The First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord January 7, 2024 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. 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. Canon Bradley Varnell Celebrant The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP). Hymns and service music (S) are in The Hymnal 1982.
Opening Voluntary
Max Drischne (1891-1971) Chorale Prelude on Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
Hymn 128
Three Kings of Orient
The Word of God Celebrant People Celebrant People Celebrant People
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. BCP page 299 And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen. There is one Body and one Spirit; There is one hope in God’s call to us; One Lord, one Faith, one Baptism; One God and Father of all.
The Collect of the Day Celebrant People Celebrant
The Lord be with you. And also with you. 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 Reader People
Genesis 1:1–5
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Hymn 120 (stanzas 1,2, and 5)
Solemnis haec festivitas
The Holy Gospel Priest People
Mark 1:4–11
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you, Lord Christ. After the Gospel reading, the Priest says The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.
People
Children’s Sermon Sermon
The Very Rev. Nathaniel Katz, Dean
The Renewal of Baptismal Vows
page 292
The Prayers of the People
Form IV, page 388
The Peace Celebrant People
The peace of the Lord be always with you. 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. — F. Bland Tucker (1895-1984)
The Great Thanksgiving Sanctus and Benedictus S 125 The Eucharistic Prayer continues
Eucharistic Prayer C, page 369 Richard Proulx (1937-2010) page 371
The Breaking of the Bread Celebrant People
Alleluia, Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; 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 Congregational Hymn 707 Anthem
Hollingside Solemnis haec festivitas; arr. George B. Blickhan (2006)
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, alt. Laura Lisk, soloist
Prayer after Communion
page 365
The Blessing Hymn 117 (stanzas 1–3)
Morning Star
The Dismissal Priest People
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Closing Voluntary Finale Jubilante
Healey Willan (1880-1968) Refreshments are available in Reynolds Hall.
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary The Old Testament
Genesis 1:1–5
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. And God saw that the light was good; and God separated the light from the darkness. God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And there was evening and there was morning, the first day.
The New Testament
Acts 19:1–7
While Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the interior regions and came to Ephesus, where he found some disciples. He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you became believers?” They replied, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.” Then he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” They answered, “Into John’s baptism.” Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus.” On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied — altogether there were about twelve of them.
The Gospel
Mark 1:4–11
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And people from the whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem were going out to him, and were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. He proclaimed, “The one who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to stoop down and untie the thong of his sandals. I have baptized you with water; but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” In those days Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee and was baptized by John in the Jordan. And just as he was coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens torn apart and the Spirit descending like a dove on him. And a voice came from heaven, “You are my Son, the Beloved; with you I am well pleased.”
The Book of Remembrance This week we remember G. Sidney Buchanan Jr. 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.
Welcome
Sunday, January 7, 2024 Announcements TODAY Starry Night Express • Stargazers of all ages are welcome to join the Houston Museum of Natural Science in their Discovery Dome. Find constellations, planets, the moon, and more from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Reynolds Hall. Each showing is 20 minutes, and will be offered in both English and Spanish. Sign ups are still available: www. christchurchcathedral.org/starrynight Epiphany Evensong • All are welcome as the Cathedral Choir celebrates the feast of Epiphany at 5 p.m. in place of The Well. An organ recital, featuring John Kirk, University Organist at Houston Christian University, begins at 4:15 p.m. Invite a friend to start the new year with an evening of beautiful music and prayer. A reception will follow in Reynolds Hall. Annual Parish Retreat at Camp Allen • Join your Cathedral family for the Parish Retreat at Camp Allen, January 12-14. Reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and renew your relationship with God. Questions? Stop by the cloister table today! Deadline to register is January 10: www. christchurchcathedral.org/parishretreat Costa Rica Mission Trip • The deadline for registering for the mission trip to Costa Rica is January 12. The mission trip is for adults, high school youth, and eighth graders in confirmation class. To register visit: www. christchurchcathedral.org/youthcostarica Houston Marathon Next Sunday • Remember to check traffic routes and street closures Sunday, January 14. To determine the best route to get to church, visit: www.christchurchcathedral.org/marathon Dean’s Hour: Secondhand Religion • Our Secondhand Religion series returns January 14 at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall. Dean Katz shares more on spiritual ancestors whom we celebrate as saints, whether living or dead. Annual Parish Meeting • The Cathedral’s annual parish meeting will be held Sunday, January 21 during the 10 o’clock hour in Reynolds Hall. All are welcome to hear an update on the Cathedral and elect new vestry members. Live translation of English to Spanish will be available. Make your 2024 EMC Pledge • There’s still time to make your annual pledge! Submit your pledge by dropping a pledge card in the offering plate or scan the QR code to pledge online. Questions? Contact CFO Patrick Saccomanno at psaccomanno@christchurchcathedral.org or 713-220-9759. Childcare is available during worship services • Follow Agnus the Lamb to the Jones Building where you can find childcare for various ages (6 weeks–5 yrs). Have questions? Contact KariAnn Lessner at kalessner@christchurchcathedral.org For more information about these and other events at the Cathedral, visit www.christchurchcathedral.org After-Hours Emergency Pastoral Care Line • 713-826-5332
Welcome to Christ Church Cathedral! We are blessed by your presence. If you are new to the Cathedral, please fill out the W E L C O M E card in your pew and put it in the offering plate or give it to an usher. Tours of the Cathedral are available every Sunday following the 11 a.m. service and on the third Sunday of each month after the 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. services. Look for the guide under the crucifixion window at the rear of the nave.
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.