Christ The King and Thanksgiving

Christ The King November 23, 2008. (Last Sunday after Pentecost)

Rev. Walter Szymanski, Celebrant.

Prelude: "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring", J.S. Bach
Dr. Frances Dannenberg, flute; Dr. James Wilson, bassoon; Phil Cynar, Organ

Processional #816: "Hail to the Lord's Anointed"

First Reading: Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24
Psalm 100
Second Reading: Ephesians 1:15-23
Sequence Hymn: #544 " Jesus Shall Reign"
The Holy Gospel: Matthew 25:31-46
Hymn at the Offertory: "Lord of Life, King of Glory", M.A. Grancini
At Communion: Insturmental Consort: " You are the Image and the Hope", Jacques Berthier;
Choir: "King Jesus is A-listenin'"
Recessional: #435 "At the Name of Jesus"
Postlude: "Rigaudon" by Andre Campra


Thanksgiving Day November 27, 2008.

Rev. Walter Szymanski, Celebrant.

The Prelude: "Simple Gifts" by Lloyd Conley; Dr. James Wilson, saxophone; Phil Cynar, organ.
The Introit sung by the Choir: "All Creatures of our God and King", arr by William Tortolano
Processional Hymn: #718 "God of our Fathers"
First Reading: Deuteronomy 8:7-18
Psalm 65
Second Reading: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15
Sequence Hymn: #290 "Come ye Thankful People, Come"
The Holy Gospel: Luke 17:11-19
Anthem at the Offertory: "Blow Ye The Trumpet", by Kirke Mechem.
At the Communion: " Thank You Lord" arr. by John Carter
Solo: "Bless This House" Carol Parrish, Alto.
Recessional: # 397 "Now Thank We All Our God"
Postlude: Nun Danket alle Gott, J.S. Bach

27 Pentecost

27th Sunday after Pentecost—November 16, 2008

The Organ Prelude—“The  Day is Surely Drawing Nigh”   J.S. Bach

Processional Hymn #617  “Eternal Ruler”

First Reading:  Judges 4:1-7

Psalm 123

Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:1-11

Sequence Hymn #561 “Stand up, stand up for Jesus”

The Holy Gospel: Matthew 25:14-30

Anthem at the Offertory  “Be Still, My Soul”  Jean Sibelius

Anthem at Communion  Organ:  “My Lord, What a Morning”  Raymond Haan

Hymn: #13 (LEV) “My Lord, What A Morning”

Recessional Hymn #541  “Come Labor On”

Postlude:  Ora Labora—Mark Mc Connell

 

Upcoming Events at Holy Cross:

Thursday November 27, 2008

Thanksgiving Day Mass 10:00am

Friday December 5, 2008

Annual Christmas Gala 6pm-12am

Edgewood Country Club  Tickets $40.00

Sunday December 14, 2008

3 Advent  (Gaudete Sunday) Service of Advent Lessons and Carols

10:30am

26 Pentecost

The Organ Prelude: The Jupiter Theme from the The Planets--Gustav Holst
Processional: #1 (LEV) Lift Every Voice and Sing
First Reading: Joshua 24:1-3, 14-25
Psalm: 78:1-7
Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18
Sequence Hymn #53 "Once He Came in Blessing" (Vss 1&2)
The Gospel Reading: Matthew 25:1-13
Sequence Hymn #53 "Once He Came in Blessing" (Vss3&4)
Anthem At Offertory: "Give Me Jesus"--Larry Shackley
Hymn at Communion: "His Eye is on the Sparrow" Vs.1 Solo Sung by Ruth Still, Soprano.
Post Communion Meditation: #227 (LEV) "We Shall Overcome"
Recessional #608 "Eternal Father Strong to Save" (sung in commemoration of Veteran's Day)
Postlude: "Hornpipe" from Water Music--George Fredric Handel

Upcoming events at Holy Cross:
Thursday November 27, 2008
Thanksgiving Day Mass at 10am

Friday December 5, 2008
Annual Holy Cross Christmas Gala
6:00pm-12:00am
Edgewood Country Club
Donation $40.00 benefiting the Building Fund.
contact the Church Office at 412-242-3209 or email chcpgh@gmail.com for more information.

Location decided for the Dec 13 Special Convention.

The location for the Dec 13 special convention for the Diocese of Pgh (TEC) has been determined. St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Mt. Lebanon has been chosen as the host parish for the convention. More info here

All Saint's Sunday @ Holy Cross

Come celebrate All Saint's Day at the Church of the Holy Cross this coming Sunday, November 2nd at 10:30am. In addition to special music for the occasion sung by both the Sacred and Children's Choirs, after the service the parish will have an All Saint's Tea during the coffee hour. A photo montage of past and present Holy Cross saints will be shown. If you're in the area, you're certainly welcome to join us as we remember those from Holy Cross who passed this way before us.

Family and Friends Day A Rousing Success...

Holy Cross was packed for the 76th Annual Family and Friends Day sponsored by the Rector's Guild, and the congregation was treated to a great worship experience from processional to recessional. First, in a musical prelude, Choirmaster and Organist Phil Cynar on piano and saxman Dr. James Wilson led off the proceedings with a powerful and soulful jazz rendition of "Blessed Assurance" which set the early tone for things to come. I had never heard that grand old hymn of the church done with that much spirit. Then your's truly came out to sing Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday" with Phil and Doc backing up, and I can just say that after I was done, I had chills up and down my spine. Phil and Doc were awesome, and they deserve much of the credit for making that piece work.

Next the choir came out and performed the classic Negro Spiritual "I've Been 'Buked" with the Honorable Kim Clark directing, and the harmonizing was tight, the choir was dead on, and it only got better from there.

After the processional hymn, Holy Cross favorite "We're Marching to Zion", the service got underway with Rite Two liturgy. The featured speaker was veteran KDKA reporter Harold Hayes who brought a strong message from the pulpit exhorting the congregation to not be content in staying home, but to get out into the community to make change happen. The message was well received by the congregation and we are thankful to Mr. Hayes for bringing God's Word to us.

The Children's Choir then came on to perform a charming version of "Woke Up This Morning with My Mind (Stayed on Jesus) " Ever since the Children's Choir was formed about six months ago out of the Sunday School department, they have received much encouragement from the congregation for the great job they perform. These kids sing with real enthusiasm, and they enjoy singing for God and Holy Cross.

The Anthem at the Offertory was " The Prophet's Song" sung by the choir which was in full voice with all four vocal parts well represented. The Anthem at Communion was African spiritual "Come, Let Us Eat", and the post-communion solo was delivered by a favorite soloist of Holy Cross, Mr. Morgan Thomas, who at the young age of 94 can still bring a big sounding tenor shaped by classical opera training to the slave spiritual "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"

I had tears coming from my eyes listening to that man put his heart into that song. I only can pray that God gives me enough life to sing like that at his age. All in all, it was a great day of fellowship, singing and reconnecting with those members of Holy Cross who were away for one reason or another.

Moving Forward in Grace...

From the Pgh Diocese (TEC)

http://www.episcopalpgh.org/moving-forward/

A discussion and post-convention update for those who are considering staying in the Episcopal Church. Should answer some nagging questions from Holy Cross faithful concerned about who's who, what's what, what we're up against, and who's got our backs.

Continuing Diocese of Pittsburgh Standing Committee created and recognized by TEC.

From the "Across The Aisle"...er, uh, The Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (TEC) website: www.episcopalpgh.org

http://www.episcopalpgh.org/from-the-president-of-the-standing-committee-

of-the-episcopal-diocese-of-pittsburgh-of-the-episcopal-church-of-the-united-sates-of-america/

In a nutshell, this posting states that the Standing Commitee for the continuing Diocese of Pittsburgh has been constituted

and has been recognized by the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church as the legitimate Ecclesiastical Authority of the

Diocese until the clergy and lay deputies of the Diocese meet in Convention on December 13th, 2008 to select an interim

bishop to provide pastoral services until the diocese is suffciently organized to elect a permanent bishop.

The Across the Aisle website is now the official website of the Episcopal Diocese of Pittsburgh (TEC), as opposed to the

diocese of the same name that is part of the Southern Cone.

Holy Cross Kids Choir...tuning up.

Here are some shots of the church's fledgling children's choir preparing for their part in the upcoming Family and Friends Day this coming Sunday. Thanks for Verna Crichlow and organist/choirmaster Phil Cynar for getting the choir up and running and including them in the worship services at Holy Cross. These kids have a lot of enthusiasm and have been received very well by the congregation in past services.

credit all photos: Pierre R. Wheaton, 2008

Apolgies for the blurry pictures. I know...a lousy artist blames his tools, but what do you expect from a BlackBerry? Anyway...this shows that Holy Cross is trying hard to involve our young into the spiritual life of our church.

It's official...

The Diocese of Pittsburgh has voted to realign with the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone.

This is the preliminary story from the Episcopal News Service:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/79901_101319_ENG_HTM.htm

A more detailed story is to come.

Game on!

Here's the breakdown of the vote by orders:

121 aye, 33 nay (clergy)
191 aye, 69 nay (laity)


Now, what does this mean for Holy Cross from the get-go? We have declared repeatedly to the diocese via vestry resolution that Holy Cross is and always will be supportive of the Episcopal Church. Holy Cross will continue along that position. We will assist as much as we are able in the organizing of the continuing Diocese of Pittsburgh. There will be questions about who owns the property of the diocese, most likely contested by dueling lawyers at 10 paces. The road will be difficult at times, but Holy Cross is a parish used to adversity. This will not kill us, but will make us stronger. But tomorrow, the sun will rise, we will worship at 8:00 and 10:30, the roof will still leak, we will prepare for Family and Friends Day, and the Episcopal Church flag that is displayed in our sanctuary will remain there.

Holy Cross Web Album up on Picasa.

Took a while to finally get around to it, but Holy Cross now has a gallery of photos taken over the last few years at http://picasaweb.google.com/chcpgh

Among the photos in the various galleries are photos from Dr. McIntyre's installation in 2005, past church picnics, this year's Rogation Sunday service, and other events. As events come and go, more pictures will be added. Enjoy.

What will happen if realignment occurs?

This page from the "Across The Aisle" website describes the processes that will come into play if the Diocese of Pittsburgh should vote for realignment This coming Saturday.

http://www.episcopalpgh.org/next-steps/#more-186

Family and Friends Day at Holy Cross

The Rector's Guild of the Church of the Holy Cross will be sponsoring its annual Family and Friends Day on Sunday October 12th, 2008, 10:30am at the church. Special music will be sung by the choir and the special guest speaker for that day will be veteran KDKA TV reporter, Harold T. Hayes. There will also be a post-service reception. All are invited to come and celebrate with Holy Cross, one of its longest running and favorite traditions.

Here's a PDF for a poster of the event.

Funny, there used to be a house here!!!

Now you see it.




Now, you don't!!


And here's my souvenir brick. Hey, I spent three years in that heap trying to keep the books of this church, Doggone straight, I'm getting a piece of it.

credit all photos: pierre r.wheaton

This door connected the downstairs dining room to the basement of St. Francis House. A set of steps and possible wheelchair ramp will be built here, although the pitch would seem to make a legit wheelchair ramp pretty difficult.

Standing Committee States That Diocesan Convention will go on as scheduled.

From the Episcopal News Service:

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/81803_101119_ENG_HTM.htm

Bishop Duncan formally deposed.

While this does not qualify as "good stuff" by any stretch, It does affect Holy Cross to an extent, so it merits inclusion.

From the Episcopal News Service:

http://www.dfms.org/79901_100988_ENG_HTM.htm

Basically what this means is that Mr. Duncan is no longer a Bishop in the Episcopal Church. He has been relieved of all his episcopal duties and powers in the Episcopal Church, although he still has all the rights and responsibilities of a layperson in this Church.

Immediately after the House of Bishops voted to depose Mr. Duncan, the House of Bishops in the Anglican Province of The Southern Cone based in Argentina voted to make him a bishop at large within their organization. Most of the other primates and clergy within the Anglican Communion who also supported Mr. Duncan while he was Bishop of Pittsburgh still consider him a bishop and maintain that the deposition of Mr. Duncan by the House of Bishops is irregular and a violation of the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church.

The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Pittsburgh, which consists of 4 clergy and 4 laypersons now becomes the "Ecclesiastical Authority" within the Diocese and will organize and chair the upcoming Diocesan Convention on October 4th, 2008. For the record, 7 of the 8 members of the Standing Committee support the resolutions to be voted upon at the convention, which call for the realigning of the Diocese of Pittsburgh from the Episcopal Church to the Anglican Province of the Southern Cone, based in Argentina.

St. Francis House.

Here are some photos of the current status of St. Francis House. St. Francis House was the rectory of Holy Cross for many years as well as the home of the parish offices. However, the building structure had deteriorated to a level where it was unsafe for habitation, so the building was recently comdemned and slated for demolition. However, due to the amount of asbestos in the building that had to be removed, demolition had to be delayed. Now that the asbestos has been removed, the structure is slated for knockdown soon. The congregation of Holy Cross holds fond memories for St. Francis House and will miss it greatly.

This shot is the building post-asbestos and ready for demolition.

These shots were taken while the building was isolated for asbestos removal.

credit all photos by pierre.r. wheaton, 2008.

Welcome to A Cruce Salus

Welcome to the blog for the Church of the Holy Cross. This blog was created as a supplement to the church website at www.chcpgh.org. While the website has general information about Holy Cross, the blog will contain more up to date information about what is happening at Holy Cross and the wider Homewood-Brushton, as well as, Episcopal Community. Articles about events occurring at Holy Cross will be posted to this blog as well as pictures from such events, and if I can get our rector to consent to it, her sermons. We will also be posting information about the upcoming Diocesan Convention and its aftereffects particularly as they pertain to Holy Cross.

Holy Cross is on the record as opposing the vote to realign the Diocese of Pittsburgh to the Southern Cone, and if the diocese is realigned, she will continue to serve her mission as a proud member parish of the Episcopal Church. We are a diverse parish with many views pertaining to the recent actions of the Episcopal Church, pro and con. However, the congregants of this parish believe that separating ourselves from the Episcopal Church in order to realign with another Church in the Anglican Communion is wrong.

Oh, and about the name of the blog "A Cruce Salus?" That is Latin for "From the Cross, comes salvation." There are quite a few instances where this term has been used on the Internet, but I felt that this phrase would be perfect for the title of our blog considering that our church is named for the insturment of our salvation, the Holy Cross on which Jesus Christ was sacrificed for us.