Welcome Home To Your .
Your Local & Global Queer Church Community for All A Positive Worship Experience
Theme for Today: Maybe It’s All the Same
April 7, 2024
All Are Welcome!
Service of Gathering
Welcome Rev Dr Durrell Watkins, Senior Minister
Rev Dr Robert Griffin, Executive Minister
Announcements
Rev Dr Anne Atwell Minister of Connections
Introit O Filii Et Filiae with Alleluias
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Past are the cross, the scourge, the thorn, the scoffing tongue, the gibe, the scorn, and brightly breaks the eastern morn. Alleluia! Gone are gloomy clouds of night; the shades of death are put to flight; and from the tomb beams heav’nly light. Alleluia!
Please rise as you are able.
Sunshine Cathedral Affirmation
Sunshine Cathedral is a different kind of church where: *Our God is love.
*Kindness is our worship.
*Compassion is our prayer.
*The sacred value of all people is our creed; and *Healing the hurts caused by hatred is our mission.
The Call to Worship
One: Alleluia! Christ is risen.
All: Christ is risen, indeed. Alleluia!
Service of Praise
Crucifer - Deacon Lydya Chapman
Processional Hymn Christ is Alive! Christ is alive! Let Christians sing. The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring. Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
Christ is alive! No longer bound to distant years in Palestine, but helping, healing, here and now, and touching every place and time.
In every insult, rift, and war, where color, scorn, or wealth divide, Christ suffers still, yet loves the more, and lives, where even hope has died.
Women and men, in age and youth, can feel the Spirit, hear the call, and find the way, the life, the truth, revealed in Jesus, freed for all.
Christ is alive and comes to bring good news to this and every age; till earth and sky and ocean ring with joy, with justice, love, and praise.
Opening Prayer (Sunshine Cathedral 2024 Daily Prayer)
Rev Dr Durrell Watkins
One: Let us pray in unison:
Right now, I am tapping into the universal life force. I wish for all who are suffering to find relief and hope. I deny fear any power over me.
I will be a bright light in the world.
I am serene and confident and full of joy.
I expect blessings. Nothing is too good for me
May we all be strong and wise and loving. May Love heal our world.
Let there be peace. Amen.
Service of Proclamation
Prophetic Witness
In the Midst of New Dimensions
As we stand a world divided by our own self-seeking schemes, grant that we your global village, might envision wiser dreams
God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar, we your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore.
Please be seated
Clarion Call
Rev Dr Durrell Watkins
Should the threats of dire predictions cause us to withdraw in pain, may your blazing phoenix spirit resurrect the church again.
God of rainbow, fiery pillar, leading where the eagles soar, we your people, ours the journey now and ever, now and ever, now and evermore.
The Acts of the Apostles (1.1-5, 8-14)
Rev Dr Anne Atwell
In the first book…I, [Luke], wrote about all that Jesus did and taught from the beginning until the day when he was taken up to the heavens…After his suffering he presented himself alive to [his friends]…appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the realm of God. While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there…for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the holy Spirit not many days from now.” And you will receive power when the holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” When he had said this, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight…Suddenly two men in white robes said, “People of Galilee, why do you stand looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you will come in the same way as you saw him leave.”
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem…When they had entered the city, they went to the room upstairs where they were staying, Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James son of Alphaeus, and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer, together with certain women, including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
In these human words, God's voice is heard. Thanks be to God.
Please rise as you are able.
I believe in miracles, I’ve seen a soul set free. Miraculous the change in one who has found liberty. I’ve seen a lily push its way up through the stubborn sod; O I believe in miracles for I believe in God.
Pastoral Prayer and Affirmations
Sign of Peace Filled With Loving Kindness
May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well. May I be filled with loving kindness. May I be well.
May I be peaceful and at ease. May I be whole.
Gradual
Mfurahini, Haleluya Christ has arisen, alleluia. Rejoice and sing praise, alleluia. For our redeemer burst from the tomb, even from death, dispelling its gloom. Let us sing praise to God with endless joy. Death’s fearful sting Christ did come to destroy. Love always giving, alleluia! Jesus is living, alleluia!
The Gospel According to Mark (6.7-13) New Jerusalem Bible)
Rev Kevin Tisdol
And he called to him the twelve, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them authority over the unclean spirits. He charged them to take nothing for their journey except a staff; no bread, no bag, no money in their belts; but to wear sandals and not put on two tunics. And he said to them, “Where you enter a house, stay there until you leave the place. And if any place will not receive you and they refuse to hear you, when you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet for a testimony against them.” So they went out and preached that people could have a change of heart. And they cast out many demons, and anointed with oil many that were sick and healed them. In these human words, God's voice is heard.
Thanks be to God.
The Anthem
Homily
Please be seated
The Holy City
By Frederick E Weatherly & Michael MaybrickPerformed By Sara Burns
Maybe It’s All the Same
May you be filled with loving kindness. May you be well.
May you be filled with loving kindness. May you be well.
May you be peaceful and at ease. May you be whole.
May we be filled with loving kindness. May we be well. May we be filled with loving kindness. May we be well. May we be peaceful and at ease. May we be whole.
Service of Sacraments
Baptism Certificates
Sacrament of Sharing (Tithes & Offerings)
Rev Dr Robert Griffin
Offering Prayer
9:00 Rev Dr Anne Atwell/ 10:30 Deacon Ed Huckemeyer
One: Because we value our community and believe in our inspired mission, because we want every person to live with hope and joy, and because we know that even a little can mean a lot, we participate in the Sacrament of Sharing, the joyful giving of resources meant to help more and more people discover that they are God’s miracle and not God’s mistake.
All: We give what we can and do so with love. Every dime and every dollar given with the intention to bless others will make a difference in someone’s life. This brings us joy, and in this way, we worship. God bless our gifts to faithful service, for the sake of your love. Amen.
Offering Music
Rev Dr Durrell Watkins
Altar Call and Anointing
Please rise as you are able.
Prayer Chorus I Believe in Miracles
I believe in miracles, I’ve seen a soul set free. Miraculous the change in one who has found liberty. I’ve seen a lily push its way up through the stubborn sod; O I believe in miracles for I believe in God.
Doxology
He Hideth My Soul
By William J. Mirkpatrick, Arr. Mark Hayes
Performed By Jihong Adams-Park
Rise as you are able.
Glorify Thy Name
O God, we love you, we worship and adore you; glorify your names in all the earth.
Glorify your names, glorify your names, glorify your names in all the earth
Sacrament of Hospitality We Remember
Vincent Jenkens 04/07/1990
John Larkin 04/08/1996
Jim Corrigan 04/08/1998
Sammy Glarrantan 04/09/1986
Chuck Lyons 04/10/1990
Tom Martin 04/10/1990
Sandy Bell 04/11/1992
Mark Lubold 04/12/2022
Rainbow Candle Lit Today
In Memory of Regina Margaret Edin 11/30/1942 - 3/20/2024
By Deacon Lydya Chapman & Linda Edin
Intercessions
9:00 Rev Kevin Tisdol /10:30 Deacon Ed Huckemeyer
One: We pray, and we allow ourselves to be the answer to prayer.
For the Sunshine Cathedral Global Fellowship and local congregation, for all who are on our prayer list, for our loved ones, for world and community leaders, and for our own needs, let us pray:
Prayer Chorus Bless Us All
One: And with people all over the world we pray –All: May peace prevail on earth.
These prayers we offer in the names of all helpers of humanity, and in the spirit of Jesus, son of Mary, as we continue to pray as Jesus taught us:
Model Prayer
Creator which art in heaven, hallowed be thy names. Thy kin-dom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors. And leave us not in temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kin-dom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.
Please be seated.
Eucharistic Intentions
9:00 Rev Dr Anne Atwell /10:30 Deacon Ed Huckemeyer
We celebrate this Eucharist to the glory of God and with special intentions for peace, justice, and reconciliation in the world.
Christ lives in story, in ritual, and in our lives as we remember Jesus at this table.
And so, with Easter gladness, let us sing together:
Let the victor’s people sing, alleluia! Where, O death, is now your sting? Alleluia!
Dying once, Christ lives today, alleluia! Where your victory, O grave? Alleluia!
The Last Supper Narrative
Rev Kevin Tisdol
One: On the night of his arrest, Jesus shared a Passover meal with his closest companions.
He compared sharing bread to being a body where many parts work together within and as a whole.
He compared a memorial cup to the life-blood of a ministry dedicated to justice-love.
And he asked that when such a meal was shared again, that he be remembered (+), so that his life and love would be present in their blessed memories.
All: We remember. We share. We give thanks. We summon hope. We are one. Amen.
Invitation to Communion
Rev Dr Anne Atwell
One: These are the gifts of God for all the people of God.
All: Thanks be to God.
Communion is Shared
The ushers will direct you row by row to come forward for Communion. If you would like a communion kit to serve yourself communion in your seat, tell your usher. “Taste and see that God is good.”
Communion Songs
Laudate Dominum (2x)
Laudate Dominum, laudate Dominum omnes gentes, alleluia!
Laudate Dominum, laudate Dominum omnes gentes, alleluia!
Sing, praise and bless the Lord. Sing, praise and bless the Lord, peoples! Nations! Alleluia!
Sing, praise and bless the Lord. Sing, praise and bless the Lord, peoples! Nations! Alleluia!
8 Fold Alleluia
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Prayer of Thanksgiving
Rev Dr Robert Griffin
Please rise as you are able.
The Prayer of Protection
The light of God surrounds us; the love of God enfolds us. The power of God protects us; the presence of God watches over us. Wherever we are, God is.
Benediction Rev Dr Durrell Watkins
Final Song
Commissioning
Raise You Up
One: Our worship has ended. Let our service begin! All: Thanks be to God!
Postlude
Rev Renwick Bell
FROM THE PASTOR’S DESK
A MARVELOUS EASTER SUNDAY
by Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins (Senior Minister, Sunshine Cathedral)At Sunshine Cathedral, we used Lent as a time of spiritual renewal (which is what it is meant to be) We kicked off Ash Wednesday by distributing ashes to those accessing our food pantry as well as to anyone who stopped by for ashes.
Then, every Thursday in Lent we had Evensong, a beautiful prayer service wherein we just prayed for about 25 minutes… silent prayer, sacred readings, candle lighting, and singing scripture verses in various languages over and over in mantra fashion made up the order of service and it was always moving. We intend to bring that service back periodically.
On Sundays in Lent we added a prayer station in the Worship Center where people can kneel, light candles, and pray (we’ll keep it there for you).
Then in Holy Week, in addition to our weekly “table fellowship” at Casa Monarca and our Lenten Thursdays Evensong, we also had a powerful Good Friday Tenebrae service…another time of music, scriptures readings, silence, and finally, darkness.
On Holy Saturday we offered Labyrinth meditation (walking silent prayer in a labyrinth symbolizing a spiritual journey). There is only one way in and one way out of labyrinth, so you’re never really lost and the path is winding, going forward and looping back, like life. At the center there is often an “aha” moment. One can take a question into the labyrinth hoping for clarity by the time the center is reached, or one can simply repeat , silently, an affirmation or scripture verse over and over while walking; when returning from the center, one might wish to simply pray “thank you”.
And, of course, we had daily midday prayer online as always , and we had Sunday worship (which we offer both in person and live-streamed).
After this prayer-filled Lent, we enjoyed a marvelous Easter Sunday. Both services were joyous and the second service was full. There were new people and old friends we hadn’t seen in a while. There were 18 children, and several baptisms. It was simply a glorious day, and I believe our well-spent Lent focusing on spiritual practices is partly why Easter was so great. We prepared for it. We were ready for it. We were ready to receive the blessings of Resurrection power.
Eastertide is another spiritual season wherein we can grow spiritually and it leads to the exciting Pentecost experience. Our spiritual renewal can continue, which is why the Church year is divided into these seasons…to encourage us along the way. Thank you for a meaningful Lent and a beautiful Easter. Let’s keep praying and healing and growing together.
A PRAYER FOR 2024
by Rev. Dr. Durrell Watkins(Put this prayer where you will see it every day and use
it throughout 2024)
Right now, I am tapping into the universal life force. I wish for all who are suffering to find relief and hope. I deny fear any power over me.
I will be a bright light in the world.
I am serene and confident and full of joy.
I expect blessings. Nothing is too good for me.
May we all be strong and wise and loving.
May Love heal our world. Let there be peace. Amen.
SEEING RED – April 24 at 7 pm. $20. Through the incredible generosity of one of our members (okay, it’s Mike Bosco) we have an opportunity to taste 9 or 10 different Cabernet vintages – and to explore the differences that terroir and a winemaker can make using the same varietal! We will also taste foods that actually pair well with that bold grape. AND, some non-Cabernet grapes will be tasted as well. There is also a one-of-a-kind bottle raffle opportunity for those in attendance. Tickets for Seeing Red are available at SunshineCathedral.org under the GIVE tab and are $20.
EASTER CONTINUES – Eastertide lasts 7 weeks (49 days) and is followed by Pentecost. Easter themes will continue throughout the season.
Wednesday – Casa Monarca Pride Night, 4:30 to closing. Happy Hour menu available all night. Part of your bill is donated back to Sunshine Cathedral.
MEMBERSHIP CLASS – 27 April via Zoom. Contact Rev. Kevin (kevin@sunshinecathedral.org)
CRUISE RAFFLE WINNER – Thank you to everyone who participated in the raffle. It was a fund raiser for the Cathedral, every chance purchased being a donation to the Cathedral with one lucky person winning a prize. The winner of the Dalmatian Cruise is Cathedral member Phil Cordell. The amount raised for ministry was $1,850. Thanks again and congratulations Phil.
GLOBAL FELLOWSHIP – Those who don’t live locally but who wish to be part of the Sunshine Cathedral community can learn about the Sunshine Cathedral Global Fellowship by visiting SunshineCathedral.org
OUR SUNDAY BROADCAST is made possible by Happening Out Television Network and donors who support our televised ministry. Happening Out is housed at Sunshine Cathedral Square. Happening Out programming can be viewed on YouTube, Facebook, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Google TV, and Roku.
MIDDAY PRAYER - Pray with us daily at Noon (eastern) for Midday Prayer on Facebook.
PERFORMING ARTS - Attend our performing arts events, and learn about them and get tickets at SunshineCathedral.org/ arts. Upcoming: Sunday, 7 April – Lesbian Thespians production, “Perfect Arrangement” by Topher Payne Friday, 12 April – Dana Goldberg
Queer God Squad - We invite you to watch the Queer God Squad. It is live Monday – Friday at 3 pm eastern, and then available ON DEMAND on all smart televisions and your favorite social media.
