Second Sunday of Easter
April 7, 2024
11 a.m.
We welcome you to Christ Church Cathedral. Since 1839, this Christian community has gathered for worship. To learn more about the ministries we share in this place, you are invited to fill in one of the welcome cards found in the pew rack. We are glad you are here!
The Cathedral is equipped with a hearing loop for assisted listening via telecoil.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite One
The Very Rev. Nathaniel Katz, Dean Celebrant
The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
Opening Voluntary
Adagio in E Frank Bridge (1879-1941)
Choral Introit Tone VII
V. The loving kindness of the Lord filleth the whole world, alleluia:
R. By the word of the Lord the heavens were established, alleluia, alleluia.
Hymn 208
The Word of God
Victory
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ is risen. BCP page 323
People The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia.
The Collect for Purity and the Summary page 323
Gloria in Excelsis S 204 Old Scottish Chant
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you.
People And with thy spirit.
Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty and everlasting God, who in the Paschal mystery hast established the new covenant of reconciliation: Grant that all who have been reborn into the fellowship of Christ’s Body may show forth in their lives what they profess by their faith; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
The First Reading Acts 4:32–35
Reader The Word of the Lord.
People Thanks be to God.
Oh, how good and pleasant it / is, * when brethren live together in / unity! It is like fine oil upon the / head * that runs down upon the / beard, 2nd half of chant
Upon the beard of / Aaron, * and runs down upon the collar of his / robe. It is like the dew of / Hermon * that falls upon the hills of / Zion. For there the L ORD has ordained the / blessing: * life for ever/more.
The Second Reading 1 John 1:1–2:2
Hymn 209 St. Botolph
Alleluia Tone II
V. Alleluia. You believe in me, Thomas, because you have seen me; R. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe. Alleluia.
The Holy Gospel John 20:19–31
Priest The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory be to thee, O Lord.
After the Gospel reading, the Priest says The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise be to thee, O Christ.
The Sermon The Rev. Canon Luz Montes
The Nicene Creed page 326
The Prayers of the People Form III, page 387
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People And with thy spirit.
The People greet one another in the name of the Lord, after which the people are seated for brief announcements.
The Holy Communion
Offerings of alms and bread and wine are received.
At the Offertory tune: Exaltation from “Southern Harmony” Anthem arr. Alice Parker (1925-2023)
Come away to the skies, my beloved, arise
And rejoice in the day thou wast born; On this festival day, come exulting away, And with singing to Zion return.
We have laid up our love and our treasures above, Though our bodies continue below,
The redeemed of the Lord shall remember his word, And with singing to Paradise go.
Hallelujah we sing to our Father and King, And his rapturous praises repeat;
To the Lamb that was slain, hallelujah again; Sing all heaven, and fall at his feet.
— Charles Wesley (1707-1788)
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer II, page 340
Sursum Corda S 112
Sanctus and Benedictus S 114
Healey Willan (1880–1968)
The People remain standing.
The Eucharistic Prayer continues page 341
Fraction Anthem
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
Agnus Dei S 158
Healey Willan
The sacrament of Holy Communion has been precious to Christians for 2,000 years. It is a way in which many sense the reality of God’s forgiveness, our union with God and each other, and the eternal life to which we belong. Please know that you do not have to be an Episcopalian to receive Communion. To receive, you may kneel or stand at the altar rail. Receive the Bread in the palm of your hand and the Wine either by drinking from the cup or by intinction, touching the Bread to the Wine. Gluten-free Bread is available; simply ask at the altar rail. If you need Communion brought to you in the pew, please tell an usher.
At the Administration Anthem
Healey Willan
Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away; for lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear upon the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come.
—Song of Solomon 2:10-12
The People stand.
Prayer after Communion page 339
The Blessing
The Dismissal
Priest Let us go forth in the name of Christ. Alleluia, alleluia. People Thanks be to God. Alleluia, alleluia.
Closing Voluntary
Postlude in D
Healey Willan
Cathedral tours highlighting the lore of the building, its windows, its woodwork and more are given by a guide each Sunday following the 11 o’clock service. Look for the guide under the crucifixion window at the rear of the nave.
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary
A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles Acts 4:32–35
Now the whole group of those who believed were of one heart and soul, and no one claimed private ownership of any possessions, but everything they owned was held in common. With great power the apostles gave their testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and great grace was upon them all. There was not a needy person among them, for as many as owned lands or houses sold them and brought the proceeds of what was sold. They laid it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to each as any had need.
The Epistle 1 John 1:1–2:2
We declare to you what was from the beginning, what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning the word of life — this life was revealed, and we have seen it and testify to it, and declare to you the eternal life that was with the Father and was revealed to us — we declare to you what we have seen and heard so that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that our joy may be complete. This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light and in him there is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him while we are walking in darkness, we lie and do not do what is true; but if we walk in the light as he himself is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he who is faithful and just will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.
The Gospel
John 20:19–31
When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” When he had said this, he breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the continued on next page
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sins of any, they are retained.” But Thomas (who was called the Twin), one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see the mark of the nails in his hands, and put my finger in the mark of the nails and my hand in his side, I will not believe.” A week later his disciples were again in the house, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were shut, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here and see my hands. Reach out your hand and put it in my side. Do not doubt but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have come to believe.” Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written so that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name.
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember Alice “Sissy” Jenkins and Michael DeVoll.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of James Leonard Dougherty, Jewel Kendall and William Brooke Hamilton, Henry Kendall Hamilton, Newton Gilbert Dougherty and Maribel Kendall Daffan by Anne and Jim Dougherty Jr.
Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun. Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with an openly carried handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a handgun that is carried openly. Please be advised that our services are livestreamed to Vimeo and Facebook. Your participation in the service serves as your consent to the broadcast of your image and voice and to the broadcast of the image and voice of your participating minor children.
Sunday, April 7, 2024
Announcements
TODAY
How to Bible Begins Tonight • This four-week class looks at the Church’s theology about the Bible, how that theology shapes our use of the Bible, and how using scripture can turn these ancient writings into a site for meeting God today. Led by Canon Bradley Varnell, the class runs on Sunday evenings, 6-7:15 p.m. following The Well, through April 28. To register visit: www.christchurchcathedral.org/howtobible
Dying in Christ • You’re invited to this three-week series exploring the theology and liturgy that surrounds death and burial in the Episcopal Church, as well as practical information on planning for a funeral. Join us from 12:30-1:30 p.m. on Wednesdays, April 10, 17, and 24, in the Mellinger Room. Register by April 8 by emailing Claire Soard at csoard@christchurchcathedral.org
Newcomer Party • The Welcome Council invites those who are new, or who may still feel new, to an evening of fellowship. Join fellow parishioners and Cathedral staff for drinks, hors d’oeuvres, and lively conversation on Wednesday, April 10 at 6 p.m. For questions or to RSVP and receive address details, contact Elizabeth Cuevas at ecuevas@christchurchcathedral.org
Spring Neighborhood Gatherings • Hosted in the homes of Cathedral members across Houston, these gatherings are a wonderful way to connect with fellow parishioners, clergy, staff, and lay leaders in a more casual, intimate setting. Upcoming events will be April 12, May 7, and May 9, all from 6-7:30 p.m. Capacity is limited so reservations are required. To RSVP contact Lisa Cantu at lcantu@christchurchcathedral.org
Gather Round for May Fete • Participate in one of the oldest Cathedral traditions, as our annual May Fete celebration takes place on Sunday, May 5! A special bilingual Eucharist will be held at 10 a.m., followed by the maypole festivities in the Bishop’s Courtyard. Stay for food, games, fun and fellowship perfect for all ages. Visit the table in the cloister each Sunday in April to learn more and volunteer, or visit: www.christchurchcathedral.org/mayfete
Dean Katz Reflects on Ministry • On Sunday, April 14 at 10 o’clock in Reynolds Hall, Dean Katz will reflect on ministry at Christ Church Cathedral in the midst of his “first rodeo” as Dean. Learn more about this and other upcoming Dean’s Hours at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/deanshour
Make your 2024 EMC Pledge
• There’s still time to make your annual pledge! Submit your pledge by dropping a pledge card in the offering plate or scan the QR code to pledge online. Questions? Contact CFO Patrick Saccomanno at psaccomanno@ christchurchcathedral.org or 713-220-9759.
Childcare is available during worship services
• Follow Agnus the Lamb to the Jones Building where you can find childcare for various ages (6 weeks–5 yrs). Have questions? Contact KariAnn Lessner at kalessner@christchurchcathedral.org
After-Hours Emergency Pastoral Care Line
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713-826-5332