Love Language

When John F. Kennedy conferred honorary American citizenship on Winston Churchill in 1963, he paid tribute to Churchill’s oratory as decisive in rallying the Allies against Hitler. “He mobilized the English language,” said Kennedy, “and sent it into battle.”

A similar characterization could be made of John the Baptist and his no-nonsense message to turn from evil, seek God’s forgiveness, and prepare for the coming of the One who will make all things new. As prominent 20th Century Episcopal preacher and teacher Walter Russell Bowie pointed out, “the baptism which John performed for those who were moved by what he said was the consequence of his preaching… His whole ministry was in the power of the spoken word.”

This coming Sunday, you’ll hear St. Luke reiterate the history-making moment of the Baptist’s arrival: “In the fifteenth year of the reign of Emperor Tiberius, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, and Herod was ruler of Galilee…” Such was John’s significance in mobilizing language to prepare the way for Jesus.

Like John, our mission is to prepare the way—so that anyone who walks through our doors or tunes in online or meets us in a grocery aisle can be touched by Jesus’ loving presence in our midst. And no, you don’t have to be a great orator or preacher to convey that blessing. We each have our love language. Maybe yours is music, which resounds Tuesdays and Thursdays at 5:30 p.m. Evensongs, every Sunday at the 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Eucharists, and this Sunday at 4 p.m. Advent Lessons and Carols.”. Or perhaps hospitality—also this Sunday, at 11:30 over lunch at CCC 101, an introduction to parish life and ministry for newcomers and long-timers alike. Or maybe your inspiration is serving people in need, as you can do any Sunday at our 7 a.m. community breakfast.

Join us. Let your love language speak—with or without words.

Advent Lessons and Carols

SUNDAY, DEC. 5 AT 4 PM

This Sunday in Advent we invite you to our festival of Advent Lessons and Carols. We look forward to being back in-person for this annual favorite. Lessons and Carols is a worship service of scripture readings or lessons from the Bible interspersed with the singing of Advent carols. Originally, carols were music written for a choir. Within the worship service, hymns are included to invite the congregation to participate in the service. This is a joyous and celebratory service that is fun for all ages!

FULL ADVENT SCHEDULE

Deadline Dec. 12: Adopt-A-Family’s New Partnership with Coburn Place Safe Haven

NOV. 19–DEC.12

This year, the Outreach Ministry Team is partnering with Coburn Place to support survivors of partner violence for Christmas. Coburn Place has been empowering survivors of interpersonal abuse – and their children – for 25 years. In lieu of the Adopt-a-Family process in years before, we’re adopting all Coburn Families! Contributions from CCC will be sent directly to Coburn Place. Take a look at their Amazon Wish List or simply contribute a gift card this year.

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Bi-Monthly Blood Drive at CCC

TUESDAY, DEC. 14, NOON TO 4:30PM

Christ Church Cathedral has partnered with Versiti Blood Center of Indiana to offer a blood drive every other month on the second Tuesday of the month. Their Bloodmobile will be parked outside the Cathedral, conveniently located on the circle.

We invite all of our neighbors in the area to take advantage of this opportunity to make a profound difference in a person’s life.

Pre-registration is encouraged but not required. A photo ID and proof of birth date are required for Versiti’s records.

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LAST SESSION: Examining the Psalms

SUNDAYS AT 11:30AM

Each Sunday we include a psalm in our lessons of the day, but the psalms deserve a closer look. As one of the longest books in the Bible (it definitely has the most chapters), the psalms show us every facet of prayer – from the highest glories to the darkest depths. This miniseries, examining the psalms from three different angles, is presented by long-time CCC member Paul Valliere. Paul is an emeritus professor of religion at Butler University. All are welcome to participate in this discussion of Judaism and Christianity’s oldest prayer book. Meet in the Parish Hall.

•    Nov. 14: The Book of Blues and Praises
•    Nov. 28: The Book of the King
•    Dec. 5: Songs of Repentance and Healing

Calling All Angels and Shepherds!

CCC’s annual Children’s Pageant of the Nativity will be presented Dec. 24 at 3 p.m. We will have one required rehearsal on Sunday, Dec. 19, at 11:30 a.m. Anyone who can’t attend the rehearsal will be warmly welcomed as “stars” on day of the service. Questions? Email Anne Tordai.

CONTACT ANNE TORDAI

Las Posadas

DEC. 16-23 AT 6PM

Christ Church’s annual Posadas celebration will run nightly from Dec. 16 through Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. During the Posadas we re-enact Joseph and Mary’s journey seeking shelter for them and the New Born King. We will meet at different homes, where everybody is invited to join in. If you are interested in participating, please email Verónica Godinez, and she will email you the full Posadas schedule. ALL ARE WELCOME!

EMAIL VERONICA

Stocking Elf Sign-up

NOV. 28 – DEC. 24

Once again, Cathedral Women and the Outreach Ministry Team are jointly supporting the Cathedral’s efforts to help our neighbors experiencing homelessness during the season of Advent. Six filled Christmas stockings are hung daily outside the Cathedral on the black fencing above the basement entrance. Volunteers will be needed to help stuff and hang the stockings. Help us share the joy of the Advent Season with some of our less fortunate neighbors.

SIGN UP HERE

New Faces in the CCC Crèche

Each year in the season leading up to Christmas, we see scenes of the blessed Holy Family everywhere, even in our secular world. Usually the representations of the Madonna, Joseph, and the Baby Jesus that we see are of white Europeans. The crèche that Christ Church Cathedral places on our lawn has long depicted only one face of our beautifully diverse, multicultural congregation. But this year, our crèche will look a little different and we are adding more inclusive visions of the Holy Family to our crèche!

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Songs of Surprise

SUNDAYS, DEC. 12 AND 19 AT 11:30 AM

Looking for a way to escape the hustle and bustle of the season and to ground yourself in hope and expectation? Plan to be with us in the Parish Hall on Dec. 12 and 19 at our 11:30 a.m. forum for an Advent Spiritual Refresher with longtime CCC friend and spiritual director Dan Hoffman.

Dan will guide us in exploring the Canticles of Zechariah and Mary that we sing during our liturgies in Advent. In the story of Jesus’ birth, the main actor is God. God upends the natural order of human existence through the birth of John the Baptizer to aged Elizabeth and Zechariah and through the birth of Jesus to a young virgin, Mary. The “Good News” of Luke indicates from its first verses that the in-breaking of God’s reign will be accompanied by divine actions of all kinds. Zechariah offers a song of praise in Luke 1:68-79 (the Benedictus), and Mary offers her song in Luke 1:46-55 (the Magnificat). We’ll take a deep look at these treasures of Scripture and liturgy through contemplative individual activities including music, journaling, art, meditation and prayer.

Green the Cathedral!

THURSDAY, DEC. 23, 10AM-NOON

Just before Christmas Eve each year, CCC is beautifully transformed with greenery and decorations to celebrate the Christmas season. Helpers are needed for this fun tradition! Contact Anne Tordai for more information.

EMAIL ANNE

GOOD WORD SUBMISSION FORM

Let us help you get your message out. Tell us about your event, program, or ministry and we’ll get back to you with a plan for how to communicate it.

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