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The Lessons Appointed for use on
 
The Sixth Sunday of Easter 
Year B
RCL
 
Rite II  
 
May 10, 2015


 
 
Baptism
From the series "The Life of Christ" 
Oil on canvas.  
Artist: Vasiliy Polenov 
(1844-1927)  
The Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow, Russia 
   


The Collect
 
O God, you have prepared for those who love you such good things as surpass our understanding: Pour into our hearts such love towards you, that we, loving you in all things and above all things, may obtain your promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.
  
 
WORSHIP NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY

The Sixth Sunday of Easter     May 10, 2015

 This Sunday we will celebrate the baptism of Chadwick Burton Slaton, junior. Our readings from scripture for the day could hardly be better words of explanation and strengthening as we renew our baptismal covenant and promise to support Burton in his life in Christ. 


    In our lesson from the Acts of the Apostles, while Peter is speaking the Holy Spirit comes upon everyone listening, Gentiles included. The reality of this is so clear that Peter says, "Can anyone withhold the water for baptizing these people who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?" This is a powerful reminder that baptism into the household of God is open to all-young, old, rich, poor, outsiders and insiders and aliens. The font is open to all who are led there by the Spirit.


    Our lessons from I John and John's gospel focus on the pattern of the believer's life, keeping the faith. It is a pattern and way of living grounded in love. Love leads us to obey God's commandments, and in keeping these commandments we live in love. In doing this, we follow Jesus, who says to his disciples and to us, "No one has greater love than this, to lay down one's life for one's friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you." His command is not burdensome, and we are given strength to keep it by the friendship we share with him and in him. "I have called you friends," Jesus says, not servants any longer. "You did not choose me, but I chose you." 


    As we gather this Sunday to worship God and renew our promises to live in love and fellowship with one another and share the Good News of God in Christ with the world, we will also be strengthening the bonds of our friendship in Christ as we welcome young Burton into God's household.

 

The Very Reverend Beverly Gibson, Ph.D. 

 

Dean of the Cathedral


THE BIBLE CHALLENGE


Bible Challenge: Week 12

 

This week your reading will take you along with the Israelites into Canaan in the book of Joshua, and you will conclude Luke's gospel and begin the fourth gospel.


    The subject of Joshua is the conquest of Canaan and its division among the Israelite tribes. This is a book filled with action-more battles and fewer long speeches. The account begins with preparations and the sending of spies into Canaan. Rahab is a key player in this story and a colorful woman hero of the faith. Then the Israelites cross the Jordan River and begin a series of conquests. The first is the one we remember most vividly, the battle of Jericho, which is captured by following the Lord's instructions. What follows is a series of battles and victories, leading up to the assembly at Shiloh that concludes this week's reading.


    You will follow this colorful reading each day with psalms of thanksgiving and praise as well as some memorable psalms asking for God's help and deliverance from enemies and danger.


    In your New Testament passages this week, you will read Luke's account of Jesus' trial and crucifixion, leading to the empty tomb and the resurrection. The wonderful story of the encounter on the road to Emmaus follows, and the book concludes with Jesus' appearance to the disciples and his ascension into heaven. Then you will begin John's gospel, which emphasizes how the Word was made flesh and dwelled among us. The opening chapters contain the first miracle at the wedding in Cana, Jesus' encounters with religious authorities and the temple, and his time among the Samaritans. His exchange at the well with the Samaritan woman will reward repeated reading.


    My prayer for you this week is that you will find yourself in the scriptural story of God's people and that you will be strengthened to claim your place in that story with boldness.
 

 

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 Sixth Sunday of Easter     May 10, 2015

 

This Sunday, the Sixth Sunday of Easter, we will have a broad a varied musical offering. Especially of interest from a musical standpoint are the prelude, communion, and postlude portions. We will be joined by a special musical guest, Dr. Gosia Leska, a violinist from the Mobile Symphony Orchestra and violin professor at the University of South Alabama.  Our prelude will feature Vision De Jeanne D'Arc by Charles Gounod (1818-1893). In France, during the 19th century, there was a most unique "organ culture". Many organists and organ enthusiasts had small (sometimes not so small) pipe organs in their homes. The organ was also widely used along with orchestral instruments in worship services and in grand and highly embellished musical settings of the Mass. One such work, Gounod's Messe à la mémoire de Jeanne d'Arc, includes the beautiful meditation for violin and organ that we will hear on Sunday.

 

     During communion, we will offer what was originally intended to be a duet for soprano and alto, but we have adapted it for soprano and violin. The haunting Ave Maria by Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921) is an example of the prevailing sacred style of the time. This music may be compared to the more well known Panis Angelicus by Franck, and one will find they are quite similar! Again with organ accompaniment, this music is representative of the style popular in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Notice how different it is from the structured nature of earlier music (such as Bach fugues). This is an example of linear harmony - harmony dictated by a melodic progression rather than by more rigid rules and, paramountly, guided by what the composer thought was pretty.

 

     Our postlude will be Toccatina by Roland Diggle (1885-1954), an English born church musician and concert organist who made his fame and fortune here in the United States. A name seldom seen in programs today, Dr. Diggle was quite respected as one of our nation's premier organists. Not only did he compose over 500 works for organ, but he had acquaintances in the musical community the world over. As I mentioned earlier, during this time period, there was widespread use of linear harmony and beautiful, albeit sometimes saccharine, melodies. Of course, eventually musical tastes would change, and musicians would embrace new tonal systems (new scales, modes, 12 tone techniques, and atonality, to name a few) to invent never-before-heard styles of musical communication. This led to the alienation and general "trashing" of composers like Diggle, Saint-Saëns, and Gounod. While some of their music is admittedly not the best, much of what they wrote is pleasing to the ear and of surprising worth. When comparing these musical styles, much depends on your point of view.

   

     This Sunday, you will hear works by these composers that would have been popular in our parish around the turn of the last century. It is my hope that their heartfelt strains will aid our prayer this week.

 

Christopher Powell
Organist and Choir Master

CATHEDRAL NOTES 
UNITED THANK OFFERING INGATHERING THIS SUNDAY

Join us Sunday as we collect donations to UTO. Blue UTO boxes may be placed at the wooden cross on your way to the altar for Communion. You may also write a check to Christ Church Cathedral designated UTO and place in the alms basin or mail to the Cathedral Office. UTO is a project of the Episcopal Church Women.


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 from 4-6 p.m.
Study Break at Waffle House
3262 Dauphin Street
Sunday, May 31
Following the service.
EYC Blow Out
The McElhaneys' Dog River House
2007 Riverview Drive


NOON HOLY EUCHARIST
Wednesdays through May 20. Resumes the Wednesday after following Labor Day, September 9.


COLLEGE GRADUATES
College graduates will be recognized in the June issue of The Messenger. Please let us know if you have a new college graduate.


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
We need your help with events for the Bishop Consecration on Friday, July 24 and Saturday, July 25, please sign-up on the form at the ministry table or contact the Cathedral Office at office@christchurchcathedralmobile.org or 438-1822.



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,
or look for the link on
the Cathedral website: christchurchcathedralmobile.org.
Questions?
Please contact Alison Mitchell at
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
Christ Church Cathedral 


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, 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, 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, Louis Henry, Julie Brinson, John Aduston Rogers IV, Ceaser Bryant

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

Baptism:
Chadwick Burton Slaton, Jr., son of Chadwick Burton and Abigail Smith Slaton

Repose of the Soul:
Shelton Hendrix, father of Thad Hendrix

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

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

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer:
The Church in Kenya and Tanzania, and Phillips Temple A.O.H. Church of God, Mobile

Prison Ministry Cycle of Prayer:
Walton Correctional Institution, De Funiak Springs , Florida

Flowers:
The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Chadwick Burton Clark and in thanksgiving of the baptism of her great-grandson Chadwick Burton Slaton, Jr.; and in loving memory of Elizabeth Brutkiewicz. The flowers on the font are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the baptism of Chadwick Burton Slaton, Jr.

LITURGICAL MINISTERS FOR THIS SUNDAY

Celebrant and Preacher
Dean Gibson

Assisting
Canon Wagner

First Reading
Grant Zarzour

Second Reading  
John Ferguson

Intercessor
Cleamon Downs

Chalice Bearers
Harwell Coale, Ginny Behlen

Oblationers
Gillette Slaton, Bradley Forster

Crucifers
Charlie Weeks, Livy Ferguson


Acolytes
Anna Francis Weeks, Yates Grehan

Children's Chapel
Robbie Lynn Irvine, Tré Mitchell

Altar Guild
Kathy Thurber, Robbie Lynn Irvine, Leslie Ladd, Lucy Lyons, Hetty Newell, Paula Watkins

Flower Guild
Homer McClure, Robbie Lynn Irvine

Ushers
Chuck McKay, Tony Brown, Jordan Ellis, David Ross

Hospitality Team
Erica McElhaney, Jamie Davidson, Lisa Drew, Julie Hoffmeyer, Meg McGovern, Leigh Rendfrey