Category Archives: Worship

Thy Kingdom Come 2021 – a guide for 11 days of prayer

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GET INVOLVED

1. Daily prayer - Commit to attending the daily office in the morning (8:45 a.m.) or in the evening (4:45 p.m.) or both at the Cathedral Monday - Friday. It takes about 15 minutes.

2. D I F F E R E N C E - Prayer for the coming of God’s Kingdom can take many forms. Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has a passion for equipping the Church to be a reconciling presence in a complex and divided world. It is one of our greatest challenges but it has never been more vital. Co-sponsored by Christ Church Cathedral and the Diocese of Fredericton, we’ll explore ways to be engaged in being part of the solution. We can be a generation that crosses divides!

4:30 p.m.
17-21 May 2021
via ZOOM
REGISTER at
nb.anglican.ca

3. Pray for your FIVE - Choose a time each day to pray for 5 people you know that they will come to faith in Jesus Christ and know his love for them. Use the 2021 Prayer Journal to help guide and record your prayer or find other resources here.

4. Digital Family Resources - A fun-filled 11 part series for kids created in collaboration with the brilliant Cheeky Pandas! View a series of 11 reflections by youth on the daily themes of Thy Kingdom Come. The Digital Family Prayer Adventure Map is a way to help your whole family take part in the 11 days of global prayer.

DAILY SHORT READINGS

FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION
As it is, we do not yet see everything in subjection to human beings, but we do see Jesus, who for a little while was made lower than the angels, now crowned with glory and honour because of the suffering of death, so that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. It was fitting that God, for whom and through whom all things exist, in bringing many children to glory, should make the pioneer of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2.8b-10
SATURDAY AFTER ASCENSION
I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8.38,39
SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION
On the last day of the festival, the great day, while Jesus was standing there, he cried out, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me, and let the one who believes in me drink. As the scripture has said, “Out of the believer’s heart shall flow rivers of living water.”’ Now he said this about the Spirit, which believers in him were to receive. John 7.37-39a
MONDAY
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. Isaiah 40.28,29
TUESDAY
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. 1 Corinthians 12.4-7
WEDNESDAY
I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female slaves, in those days, I will pour out my spirit. Joel 2.28,29
THURSDAY
Jesus said, ‘Ask, and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for a fish, will give a snake instead of a fish? Or if the child asks for an egg, will give a scorpion? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!’ Luke 11.9-13
FRIDAY
In Christ every one of God’s promises is a ‘Yes.’ For this reason it is through him that we say the ‘Amen’, to the glory of God. But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ and has anointed us, by putting his seal on us and giving us his Spirit in our hearts as a first instalment. 2 Corinthians 1.20-22
SATURDAY
The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And all of us, with unveiled faces, seeing the glory of the Lord as though reflected in a mirror, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord, the Spirit. 2 Corinthians 3.17,18

 

Join with thousands of Christians around the globe and let's light up the world in prayer!
Visit the light up the world page to add a star to the map to light up your area!

 

 

Light up the World HERE!

PRAYING FOR "YOUR 5" DURING THY KINGDOM COME

Thy Kingdom Come encourages every Christian to pray daily for 5 individuals to know God's love for them in Christ

Download the 2021 Prayer Journal at thykingdomcome.global

ASCENSION DAY Jesus
Jesus shows us what humanity can be like when it is lived God’s way.

FRIDAY AFTER ASCENSION Praise
God is the source and origin of everything, even the breath that we’re taking right now.

SATURDAY AFTER ASCENSION Thanks
Thanksgiving expands the heart. Pray that the whole world may find Christ.

SUNDAY AFTER ASCENSION Sorry
The world has to change. But who has the answers? Who do we follow? Jesus says, follow me.

MONDAY Offer
The offer of the Christian faith is the offer of abundant life.

TUESDAY Pray for
Make your life a prayer. Pray for your FIVE. Make your life an offering.

WEDNESDAY Help
We are made for community with God and with each other and we can’t do it on our own.

THURSDAY Adore
Love is the complete self-giving that we see in Jesus. This is the love the world needs if we are to navigate a way though the huge challenges we face.

FRIDAY Celebrate
Faith is not a private thing, but a way of life lived in community. We need to nurture this life in celebration.

SATURDAY Silence
There is a place beyond words, where the heart rests in peace, in the knowledge of being known and loved.

THE DAY OF PENTECOST Filled with the Holy Spirit
God the Holy Spirit sends us into the world: praying for others, and serving them in the name of Christ.

READINGS ON DISCIPLESHIP AND EVANGELISM

And now the Lord says, who formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob back to him, and that Israel might be gathered to him, for I am honoured in the sight of the Lord, and my God has become my strength – he says, ‘It is too light a thing that you should be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the survivors of Israel; I will give you as a light to the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth.’ Isaiah 49.5-6

Listen! Your sentinels lift up their voices, together they sing for joy; for in plain sight they see the return of the Lord to Zion. Break forth together into singing, you ruins of Jerusalem; for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. Isaiah 52.8-9

Many nations shall come and say: ‘Come, let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and that we may walk in his paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. He shall judge between many peoples, and shall arbitrate between strong nations far away; they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into pruning-hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Micah 4.2-3

‘While God has overlooked the times of human ignorance, now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will have the world judged in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.’ Acts 17.30-31

From now on, therefore, we regard no one from a human point of view; even though we once knew Christ from a human point of view, we know him no longer in that way. So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 2 Corinthians 5.16-17

So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone. In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord. Ephesians 2.19-21

Jesus said, ‘You are the salt of the earth; but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything, but is thrown out and trampled under foot. You are the light of the world. A city built on a hill cannot be hidden. No one after lighting a lamp puts it under the bushel basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.’ Matthew 5.13-16

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’ Matthew 28.16-end

DAILY OFFICE READINGS

to be used at Morning and Evening Prayer

Thursday (13 May) Ascension of the Lord
Morning Psalm 8, 47; Ezekiel 1:1-14, 24-28b; Hebrews 2:5-18
Evening Psalm 24, 96; (Daniel 7:9-14); Matthew 28:16-20

Friday (14 May) St. Mathias, Apostle
Morning Psalm 80; 1 Samuel 16:1-13; 1 John 2:18-25
Evening Psalm 33; 1 Samuel 12:1-5; Acts 20:17-35

Saturday (15 May) Eve of Ascension Sunday
Morning Psalm 87, 90; Ezekiel 3:4-17; Hebrews 5:7-14
Evening Psalm 136; (Numbers 11:16-17, 24-29); Luke 9:37-50

Sunday (16 May) Seventh Sunday of Easter - Jerusalem Sunday
Morning Psalm 66, 67; Ezekiel 3:16-27; Ephesians 2:1-10
Evening Psalm 19, 46; (Exodus 3:1-12); Matthew 10:24-33, 40-42

Monday (17 May) Easter Feria
Morning Psalm 89:1-18; Ezekiel 4:1-17; Hebrews 6:1-12
Evening Psalm 89:19-52; (Josiah 1:1-9); Luke 9:51-62

Tuesday (18 May) Easter Feria
Morning Psalm 97, 99, [100]; Ezekiel 7:10-15, 23b-27; Hebrews 6:13-20
Evening Psalm 94, [95]; (1 Samuel 16:1-13a); Luke 10:1-17

Wednesday (19 May) Dunstan, Archbishop of Canterbury, 988
Morning Psalm 101, 109:1-4, (5-19), 20-30; Ezekiel 11:14-25; Hebrews 7:1-17
Evening Psalm 119:121-144; (Isaiah 4:2-6); Luke 10:17-24

Thursday (20 May) Easter Feria
Morning Psalm 105:1-22; Ezekiel 18:1-4, 19-32; Hebrews 7:18-28
Evening Psalm 105:23-45; (Zechariah 4:1-14); Luke 10:25-37

Friday (21 May) Easter Feria
Morning Psalm 102; Ezekiel 34:17-31; Hebrews 8:1-13
Evening Psalm 107:1-32; (Jeremiah 31:27-34); Luke 10:38-42

Saturday (22 May) Eve of Pentecost
Morning Psalm 107:33-43, 108:1-6, (7-13); Ezekiel 43:1-12; Hebrews 9:1-14
Evening Psalm 33; Exodus 19:3-8a, 16-20; 1 Peter 2:4-10

Sunday (23 May) Day of Pentecost
Morning Psalm 118; Isaiah 11:1-9; 1 Corinthians 2:1-13
Evening Psalm 145; (Deuteronomy 16:9-12); John 14:21-29

Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Oils

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Christ Church Cathedral easily holds 250, but on April 1, Maundy Thursday, about 30 people were present for the Renewal of Vows and Blessing of Oils.

Archbishop David Edwards presided, with Dean Geoffrey Hall assisting. Cheryl Jacobs read the intersessions, while the Rev. Chris Tapera, new rector in the Parish of Bathurst, and Debbie Edwards gave the readings.

Layreaders, one deacon, priests and one bishop renewed their vows during the service. Normally a lunch follows, but with pandemic restrictions in place, no food was served.

During his sermon, David talked of the importance of marking the call of God to ministry.

“Today is in the holiest of weeks, and we gather here to celebrate and remember,” he said. “Some are called to ‘particular and weighty’ roles, though we are share a role.”

...[Continue reading the article on the NB Anglican website]

Originally published in the NB Anglican under the title Small, socially-distanced group gathers for Cathedral service. Articles and photos by Gisele McKnight.

2021 Easter Pastoral Letter

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Easter 2021

View in PDF

Lent 2021

Dear Friends,

The old, old story will be told yet again this year. ("Tell me the old, old story") We who have walked the way of the Cross before will hear familiar words ... "Hosanna to the Son of David! ... Father, take this cup from me ... my God, my God why have you forsaken ... it is finished ... He is risen!"

Holy Week and Easter is a roller coaster of emotion. Lent, the journey from Ashes to Easter, now turns to the shorter one from the Sunday of Palms to the Day of Resurrection. The highs and lows are all part of the story of the redemption of humanity. Easter assures us that even though we die, God gives life. Even though we don't always make the choices best for ourselves and others, God and his mercy endures. Even though the shadows fall and darkness settles, the sun rises again and dawn breaks anew.

It is not by accident that the Church celebrates the mystery of Resurrection near the end of the longest, most trying season of the year. Perhaps Easter celebration this year will have been influenced by what has been an entire year of trying times! The Church year serves to illustrate the seasons of our life. Following a long harsh winter comes spring and the budding of the new. Christians are reminded that the dimming eye and the aged hand are not signs of the end, rather only the nearing of a fantastic transformation from this life into the next. In worship the promise of eternal life rang clearly through prayerful Lenten days this year. Soon, we celebrate the outcome of our trials in bright sunshine and the warming days of Easter.

Join this year in walking the way of the Cross in worship events that have been important to Christian believers throughout the world and through the ages. A schedule is below. If you’re not yet comfortable or unable to join us in person, visit The Cathedral YouTube Channel as we try to provide as many opportunities there as possible. If you wish to make Easter Communion at home, please contact the Cathedral Office.

Wishes for a blessed Easter to you and those whom you love.

Sincerely yours,

 

 

 

Geoffrey Hall (The Very Rev'd)
Dean of Fredericton

 

Holy Week and Easter 2021
Christ Church Cathedral, Fredericton NB

Monday - Thursday: 8:45 a.m. Morning Prayer and 4:45 p.m. Evening Prayer

The Holy Eucharist on 03 April is the first of Easter

Passion/Palm Sunday (28 March 2021)
 8:00 a.m. Liturgy of the Palms and Holy Eucharist
10:30 a.m. Liturgy of the Palms, Dramatic Passion and Holy Eucharist

Monday
5:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Tuesday
5:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Wednesday
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
5:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist

Maundy Thursday
11:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Ministry Vows and Blessing of Oils
7:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist and Stripping of the Sanctuary

Good Friday
10:00 a.m. Celebration of the Lord's Passion

Easter Eve (03 April 2021)
8:00 p.m. The Great Vigil of Easter, Renewal of Baptism and Eucharist

Easter Day (04 April 2021)
8:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
10:00 a.m. Holy Eucharist
11:45 a.m. Come Worship Eucharist

 

 

Elm City String Quartet – Friday, 26 March 2021

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We're so pleased to host the Elm City String Quartet!

The Elm City String Quartet performs at the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral, featuring works by Haydn, Borodin, and Shaw.

The Elm City String Quartet returns to the beautiful Christ Church Cathedral for their first concert of 2021. Enjoy the charm of Haydn’s “Lark” quartet, the romance of Borodin’s quartet number one, and the dynamism of Caroline Shaw’s “Blueprint.” The concert will be one hour in length with no intermission. Pre-registration is strongly encouraged. Please bring your community mask.

Get tickets HERE!

Elm City String Quartet

Pandemic Yellow Level at the Cathedral

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Zone 3 (Fredericton and area) is currently in the Yellow Level of the New Brunswick Pandemic Recovery Plan.

In-person worship at the Cathedral continues and Memorial Hall is open to the public, both with restrictions. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Monday to Friday.

Pandemic precautions outlined in the latest revision of the Cathedral Pandemic Operational Plan (11 March 2021) will be followed. These include:

  • Worship gatherings are limited to 90 individuals (based on 50% of total capacity)
  • Meetings where 2 metres of distance with masks is maintained
  • 2 metres of physical distance between bubbles is required
  • Face masks are mandatory indoors at all times (with an exception for “leaders or performers whose activities require vocalization” while maintaining 4 metres of physical distance between bubbles)
  • Congregational singing with masks and 2 metres of distance between bubbles

Please note that we continue to be encouraged to limit contact outside of single household bubbles, especially in confined spaces. Please continue to pray for those who are at risk and those providing care and helping to keep us safe.

Worship reservations

With current limits of individuals, worship reservations continue to be required. Reserve online by visiting Cathedral Signups by 8:00 p.m. on the previous day. Telephone reservations are needed in real time (not by voicemail). If reserving by telephone, please contact the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500 during office hours, 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon, Monday to Friday.

World Day of Prayer Video

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A World Day of Prayer video has been created to view at home and with small groups. It is based on the worship bulletin prepared by the women of Vanuatu and edited by the Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada. The one-hour video features a dance performed on the shores of New Brunswick, reflecting the theme ‘Build on a Strong Foundation’. A digital copy of the bilingual service booklet is available to accompany the video.

Click here to watch the video on the WICC website.

Tax Receipts will be issued for all donations of $20 or more. Donate by:

  • Mail:
    Individual cheques may be made out to Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada and mailed to:
    WICC (Women’s Inter-Church Council of Canada)
    47 Queen’s Park Crescent East
    Toronto, ON   M5S 2C3
  • Online:
    Use the 'Donate' button on the WICC website.
  • Text:
    Donate by texting (647) 953-5557

Pandemic Orange Level at the Cathedral – January 2021

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Orange Level Recovery

At 11:59 p.m. on 26 January, 2021, Zone 3 (Fredericton and area) will return to the Orange Level of the New Brunswick Pandemic Recovery Plan.

In-person worship at the Cathedral will resume and Memorial Hall will reopen to the public. Office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, Monday to Friday.

Pandemic precautions outlined in the latest revision of the Cathedral Pandemic Operational Plan (20 January 2021) will be followed. These include:

  • Worship gatherings are limited to 50 individuals
  • Meetings are limited to 25 individuals
  • 2 metres of physical distance between bubbles is required
  • Face masks are mandatory indoors and out at all times (with an exception for “performers or officiants whose activities require vocalization” while maintaining 4 metres of physical distance between bubbles)

Please note that during the Orange Level, we are strongly encouraged to limit contact outside of single household bubbles, especially in confined spaces. Please continue to pray for those who are at risk and those providing care and helping to keep us safe.

Worship reservations

With current limits of individuals, worship reservations are required. Reserve online by visiting Cathedral Signups by 8:00 p.m. on the previous day. Telephone reservations are needed in real time (not by voicemail). If reserving by telephone, please contact the Cathedral Office (506) 450-8500 during office hours, 9:00 a.m. - 12 noon, Monday to Friday.

 

Pandemic Red Level at the Cathedral

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19 January 2021

Dear Friends,

You'll note that as of midnight tonight (Tuesday) the Province of New Brunswick announced that Zone 3 (Fredericton Region) is being moved to the Red Level of pandemic restriction.

Dr. Jennifer Russell, the province's chief medical officer of health, says Zones 1, 2, and 3 – Moncton, Saint John, and Fredericton -- will move to the red phase as of midnight on Tuesday. Zone 4 will also remain in the red phase, meaning more than half of the province will be in the highest level of pandemic restrictions. CTV News

Read the Mandatory Order.

We continue to pray for all in leadership and especially for those who work in the health care professions. Remember also those who will feel the impact of these restrictions. Reach out to and communicate with others in safe ways and let's move through these current challenges with the knowledge that the Holy One is with us, that there is light and that this crisis will end.

What does the Red Level of Alert mean for us?

1. The Red Alert Level does not permit public, in-person worship. Holy Eucharist tomorrow (Wednesday at 10:00 a.m.) and Sunday at 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. are cancelled. We will live stream from the Cathedral beginning at 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, 24 January (the Third Sunday after Epiphany). Visit our YouTube Channel. 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship will continue as a live stream until the level of alert changes. If you know of someone who does not receive e-mail, please communicate this information to them as best you can.

2. The Cathedral Office will be closed to the public during the Red Alert level. Please don't hesitate to contact the office or the Dean by email or telephone if you have need.

3. Please note that during both the Red and Orange Alert Levels, visitations at hospital are not possible, with the exception of special circumstances. Returning to the yellow level will make visits possible again with restrictions. At all times It is important that you let us know if you or a family member is or is going to be admitted to hospital. The hospital no longer routinely shares information about patients with the clergy or our hospital visitors.

Watch the Cathedral website and your email for updates when they are available.

Geoffrey Hall
Dean of Fredericton

I’m told I can’t sing

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For many of us one of the significant losses during necessary safety restrictions during the current pandemic is singing.

At the Cathedral, we're fortunate that we've been able to strike a safe balance so as to have music continue to be a part of worship even though we've not been singing as congregations since last March. The size of our worship space and a less than mainstream direction from New Brunswick Public Health about a safe exception for leaders and performers means that even if we can't all sing, we can listen. We can follow the sung texts at least in our minds, maybe even hum along a bit and remain within safe practice.

Find here some reflections offered several weeks ago by Cheryl Jacobs about how "being asked not to sing" might be an opportunity to expand our outlook and our attitudes.

Yes, in these odd and tragic times, we in the congregation at corporate worship have been asked not to sing.  This is a disappointment for many of us.  Perhaps, however, it is an opportunity to consider and expand how we worship during a hymn or song.

Here are some thoughts:

  • Say the words, perhaps working on doing so from memory.  Memorizing scriptural words and truths through song is good for our minds and our spirit as we hide God's word within us (Psalm 119.11).
  • Pray the words - in praise or for yourself, our church, or someone who comes to your mind.
  • Meditate on a phrase or verse.  Those who are singing on our behalf can worry about all the words and we can focus on a particular aspect of God's love and grace, or our response to that.
  • Worship with your hearing, pondering the words of James that we should always be quick to listen and slow to speak (1.19).
  • Worship with other parts of your body: tap your feet (Jeremiah 31.13), or extend or raise your hands (Psalm 134.2).  Give thanks that there will again be a "time to dance."

Cheryl Jacobs

I'll bring you more than a song
For a song in itself
is not what you have required
You search much deeper within; 
you're looking into my heart.
                   "When the Music Fades" (The Heart of Worship)  Matt Redman