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.

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.