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THE LAST JUDGEMENT  1853
Medium: Oil paint on canvas
Artist:  
John Martin   1789-1854
More about this painting


THE COLLECT FOR SUNDAY
November 29, 2015
 
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
WORSHIP NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY
 
In his masterful account of the origins and history of the Book of Common Prayer, Alan Jacobs explains the original book's consideration of time in three aspects:

First, in its Kalendar, it treats salvation history, walking the people of God through the seasons of the church year, following the sequence of events from the Fall of humanity to the Second Coming and the Last Judgment. Second, it treats the passage of each human being through the stages of life, from birth to burial. And third, in the bookends of Matins and Evensong, it treats the diurnal rhythms of each given day.

This Sunday we will see the first two aspects clearly in action, and we will look forward to the third.

The first Sunday of Advent begins the new year (Year C) of the Church calendar with the consideration of time itself, both "now in the time of this mortal life" in which Jesus came to visit us and "in the last day," when he shall come again "in his glorious majesty." Our readings focus intensely on making ourselves ready, now in this time, for the coming of our Lord Jesus to fulfill all promises and prophecy. In our gospel lesson, Jesus teaches his disciples about paying attention to signs that the Kingdom of God is near, admonishing them to "be alert at all times."

New life and new beginning will be celebrated in the second aspect of time, as we welcome Wyatt Zarzour into the household of God through the sacrament of Holy Baptism. How fitting to begin this season of looking forward by renewing our own baptismal covenant, reaffirming our faith and committing ourselves anew to our promises for life in Christ!

Be alert this Sunday for changes in colors, in service music, in greenery on the altar, and in the whole tone of our worship. Everything that we do will be part of "waking up" to a time of preparation for Christ's coming again. Make a note on your calendar for next Sunday afternoon's Festival of Advent Lessons and Carols at 4 p.m. This beautiful service, which participates in the third aspect of time, is a good way to focus our minds on the great story of salvation history and to quiet hearts in the midst of a busy season in the world.

If you have not already done so, pick up Advent materials for children and families from the ministry table in the Chapter House, so that you can begin daily preparation of your heart for Jesus' coming. Get ready!



 
The Very Reverend Beverly Findley Gibson
Ph.D., Dean and Rector, Christ Church Cathedral 
  
 
MUSIC NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY
"To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. I place my trust in you, O God."
- Introit for Advent 1
 
These are the first words you'll hear at our Eucharist this week, the First Sunday of Advent. As the weather grows cooler and the days shorter, our prayers and hymns are noticeably different. 
O come, O come, Emmanuel, Rejoice! rejoice, believers, Come, thou long expected Jesus, and Sleepers, wake! are all hymns that let us know something special is happening, and we need to be ready. Especially of note is the Call to Worship/Introit this week. Our choir will sing these after the prelude and before the processional hymn during the weeks of Advent and the Christmas season. Sung a cappella with a handbell obbligato (continuous, repeating motive), these pieces help set the tone for our services.
 
The prelude, offertory, and communion pieces are all by J. S. Bach, this Sunday. Personally, I tend to think of Bach as the quintessential Advent composer because of the unique character and color his Advent music features. Especially of interest, the offertory is a soprano aria from his 
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (Savior of the nations, come) cantata. The cantatas generally feature a high sense of drama and devotion, but some really stand out. A translation of the soprano aria is featured below.
 
"Open thou, my heart, to Jesus. He will come and enter there! Though I be but dust and ashes, still will I be not despised, but find favor in His eyes, that He came to dwell with me. O, how blessed I will be!"
 
This text illustrates the posture of the Christian soul during Advent. Remembering the quasi-penitential roots of this season, the text references that we are "dust and ashes," and this may remind us of Ash Wednesday. This kind of text is typical of Lutheran prose of the era. It is important to note that Bach didn't write the text of his cantatas, only the music. This particular text is by Erdmann Neumeister (1671-1756) and is intended for the First Sunday of Advent. Listen to how the lyric smoothness of the soprano's melody flows along while the accompaniment "bounces" around with barely-contained excitement. To me, this is an example of the accompaniment adding additional expression to the personality of the vocalist. On the outside, the singer accurately portrays the meaning of the text, but inside, there is a joyous energy at the closeness of the Savior. It is important to remember that the texts of Bach's cantatas were written during the period after the 30 Years War, a conflict that was perhaps the bloodiest European conflict prior to World War One. Consequently, one observes a deep longing for heaven mixed with a rather dim estimation of worldly grandeur in these texts.

During communion, I will play an organ solo by Bach based on the hymn,  Wachet auf! This setting was actually a tenor section solo movement from another cantata of the same name. The graceful counter-melody mixes beautifully with the hymn tune much in the same way as Jesu, joy of man's desiring. The graceful bass line, in quarter notes, symbolizes progression of time, or the footsteps of the Savior, in my opinion. Bach uses this plodding rhythmic bass figure quite often in pieces referencing a journey or the coming of Christ. Bach was quite a numerologist and a symbologist, and I believe his music is very conducive to personal theological and metaphorical interpretation.

As we prepare for the celebration of Christ's Incarnation in this season of Advent, we are surrounded by images of watchmen, traveling, staying awake, and crying out for salvation. Let us help you have a meaningful Advent this year. Please remember to attend our Lessons and Carols service on December 6 at 4:00 pm and our Wednesday Noon Concerts on December 9 and 16.   Advent is a wonderful season. Let's make the most of it!


 
 
Christopher Powell
Organist and Choir Master
 
MINISTERS OF THE LITURGY

Celebrant and Preacher
Dean Gibson 

Assisting
 Canon Wagner 

First Reading
Grant Zarzour 

Second Reading
Judy Henson 

Intercessor
Carolyn Jeffers 

Chalice Bearers
Judy Henson, Mark Weeks 

Oblationers
Katherine Armbrecht Zarzour, Denise Arnett Stanley

 Crucifers
Anna Francis Weeks, Annabelle Ramo 

Acolytes 
Charlie Weeks, Charlie Ramo, Julianna Ramo,
Elinor Gibson, Jordan Chow 

Children's Chapel
Skip Archer 

Altar Guild
Perrin Drew, Barbara Archer, Harriet Jean Boughton, 
Shannon Harris, Lissa Watkins, Barry Weeks 

Flower Guild
Kay Whiting 

Ushers
Ritchie Harris, Chip Tait, Travis Russell
Henry Seawell, Lewis Golden 

Hospitality Team
Betty Reniewicz, Ginny Behlen, Gaye Formanek, 
Joy Dean, Laurie Koss, Shannon Harris, Patricia Seymour 


CATHEDRAL NOTES

ADULT CHRISTIAN FORMATION 
The Book of Common Prayer:
A Biography
by Alan Jacobs
By popular demand, the group will continue to meet this Sunday and December 13 at 11:15 a.m. in the library. 
Dean Gibson leads  this class. 

Our first conversation covered the origins of the first BCP of 1549. This week, we will discuss the "venerable" 1662 BCP, as well as 18th century developments in the social world and the American contribution-taking us through chapter 5 of Alan Jacob's wonderful book. Next week, we will conclude our discussion by looking at modern developments worldwide. Please feel free to join us, even if you haven't read the book!


CHRISTIAN YOUTH FORMATION
Sunday our Middle and High School Sunday School classes will meet in the EYC room with Canon Wagner. 

 
PAGEANT REHEARSAL
Sunday, November 29 in the Church
Sunday, December 6 in the Chapel
Sunday, December 13 in the Church
During Christian Formation
The pageant takes place Sunday, December 20th during 10:00 a.m. worship, which is the Sunday before Christmas. We will be doing something a little differently this year which requires practice for our children in grades Kindergarten through Grade 5. Children from Elementary and Fun Club Sunday School Classes are invited to participate. They will gather at the piano at the time of the Sunday School Procession. 


THREADS OF HOPE AND THE NEW CATHEDRAL TOILE 
The Apperilleras will be available for purchase
in the Chapter House on
Sunday, December 6 through Thursday, December 17. 
We are excited to announce a new Cathedral item for sale, the Cathedral Toile. Beautifully designed by our own Jennifer Greham, the toiles are on display in the Chapter House. There will be hand towels and pillows made from the toile fabric. But hurry, supplies are limited! 


LESSONS AND CAROLS
December 6th 
4:00 p.m. 
Come be part of a service rich with light as we celebrate the season of Advent. This service will contain Advent anthems, solos, and carols interspersed between readings illustrating the first and second comings of Christ. 



ANNUAL PARISH MEETING/
VESTRY AND CONVENTION DELEGATE ELECTIONS 
Next Sunday, December 6th 
during Coffee Hour. Please plan to attend. 



ADVENT MUSIC SERIES 
Advent noon-day concerts last 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 Chapter House

Wednesday, December 9
Mithril Duo

Wednesday, December 16 
Gosia Leska, Violin and Katherin Powell, soprano 


FAMILY INTERVENTION TEAM (FIT) CHRISTMAS OUTREACH PROJECT 
Deadline: Monday, December 14th 

The FIT Angel Tree is up and ready! 
The deadline will be Monday, December 14th. 
You may also send cash gifts to the Cathedral office marked FIT Christmas Outreach or you may wait to choose items from the tree. 



THE CATHEDRAL CELEBRATES
  COOKBOOK

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, Katherine Deaton, Hank Cobb, Jordan Moore, Donna Moreé, Janaѐ Wilson

Friends and 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, 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, 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, Kathy Sanders, Clarise Waters, Glenn Hill, Leslie Ellis Sharbel, Marian Hall, Homer Kemp, Jane Behlen, Dan Jones, Betty Larison, Carolyn Graham, Ralph Neal, 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, Icy Lee Neel, Frances Robison, Emily Hubbard, Mike Dowers, Jason Lockwood, Ainsely McNeely, Pat Fisher, Bubba Murray, Bernice Vickers, Jerry Collins, Grady McMillan, Bobby Moss, Kerry Goode, The Rev. John Rees, Chris Schnieder, Liz Charbonnet Talmadge, John Day Peake, Jr., A. J. Villars, Billy May, Kay Koffler, Dorothy Fulton, Tay Morrissette, Robert L. Hatcher, Bob Williams, Dino Frangos, Mary Katzman, Raymond Faircloth, Jennifer Strong

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