Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost November 12, 2023 8 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 Holy Eucharist: Rite One The Very Rev. Nathaniel Katz, Dean 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 People
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. BCP page 323 And blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.
The Collect for Purity and the Summary
page 323
Gloria in Excelsis
page 324
The Collect of the Day Celebrant People Celebrant
The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Let us pray.
O God, whose blessed Son was manifested that he might destroy the works of the devil and make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life: Grant us, we beseech thee, that, having this hope, we may purify ourselves even as he is pure; that, when he shall appear again with power and great glory, we may be made like unto him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where with thee, O Father, and thee, O Holy Ghost, he liveth and reigneth ever, one God, world without end. Amen.
The First Reading Reader People
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel Deacon People
Matthew 25:1-13
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew. Glory be to thee, O Lord. After the Gospel reading, the Deacon says
People
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to thee, O Christ.
The Sermon
The Rev. Canon Bradley Varnell
The Nicene Creed
page 326
The Prayers of the People
Form III, page 387
The General Confession
page 331
The Peace Celebrant People
The peace of the Lord be always with you. And with thy spirit. The People greet one another in the name of the Lord.
The Holy Communion Offerings of alms and bread and wine are received.
The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant People Celebrant People Celebrant People
Eucharistic Prayer II, page 340
The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Lift up your hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord. Let us give thanks unto our Lord God. It is meet and right so to do.
Sanctus and Benedictus Celebrant and People Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of Hosts: Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High. Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Eucharistic Prayer continues
page 341
The Breaking of the Bread Celebrant People
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us; Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.
You do not have to be an Episcopalian to receive Holy Communion. Communion is received either kneeling or standing 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; ask at the altar rail.
Prayer after Communion The Blessing
page 339
The Dismissal Deacon People
Let us go forth into the world, rejoicing in the power of the Spirit. Thanks be to God.
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary The Old Testament
Joshua 24:1–3a, 14–25
Joshua gathered all the tribes of Israel to Shechem, and summoned the elders, the heads, the judges, and the officers of Israel; and they presented themselves before God. And Joshua said to all the people, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Long ago your ancestors — Terah and his sons Abraham and Nahor — lived beyond the Euphrates and served other gods. Then I took your father Abraham from beyond the River and led him through all the land of Canaan and made his offspring many. Now therefore revere the Lord, and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness; put away the gods that your ancestors served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. Now if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served in the region beyond the River or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you are living; but as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Then the people answered, “Far be it from us that we should forsake the Lord to serve other gods; for it is the Lord our God who brought us and our ancestors up from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery, and who did those great signs in our sight. He protected us along all the way that we went, and among all the peoples through whom we passed; and the Lord drove out before us all the peoples, the Amorites who lived in the land. Therefore we also will serve the Lord, for he is our God.” But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the Lord, for he is a holy God. He is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good.” And the people said to Joshua, “No, we will serve the Lord!” Then Joshua said to the people, “You are witnesses against yourselves that you have chosen the Lord, to serve him.” And they said, “We are witnesses.” He said, “Then put away the foreign gods that are among you, and incline your hearts to the Lord, the God of Israel.” The people said to Joshua, “The Lord our God we will serve, and him we will obey.” So Joshua made a covenant with the people that day, and made statutes and ordinances for them at Shechem.
The Epistle
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have died. For this we declare to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will by no means precede those who have died. For the Lord himself, with a cry of command, with the archangel’s call and with the sound of God’s trumpet, will descend from heaven, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up in the clouds together with them to meet the Lord in the air; and so we will be with the Lord forever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
The Gospel
Matthew 25:1–13
Jesus said, “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like this. Ten bridesmaids took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. When the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them; but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps. As the bridegroom was delayed, all of them became drowsy and slept. But at midnight there was a shout, ‘Look! Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those bridesmaids got up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’ But the wise replied, ‘No! there will not be enough for you and for us; you had better go to the dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ And while they went to buy it, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went with him into the wedding banquet; and the door was shut. Later the other bridesmaids came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he replied, ‘Truly I tell you, I do not know you.’ Keep awake therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.”
The Book of Remembrance This week we remember Katherine Marshall White. The Beauty of Flowers The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Pete Etheridge by his wife, Nancy Etheridge; their children Hailey and Brent Bechtol and Kim and Cooper Etheridge; and their grandchildren Pete, Mac, and Cal Bechtol and Emerson and Sloan Etheridge.
2023 Bishop Richardson Society The Bishop Richardson Society is named in memory of the Right Reverend J. Milton Richardson, former dean and the fifth Bishop of Texas, whose foresight created the Cathedral Endowment Fund to assure a secure future for Christ Church Cathedral. All those who have included the Cathedral Endowment in their estate planning are members of the society.
New Members Ramona Adams John Catalani Richard Dickson Kathryn Ketelsen Frances and Peter MacGregor Hilary and Clarence Miller
A Prayer for the Benefactors of the Bishop Richardson Society We bless your Name, O Lord, because it has pleased you to enable your servants, the members of the Bishop Richardson Society, to offer gifts for your worship and the work of your Church. Remember them for good, and grant that all who in the future benefit from their gifts may show their thankfulness to you by using them in accordance with your will; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Welcome
Sunday, November 12, 2023 Announcements TODAY Today is Loyalty Sunday • We hope to have all pledge commitments returned today. We invite you to join us as we renew our financial commitment to our beloved Cathedral. 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 713220-9759. Dean’s Hour — Secondhand Religion • Our Dean’s Hour series Secondhand Religion continues. The Dean and members of the Cathedral community will introduce spiritual ancestors whom we celebrate as saints, whether living or dead. 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall. The Anglican Way • This class is intended for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the Episcopal Church, its faith, and its mission. Classes run Sundays through Nov. 19 from 6-7:30 p.m. in Sanders Hall. Learn more at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/anglicanway Alternative Giving Market • Join us next Sunday, Nov. 19, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Reynolds Hall. The AGM provides an opportunity to remember friends, family, and co-workers by making gifts in their honor to non-profit, charitable organizations. Plus the Children’s Ministry will be hosting a Bake Sale supporting Cathedral Missions! Learn more: www.christchurchcathedral. org/agm Newcomer Lunch & Learn • Sunday, Nov. 19, 12:15 p.m. in McGehee Conference Room newcomers are invited to a learning luncheon about life at the Cathedral. Participants receive an overview of worship practices, learning, service and fellowship opportunities, and a tour of the campus. RSVP to Elizabeth Cuevas at ecuevas@christchurchcathedral.org Caregiver Gathering • Those in care giving roles are invited to gather for a time of mutual support, connection, and a sharing of resources and ideas. Join us in Jeffers Conference Room in person or virtually on Thursday, Nov. 16 from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Contact Claire Soard at csoard@christchurchcathedral. org for more information. Chamber Music Concert • The AURA contemporary ensemble from the University of Houston Moores School of Music presents works by modern composers. Saturday, Nov. 18th, 7:30 p.m in Sanders Hall. Free admission. 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 yrs), or the Huffington Playground. Have questions? Contact KariAnn Lessner at kalessner@christchurchcathedral.org For more information about these and other events at the Cathedral, visit www.christchurchcathedral.org/events 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. If you would like a tour, meet the tour guide by the eagle lectern.
Weekday Services Morning Prayer, 7:30 a.m., Monday-Friday on Zoom Evening Prayer, 6 p.m., Monday- Friday on Zoom Contemplative Prayer, 11:15 a.m., Mondays in Mellinger Room Holy Eucharist, Noon, 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.