The Lessons Appointed for use on

The Last Sunday after the Epiphany

Year C
RCL 
 
 
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two 
Ten o'clock in the morning 

February 7, 2016  
 
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The Transfiguration, St Jerome and St Augustine
c. 1500
BOTTICELLI, Sandro
Tempera on panel, 28 x 36 cm
Galleria Pallavicini, Rome
Source: Web Gallery of Art


THE COLLECT FOR SUNDAY
February 7, 2016

O God, who before the passion of your only ­begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Service Bulletin
Cathedral Notes & Prayers
Lectionary Page


WORSHIP NOTES FOR THIS SUNDAY
  
  Last Epiphany, or Transfiguration Sunday, is for us here on Parade Route A most commonly thought of as Joe Cain Sunday. Perhaps our local situation in the midst of Mardi Gras revelry is not entirely unrelated to the theological implications of the Transfiguration.

    The season after the Epiphany focuses on the revealing to all people of the glory of God's Son. This season culminates with the mountaintop transfiguration of Jesus into the image of his divine majesty, a prefiguring for the disciples present of the ultimate purpose behind what was about to be accomplished in Jerusalem. Also revealed here is the fulfillment in Jesus of God's promises to his people beginning in the "old covenant" of the patriarchs and prophets.

    The moment of Jesus' radiant appearance, along with Moses and Elijah, was brief-the disciples glimpsed it, and then immediately the brightness was obscured by a cloud from which God spoke, "This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!" As soon as these words were spoken, the vision disappeared. Afterwards, the disciples did not tell anyone about what they had seen.

    God's glory exists in all things created, although it often lies deeply hidden. Like Peter and his companions, we can-if we are awake and aware-experience moments of revealing in our lives, times when God's love, God's transcending of our brokenness is visible to us and felt. This can occur in moments of joy and laughter with those we love, in the kindness and care extended to us by others, in the unearned second chances that come our way. All of these point us in the direction of the Transfiguration that we will someday experience face-to-face with God.

    Even in the upside-down Carnival revelry that is Mardi Gras, we can experience some of those moments of joy and wonder. We will be having church this Sunday, in the middle of all the downtown activity. Remember that you will need the green pass included in your last Messenger in order to get through the barricades to reach Christ Church. Parking will be along the street, and your pass should be visible through your windshield.

    We will give thanks for this year's Courts and pray for their health and safety in our Prayers of the People this week. Enjoy the fun! Remember that on Ash Wednesday, our bishop, Russell, will be with us for both services, at noon and 5:30. See you on Parade Route A!



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

Our brief but fruitful adventure through the Sundays after Epiphany draws to a close this week as we celebrate the Last Sunday after the Epiphany. Our venture across the bridge between Christmas and Lent is nearly complete, and at least from a musical perspective, I can say with conviction that we are richer for it! This Sunday is our last chance to sing with joy not tempered by the proximity of Good Friday. Starting on February 10, Lent is a season of introspection, repentance, thoughtfulness, and a certain kind of tragic beauty. I invite you to begin your Lenten journey with us at the Ash Wednesday 12:00PM or 5:30PM service. There will be music at both services. For now, however, our focus still remains on this last bright, triumphant celebration of the season after Epiphany.
 
In some churches, it is customary to "bury the alleluias" during Lent, and so the last Sunday after Epiphany had special texts replete with alleluias in an attempt to sing and say as many as possible before Ash Wednesday. Our recessional hymn,
Ye watchers and ye holy ones, serves this purpose for us with its chorus of five-fold alleluias after each verse. Our sequence hymn,
There's a wideness in God's mercy, reminds us, in the face of Lent, that God is indeed merciful and that, "there's a welcome for the sinner and more graces for the good." The choir will offer an anthem by Lloyd Larson (b. 1954), O Praise the Lord, that sings praises of God's goodness and mercy coupled with a flamboyant melody intended to uplift the hearts of listeners. The processional hymn, Songs of thankfulness and praise, reminds us of the many manifestations of Christ in the Epiphany readings. We hear of Christ at Cana, as miracle-worker and healer, as one reborn in baptism, and as the resplendent Messiah on Mount Tabor, the mountain of the Transfiguration.  
 
Our readings focus on Christ's Transfiguration and its prefiguring in Hebrew Scripture in the giving of the Law to Moses on Mount Sinai. To highlight this, the organ prelude will be These are the holy ten commands (Dies sind die heil'gen zehn gebot') by J. S. Bach (1685-1750). This prelude comes from a little book of organ pieces for the liturgical year, Das Orgelbüchlein. In this book, Bach writes organ pieces based on around 45 familiar hymns of his era. Although many may be unfamiliar with these tunes, the symbolism Bach uses in this piece shouldn't be lost on the listener! You will hear many repeated notes in the pedal line, and it is thought that Bach uses this to symbolize the commandments themselves. It is lamentable that we lose the "instant recognition" Bach's congregations would have had for these tunes. Interestingly, Bach composed these pieces while imprisoned in Weimar for seeking release from his employment there. That such devout music came from such circumstances is understandable but still amazing.

The translation of the hymn on which Sunday's prelude is based is as follows:
 
These are the holy ten commands,
Which came to us from God's own hands
By Moses, who obeyed His will,
Standing upon Sini's [sic] hill.
Have mercy, Lord!
-        trans. George MacDonald (1824-1905)
 
 



 
 
Christopher Powell
Organist and Choir Master
 
MINISTERS OF THE LITURGY

Celebrant and Preacher
Canon Wagner

Concelebrant
Dean Gibson

First Reading
Kennon Drew

Second Reading
Perri McKay

Intercessor
Lynn Yankie

Chalice Bearers
Carolyn Jeffers, Carolyn Stephenson

Crucifers
Jordan Chow, Kate Watkins

Acolytes
William Russell, Elinor Gibson, Charlie Ramo

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

Flower Guild
Robbie Lynn Irvine, Ann Luce

Ushers
Kennon Drew, Will Gamble, Brooke Grehan, Jay Watkins



CATHEDRAL NOTES

FUN CLUB PARADE PARTY
Monday, February 8 , 10:30 a.m. until.
Join our Fun Club for some Mardi Gras fun!
Our Floral Parade Party starts at 10:30 a.m.
We are in need of parental support/chaperones.
Please contact Banks Ladd or Canon Wagner, if you can assist.


CATHEDRAL OFFICE CLOSED
Monday, February 8 and Tuesday, February 9
We will reopen under normal business hours
of 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. on Ash Wednesday, February 10.


ASH WEDNESDAY EUCHARISTS
Wednesday, February 10 at Noon and 5:30 p.m.
In the Church, Bishop Russell Kendrick will preach and celebrate at both services.


ERD SUNDAY
February 14
The first Sunday in Lent is the day officially designated to encourage all Episcopalians to remember and support
Episcopal Relief & Development's (ERD) life-saving mission. We have ERD envelopes available for you or your
children to use for a Lenten offering. Lenten Meditations for adults were mailed with the February Messenger.
Youth and Children's Lenten Materials are available on the credenza in the Chapter House.


EYC XTREME PAINTBALL
February 14, following Christian Formation
The Youth will play paintball at Xtreme Paintball. The cost per person is $30 and covers rental equipment,
goggles, CO2, and 500 rounds. The Youth will leave right after Christian Formation and should bring some
money for a snack. You must complete a waiver to participate. Please see Canon Wagner to complete the form.


MORNING CIRCLE
Monday, February 15
9:30 a.m., At the Church
Wednesday, February 17
For information, call Carolyn Stephenson at 342-5637.


LENTEN MUSIC AT NOON

Wednesday, February 17

Piano and Organ Duets

Wednesday, February 24
The Archduke Trio

Wednesday, March 2
Monika Cosson

Wednesday, March 9
Bella Voce Women's Chorus

Wednesday, March 16
A Classic Combination



SUNDAY AFTERNOON EUCHARIST IN LENT
February 14, 21, 28, & March 6, 13 at 4:00 p.m. in the Chapel
Come experience a quiet afternoon liturgy at the Cathedral.

_______________

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL WINDOWS
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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, The Rev. Ellis Wilkins.

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, Harriet 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, 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, Carolyn Graham, Ralph Neal, Mark Mason, Anita Stead, Tim Fulton, Bennett Stenger, Gladys Crowson, Billy Yost, Noel Fell, 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, 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, Kaye Koffler, Tay Morrissette, Robert L. Hatcher, Bob Williams, Mary Katzman, Jennifer Strong, David Keniston, Zaidee Galloney, Maggie Behlen, Evelyn and Bill McGeHee, Chrissie Irby, Adele Stuardi Gwatkin, Lydia Moore, Bill Betbeze, B. F. Paty Daves, Ralph Boudreaux, Tommy
Roberson, Billy Bailey, Henry Trice, Pete and B.J. Cobb, Carolyn Shores Wright, Cathlene Quizon, Rip Nance, Shelley Carr Nightingale, Charlie Mae Moree

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, Colton Ulmer, Margie Hall Malloy

Anglican Cycle of Prayer:
The Anglican Church of Canada

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

Ecumenical Cycle of Prayer:
The Church in Ireland, and United Kingdom; Ruby Street Church of God, Mobile.

Prison Ministry Cycle of Prayer:
Washington County Jail, Chipley, Florida.

Flowers:
The flowers on the altar are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Sallie & Clarke Irvine, Sarah Irvine Slater, and Helen & Otis Dunn.