December 18, 2022
5 p.m.
We welcome you to Christ Church Cathedral. Since 1839, this Christian community has gathered for worship.
The Cathedral is equipped with a hearing loop for assisted listening via telecoil.
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!
Christ Church Cathedral
Houston, Texas
Fourth Sunday of Advent
The Rev. Bradley Varnell, Canon Missioner for Community Life and Young Adult Ministry CelebrantLighting of Votive Candles
Worshipers are encouraged to sit in front of the alms basin. During the opening contemplative music, you are invited to observe prayerful quiet or to come forward to light a votive candle in acknowledgement of a prayer, concern, or in memory of a loved one.
Opening Music
Traditional Hebridean and English Tunes
At the sound of the bell, please stand. The poem is read by the Celebrant.
Patient Trust
Above all, trust in the slow work of God
We are quite naturally impatient in everything to reach the end without delay. We should like to skip the intermediate stages. We are impatient of being on the way to something unknown, something new. And yet it is the law of progress that it is made by passing through some states of instability --and that it may take a very long time.
And so I think it is with you. Your ideas mature gradually — let them grow, let them shape themselves, without undue haste.
Don’t try to force them on, as though you could be today what time (that is to say, grace and circumstances acting on your own good will) will make of you tomorrow.
Only God could say what this new spirit gradually forming within you will be. Give Our Lord the benefit of believing that his hand is leading you, and accept the anxiety of feeling yourself in suspense and incomplete.
— Pierre Teilhard de Chardinwaited for the Lord / Psalm 40
1. I 2. He
ú œ wait took ed me
ú God, pit,-
ú œ for from the a
ú œ Lord fear my ful
, & b œ and and
ú œ from pa the tient œ œ œ mir ly did y
ú bear; clay, -& b œ at and
ú œ length on to a
ú œ me rock he he
ú œ did set in my
ú cline feet, -
, & b œ my es
œ œ œ voice tab and lish
œ œ œ cry ing to my
ú hear. way. - - -
Music: BALLERMA French song by François Barthélemon, 1741-1808 adapt. Robert Simpson, 1790-1832 ~ Words: Psalm 40: 1-2, from the Irish Presbyterian Hymnal. Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved. CCL # 11426131 and OneLicense.net #726591-A The people sit.
The Gospel Reading Matthew 1:18–25
Reader A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew. Now the birth of Jesus the Messiah took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been engaged to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. Her husband Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose her to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: “Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,” which means, “God is with us.” When Joseph awoke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him; he took her as his wife, but had no marital relations with her until she had borne a son; and he named him Jesus.
The reading ends without verbal response.
A minute of silence is observed.
The Reflection Nora Rycroft
Two minutes of silence follow the reflection.
Prayers of the People
The People stand
The Leader begins
Pray for this fragile earth, our island home. Pray that we would be its good stewards and it would withstand our abuse.
Silence
Pray for the Church. Pray that where it is right God will strengthen it, and where it is in error God will direct it. Pray that God will fill the Church with all truth and peace.
Silence
Pray for the joy of human life, with all its wonder and surprises. Pray we would remember that all people are created in the very image of God.
Silence
Pray for the poor, the destitute, and the dying, in the full knowledge that God looks with special favor upon those in greatest need.
Silence
Pray for our families, friends, and neighbors, and for those who are alone.
Silence
Pray in thanksgiving for all the blessings of this life, and for the promise of the next. Pray that we may live not by our fears but by our hopes, not only by our words but by our deeds.
The Confession and Absolution
Celebrant I confess to God, and in the presence of all God’s people, that I have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and I pray God to have mercy on me.
People May God have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you from your sins, and give you time to amend your life.
Celebrant Amen.
People We confess to God, and in the presence of all God’s people, that we have sinned in thought, word, and deed, and we pray God to have mercy on us.
Celebrant May god have mercy on you, pardon and deliver you from your sins, and give you time to amend your life.
People Amen.
Celebrant Turn again, O God, and give us life. People That your people may rejoice in you. Celebrant Create in me a clean heart, O God,
People And renew a right spirit within me.
Celebrant Give us the joy of your saving help again, People And sustain us with your bountiful Spirit.
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
Offertory HymnThe Great Thanksgiving
The people stand.
Celebrant Be present, be present, Lord Jesus Christ our risen high priest. Make yourself known in the breaking of bread. People Wise and gracious God, you spread a table before us; nourish your people with the word of life, and the bread of heaven.
The People kneel or stand. Before time, you were. You created us, and when we strayed you drew us back to you with your saving grace. For the gift of your grace and in supplication and thanksgiving to you, we bring you these gifts. Sanctify them by your Holy Spirit to be for your people the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord. On the night he was betrayed, Jesus Christ took bread, gave thanks to you, broke the bread, and gave it to his friends and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks to you, and said, “Drink this, all of you; This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” Father, we now celebrate the memorial of your Son. By means of this holy bread and cup, we show forth the sacrifice of his death, and proclaim his resurrection, until he comes again. Gather us by this Holy Communion into one body in your Son Jesus Christ. Make us a living sacrifice of praise. By him, and with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory are yours, Almighty Father, now and forever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your Name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial, and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
The Breaking of the Bread
Celebrant Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; People Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
