2009 Lenten Preaching Series

Tonight is the first night of the 8th Annual East End Parishes Lenten Preaching Series.

Wha??  I've never heard of this before, what is it?  

Patience, Bunky. Lemme 'splain this to you.  

Eight years ago the five parishes in the East End of Pittsburgh:  Calvary, East Liberty; Redeemer, Squirrel Hill; St.Stephen's, Wilkinsburg; St. Andrew's, Highland Park; and Holy Cross, Homewood came up with this great idea to allow the members of these parishes to come together in a spirit of fellowship during this Lenten season.  Each parish would take a turn hosting congregants from the other four parishes each Tuesday during Lent, first providing a simple Lenten supper and then having Holy Eucharist with hymns and sermon afterward.   The idea was an immediate success and has been going on ever since.  At first, each of the rectors of the various parishes would preach on a Lenten subject at a service hosted by one of the other churches, but last year, the lineup was changed to bring in other speakers from churches and ministries outside of the East End 5.  

Here's this years 2009 Lenten Preaching Series schedule:

March 3  Calvary. Preacher: Rev. Nancy Chalfant Walker, Rector, St. Stephen's Wilkinsburg

March 10  St. Andrew's  Preacher:  The Rev Chris Opat, Curate, St.Paul's Mt. Lebanon

March 17  Redeemer  Preacher:  The Rev. Barbara Seras, Coordinator, Province III, The Episcopal Church

March 24  St. Stephen's  Preacher: Mrs Ardelle Hopson, Member of Calvary Church, and Diocesan Council

March 31  Holy Cross  Preacher:  The Rt. Rev. Robert Johnson, Assisting Bishop of Pittsburgh

Supper for all venues begins at 6pm with the service starting at 7pm.  This is an event that is always very well attended and it's a great opportunity to worship in some great churches and meet new people as well.

Absalom Jones Day 2009

Yes, Yes, I know, It's been a month of Sundays since this blog has been updated.  Forces beyond my control have conspired to keep me from fulfilling the obligation of updating, but hopefully, the posts will be coming fast and furious as spring approaches.  

Holy Cross hosted the Annual Diocesan observance of Absalom Jones Day.  This was the first time that Holy Cross hosted the event. Previous celebrations were held at Trinity Cathedral, but with the reorganizing of the diocese and such, clearer heads prevailed and it was decided that the service should be held at the only predominantly African-American parish. 

Here's a report from Andrew Muhl of St. Andrew's, Highland Park posted on the Diocesan website

http://www.episcopalpgh.org/absalom-jones-day

-2009-report/

Eliza Littleton, parishioner of St Andrew's graciously shared her photos of the event with Holy Cross and they can be seen at our web album on Picasa via the Google, Holy Cross thanks Eliza for sharing these photos with the Holy Cross community and with the wider church. 

http://picasaweb.google.com/chcpgh/AbsalomJones2009#

Here's also a YouTube link of the proceedings.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9DeYOQR-1Q

Here are a few of the pictures of the event to whet your appetite, so to speak.

The Combined Choirs of Redeemer, Squirrel Hill;  St. Andrews, Highland Park; St. Stephen's Wilkinsburg; and Holy Cross, Homewood rendered the music for the service and did a great job if I may say so.

Resident Holy Cross sax man Dr. James Wilson shares his gifts with the congregation prior to the service.

Acolytes from Holy Cross and St. Andrew's come together in a spirit of unity and diversity.

 

Dr. Ronald Peters, of the Pittsburgh Theological Seminary delivered the message.  A Presbyterian professor delivered a Baptist message in an Episcopal church.  Somewhere somebody's head just exploded. 

The Rt. Rev. Robert Johnson, Assisting Bishop of the Diocese of Pittsburgh was the celebrant at the service, and apparently he liked Holy Cross so much that he's coming back to officiate at our turn of the East End Parishes' Lenten Preaching Series.  Who says Holy Cross doesn't have pull?

All in all, a great day for Holy Cross and the Diocese of Pittsburgh. 

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.