The Lessons Appointed for use on
The Third Sunday of Advent   
Year C 
RCL
 
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two 
Ten o'clock in the morning 

December 13, 2015 
 
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St. John the Baptist Preaching.
Artist_ Jacopo Bellini From the artist's sketchbook.
Louvre.  Paris, France.

THE COLLECT FOR SUNDAY
December 13, 2015
 
 Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
WORSHIP NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY

   The third Sunday in Advent provides gives us a bit of a break from the season's emphasis on repentance and preparation for judgment. This Sunday we can rejoice! Our children will light the third, pink, candle on the Advent wreath at the beginning of our worship, and this will signify that we are in Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete ! (Rejoice!) is the first word of the introit of the Mass on this day, and if you come to church on time, you will hear our choir "rejoicing" at the introit before the procession begins.

    The rejoicing of this Sunday reflects the nearness of Christ's coming and the joy of expectation we experience because of this. Our lessons from scripture echo this rejoicing and draw us into awareness of God's nearness to us. The prophet Zephaniah foretells the salvation of daughter Jerusalem and speaks of God as a strong king and warrior whose presence means that she does not need to fear or grow weak. Rather than a psalm this week, we will hear Canticle 9, the much loved First Song of Isaiah, "Surely it is God who saves me." The drawing of water this song speaks of suggests that its setting may have originally been in the celebration of Sukkot, when water libations were poured in the Temple to celebrate the end of the fruit harvest and the beginning of the rainy season-as well as Israel's journey through the wilderness. The reading from Philippians is a direct admonition from Paul to the church in Philippi to "Rejoice!" The disagreements and factions in the church there, which Paul writes to address, are the result of their failure to do that. "The Lord is near," Paul tells them (and us), so "in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests by made known to God." Even John the Baptist lightens up a bit this week, as he directs the crowd gathered around him to share their possessions and encourages their expectation of the coming Messiah; in many ways, "he proclaimed the good news."

    Immediately following our worship, the children will gather at the front of the church to rehearse for next week's Christmas Pageant. More preparation, more rejoicing! In the midst of a sometimes-hectic season of preparation for the holy days ahead, I hope that you will make worship in the Body at church a priority. If you do, I promise that your time there this week will make you more ready to receive the coming Christ with joy.


 
The Very Reverend Beverly Findley Gibson
Ph.D., Dean and Rector, Christ Church Cathedral 
  
 
MUSIC NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY

This Sunday, we celebrate the most joyful Sunday in Advent, Gaudete Sunday (pronounced: gau-DEH-teh). The Latin word, gaudete, translates as "rejoice," and it comes from the first word of the appointed introit for Advent Three. You will hear our choir sing a setting of this introit on Sunday. In some churches, the Advent season is more like a "mini-Lent" than a joyful season of anticipation. In fact, in the ancient Gallican, Mozarabic, and Ambrosian rites of the church, Advent lasted six weeks! During a lengthy season of repentance and soul searching, it makes sense to have a joyful Sunday when the people are allowed some feasting and merriment. For us, it gives the opportunity to experience some particularly joyful music. Our processional hymn will be, Joyful, joyful we adore thee from Beethoven's Symphony No. 9. If you've never listened to the complete ninth symphony, I'd encourage you to do so! For nearly an hour, the orchestra plays movements of the piece as the choir just sits in silence. Suddenly, during the last movement a soloist starts singing words of a poem by Schiller, the Ode to Joy. Suddenly, the choir comes in with a rather startling and triumphant rendition of what we now think of as Beethoven's famous hymn. Perhaps nothing expresses the feelings of Gaudete Sunday better than this.

The choir will sing a beautiful anthem by Elizabeth Poston (1905-1987), Jesus Christ the Apple Tree. Poston was one of the foremost female English composers of her day. She was encouraged early on in her career by none other than Ralph Vaughan Williams, and went on to follow in his footsteps as a composer in many genres and a collector of folk songs. The text of her anthem this Sunday is reportedly the work of an anonymous 18th century resident of New England. It uses metaphor to tie different parts of scripture together into a very good Advent and Christmas piece. The lyrics are printed below.

The tree of life my soul hath seen,
Laden with fruit and always green:
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree.

His beauty doth all things excel:
By faith I know, but ne'er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought,
And pleasure dearly I have bought:
I missed of all; but now I see
'Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I'm weary with my former toil,
Here I will sit and rest awhile:
Under the shadow I will be,
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit doth make my soul to thrive,
It keeps my dying faith alive;
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

As you can see, the poem is very conducive to Advent and anticipates Christmas with joy. Other music this Sunday is intended to emphasize these sentiments as well. During communion, we will sing The First Song of Isaiah by Jack Noble White and a soloist will offer Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion by G. F. Handel. These two pieces tie in with the readings perfectly as you will see on Sunday!

In conclusion, please remember to have your children in kindergarten through 5th grade gather by the piano after church on Sunday for our Christmas Pageant dress rehearsal. It's hard to believe, but the pageant is a week from Sunday! You can also help your child prepare by teaching them the first verses of Angels we have heard on high, Silent night, and Away in a manger. The pageant is always exciting, and we will have a wonderful time if everyone comes to rehearsal this week. Blessings to you and yours for a lovely Gaudete Sunday!
 



 
 
Christopher Powell
Organist and Choir Master
 
MINISTERS OF THE LITURGY

Preacher and Concelebrant
 Dean Gibson

Celebrant
Canon Wagner

First Reading
John Ferguson

Second Reading
 Lyn Bennett

Intercessor
Douglas Kearley

Chalice Bearers
 Lynn Yankie, Carolyn Jeffers

Oblationers
Paula and Bubba Watkins

Crucifers
 Rose Elliott, Kate Watkins

Acolytes
. William Russell, Sadie Ladd, Maria Napier,
Virginia Ladd, Elizabeth Elliott

Children's Chapel
 Barbara Mitchell, Elinor Gibson

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

Flower Guild
 Barbara Mitchell, Betsy McCafferty

Ushers
 Willson McClelland, Preston Bolt, Bill Bullock,
 Bob Dean, John McClelland, David Sanders

Hospitality Team
 Marianne Hall, Lucy Moore, Chambliss Brister,
 Kim Ellis, Valerie Hines, Kristyn Seawell
 
PAGEANT REHEARSAL
Sunday 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.

EYC
Sunday
Mystery Visits and Mexican is back! The EYC will meet after Sunday School to make a series of visits to places in Mobile and have lunch at Los Rancheros Mexican Restaurant (Airport Blvd near I-65). Youth should bring $20 for lunch and transportation will be provided. For more information, please see Canon Wagner or Sarah Bolt.

FUN CLUB
Sunday
After Sunday School the Fun Club will go ice skating at Cooper Riverfront Park. The approximate cost is $18 (skating and lunch at Jimmy John's). For more information, please see Canon Wagner or Banks Ladd.

MORNING CIRCLE
Monday, December 14
at 10:30 a.m.
At the home of Mary Cook, 206 Fig Avenue, Fairhope. For information or directions, call Mary Cook at 605-4795 or Carolyn Stephenson. For those who want a ride, meet in the church parking lot at 9:30 a.m.

FIT CHRISTMAS
OUTREACH PROJECT
Deadline: Monday, December 14
The FIT Angel Tree is up and ready! You may also send cash gifts to the Cathedral office marked FIT Christmas Outreach or you may wait to choose items from the tree.

ADVENT MUSIC SERIES
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
Advent noon-day concerts last 30 minutes, followed by a luncheon in the Chapter House.

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


THREADS OF HOPE AND THE NEW CATHEDRAL TOILE
The Arpilleras will be available for purchase in the Chapter House through Thursday, December 17.
The Cathedral Toile is available for sale. Beautifully designed by our own Jennifer Grehan, the toile items are on display in the Chapter House. There will be hand towels and pillows made from the toile fabric. But hurry, supplies are limited!



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, Janaé Wilson, Sonny Burchfield, The Most Reverend Michael Curry

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, 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, David Keniston

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, Tom Pearce

Anglican Cycle of Prayer:
The Episcopal Diocese of the Windward Islands

Cathedral Cycle of Prayer:
St. Anna's, Atmore; Sara Phillips, Pastoral Leader, St. Mary's, Coden

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer:
The Church in Benin, Cóte d'Ivoire, Togo; and Mount Olive AME Zion Church, Mobile

Prison Ministry Cycle of Prayer:
Calhoun County Jail, Blountstown, Florida
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