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All Saints Sunday, 2014
Christ Church Cathedral 

The Lessons Appointed for use on

 The Twenty Second Sunday after Pentecost  
Year B
RCL
 

The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two 

Ten o'clock in the morning 


October 25, 2015

The Resurrection of Lazarus
1896

Artist: Henry Ossawa Tanner
Source: New York Times

THE COLLECT FOR SUNDAY
 
Almighty and everlasting God, increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity; and, that we may obtain what you promise, make us love what you command; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.


 
WORSHIP NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY
   The lessons for this 22nd Sunday after Pentecost tell us the importance of listening and looking carefully and well. That is how we open ourselves to God in creation and in others. We will pray in our collect for the day for God to "increase in us the gifts of faith, hope, and charity," and we will ask God to make us love his commands so that we may obtain his promises. Receiving the grace to be truly present in all our encounters is the first step in the answer to that prayer.

    We conclude our series of readings from Job this week by hearing Job's reply to God's words to him, and we see how Job's life ends, "old and full of days," having seen his children and his children's children, four generations, and having received twice as many blessings as he had before his troubles.  This defies our notions of reality, and perhaps even our desires for satisfaction, knowing as believe we do that goodness and faithfulness are not always (and perhaps, we think, should not be) rewarded in such tangible ways. Perhaps we might consider that Job's real reward was in his encounter with God, hearing from God about the wonders of his creation and the enduring of his purposes. "I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you," Job says. Job has questioned, and then he has listened well, and now he sees.

    There is transformation from blindness to sight in our gospel lesson, as well. We have been reading our way through Mark's gospel this month, listening to Jesus teach about his kingdom and explain what will happen to him-and witnessing the disciples' blindness, their failure to understand what Jesus has told them. In our reading this week, Jesus and his disciples were leaving Jericho as they encountered the blind man Bartimaeus sitting by the side of the road. "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" he cried out. Attempts to silence him only caused him to cry out more loudly. When Jesus called for him to come, Bartimaeus sprang up immediately and did not hesitate to make his request, "My teacher, let me see again." To which Jesus replied, "Go; your faith has made you well." And then, with his sight, he followed Jesus along the way. Imagine how intently the blind man must have been listening to all he heard-and how intense his vision must have been when his eyes could see. Transformation happens when we give that kind of intent attention to Christ's presence in our world.

    This Sunday we will welcome Joshua Bullock Ridgdell into the household of God. Immediately after his baptism, we will pray that God will give him "an inquiring and discerning heart, the courage to will and to persevere, a spirit to know and love you, and the gift of joy and wonder in all your works." We should ask the same for all of us.



 
The Very Reverend Beverly Findley Gibson
Ph.D., Dean and Rector, Christ Church Cathedral 
  
 
MUSIC NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY
The Twenty-Second Sunday after Pentecost brings us closer to the end of the month and to the festivities surrounding All Saints Sunday next week. Musically, we will hear several selections that echo the messages in the readings in differing ways. The choir will sing an offertory anthem that mirrors the Gospel reading. This piece, Lord, I Stretch My Hands to You,
by Jay Althouse (b. 1951), is a favorite of choirs across the country. It combines a simple, easy to follow melody with appealing harmonies to create a very pleasant listening experience. Althouse has made a name for himself as a choral composer and is one of the few people able to arrange and compose full time thanks to his success in writing music for choirs of all levels (children and adults). A piece he co-composed with his wife, Sally, was sung at the 2009 Presidential Inauguration ceremonies.
 
Sunday's postlude is the ever-popular Trumpet Voluntary by Jeremiah Clarke (1674-1707). An organist of Saint Paul's Cathedral in London, Clarke had a distinguished career that ended in tragedy. Unlucky in love, Clarke took his own life in the Cathedral churchyard at the young age of 33. Suicide victims were not allowed to be buried in the Cathedral cemetery, but legend has it that an exception was made for Clarke.  He was a very successful Baroque composer, and is the composer of much music that has grown to become favorites around the world. The Trumpet Voluntary has been used not only at English royal weddings, but at weddings across the globe. Sometimes, a composer really latches onto a timeless idea, and I think Clarke did that with this piece. His life story ends tragically, but I think that it illustrates the beauty and power of musical art as well as the many facets of the human condition. Even though Clarke's story has a sad ending, his music is so full of joy that it is used for some of the most joyous occasions that we celebrate. Beauty can come from everyone and every situation, I believe, and I think Clarke would be pleased that his music is so well-known and loved today.
 
We have exciting events coming up in the life of our church, but while momentous occasions stand out in the memory, I love the "ordinary" Sundays in which we find ourselves right now. Musically and spiritually, we can take time to look around and observe the everyday beauty in our church and in the world. As fall continues, a sense of expectation hangs in the air. Let's not rush past this time, however. Let's enjoy the simple things surrounding us in the here and now. There is much beauty in the simple things around us - even the "normal" Sundays!
  
 
 
Christopher Powell
Organist and Choir Master
 
THE MINISTERS OF THE LITURGY

Celebrant and Preacher
Dean Gibson

Assisting
Canon Wagner

First Reading
Alison Mitchell

Second Reading
John Ferguson

Intercessor
Cleamon Downs

Chalice Bearers
David Broome, Carolyn Jeffers

Crucifers
Charlie Ramo, Livy Ferguson

Acolytes
 Blake Ferguson, Julianna Ramo,
William Russell, Tré Mitchell, Elinor Gibson

Acolyte Parents
M. J. and Len Ramo

Oblationers
Jane Inge, Stephen Baker

Children's Chapel
 Corinne Betbeze, Jordan Chow

Altar Guild
Carolyn Stephenson, Lyn Bennett,
Holly Hall, Nance Stephens, Lynn Yankie

Flower Guild
Ann Moody, Robbie Lynn Irvine

Ushers
 Gene Moreé, Douglas Kearley, Chuck McKay

Hospitality Team
Jill Chow, Cammie Israel, Perri McKay,
Lissa Watkins, Jane White-Spunner, Emily Stubblefield
CATHEDRAL NOTES

LAST SUNDAY AFTERNOON EUCHARIST IN OCTOBER
This Sunday, October 25 at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel

Come experience quiet afternoon liturgies at the Cathedral, celebrating with alternative forms of worship approved by The Episcopal Church. The meditations and music will be beautiful and thought-provoking. These services will feature scripture, poetry, musical reflections, and prayers with Dean Gibson. Hear our Cathedral musicians in new and inventive ways.

EYC MOVIE DAY THIS SUNDAY
Following Christian Formation, our youth will enjoy lunch and then watch and discuss the movie The Gospel of John. For more information please see Sarah Bolt or Canon Wagner. Please note that members of the youth confirmation class are required to attend this event.

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
Ends on Sunday, November 1. Remember to "fall back."

FUN CLUB THIS SUNDAY
After Christian Formation, our Fun Club will have lunch at the Cathedral and then visit the new GulfQuest Maritime Museum. For more information please see Sarah Bolt or Canon Wagner.

RELIEF FOR FLOOD VICTIMS IN SOUTH CAROLINA
Click on the DONATE NOW button.
Contribute to the US Disaster Fund and help South Carolina communities respond to the recent flooding. Your gift enables ERD to respond swiftly providing local church partners with essential supplies and resources as needed.

FORWARD DAY BY DAY
Daily devotionals for November, December, January are available
on the ministry table.

ALL SAINTS' CELEBRATION
All Saints' Day will be Sunday, November 1.
On that day we will remember all those who have gone before us in faithful service to our Lord. Deadline for submitting names to be included in our bulletin is Monday, October 26.
Click here to see the All Saints Day list of names from 2014.

We will also celebrate the ingathering of our Stewardship for 2016. Please be sure to mail or bring your 2016 pledge card on or before next Sunday. There will be a special time of hospitality in the garden following our worship including lunch and an inflatable bouncer for children.

KAPPA LEAGUE SUCCESS
The Youth Confirmation Class outreach project in support of the Kappa League was a huge success. The members of the confirmation class give a special thanks to David Brady, Preston Bolt, and Al Chow for cooking the delicious food. They also wish to thank the 30 sponsors and those who purchased the 114 brunch tickets to make this project a success. Thanks also goes to all the Cathedral youth who came early and stayed late to lend support for this worthwhile endeavor. The check to the Kappa League was for $3,366.67!

Here is what Carl Cunningham, Kappa League Advisor, had to say to each of you, "I want to thank all of you for making Kappa League Sunday a huge success.[...] The contributions will surely assist with providing opportunity for all the young men in the Mobile Kappa League to attend an institution of higher education with hard work and dedication."

"Thank you for allowing the Kappa Leaguers to be a part of the service as well. Many of the young men do not have a church home. Having them to experience the Episcopal Church is a great opportunity for them to explore and to connect with a church that is about the 'Jesus Movement.' I did hear one of the young men say, 'I really liked the three ladies singing Amazing Grace. I almost started crying.' Another topic of dialogue in Kappa League now is Melchizedek. The young men are researching who he was."
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.

Members:
Brink Brinkley, Butch Trawick, Alice Carwie, Katherine Deaton, Hank Cobb, Jordan Moore, Donna Moreé, Sam Ritchie


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, 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, Betty Browder, Allan Tucker, Wyatt Ison, Kathy Sanders, Clarise Waters, Glenn Hill, Leslie Ellis Sharbel, Cora Lemmon, Marian Hall, Homer Kemp, Jane Behlen, Dan Jones, Florence Tucker, Betty Larison, Carolyn Graham, Ralph and Catherine Neal, Willie Thomas, Mark Mason, Anita Stead, Tim Fulton, Bennett Stenger, Gladys Crowson, Billy Yost, Noel Fell, the Ward Family, Sybil Willis Rodgers, Hap Myers, Jr., Paul Vickers, Sr., George Robison, Georgia Dominick, Robin Wade, Randy Moore, Rick Nichols, Kate Heddrich, Julie Brinson, Ceaser Bryant, Moana Karstater, Dianne McCall, Icy Lee Neel, Frances Robison, Jim McCall, Emily Hubbard, Mike Dowers, Jason Lockwood, Ainsely McNeely, Pat Fisher, Bubba Murray, Joleen Patrick, Sally McNeely, Bernice Vickers, Jerry Collins, Grady McMillan, Bobby Moss, Sade McCall, Kerry Goode, The Rev. John Rees, Dayton Lanford, Chris Schnieder, Liz Charbonnet Talmadge, John Day Peake, Jr., A. J. Villars, Billy May, Kay Koffler, Joleen Patrick, Dorothy Fulton, Tay Morrissette, Robert L. Hatcher, Martha Collier, Bob Byrd

Anglican Cycle of Prayer:
The Anglican Church of Tohoku and Tokyo, Japan

For Those Serving in the Military:
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, 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

Cathedral Cycle of Prayer:
St. John's, Robertsdale, Alabama;
Sara Phillips, Pastoral Leader, St. Mary's, Coden

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer:
The Church in the India Ocean Islands: Comoros, Madagascar, Mauritius, Seychelles, Maldives, and Wilson Avenue Church of God, Mobile

Prison Ministry Cycle of Prayer:
Houston County Jail, Dothan, Alabama

Flowers:
The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in memory of Marianne Nance McIntyre, and in Thanksgiving for the anniversaries of Amy and Eddie Stephens, and Marianne and Steve Hall.

Stewardship Prayer:
Almighty God, your loving hand has given us all that we possess; give us grace to become faithful stewards of your bounty and to honor you by returning to you what is needed for the growth of the mission entrusted to us as Christ Church Cathedral; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
* Photography & Digital Art courtesy of Blue Room Photography
Click here to see the full gallery of All Saints' Sunday 2014. 
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