An article from the Cathedral Times
by the Very Reverend Sam G. Candler
This past Sunday, for the first time in my life, I got to hang a cast net over the pulpit. I have caught all sorts of great things in a cast net - from succulent shrimp to plump mullet and even a few super reds. But I have never caught a super sermon in a cast net, which is what I tried to do on Sunday.
That net was but one sign of quite a super Sunday at the Cathedral of St. Philip. For those of you not here, let me set the scene. The net was one element of the sermon text; I also had three fishing rods in the pulpit. All that equipment was by way of explaining that Jesus actually wants us to go fishing. After giving his disciples some great fishing advice one day, Jesus informed them that "From now on, you will be catching people." (You can check out the sermon.)
There was so much else going on Sunday at the Cathedral. It started, as it always does, at the 7:45 service, comprising one of our most loyal and consistent congregations. It is a delight to greet those early-risers each Sunday, and I thank them for their commitment.
By 8:45 am, all sorts of other people were here. Children who had completed our Holy Eucharist Instruction Class gathered in the Gould Room for their special procession. They sang"”and signed"”our Song of Praise during that service, then joined their families in the front pews, and then received a very special Holy Eucharist. Congratulations to them!
Our 8:45 service also honored our Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts, on Scout Sunday. Scouts read the lessons, offered the intercessions, and presented our offerings of alms and bread and wine. Scoutmaster Jim Bratton informed us that this week marks the 100th year of Scouting, and the 57th year of our own Boy Scout Troop 74. It was my distinct honor to present the St. George Award to David Burge, an award given by The Boy Scouts of America, and the Youth Ministries Office of The Episcopal Church, to adults with truly distinguished service. Congratulations, David!
At the Education Hour, classes were filled and glorious. I loved reviewing J.D. Salinger and the Jesus Prayer. Harry Pritchett and George Maxwell were holding forth in the Old Fashioned Sunday School Class. Ward Bondurant faithfully upheld the literature class. Bible Study classes (with Jim Bingham and Gordon Mathis), confirmation classes, youth events, and children's classes were even stronger. The Holy Eucharist Instruction Class had their own reception in the Gould Room, with parents. Stewardship leaders were having still another meeting. New and old lectors - and lay Eucharistic ministers"”were being trained in the nave. The choir was rehearsing. The 10:10 hour is one of the busiest and most varied of the week at the Cathedral. Christians are being formed at that hour; Christians are being formed. Super Christians are being formed!
The 11:15 service came with its usual solid glory. (The cast net was on the pulpit again.) After the service, one guy opened his iPod photo gallery and showed me his own catch - what looked like a 15 pound red"”probably permanently saved in his Photo Gallery. Our Hispanic congregation worshipped at 1:30. At 4:00, in lieu of Evensong, our splendid music program presented a Choral Eucharist, with a Candlemas Procession. Canon Beth Knowlton added her lovely voice to those of our choir! And, at 7:00 pm, another of our most faithful congregations gathered for less formal Eucharist in the St. Mary's Chapel. What a super day!
Oh! Did I mention that there was a football game on last Sunday evening! Our youth knew! For the sixth year in a row, they participated in SOUPer Bowl Sunday, asking for food contributions to be placed in one of two bins, depending upon whether one thought the Saints or the Colts would win the Super Bowl. All morning, people were casting their vote. Who dat? Who dat? Who dat say dey won dat game?
The Saints were marching all day at the Cathedral of St. Philip. It was as lively a Sunday as I have experienced at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Yes, it was Super Bowl Sunday across the nation, but every Sunday is a Super Bowl at the Cathedral. Next Sunday will be Valentine's Day across the nation, but every Sunday is a day for lovers at the Cathedral, too. Join us.