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The Lessons Appointed for use on
 
The Fifth Sunday of Easter 
Year B
RCL
 
Rite II  
 
May 3, 2015

 
 I am the Vine, You are the Branches 
Artist: Nancy Azara  
Presented by The Forum @ St. Ann's 
St. Ann & the Holy Trinity Church, Brooklyn Heights 
  


The Collect
 
Almighty God, whom truly to know is everlasting life: Grant us so perfectly to know your Son Jesus Christ to be the way, the truth, and the life, that we may steadfastly follow his steps in the way that leads to eternal life; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 
WORSHIP NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY

The Fifth Sunday of Easter     May 3, 2015

On this fifth Sunday of Easter, we will consider what it means for us to abide in Christ. Jesus tells his disciples in our gospel lesson from John that he is the "true vine" and we are the "branches." The branch cannot survive and bear fruit unless it abides in the vine. Likewise, we cannot live as disciples and "bear fruit" unless we abide in Jesus. He is the vine, and we are the branches. This is not simply a metaphor. It is a specific image of our lives as Christians. God is the ground of our being, the source of all we are and all we have. Jesus, God's Son, is the living presence of God, growing out of that ground into the world. We-and I do mean we, not each of us as individuals but all of us as the community of the Body-grow out of Christ, branches on the vine. From the ground of God, through the life of Christ, into our lives in the world the "fruit" emerges. What is the fruit in our lives? This is important to know, since Jesus says here that if we don't produce fruit, we will be thrown away! The fruit is the manifestation of God's love, flowing from him through Jesus and into us; it is compassion, kindness, mercy, patience, wisdom-all demonstrated in our actions in the world.


    The first letter of John also attends to our abiding in God, telling us something about how we do this. We do it by loving each other. When we love, God is alive in us. When we hate, or when we fear, and even when we are indifferent, God is squeezed out, and we wither. 


    The wonderful account of Philip's encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch that we will read from Acts is a clear illustration of the fruits of God's love being put into action. Philip is moved by the Spirit to befriend this outsider. As Philip guides him through the scripture the eunuch is attempting to read, he demonstrates kindness and compassion and patience and wisdom. This all leads to the eunuch's desire to be baptized, to his inclusion in the household of God.


    How are we being called to bear fruit at Christ Church Cathedral? What are the ways we can act with compassion and kindness and show God's love to the world around us?  

 

The Very Reverend Beverly Gibson, Ph.D. 
Dean of the Cathedral
THE BIBLE CHALLENGE


Bible Challenge: Week 11

 

As the days grow longer and warmer and the sun begins to shine and spring progresses, the lure of being outside and doing things may draw you away from reading. Likewise, the season of weddings and graduations and celebrations of all sorts may demand our time and attention. You may miss a few days of reading in your Bible Challenge and then dread having to "catch up." Don't despair! Just pick up where you left off and keep going at your own pace. Take your Bible onto the porch and read while enjoying the breeze and the sounds of nature. You will be doubly present to God.

 

    In our Old Testament reading this week, we will finish the book of Deuteronomy. Moses concludes his second discourse with teachings on how to live-with individual integrity before God and in community together as God's people. His third (and final) discourse closes the book with reassurance of God's faithfulness in his promises of restoration. Then comes Moses' death. The book concludes, "Never since has there arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face."

 

    Our psalms this week are prayers for deliverance-from enemies, hardship, and despair. The answer to these prayers is found in the protection of God's "tent," the temple.

 

    Luke's gospel continues to recount Jesus' teaching to his followers in the days leading up to his passion. Our reading begins with his teaching on obedience, reminding us that it is our duty to obey God, and not something to be rewarded. Jesus keeps on healing and loving outcasts, all the while explaining the coming of the Kingdom of God and the role of the Son of Man in its accomplishment. He encourages his disciples to pray always and not to lose heart, teaching them through parables how to come to the Kingdom as little children, without the attachment to their possessions that burdens the rich young ruler. Then comes Jesus' triumphal entry into Jerusalem and the events that unfold there. Our reading this week concludes with Luke's account of the Last Supper and Jesus' betrayal and arrest.  

 

    My prayer for you this week is that as you read you will be filled with an awareness of God's love for you and of the presence of his Son, our Risen Lord, with you.   

 

 

Dean Gibson's Bible Challenge study guides are on the Cathedral website here. 

 

 Reading Schedule 

 

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.  

 
MUSIC NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY

The Fifth Sunday of Easter     May 3, 2015

 

The Fifth Sunday of Easter also includes our annual celebration of "Senior Sunday" at the Cathedral this week. The beauty of the springtime is all around us, and fittingly, a certain lightness and grace permeates our musical offering for you. The Cathedral organ has just undergone some much needed maintenance, and her pipes will sound out with renewed vigor as we continue our Easter festivities.

 

At the offertory, two of our sopranos will present a lovely anthem by Thomas Matthews (1915-1999), a New York born organist and composer who developed quite an illustrious career in the Anglican tradition. Matthews began studies in the English tradition under Norman Coke-Jephcott (1893-1962) and later was his assistant at the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City. From there, Matthews went on to serve other Episcopal churches around the country and composed over 30 anthems, selling well over one million copies. Here at Christ Church, we will offer Matthews' I Am the Good Shepherd, a lovely work that illustrates Christ's continuous search for the lost. The tender, high two part musical texture in the vocal parts juxtaposes against a broad and lush organ accompaniment, giving a sense of comfort and love.

 

During Holy Communion and celebrating "Senior Sunday", high school senior, Janie Chow, will sing Franz Schubert's Ave Maria. Schubert (1797-1828) originally composed the Ave Maria as a secular art song with German lyrics that, contrary to popular assumption, were not a translation of the Latin prayer. However, since its composition, the piece has become wildly successful as a sacred piece and is often sung with the traditional Latin prayer text. We are looking forward to hear Janie sing this, and we wish all of our graduates many blessings as they begin a new chapter of their lives!

 

Finally, you may be interested to know that the organ prelude, an Adagio by Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911), is actually one movement of a larger work, his Sonata in c minor. Guilmant, a famed Parisian organist, laid the groundwork for a distinctly French invention, the organ symphony. Because of a flowering of advanced organ technique and constructions, partially inspired by a new found appreciation of Bach's organ works, organists sought new ways to use their blossoming virtuosity and show off the advanced capabilities of the French Romantic organ. Widor (of the famed "Widor Toccata"), Vierne (organist of Notre-Dame), and others after them composed symphonic style works indented to be played on the organ alone. These works are now considered to be the glories of the French Romantic period of organ music. Without the foundation laid by Guilmant, their beloved teacher, these masters might not have created this grand idiom of musical expression. The Adagio is a lovely piece, and I hope it aids your meditation and prayer before our service.

 

 


Christopher Powell
Organist and Choir Master
CATHEDRAL NOTES 
GRADUATING SENIORS
Gracious Lord, we give thanks for these your
servants who have come to this time of graduation,
Janie Alexis Chow
Sarah Elizabeth Grehan
John Owens McElhaney III
Annabel Marie McKay
John Paul Williamson
Summer Joy Wozniek

We celebrate with them.
Their church family prays for them as they move to a new chapter in their life stories. May the Holy Spirit guide, inspire, encourage and bring them safely home to us. All this we ask through Jesus Christ who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord Jesus be near to defend thee, within thee to refresh thee, around thee to preserve thee, before thee to guide thee, behind thee to justify thee, above thee to bless thee; who liveth and reigneth with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God forevermore.

10th Century Blessing
May Almighty God, who has redeemed us and made us his children through the resurrection of his Son our Lord, bestow upon you the riches of his blessing. Amen.

May this gift and Cathedral pin presented to you today remind you of our love for you and accompany you in the years ahead. May you keep them close to you, as we keep you close to our hearts.


RECOGNITION OF OUR
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION TEACHERS

Our dedicated Christian Education teachers have done a wonderful job this year with our Cathedral family children. Sunday School may be over, but Children's Chapel will continue throughout the summer. Vacation Bible School will be held June 9 through June 11. Special thanks to Alison Mitchell for her leadership and planning.

Now is not too soon to decide to help with Christian Education, which will begin again in the fall on Sunday, September 8. If you are interested in helping, please contact Canon Wagner or Corinne Betbeze.

SUNDAY SCHOOL
Grammar School
Eleanor Baker
Jordan Ellis
Kim Ellis
Brandi Lindsey
Chuck McKay
Kristyn Seawell
Middle School
Alison Mitchell

Confirmation
Carolyn Jeffers

High School
Carl Cunningham
Canon Wagner

EYC
Sarah Bolt
Canon Wagner
CHILDREN'S CHAPEL
Skip Archer
Harwell Coale
Robbie Lynn Irvine
Barbara Mitchell
Lissa Watkins
Brie Zarzour

Youth Assistants
Janie Chow
Jordan Chow
Rose Elliott
Annabel McKay
Tré Mitchell

Coordinator:
Corinne Betbeze

FUN CLUB
Banks Ladd
Mary Carol Ladd
Lucy Moore


SENIOR SUNDAY HOT DOG LUNCH SUNDAY
Sunday we celebrate our high school seniors' graduation with hot dogs and ice cream sandwiches during the hospitality hour.

UNITED THANK OFFERING INGATHERING
Sunday, May 10
United Thank Offering (UTO) is a ministry of the Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through United Thank Offering, men, women, and children nurture the habit of giving daily thanks to God. These prayers of thanksgiving start when we recognize and name our many daily blessings. United Thank Offering is entrusted to promote thank offerings, to receive the offerings, and to distribute the UTO monies to support mission and ministry throughout the Episcopal Church and in invited Provinces of the Anglican Communion in the developing world.

The Ingathering this year will be on Sunday, May 10. UTO is a project of the Episcopal Church Women. UTO materials are available on the Ministry table.

MORNING CIRCLE
Monday, May 11 at 10:00 a.m.
at the home of Betty Reniewicz
(3805 Cottage Hill Road)
For directions or information on Morning Circle, call Carolyn Stephenson at 342-5637.

EYC EVENTS
Sunday, May 17
4-6 p.m.
Study Break at Waffle House
3262 Dauphin Street

Sunday, May 31
Time and Location TBA
"EYC Blow Out"


VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
Tuesday, June 9 - Thursday, June 11
Bring the whole flock to
HOMETOWN NAZARETH: WHEN JESUS WAS A KID
Volunteers of all ages needed.
To attend or volunteer,
sign-up online at www.groupvbspro.com/vbs/hl/christchurchcath
or look for the link on
the Cathedral website: christchurchcathedralmobile.org.
Questions?
Please contact Alison Mitchell at
alisonsmitchell2@gmail.com
or 689-7874.

FAREWELL AND THANK YOU TO
BISHOP PHILIP AND KATHY DUNCAN
Both events below are open to all area churches who wish to attend.

REGIONAL VISITATION AND CELEBRATION OF BISHOP DUNCAN'S MINISTRY
Wednesday, May 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Holy Nativity Church
222 North Bonita Avenue
Panama City, Florida
Eucharist, including baptisms and confirmations, begin at 6:00 p.m. Dinner and refreshments on the lawn following the service. For more information and to RSVP, please contact the Rev. Steve Bates at
fr.steve@holy-nativity.org or call the Holy Nativity Church Office at 850-747-4000.

REGIONAL CELEBRATION OF BISHOP DUNCAN'S MINISTRY AND RETIREMENT
Sunday, June 7
2:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m.
Church of the Redeemer
7125 Hitt Road
Mobile, Alabama
Covered dish picnic and refreshments on the lawn from 2:00 until 5:00 p.m. For more information and to RSVP, please contact
Lois Bolter Lobolter1@gmail.com or call the church office at 639-1948.

 
 
BISHOP CONSECRATION SCHEDULE



Friday, July 24
10:00 a.m.

CLERGY EUCHARIST
Christ Church Cathedral

CLERGY SPOUSE EVENT
Trinity Episcopal Church
1900 Dauphin Street

12:00 p.m.
CLERGY & SPOUSE LUNCHEON
Trinity Episcopal Church
1900 Dauphin Street

YOUTH OUTREACH EVENT
Wilmer Hall
3811 Old Shell Road

6-8:00 p.m.
CONSECRATION CELEBRATION
Christ Church Cathedral
This event will require a ticket.

Saturday, July 25
10:00 a.m.

BISHOP SIGNING & SEALING
Home of Virginia and Ron Snider

BISHOP SPOUSE COFFEE
Brantley House-CCC


11:45 a.m.
BISHOP & SPOUSE LUNCHEON
Home of Virginia and Ron Snider

2:00 p.m.
ORDINATION & CONSECRATION
Mobile Expo Hall

4:00 p.m.
RECEPTION
Christ Church Cathedral

Sunday, July 26
10:00 a.m.
SEATING OF THE 4TH BISHOP
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, Butch Trawick, Alice Carwie, Raymond Fields, Lisa Williams, Fairley Morton, Katherine Deaton, Carol Rodgers, Hank Cobb, Icy Lee Neel, Dorothy Fulton, Ken McElhaney

Friends & Family:
Peggy Naughton, Gary Davis, Harrison Leff, Michael Cameron, Nancy & Don Cameron, Rob & Amy Archer Ellis, Joyce Lee, Davis Nelson, Michael Sumrall, Gwen Cook, Alfred Showers, Michael Sumrall, Jim Elia, Anne Brown, Mark Brown, Harriett Lillich, Dave Carlyn Block, Rachel McClanahan, 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, Tot Swanson, Art Swanson, Hayden Jenkins, Maggie Jenkins, Betty Ruth Patek, Carolyn Pryor, Merle Findley, Louise Douglas, Shirley & Dunlap Peeples, Steve Harris, Marian Macpherson Currie, Dianne McCall, Mary Lou Peake, Bill Goodloe, Kit & Roger Geil and the Geil family, Angel & Larry Torres, Kathy Boucvalt, Bill Stevens, Ginger Simpson, Karen Sentilles, Lila Fisk, Tracey Johnson, Joe Lowrey, Temple Webber, Celeste Hall, Betty Browder, Allan Tucker, Wyatt Ison, Kathy Sanders, Davis Sarrett, Clarise Waters, Glenn Hill, Leslie Ellis Sharbel, Cora Lemmon, Marian Hall, Homer Kemp, Jane Behlen, Dan Jones, Florence Tucker, Betty Larison, Kathy Brook Palefsky, Mike Barnett, Eleanor Taylor, Carolyn Graham, Ralph and Catherine Neal, Willie Stanton, Jr., Willie Thomas, Mark Mason, Anita Stead, Gillette Slaton, Jim McCall, Tim Fulton, Carter Albrecht, Marty Davidson, Bennett Stenger, Gladys Crowson, Billy Yost, Noel Fell, the Ward Family, Sybil Willis Rodgers, Hap Myers, Jr., Paul Vickers, George Robison, Georgia Dominick, Mitch Johnson, Robin Wade, Randy Moore, Rick Nichols, Eric Kosche, Patrick Smith, Kate Heddrich

For Those Serving in the Military:
Angela Brunson Buysman, Brian Caselton, Louis Coggin, Jonathan Duralde, Tyler Gamble, Sam Garcia, Darrien Gibson, Parker Hollinghead, Kelley Hood, Brian Hudson, Abby Hutchins, Randy Johnson, Ron Lansong, Jean-Michael Lemieux, Chris Marslender, Zack Miller, Todd & Jordana Mouthaan, Keith Moss, Michael Nassar, Jerry Olin, Tyler Oubre, Brian Pennell, Josh Power, Daniel White-Spunner Reed, Susan Reniewicz, Evan Sizemore, John Snyder, Conner Thigpen, Ryan Anthony Thomas, Ryan Walker, The Rev. Bowen Woodruff

Anglican Cycle of Prayer:
The Anglican Church of Ngbo, Uganda

Cathedral Cycle of Prayer:
Church of the Good Shepherd, Mobile; Sara Phillips, Pastoral Leader, St. Mary's, Coden

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer:
The Church in Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda, and Greater Macedonia Baptist Church, Mobile

Prison Ministry Cycle of Prayer:
Santa Rosa Correctional Institution, Milton, Florida

Altar Flowers:
The flowers on the altar and given to the glory of God and in honor of the birthdays of Elizabeth and Malcolm Warren and in thanksgiving for our High School Seniors.
LITURGICAL MINISTERS FOR THIS SUNDAY


Celebrant and Preacher
Dean Gibson

Assisting
Canon Wagner

First Reading
Douglas Kearley

Second Reading
Lucy Moore

Intercessor
Lynn Yankie

Chalice Bearers
Bill Skinner, Leland Moore

Oblationers
Paula and Bubba Watkins


Crucifers
John Owens McElhaney, Mary Elizabeth Blankenship

Acolytes
Charlie Ramo, Julianna Ramo, Leland Moore, Jordan Moore, Janaé Wilson

Children's Chapel
Corinne Betbeze, Jordan Chow

Altar Guild
Barbara Archer, Jennifer Grehan, Donna Moree, M. J. Ramo, Martha Ann Stafford

Flower Guild
Sage Bolt, Lucy Brady

Ushers
Paul Clinton, Fred Hoffmeyer, Gene Moree
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