The First Sunday of Advent November 27, 2022 9 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 Cathedral is equipped with a hearing loop for assisted listening via telecoil.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
The Rev. Bradley Varnell, Canon Missioner for Community Life and Young Adult Ministry Celebrant
Welcome to Christ Church Cathedral! We have a socially distanced and masked seating section available. The south transept (to the right) is reserved for those who choose both to physically distance and wear masks. If you’re sitting in that designated section, you are expected to wear masks and sit socially distanced. For others who wish to mask, we have masks available at all welcome tables.
The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
Opening Voluntary Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 645
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Hymn 61 (stanzas 1 and 2) Wachet auf
The Word of God
Celebrant Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. BCP page 355 People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect for Purity page 355
Trisagion S 102
Alexander Archangelsky (1846–1924)
The Trisagion is sung three times, first by the cantor and then twice by the congregation and choir.
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray.
Almighty God, give us grace to cast away the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light, now in the time of this mortal life in which your 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 living and the dead, we may rise to the life immortal; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, 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.
Hymn 59 Merton
The Holy Gospel Matthew 24:36–44
Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
After the Gospel reading, the Deacon says The Gospel of the Lord. People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
The Very Rev. Gary Jones, Interim Dean
The Nicene Creed page 358
The Prayers of the People Form II, page 385
The General Confession page 360
The Peace
Celebrant The peace of the Lord be always with you. People And also with you.
The People greet one another in the name of the Lord.
The Holy Communion Offerings of alms and bread and wine are received.
At the Offertory
Anthem Virgil T. Ford (1922–2005)
Salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it. Sing and rejoice, I come, says the Lord. I come and will dwell in the midst of you.
— Romans 13:11; Isaiah 40:5; Zechariah 2:10
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer B, page 367
Sanctus and Benedictus S129
Robert Powell (b.1932)
The Eucharistic Prayer continues page 368
The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
The sacrament of Holy Communion has been precious to Christians for 2,000 years. It is a way in which many sense the reality of God’s forgiveness, our union with God and each other, and the eternal life to which we belong. Please know that you do not have to be an Episcopalian to receive Communion. To receive, you may kneel or stand 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; simply ask at the altar rail. If you need Communion brought to you in the pew, please tell an usher.
At the Administration
Anthem Michael Praetorius (1571-1621)
Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming From tender stem hath sprung! Of Jesse’s lineage coming, as seers of old have sung. it came, a blossom bright, amid the cold of winter, when half spent was the night.
Isaiah ‘twas foretold it, the Rose I have in mind; with Mary we behold it, the Virgin Mother kind. To show God’s love aright, she bore to us a Savior, when half spent was the night.
O Flower, whose fragrance tender with sweetness fills the air, dispel in glorious splendor the darkness everywhere; true man, yet very God, from sin and death now save us, and share our every load.
— St. 1-2, Anon. German, circa 16th cent.; tr. Theodore Baker (1851-1934); St. 3, Friedrich Layritz (1808-1859) tr. Harriet R. K. Spaeth (1845-1925) Prayer after Communion page 365
The Blessing Hymn 58 St. Thomas
The Dismissal Celebrant Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Closing Voluntary Alla breve in D major, BWV 589
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
Johann Sebastian Bachtheir 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.
Please be advised that our services are livestreamed to Vimeo and Facebook. Your participation in the service serves as your consent to the broadcast of your image and voice and to the broadcast of the image and voice of your participating minor children.