit of his Father and encourages them in "enduring to the end." Again and again, he counsels them to have no fear and to have confidence that everything that is now hidden will ultimately be revealed. 

    Through all the uncertainty, challenge, and fear evoked by the life of faithful following, Jesus offers, always, the comfort and consolation of his presence: "Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me. For I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."  

The Very Reverend Beverly F. Gibson

Dean

Christ Church Cathedral

 

 

Find Dean Gibson's  Bible Challenge study guides on the Cathedral website:  

http://www.christchurchcathedralmobile.org/lenten-discipline-the-bible-challenge  

 

 

 

 

 

MUSIC  NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY

The Second Sunday of Lent          March 1, 2015

 

We observe the Second Sunday in Lent this week at the cathedral. Recurring themes of repentance, mercy, and calling continue to be found in our readings and music. The first reading tells the story of Abram's calling by God to, "walk before me, and be blameless." God changes Abram's name to Abraham and promises that he will be the father of a great nation with a special relationship and covenant with God. The flow of our music follows the readings very closely this week.

The God of Abraham praise is our processional hymn, and it is a hymn that recalls the special covenant between God and Abraham. As Christians, we believe that the covenant between God and Israel extends to us also as the children of the new covenant. The text of this hymn ties our story from Hebrew Scripture in with passages from the Book of Revelation and brings our story full circle. The melody for this hymn, Leoni, is actually a Hebrew melody probably composed by Myer Lyon (1750-1797), a cantor (prayer leader and singer) at the Great Synagogue of London. Lyon, also a rather famous opera singer, drew many non-Jews to the synagogue to hear his impressive singing. The tune we will sing on Sunday for our processional hymn was originally sung by Lyon with the Jewish Yigdal text (a prayer sung during Shabbat services). Eventually, the melody was copied down and used in many Christian hymnals. The tune name, Leoni, is simply a version of its author's name, Myer Lyon. 

Our Gospel reading features Jesus' rebuke of Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!", and the famous words, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Because of this, our recessional hymn will be Take up your cross, the Savior said. This hymn, possibly unfamiliar to some, was penned by Charles William Everest (1814-1877). Everest was an Episcopal priest educated at Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut and served churches in the state until the end of his life. His prosaic hymn text is, to me, a meditation on these "difficult" words of Christ. The first verse is a poetic representation of Christ's original words from scripture in the first person. However, the other stanzas unpack the possible meanings of these words. One of the most powerful verses, verse four, is printed below.

Take up your cross, then, in his strength,
and calmly every danger brave: 
it guides you to abundant life 
and leads to victory o'er the grave.

This coming Wednesday, March 4, at noon in the church, we will offer our second Lenten series concert of 2015. This week, we feature The Archduke Trio, one of Mobile's premier chamber ensembles featuring the talents of violinist Enen Yu, violoncellist Guo-Sheng Huang, and pianist Robert Holm. This chamber ensemble, all members of the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, will present  the thought provoking and beautiful Piano Trio in c minor, Opus 66, by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847). Come be a part of our music and meditation followed by lunch in the Chapter House.

  

"Music Notes for this Sunday" are posted and archived 

each week on our new website here: 

 

 CHILDREN'S CHAPEL MEETING

Sunday in the Chapel following service.

SUNDAYS IN LENT-ADULT EDUCATION

Facilitated by Banks Ladd and George Inge.

Meet in the Cathedral Library during Christian Education time following Sunday Worship.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST IN SUPPORT OF FUSE

Sunday, March 22 during hospitality

This is our spring youth outreach project. We are looking for sponsors who are willing to support the project for $100 each. If you would like to become a sponsor, please call Canon Wagner or place your check, with the notation Pancake Breakfast sponsor in the offering plate. The goal of the project is to raise money for FUSE, a project founded by eight young professionals from Mobile with a common belief that a big impact on our area's children can be created by a small motivated group.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST TICKETS

Tickets are available for $8 each or buy two, get one free. Please see members of the 3rd through 12th grade Sunday School classes to buy your tickets.

INSTRUCTED EUCHARIST

Sunday, March 8

12-2 p.m. in the Chapel

On Sunday, March 8th, the EYC will meet after Christian Formation for lunch and a special Instructed Eucharist service. This will be a great opportunity for our youth to learn more about ) and participate in the service. Those in Confirmation Class are required to attend. For more information, please contact Canon Wagner or Sarah Bolt.

MORNING CIRCLE

Monday, March 9 at 10:30 a.m.

We will cook for the Lenten Lunch.

Wednesday, March 11

THE BIBLE CHALLENGE: READ THE BIBLE IN A YEAR

An accompanying devotional, The Bible Challenge: Read the Bible in a Year, by Episcopal priest, The Rev. Marek P. Zabriskie, is available in the Cathedral office for $15. Devotional materials are also available free of charge at: www.thecenterforbiblicalstudies.org. If you are interest in participating as a part of a group here at Christ Church Cathedral, please contact Dean Gibson.

LENTEN MUSIC SERIES

Wednesdays

Lenten noon-day concerts are 30 minutes,

followed by a luncheon in the Chapter House.

11:30 a.m.-Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Chapel

12:00 p.m.-Meditation and Music in the Church

12:30 p.m.-Luncheon in the Chapter House ($8 donation suggested)

We are pleased to welcome again Mobile's own chamber ensemble, The Archduke Trio, featuring masterful artists from the Mobile Symphony Orchestra, Enen Yu, violinist, Guo-Sheng Huang, violoncellist, and Bob Holm, pianist.

From the studio of Professor Howard Reddy of the University of West Florida, this tenor and baritone duo will offer a beautiful noonday program featuring a wide variety of music.

The ever-popular "premier" women's chorus of Mobile. Engaging and innovative, this group of ladies is sure to delight and inspire.

Principal violist of the Pensacola and Niceville Symphony Orchestras, Music Director of the Northwest Florida Youth Orchestra, and Director of Music Ministry at St. Paul Catholic Church in Pensacola, Florida, Brian R. Brown will present a program of incredible beauty.