The Third Sunday of Advent December 11, 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! Masks are available at all welcome tables, and the south transept (to the right) usually has room for those desiring physical distancing. We are glad you are here!
The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
Opening Voluntary Chorale Prelude on Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 659 Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) Hymn 76 Winchester New
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. Stir up your power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let your bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be honor and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Reading Isaiah 35:1–10
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel Matthew 11:2–11 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 Rev. Becky Zartman, Canon Missioner for Evangelism and Formation
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, after which the people are seated for brief announcements.
The Holy Communion
Offerings of alms and bread and wine are received.
At the Offertory Anthem
Dutch traditional melody; harm. Charles Wood (1866-1926) King Jesus hath a garden, full of divers flow’rs, where I go culling posies gay, all times and hours. There naught is heard but Paradise bird, harp, dulcimer, lute, with cymbal, trump and tymbal, and the tender, soothing flute. The lily, white in blossom there, is Chastity: the violet, with sweet perfume, Humility.
The bonny damask-rose is known as Patïence: the blithe and thrifty marygold, Obedïence.
The crown imperial bloometh too in yonder place, ‘tis Charity, of stock divine, the flower of grace.
Ah! Jesu Lord, my heal and weal, my bliss complete, make thou my heart thy garden-plot, fair, trim and neat.
That I may hear this musick clear: harp, dulcimer, lute, with cymbal, trump and tymbal, and the tender soothing flute.
— tr. G. R. Woodward (1848-1934)
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer B, page 367
Sanctus and Benedictus S 129 Robert J. 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 arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
This is the truth sent from above, the truth of God, the God of love; Therefore don’t turn me from your door, but hearken all both rich and poor.
The first thing which I do relate is that God did man create; The next thing which to you I’ll tell woman was made with man to dwell.
Thus we were heirs to endless woes, till God the Lord did interpose; And so a promise soon did run that he would redeem us by his Son. Thus he in love to us behaved, to show us how we must be saved; And if you want to know the way, be pleased to hear what he did say. — English traditional carol from Herefordshire;
Prayer after Communion page 365
The Blessing Hymn 616 (stanzas 1-3)
The Dismissal
Celebrant Let us bless the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Es flog ein kleins Waldvögelein
Closing Voluntary Fugue on the Magnificat, BWV 733 Johann Sebastian Bach
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary
The Old Testament Isaiah 35:1–10
The wilderness and the dry land shall be glad, the desert shall rejoice and blossom; like the crocus it shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the majesty of Carmel and Sharon. They
shall see the glory of the Lord, the majesty of our God. Strengthen the weak hands, and make firm the feeble knees. Say to those who are of a fearful heart, “Be strong, do not fear! Here is your God. He will come with vengeance, with terrible recompense. He will come and save you.” Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf unstopped; then the lame shall leap like a deer, and the tongue of the speechless sing for joy. For waters shall break forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert; the burning sand shall become a pool, and the thirsty ground springs of water; the haunt of jackals shall become a swamp, the grass shall become reeds and rushes. A highway shall be there, and it shall be called the Holy Way; the unclean shall not travel on it, but it shall be for God’s people; no traveler, not even fools, shall go astray. No lion shall be there, nor shall any ravenous beast come up on it; they shall not be found there, but the redeemed shall walk there. And the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads; they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.
The Epistle James 5:7–10
Be patient, therefore, beloved, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious crop from the earth, being patient with it until it receives the early and the late rains. You also must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near. Beloved, do not grumble against one another, so that you may not be judged. See, the Judge is standing at the doors! As an example of suffering and patience, beloved, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.
The
Gospel Matthew 11:2–11
When John heard in prison what the Messiah was doing, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or are we to wait for another?” Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them. And blessed is anyone who takes no offense at me.” As they went away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to look at? A reed shaken by the wind? What then did you go out to see? Someone dressed in soft robes? Look, those who wear soft robes are in royal palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written, ‘See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you.’ Truly I tell you, among those born of women no one has arisen greater than John the Baptist; yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember Nell Walker Jeffers.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to celebrate the Advent needlepoint hangings to the glory of God in loving memory of Geraldine Campbell Naschke and her beloved husband John Hess Naschke by their three daughters Kathy Stites, Nancy Simonds, and Gerrie Bielefeld.
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Anne Randolph Bledsoe and in thanksgiving for Nancy Staub Wareing by their children.
Announcements
TODAY
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.
Invitation to Posadas & Advent Traditions Around the World • Posadas are an integral part of our Advent celebrations here at the Cathedral. This year they will be held each night, December 16–23, from 7 until 9 p.m. What are they, and how can you join the party? Come learn more about this beautiful ritual of hospitality this morning at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall.
Parish Retreat • Come to a relaxing weekend retreat at Camp Allen in the piney words just north of Houston. Reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and renew your relationship with God. All are welcome to join. The retreat takes place Jan. 13-15. Registration and details available online at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/parishretreat
Gran Posada • Join us on December 18 for a warming and enlightening Sancocho Supper. We’ll break bread together and enjoy sancocho, a traditional Dominican soup, as Jasminne Mendez, Dominican-American poet, playwright, translator and award-winning author of several books for children and adults, shares her work. At 6 p.m. in Reynolds Hall.
Christmas Camp and Pageant • Every year, we gather the kiddos to practice the Christmas Pageant, try on costumes, eat snacks, participate in an outreach project for The Beacon and have an indoor snowball fight. And it is EPIC every year. Join us for rehearsal Saturday, December 17 from 9:30-11:30 a.m. Our pageant is held Christmas Eve at the 4 p.m. service, and attending the rehearsal is not required. All are welcome to participate.
Cathedral Choir Cabaret • The Cabaret is an evening of fabulous entertainment with cocktails, dinner, a silent auction, and singing by your choir. It will be held January 21, 2023 at 6:30 p.m. in Reynolds Hall with proceeds supporting the travel scholarship fund. The Cathedral Choir will be taking our song and voices to Ireland in July 2023 and would appreciate any donations to the Cabaret Silent Auction. Contact Wick Rowland, wickr@ mac.com with questions or donations. Additional details and registration for the event are available at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/cabaret
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. 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 www.christchurchcathedral.org.
After-Hours Emergency Pastoral Care Line • 713-826-5332
