The First Sunday of Advent
November 27, 2022 8 a.m.
We welcome you to Christ Church Cathedral. Since 1839, this Christian community has gathered for worship. To learn more about the ministries we share in this place, you are invited to fill in one of the welcome cards found in the pew rack.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite One
The Rev. Bradley Varnell, Canon Missioner for Community Life and Young Adult Ministry Celebrant
The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
The Word of God
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. BCP page 323 People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect for Purity and the Summary page 323
Trisagion page 324 Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy upon us.
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And with thy spirit. Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty God, give us grace that we may cast away the works of darkness, and put upon us the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which thy Son Jesus Christ came to visit us in great humility; that in the last day, when he shall come again in his glorious majesty to judge both the quick and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Reading Romans 13:11–14
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. People Glory be to thee, O Lord.
After the Gospel reading, the Deacon says
The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise be to thee, O Christ.
The Sermon
The Rev. Edward L. Stein, Assisting Priest
The Nicene Creed page 326
The Prayers of the People Form II, page 385
The General Confession page 331
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And with thy spirit.
The People greet one another in the name of the Lord.
The Holy Communion
Offerings of alms and bread and wine are received.
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer II, page 340
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And with thy spirit. Celebrant Lift up your hearts. People We lift them up unto the Lord. Celebrant Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. People It is meet and right so to do.
Sanctus and Benedictus
Celebrant and People 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 Eucharistic Prayer continues page 341
The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
You do not have to be an Episcopalian to receive Holy Communion. Communion is received either kneeling or standing at the altar rail. Receive the Bread in the palm of your hand, and the Wine either by drinking from the Cup or by intinction, touching the Bread to the Wine. Gluten-free Bread is available; ask at the altar rail.
The Blessing
The Dismissal
Celebrant Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary
The Old Testament Isaiah 2:1–5
The word that Isaiah son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem. In days to come the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; all the nations shall stream to it. Many peoples 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 the nations, and shall arbitrate for many peoples; 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. O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!
The Epistle Romans 13:11–14
You know what time it is, how it is now the moment for you to wake from sleep. For salvation is nearer to us now than when we became believers; the night is far gone, the day is near. Let us then lay aside the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us live honorably as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.
The Gospel Matthew 24:36–44
Jesus said to the disciples, “But about that day and hour no one knows, neither the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. For as the days of Noah were, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day Noah entered the ark, and they knew nothing until the flood came and swept them all away, so too will be the coming of the Son of Man. Then two will be in the field; one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding meal together; one will be taken and one will be left. Keep awake therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But understand this: if the owner of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an unexpected hour.”
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember Carl Lewis Estes II.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory and thanksgiving for the generosity of Dolly Bille by the Altar Guild.
The greenery and candles in the Advent wreath are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the life and work of Dr. James Reed Cox.
The greenery and candles on the Advent wreath are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the life and work of Ardell Ray Jr.
Welcome • If you are new or visiting Christ Church Cathedral, we are honored to have you worshipping with us. Please make yourself at home, and let us know how we can be helpful. Also, please fill out one of the welcome cards in the pews, and drop it in an offering plate or give it to a clergy person or usher. Call, visit, or email (info@christchurchcathedral.org) anytime. You are always welcome here.
Advent Wreathmaking • Come to Reynolds Hall at 10 a.m. where we will supply your family with all you need to create an Advent wreath, along with a follow-along-at-home liturgy to guide you through your expectant waiting for the coming of the Christ child. The suggested donation for an Advent wreath is $25.
Poinsettia Memorial • Poinsettias can be given in memory or honor of someone special this Christmas for $15 per plant. You may visit with Lisa Viktorin (lviktorin@christchurchcathedral.org) in the Cloister to place an order Sundays November 27 or December 4. You may also order online at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/poinsettias
Advent Lessons and Carols • On Sunday, December 4 the Cathedral Choir ushers in Advent with its annual service of Advent Lessons and Carols in place of The Well at 5 p.m. Start your Advent with this beautiful service and the reception afterward. See upcoming services: www.christchurchcathedral.org/christmas
John Caulfield Speaks at Formation Hour • On Sunday, December 4, we will welcome special guest speaker John Caulfield during formation hour at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall. Caulfield is a retired Foreign Service officer who represented the United States in nine countries, on four continents, over a career of 40 years. Learn more at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/formationhour
Newcomer Lunch and Learn • You’re invited to a learning luncheon about life at the Cathedral. Participants will receive an overview of worship practices, service, and fellowship opportunities, a brief history of the Cathedral, and a tour of the campus December 4, at 12:15 p.m. RSVP to John Merullo: jmerullo@ christchurchcathedral.org
Casa Marianella Trip • The MOC Council has arranged a trip to see Casa Marianella, an Austin-based shelter for displaced immigrants and asylum seeker. Shuttle bus transportation provided December 2, 8 a.m-6 p.m. The trip is free, but you’re asked to purchase your lunch. Contact Kristin Johnson: kristinlogan@ mac.com
Looking for Children’s Ministry • Follow Agnus to the Jones Building where you can find Sunday School at 10 a.m. for ages 2 years – 5th grade, as well as childcare for infants (6 weeks – 5 years), or the Huffington Playground. Have questions? Contact KariAnn Lessner at kalessner@christchurchcathedral.org
Make Your 2023 EMC Pledge • There’s still time to make your annual pledge. We invite you to join us as we renew our commitment to our beloved Cathedral in time, talent, and treasure. To submit your pledge, simply drop a pledge card into the offering plate or visit www. christchurchcathedral.org/pledge to pledge online.
The Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas
The Rt. Rev. Jeff W. Fisher, Bishop Suffragan
The Rt. Rev. Kai Ryan, Bishop Suffragan The Rt. Rev. Hector Monterroso, Assistant Bishop The Very Rev. Gary Jones, Interim Dean
The Rev. Kathy Rock Pfister, Canon Vicar The Rev. Simón Bautista Betances, Canon Missioner for Latino Ministries and Outreach
The Rev. Becky Zartman, Canon Missioner for Evangelism and Formation
The Rev. Bradley Varnell, Canon Missioner for Community Life and Young Adult Ministry
The Rev. Edward L. Stein, Assisting Priest Robert L. Simpson, Canon for Music Daryl Robinson, Cathedral Organist Matthew R. Dion, Organ Scholar Lucy Chambers, Bookstore Manager
1117 Texas Avenue • Houston, Texas 77002 • 713-222-2593 christchurchcathedral.org
Weekday Services
Morning Prayer, 7:30 a.m., Monday-Friday on Zoom Evening Prayer, 6 p.m., Monday- Friday on Zoom Oración del mediodía, Mediodía, lunes y jueves en Facebook Contemplative Prayer, 11:15 a.m., Mondays in Mellinger Room Holy Eucharist, Noon, Wednesdays in Golding Chapel Bilingual Holy Eucharist, 6 p.m., Wednesdays in Golding Chapel
Links available at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/weekdayservices
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.