The E-pistle of Sunday, November 26th, 2023

The Last Sunday

after Pentecost

Christ the King

Holy Eucharist, Rite II

7:30AM in Emmanuel Chapel

Holy Eucharist, Rite II

10:00AM in the Nave & Livestreamed

The Cathedral Church of St. Luke

in the

City of Portland

and the

Episcopal Diocese of Maine

Whoever you are,

and wherever you may be on the journey of the spirit,

The Episcopal Church welcomes you.

Welcome to St. Luke’s Cathedral

We are a community of faith with ancient worship and modern thought, catholic traditions and progressive theology. We proclaim a Biblical perspective for thinking people, a respect for reason, science, and a diversity of perspective. This empowers compassion and care for both the wider community and one another. Our commitment to welcome and inclusion is central to our mission modeled on the Kingdom of God and proclaimed by Jesus Christ.

Bulletin

Youtube Live

Facebook Live

Sunday Morning Service Participants

Preacher

The Reverend George R. Stevens, Interim Dean

Celebrant

The Reverend Suzanne Roberts M.D., Interim Dean

Assisting

The Reverend Rebecca A. Grant, Deacon

Music Leader & Organist

Harold Stover, Guest Cathedral Musician

Lector

James Hornor

Prayers Leader

Susan McCuller

Ushers

Peter Bingham, Chester Bishop, Deb Marcoux, Gail Swanton

Verger

Randi Hogan

Crucifer

Liam Coy

Live Streaming

Jack Swanton, Sam Allen

The Healing Team

Peter Carleton, Judd Hume

Contributing Ministries

The Cathedral Choir, Acolytes, Vergers, The Flower Guild, The Altar Guild, The Kneeler Guild, The Healing Team

Music copyrights granted under OneLicense.net #A-713087. Sources: The Hymnal 1982, Lift Every Voice and Sing II, Wonder, Love, and Praise, Voices Found, My Heart Sings Out, The Saint Helena Psalter, The Book of Common Prayer,, Enriching our Worship, The Holy Bible (NRSV).

Happening at the Cathedral Today

Roots of Jesus Study Group

Sunday Mornings|8:45-9:45AM

Location: The Chapter Room

Contact: The Rev. Dr. Bob Hanson at 207-405-8250.

Join us in the Chapter Room from 8:45–9:45 AM on Sunday mornings. Bob Hanson, Biblical scholar, linguist and theologian, leads our group. For more information call Bob at (207) 405- 8250. Activity units are distributed for each session. Assigned readings are from the Biblical books under consideration. The journey is a joyous one.

Community Announcements

Healing Team Schedule

The Healing Team offers prayers of healing during or after communion. The following team members will be offering prayers on the following Sundays:

November 26, 2023

Peter Carleton, Judd Hume

December 3, 2023.

Betsey Deleuse, Oscar Mokeme

If you have any questions, please contact any of the Healing Team Members or email Judd Hume. Judd can also be reached by phone at (207) 773 - 5611.

Eco tips for the holidays from

the Public Police and Environmental Action Team

With the Season of Advent and the Christmas approaching, here are some tips that will help the Earth:

1. Think green: Buy from local shops or artisans for gifts. This helps the earth in reducing fossil fuel use when items are shipped over distances.

2. Ditch the single use plastic:as plastic is a major source of harm to the earth -it is made from fossil fuels and also does not break down easily.

3.Try to find gifts and decorations made from natural or recycled sources.

4..Give batter-free gifts as discarded batteries are a hazard to the environment.

5.. Gift memories rather than things. For example tickets to an event.,

6.. Connect with nature, perhaps join an Audubon bird walk or bird count event.

7. Choose LED lighting when decorating with lights.

Altar Guild Polishing Party

December 2nd, 2023

9:00AM-12:00PM

The Upper Hall

RSVP to Rita Siavelis

Please join the Altar Guild for our upcoming polishing party on Saturday, December 2nd, 2023 between 9 am and noon. We'll enjoy treats, holiday conversation, and merry company and conversation while we polish the silver and brass to shine for the Christmas season. All you need to bring is yourself and a little elbow grease! RSVP to Rita Siavelis or just show up the day of the event. We look forward to seeing you!

Parish Prayer List to Renew in Advent

With the upcoming season of Advent, the parish prayer list will renew beginning on December 3rd.

If you wish for a name to be added to the prayer list, please email the parish office. A name will remain on the prayer list for a period of 3 consecutive weeks.

If you have any additional questions please email The Rev. George Stevens.

Christmas Serving Opportunity

St. Luke's is seeking additional helpers in the Christmas Eve Vigil and the Christmas Day service. Interested in participating in the service?

Please contact Head Verger Eleanor Roberts for more information. All ages welcome.

Advent wreath making

The season of Advent begins on December 3; the first Sunday in December. Advent wreath making will be after the 10 am service in the lower Parish Hall on December 3.

Greens, wreath rings and floral wire will be available. There will be some packs of candles available for $5.

A simple lunch of beef chili or vegetable soup and grilled cheese sandwiches will be provided. Gluten free/vegan/vegetarian options will be included.

Come get ready for Advent and share a meal with your fellow parishioners!

The St. Luke’s Christmas Pageant

Christmas is fast approaching and it’s time to think of the Christmas Pageant! The pageant is part of the 5 pm Christmas eve service. All children and teens are invited to participate.

Children’s friends or cousins are invited participate; grandchildren are invited to participate too! Rehearsals are on December 10, 17 at 11:30 and Dec 24 (before the service) at 4 pm. While it would be good to have everyone at all the rehearsals; we are very flexible around rehearsal attendances.

Please let the pageant director know if your children and teens want to participate.

For more information email Sarah Dowling or contact her by phone at 207-653-1017.

Advent Choral Liturgies at St. Luke’s

Please join us for our next Choral Evensong 4PM Sunday 3 December,

and for A Service Lessons & Carols for Advent & Christmastide at 4PM Sunday 17 December.

For additional information contact Christian M. Clough, Canon for Liturgy & Music with any questions you may have.

St. Elizabeth's Pantry Coat Drive

As we gear up for colder temperatures, St. Elizabeth’s is launching its annual coat and boot drive. Many of our neighbors come from warmer climates and don’t have the necessary clothing for fall and winter in Maine.

Large and Extra-Large sized coats for both men and women are most needed, but coats and boots of all sizes are welcome. Items should be in clean, good condition.

Monetary donations may also be made for the purchase of new coats and boots for our neighbors.

Financial contributions can be mailed to: St. Elizabeth’s Jubilee Center PO Box 4036 Portland, ME 04101 or visit here.

Visit Hannaford over the Bridge

and Support Our Food Pantry in November

During November, St. Luke's Food Pantry will receive $1 from every $2.50 reusable Fight Hunger Bag sold during the month of November at the Hannaford on 50 Cottage Road in South Portland.

Plus, our pantry will receive $0.25 from every Hannaford Snack Pals Plate sold there.

Ongoing Opportunities & Announcements

Help with Coffee Hour

Coffee Hour needs hosts. It's fun and easy! No commitment required— you can do it once and that's a help. Please check out the schedule and if there is a date you can serve, contact Gail Kesich or Liz Griffin.

St. Luke's Food Pantry in Need of Contributions

The Food Pantry welcomes your contributions of oil, flour, and dried beans!

These continue to be the most wanted items and and the most difficult for us to keep in stock.

Donations can be dropped off at any service or at the Cathedral's rear entrance. Thank you! Both neighbors and volunteers are grateful for your support!

With any questions please contact Mary Brighthaupt.

Join the Young and The Restless

We are St. Luke’s 20s-30s-year-old ministry. We are an active group at the cathedral which also gets together outside of the church.

Join us as we go hiking, ice skating, play trivia, or just enjoy each other’s company! If you are new to us, welcome! We meet every Tuesday at Maine Beer Company in Freeport for Trivia from 6-8.

Other events happen sporadically throughout the month, however trivia is a great opportunity to meet us if you’re joining us for the first time. Contact Shana Rose to stay up to date with group activities and information.

Join Luke's Garden

LGBTQIA+ Group

Luke's Garden is the cathedral's LGBTQIA+ group which meets every 2nd Sunday of the month following coffee hour.

All are welcome!

For additional information contact Orion Williams

Access Your Realm Profile

The Cathedral’s new online database, Realm, is a useful tool for parishioners to manage their contact and pledging information.

Realm helps our community by improving our record keeping in a more streamlined fashion.

When joining Realm you can sign-up to be a part of the online directory in the database.

To activate your Realm profile please contact our financial administrator Nina Andersen.

Nina will assist you with the few steps necessary to access your profile.

We look forward to sharing this exciting new technology with you!

Clarification Regarding Pledging Using Realm

Thank you to all of our community members who have made a pledge gift using Realm.

Treasurer Tim Wilkins and Financial Administrator Nina Andersen wish to clarify the process of setting up a pledge through Realm.

In order for our team to have a record of your pledge for the year please complete and submit a pledge form. This informs us of your total amount to be pledged for the year before using Realm to enter a payment plan in Vanco for your 2024 pledge. We appreciate your understanding and are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Please contact Tim Wilkins or Nina Andersen with any questions you may have.

Events in the Wider Community

Portland Rossini Club Performance

November 26th, 2023 at 3:00PM

Join the Portland Rossini Club for their upcoming performance at the cathedral on Sunday, November 26th at 3:00PM.

This concert will feature Mark Braun, pianist, Seth Blank, horn, and Steve Schiffman, clarinet, who will perform two movements of Gustav Jenner’s Trio in E-flat for Clarinet, Horn, and Piano.

New member, pianist Ryan Slocum and guest violinist, Jenelle Westerbeck, will perform two of Ryan Slocum’s original compositions, as well as the F-A-E Sonata by Johannes Brahms

Torrey Gimpel, soprano, will perform selections from musicals by Lionel Bart, Lin Manuel Miranda, Sara Bareilles, Frank Wildhorn, Alan Menken, and Andrew Lloyd Webber.

To learn more about the Rossini Club and to buy tickets, visit their website here.

Renaissance Voices Concerts at the Cathedral

Join Music Director Harold Stover, (St. Luke's Parishioner) and Renaissance voices for their Christmas Concerts, December 9th and 10th at the cathedral.

This program will feature works by Heinrich Isaac, Igor Stravinski, Franz Biebl, a new work by Harold Stover, and more.

To learn more about Renaissance Voices and to buy tickets online visit their website here

St. Mary Schola presents A Neapolitan Christmas

Join St. Mary Schola and Guest Conductor Christian Clough (Canon for Liturgy and Music) as they present a program entitled 'A Neapolitan Christmas' featuring a moteto by Francesco Durante, and six voice setting of the Magnificat by Michael Praetorius.

To learn more about St. Mary Schola and to buy tickets online visit their website here.