The Feast of the Epiphany of our Lord Jesus Christ January 6, 2023 12:05 p.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 cards found in the pew rack.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
The Rev. Simón Bautista Betances, Canon Missioner for Latino Ministries and Outreach 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 355 People And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect for Purity page 355 Hymn 119 Dix
1 As with gladness men of old did the guiding star behold; As with joy they hailed its light, leading onward, beaming bright; So, most gracious Lord, may we evermore be led to thee.
2 As with joyful steps they sped to that lowly manger bed; There to bend the knee before him whom heaven and earth adore; So may we with willing feet ever seek the mercy seat.
3 As they offered gifts most rare at that manger rude and bare; So may we with holy joy, pure and free from sin’s alloy, All our costliest treasures bring, Christ! to thee, our heavenly King.
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray.
O God, by the leading of a star you manifested your only Son to the peoples of the earth: Lead us, who know you now by faith, to your presence, where we may see your glory face to face; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
The First Reading Isaiah 60:1–6 Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the L ORD has risen upon you. For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the L ORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn. Lift up your eyes and look around; they all gather together, they come to you; your sons shall come from far away, and your daughters shall be carried on their nurses’ arms.
Then you shall see and be radiant; your heart shall thrill and rejoice, because the abundance of the sea shall be brought to you, the wealth of the nations shall come to you. A multitude of camels shall cover you, the young camels of Midian and Ephah; all those from Sheba shall come. They shall bring gold and frankincense, and shall proclaim the praise of the L ORD.
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Psalm 72:1–7, 10 –14
Give the King your justice, O God, * and your righteousness to the King’s Son;
That he may rule your people righteously * and the poor with justice;
That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, * and the little hills bring righteousness.
He shall defend the needy among the people; * he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor.
He shall live as long as the sun and moon endure, * from one generation to another.
He shall come down like rain upon the mown field, * like showers that water the earth.
Deus, judicium
In his time shall the righteous flourish; * there shall be abundance of peace till the moon shall be no more.
The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall pay tribute, * and the kings of Arabia and Saba offer gifts.
All kings shall bow down before him, * and all the nations do him service.
For he shall deliver the poor who cries out in distress, * and the oppressed who has no helper.
He shall have pity on the lowly and poor; * he shall preserve the lives of the needy.
He shall redeem their lives from oppression and violence, * and dear shall their blood be in his sight. The Second Reading Ephesians 3:1–12
This is the reason that I Paul am a prisoner for Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles — for surely you have already heard of the commission of God’s grace that was given me for you, and how the mystery was made known to me by revelation, as I wrote above in a few words, a reading of which will enable you to perceive my understanding of the mystery of Christ. In former generations this mystery was not made known to humankind, as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit: that is, the Gentiles have become fellow heirs, members of the same body, and sharers in the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God’s grace that was given me by the working of his power. Although I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given to me to bring to the Gentiles the news of the boundless riches of Christ, and to make everyone see what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things; so that through the church the wisdom of God in its rich variety might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places. This was
in accordance with the eternal purpose that he has carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have access to God in boldness and confidence through faith in him.
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 127 Stuttgart
1 Earth has many a noble city; Bethlehem, thou dost all excel: Out of thee the Lord from heaven came to rule his Israel.
2 Fairer than the sun at morning was the star that told his birth, To the world its God announcing seen in fleshly form on earth.
3 Eastern sages at his cradle make oblations rich and rare; See them give, in deep devotion, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
4 Sacred gifts of mystic meaning: incense doth their God disclose, Gold the King of kings proclaimeth, myrrh his sepulcher foreshows.
5 Jesus, whom the Gentiles worshiped at thy glad epiphany, Unto thee, with God the Father and the Spirit, glory be.
The Holy Gospel Matthew 2:1–12 Deacon The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. People Glory to you, Lord Christ.
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.” When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet: ‘And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for from you shall come a ruler who is to shepherd my people Israel.’” Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, “Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.” When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy. On entering the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother; and they knelt down and paid him homage. Then, opening their treasure chests, they offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. And having been warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they left for their own country by another road.
Deacon The Gospel of the Lord.
People Praise to you, Lord Christ.
The Sermon
The Nicene Creed page 358
The Prayers of the People
Let us pray in the glorious light of Christ who leads his people in all their worship and devotion.
The Rev. Simón Bautista Betances, Canon Missioner for Latino Ministries and OutreachAs the Wise Men were led to seek the infant King and worship the holy Child of Bethlehem, so lead your Church to know you more clearly and to do your work on earth more faithfully. Give us deeper reverence in worship, that we may adore the mystery of the Incarnate Word all our days as on this festival day.
Lord, hear our prayer.
As we celebrate the offerings of the three Kings, guide those with authority and influence to acknowledge the lordship of Christ. Turn the hearts of those who work only for their own interests and bring them to love others in the freedom of your service.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Lord, you received the offerings of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Help us and all those who work in our city and community to offer our gifts and talents for the good of all. Make us witnesses to your truth through the offering of our lives and work to your glory and the good of others.
Lord, hear our prayer.
O God, you manifested forth your glory in the face of the child Jesus. We commend to your love all children, especially those who are neglected or unloved. Bring reconciliation to families broken by strife, relieve those driven out by need or war, so that every family may reflect the peace of the Holy Family.
Lord, hear our prayer.
We pray for all who have died, and especially today for all who have died in childhood or youth, that their lives may be fulfilled in eternal life.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Celebrant
O Lord our God, the bright splendor whom the nations seek; grant that we, who with the wise men have been drawn by your light, may discern the glory of your presence in your Son, the Word made flesh, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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.
Hymn 128 Three Kings of Orient
1 We three kings of Orient are, Bearing gifts we traverse afar, Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star. O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright; Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light!
2 Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown him again, King for ever, ceasing never Over us all to reign.
3
Frankincense to offer have I:
Incense owns a Deity nigh; Prayer and praising, gladly raising, Worship him, God Most High.
4 Myrrh is mine; its bitter perfume Breathes a life of gathering gloom; Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.
5 Glorious now behold him arise, King and God and Sacrifice; Heaven sings alleluia: Alleluia the earth replies.
The Great Thanksgiving
Eucharistic Prayer B, page 367
Sanctus S 125 Richard Proulx (1937–2010)
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
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.
Prayer after Communion page 365
The Epiphany Blessing
May Almighty God, who led the Wise Men by the shining of a star to find the Christ, the Light from Light, lead you also in your pilgrimage to find the Lord. Amen.
May God, who sent the Holy Spirit to rest upon the Only-begotten at his baptism in the Jordan River, pour out that Spirit on you who have come to the waters of new birth. Amen.
May God, by the power that turned water into wine at the wedding feast of Cana, transform your lives and make glad your hearts. Amen.
And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you for ever. Amen.
The Dismissal
Celebrant Let us go forth in the name of Christ. People Thanks be to God.
