The Third Sunday of Advent December 13, 2020 11 a.m. We welcome you to Christ Church Cathedral. Since 1839, this Christian community has gathered for worship.
Welcome to Christ Church Cathedral! We are so pleased you have chosen to worship with us. Bishop Doyle has issued guidelines to keep us all safe in this season of COVID-19, so in-person worship will look and feel different from the worship to which we are accustomed. If you must leave the service for any reason, please exit through the east transept door and return through the bell porch door. You will be seated at least 6 feet from any individuals not in your household to ensure physical distancing guidelines. Due to evidence of community viral spread through singing, a soloist or small choral ensemble will provide sacred music. We ask that you experience the music without singing along. At the Holy Eucharist, only bread will be shared. This is called “Communion in one kind,” and it is a full measure of grace. Know that as you worship in the Cathedral, you are joined in real-time by hundreds of fellow worshipers through livestreaming technology. If you have concerns about your health or safety, or that of the people in your household, worshiping with the Cathedral online will continue to be an option. We love you and want you to do what is best for you and those you love! Let us prepare our hearts to worship the Lord!
The Holy Eucharist: Rite One The Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso, Assistant Bishop Celebrant
Opening Voluntary Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659
Choral Introit V. R.
J.S. Bach (1685–1750) Tone VII
Rejoice ye in the Lord, and again I say, rejoice ye; let your moderation be known unto all men, the Lord is at hand: Be careful for nothing, nor troubled; but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.
Hymn 58
St. Thomas
The Word of God Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of thy Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love thee, and worthily magnify thy holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen. 2
Trisagion S 102
Alexander Archangelsky (1846–1924)
The Collect of the Day Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And with thy spirit. Celebrant Let us pray.
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
The First Reading
Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11 The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion — to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a 3
garland, For as as the the earth earth brings brings forth forth its its garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For shoots, spring up, up, so so the the Lord Lord God God will will shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring cause the nations. nations. cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the Reader Reader People People
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hymn 75 75
The Holy Gospel Gospel
Ascension Ascension
John 1:6–8, 1:6–8,19–28 John 19–28 Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. People Glory Glory be be to to thee, thee, O O Lord. People Lord. There was was aa man man sent sent from from God, God, whose There whose name name was was John. John. He He came came as as aa witness witnessto totestify testifyto to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify testify to to the the light. light. This This is is the the testimony to testimony given given by by John John when when the the Jews Jews sent sent priests priests and and
44
Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing. Deacon The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise be to thee, O Christ.
The Sermon
The Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso, Assistant Bishop
The Nicene Creed
We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven: by the power of the Holy Spirit he became incarnate from the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. 5
We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshiped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.
The Prayers of the People Deacon or other leader
Let us pray for the Church and for the world. Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. Silence
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. Silence
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory. Silence
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours, and grant that we may serve Christ in them, and love one another as he loves us. Silence
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit; give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. Silence
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. 6
We commend to your mercy all who have died, that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all your saints in your eternal kingdom. Silence
Lord, in your mercy Hear our prayer. The Celebrant says
Lord, hear the prayers of your people; and what we have asked faithfully, grant that we may obtain effectually, to the glory of your Name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The People remain standing.
The Confession of Sin Let us humbly confess our sins unto Almighty God. Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against thee in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done, and by what we have left undone. We have not loved thee with our whole heart; we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We are truly sorry and we humbly repent. For the sake of thy Son Jesus Christ, have mercy on us and forgive us; that we may delight in thy will, and walk in thy ways, to the glory of thy Name. Amen.
The Absolution The Priest stands and says
Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all those who with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. Hear the Word of God to all who truly turn to him. Come unto me, all ye that travail and are heavy laden, and I will refresh you. Matthew 11:28 God so loved the world, that he gave his only-begotten Son, to the end that all that believe in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And with thy spirit.
The Ministers and People greet one another in the name of the Lord. 7
The Holy Communion At the Offertory Anthem
Besançon Carol; arr. Martin Shaw (1875–1958)
People, look East. The time is near Of the crowning of the year. Make your house fair as you are able, Trim the hearth, and set the table. People, look East, and sing today: Love the Guest is on the way.
Furrows be glad. Though earth is bare, One more seed is planted there. Give up your strength the seed to nourish, THat in course the flower may flourish. People, look East, and sing today: Love the Rose is on the way.
Angels, announce to man and beast Him who cometh from the East. Set every peak and valley humming With the word, the Lord is coming. People, look East, and sing today: Love the Lord is on the way. — Eleanor Farjeon (1881–1965)
The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant People Celebrant People Celebrant People
The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. It is meet and right so to do.
It is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places, give thanks unto thee, O Lord, holy Father, almighty, everlasting God. Because thou didst send thy beloved Son to redeem us from sin and death, and to make us heirs in him of everlasting life; that when he shall come again in power and great triumph to judge the world, we may without shame or fear rejoice to behold his appearing. Therefore with Angels and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee, and saying,
Sanctus and Benedictus Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts; Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest. The People kneel or stand. 8
All glory be to thee, O Lord our God, for that thou didst create heaven and earth, and didst make us in thine own image; and, of thy tender mercy, didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the cross for our redemption. He made there a full and perfect sacrifice for the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memory of that his precious death and sacrifice, until his coming again. For in the night in which he was betrayed, he took bread; and when he had given thanks to thee, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take, eat, this is my Body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” Likewise, after supper, he took the cup; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink this, all of you; for this is my Blood of the New Covenant, which is shed for you, and for many, for the remission of sins. Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.” Wherefore, O Lord and heavenly Father, we thy people do celebrate and make, with these thy holy gifts which we now offer unto thee, the memorial thy Son hath commanded us to make; having in remembrance his blessed passion and precious death, his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension; and looking for his coming again with power and great glory. And we most humbly beseech thee, O merciful Father, to hear us, and, with thy Word and Holy Spirit, to bless and sanctify these gifts of bread and wine, that they may be unto us the Body and Blood of thy dearly-beloved Son Jesus Christ. And we earnestly desire thy fatherly goodness to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, whereby we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, our selves, our souls and bodies. Grant, we beseech thee, that all who partake of this Holy Communion may worthily receive the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son Jesus Christ, and be filled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; and also that we and all thy whole Church may be made one body with him, that he may dwell in us, and we in him; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord; By whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Ghost all honor and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer And now, as our Savior Christ hath taught us, we are bold to say, Celebrant and People
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. 9
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia. The Celebrant says
The Gifts of God for the People of God. The Episcopal Church invites all baptized persons to receive Communion. Please remain in your pew, and priests will bring Communion to you. If you do not wish to receive Communion, cross your arms over your chest to receive a blessing. Gluten-free communion wafers are available for persons with dietary restrictions. Notify the priest during the administration and one will be offered.
At the Administration Anthem
Otto Goldschmidt (1829–1907)
A tender shoot has started up from a root of grace, as ancient seers imparted from Jesse’s holy race: It blooms without a blight, blooms in the cold bleak winter, turning our darkness into light. This shoot, Isaiah taught us, from Jesse’s root should spring; the virgin Mary brought us the branch of which we sing: Our God of endless might gave her this child to save us, thus turning darkness into light. — Otto Goldschmidt; tr. William Bartholomew (1793–1867)
Prayer after Communion Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee for that thou dost feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Savior Jesus Christ; and dost assure us thereby of thy favor and goodness towards us; and that we are very members incorporate in the mystical body of thy Son, the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs, through hope, of thy everlasting kingdom. And we humbly beseech thee, O heavenly Father, so to assist us with thy grace, that we may continue in that holy 10
fellowship, and do all such good works as thou hast prepared for us to walk in; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
The Blessing The Dismissal Deacon Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Closing Voluntary
Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland, BWV 661
J.S. Bach
Vocal Quartet: Katya Gruzglina, Hannah Shea, Sean Stultz, Joel Goodloe Music Notes The organ voluntaries this morning come from one of Bach’s greatest compositional achievements, the so-called Leipzig Chorale Preludes (these were primarily composed earlier in his life, while in Weimar, but compiled into a collection during his time in Leipzig). This collection of 18 works thoroughly displays Bach’s profound understanding of innovative techniques to set chorale melodies. There are three settings of Nun komm in the collection and the opening voluntary is an introspective example of an ornamented chorale (with the melody heard in the soprano voice accompanied by three voices shared between the left hand and pedal) while the closing voluntary is a resplendent fugue featuring the chorale in the pedal. — DR
The Book of Remembrance This week we remember Clyde B. Holloway. The Beauty of Flowers The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Geraldine Campbell Nachske and John H. Nachske. The flowers on the floor vases are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Anne Randolph Bledsoe and in thanksgiving for Nancy Staub Wareing by their children.
Pursuant to Section 30.06, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with a concealed handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a concealed handgun. Pursuant to Section 30.07, Penal Code (trespass by license holder with an openly carried handgun), a person licensed under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code (handgun licensing law), may not enter this property with a handgun that is carried openly.
11
Welcome
Sunday, December 13, 2020 Announcements TODAY Sit back and enjoy the Stories of the Season at the Dean’s Hour Matinee • Today at 2 p.m., professional storyteller Kathy Hood Culmer will weave a tale of wonder for this season. This event will be a Zoom webinar streamed live to our Facebook page, and you can register for the webinar on our “Adult Classes” page. The Beacon’s Christmas Cookie sales begins today • On December 13 and 20, support The Beacon by purchasing a box of two dozen holiday cookies. Boxes sell for $25 a box and can be purchased in the cloister. The Cathedral Bookstore pop-up shop continues today • During each Sunday in Advent, from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the Bookstore will open a table in the cloister. All sales benefit the Cathedral; learn more and shop online at thecathedralbookstore.com. Next Sunday, the Dean’s Hour Matinee will premiere a new Hymn Sing • At 2 p.m. on December 20, tune in for all of your favorite Christmas hymns and carols and sing along at home. This will be a prerecorded video that will premiere on our Facebook page. Las Posadas begin December 16 • For eight days, December 16–23, the Cathedral’s Latino congregation will meet on Zoom to commemorate Joseph and Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. Email sgarcia@christchurchcathedral.org to learn more. Next Sunday is Cathedral Night: Zoo Lights • Tired of Zoom? Come to the Zoo! Join fellow parishioners at the Houston Zoo’s annual Zoo Lights event. Learn more and purchase a ticket on our “Cathedral Events” page. 20s & 30s and Cathedral Youth Christmas Parties are this week • On Wednesday, 20s & 30s will turn their final Wednesday Night into a festive party at 6:30 p.m. on Zoom. On Saturday, Cathedral Youth will celebrate the season in Nancy’s Garden at 11 a.m. Learn more and register for these events on our “Cathedral Events” page. Make the Cathedral part of your Christmas celebrations • Visit christchurchcathedral. org/christmas for a full list of our virtual and in-person Longest Night, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day services. You can still submit a pledge for the Every Member Canvass • To submit your pledge, simply return the pledge card you receive by mail or drop it in the offering plate, or visit christchurchcathedral.org/emc to pledge online. If you have questions, contact Minister for Stewardship Karen Kraycirik at kkraycirik@christchurchcathedral.org or 713-590-3338. For more information about these and other events at the Cathedral, visit christchurchcathedral.org, or cccathedraltx
After-Hours Emergency Pastoral Care Line • 713-826-5332