First Sunday after the Epiphany January 8, 2023
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.
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 Cathedral is equipped with a hearing loop for assisted listening via telecoil.
The Holy Eucharist: Rite Two
The Rev. Kathy Rock Pfister, Canon Vicar
Celebrant
The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
Opening Voluntary “Fiat Lux” from Douze Pièces Nouvelles Théodore Dubois (1837-1924) Hymn 128 Three Kings of Orient
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
Gloria in Excelsis S 280 Robert Powell (b.1932)
The Collect of the Day
Celebrant The Lord be with you. People And also with you. Celebrant Let us pray.
Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan proclaimed him your beloved Son and anointed him with the Holy Spirit: Grant that all who are baptized into his Name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess him as Lord and Savior; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.
The First Reading Acts 10:34-43
Reader The Word of the Lord. People Thanks be to God.
Hymn 120 (stanzas 1, 2, and 4)
Solemnis haec festivitas
The Holy Gospel Matthew 3:13-17
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. Bradley Varnell, Canon Missioner for Community Life and Young Adult Ministry
The Nicene Creed page 358
The Prayers of the People Form VI, page 392
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
Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
Christ, when for us you were baptized, God’s Spirit on you came, as peaceful as a dove and yet as urgent as a flame.
God called you his beloved Son, called you his servant too; his kingdom you were called to preach, his holy will to do.
Baptize us with your Spirit, Lord, your cross on us be signed, that, likewise in God’s service, we may perfect freedom find.
—Francis Bland Tucker (1895-1984)
The Great Thanksgiving Eucharistic Prayer B, page 367
Sanctus and Benedictus S 129 Robert Powell
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 Charles Timothy Blickhan (b.1945)
The sinless one to Jordan came, And in the river shared our stain; God’s righteousness he thus fulfilled, And chose the path his Father willed.
Up rising from the waters there, And Father’s voice did then declare That Christ, the Son of God, had come To lead his scattered people home.
Above him see the heavenly Dove, The sign of God the Father’s love, Now by the Holy Spirit shed Upon the Son’s anointed head.
O Christ, may we baptized from sin, Go forth with you a world to win: Grant us the Holy Spirit’s power To shield us in temptation’s hour.
— George B. Timms (1910-1997), alt.
Prayer after Communion page 365
The Blessing
Hymn 117 (stanzas 1, 2, and 3) Morning Star
The Dismissal
Celebrant Let us go forth in the name of Christ. People Thanks be to God.
Closing Voluntary
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, P. 46 Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706)
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary
The Old Testament Isaiah 42:1-9 Here is my servant, whom I uphold, my chosen, in whom my soul delights; I have put my spirit upon him; he will bring forth justice to the nations. He will not cry or lift up his voice, or make it heard in the street; a bruised reed he will not break, and a dimly burning wick he will not quench; he will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not grow faint or be crushed until he has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands wait for his teaching. Thus says God,
the Lord, who created the heavens and stretched them out, who spread out the earth and what comes from it, who gives breath to the people upon it and spirit to those who walk in it: I am the Lord, I have called you in righteousness, I have taken you by the hand and kept you; I have given you as a covenant to the people, a light to the nations, to open the eyes that are blind, to bring out the prisoners from the dungeon, from the prison those who sit in darkness. I am the Lord, that is my name; my glory I give to no other, nor my praise to idols. See, the former things have come to pass, and new things I now declare; before they spring forth, I tell you of them.
The Epistle Acts 10:34-43 Peter began to speak to them: “I truly understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him. You know the message he sent to the people of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ — he is Lord of all. That message spread throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John announced: how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; how he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. We are witnesses to all that he did both in Judea and in Jerusalem. They put him to death by hanging him on a tree; but God raised him on the third day and allowed him to appear, not to all the people but to us who were chosen by God as witnesses, and who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one ordained by God as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
The Gospel Matthew 3:13-17
Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” But Jesus answered him, “Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then he consented. And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.”
The Book of Remembrance
This week we remember Barbara Puffer Speir.
The Beauty of Flowers
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Scott Cawley by his family. The flowers in the floor vases are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Donald McDonald by his 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.
We Three Kings Cake Sunday Funday • All ages are invited to celebrate the season of Epiphany with king cakes and a reading of Home by Another Way: A Christmas Story by Barbara Brown Taylor. Join us this morning at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall.
Epiphany Evensong • Christ Church Cathedral invites you to a choral evensong featuring the Cathedral Choir to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany this evening, January 8, at 5 p.m. in place of The Well. This special service will begin with an organ recital by Jeong-Suk Bae at 4:15 p.m. To learn more or to watch online, please visit: www. christchurchcathedral.org/epiphanyevensong
Bible Studies • An array of Bible studies begin in January and February. Learn about your options at and how to participate at: www.christchurchcathedral. org/biblestudies
How to Bible • Have you ever started to read the Bible but quit somewhere in Numbers? Ever wonder what is going on in the Sunday readings? This sixweek course is an introduction to scripture. Absolutely no prior knowledge required, and there is nothing that you “should” know. An excellent follow up class to The Anglican Way. Led by The Rev. Becky Zartman. Sundays, January 15 thru February 19 from 6:15 to 7:15 in Sanders Hall.
Annual Parish Meeting • The parish meeting takes place each year. It includes the annual financial report of the church, the year-in-review of the parish and the election of new vestry members, officers of the parish, and council delegates. January 22 at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall.
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. Visit the cloister table between services or contact Wick Rowland, wickr@mac.com for details and registration information, or visit: www.christchurchcathedral.org/cabaret
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
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.