5 pm The Well leaflet 12/10/23 by Christ Church Cathedral

Advent Order of Worship Christ Church Cathedral December 10, 2023 5:00 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.

The Second Sunday of Advent five o’clock in the evening The Rev. Elizabeth Parker, Assisting Priest Celebrant Good evening and welcome to The Well. The order of service has been adapted to observe the holy season of Advent, preparing our hearts to welcome the coming Christ child. We are so glad that you are here. Come close, draw near, and receive the grace of God.

Opening Music Traditional Irish and Scottish Tunes At the sound of the bell, please stand.

Hymn 56 (verses 1, 2, 7 and 8)

Veni, Veni Emmanuel

A Prayer for the Evening Stay with us, Lord, since the day is far spent and the night is coming; kindle our hearts on the Way, that we may recognize you in the scriptures, in the breaking of the bread, and in each other. Amen.

Psalm 85:1-2, 8-13

Benedixisti, Domine

You have been gracious to your land, O Lord, * you have restored the good fortune of Jacob. You have forgiven the iniquity of your people * and blotted out all their sins. I will listen to what the Lord God is saying, * for he is speaking peace to his faithful people and to those who turn their hearts to him. Truly, his salvation is very near to those who fear him, * that his glory may dwell in our land. 1

Mercy and truth have met together; * righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring up from the earth, * and righteousness shall look down from heaven. The Lord will indeed grant prosperity, * and our land will yield its increase. Righteousness shall go before him, * and peace shall be a pathway for his feet. Please remain seated.

Collect of the Day Wild God of the wastes, whose gospel begins with a cry and a summons: take us to a pathless place where we can start again to taste creation’s gifts anew and await the Spirit’s touch; through Jesus Christ, the one who is to come. Amen.

The Holy Gospel Priest People

Mark 1:1-8

The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark. Glory to you, Lord Christ.

The beginning of the good news of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in the prophet Isaiah, “See, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way; the voice of one crying out in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” 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.” Priest People

The Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, Lord Christ.

A period of silence is observed. 2

The Reflection

The Rev. Elizabeth Parker, Assisting Priest

Two minutes of silence is observed following the reflection.

Prayers of the People

The Seven Great O’s of Advent

These prayers are adapted from prayers that have been offered in the days leading up to Christmas that date back to at least the 9th century. Each antiphon begins with the letter “O” and a name or attribute for God that can be found in the Hebrew Bible. The Leader begins.

O Wisdom, mysterious Word of God, coming forth from the Father and filling all creation with your life-giving power: Come and show us the way of truth. O Lord of Israel, ruler of your ancient people, you appeared to Moses in the burning bush and gave the law on Mount Sinai: Come, and reach out your hand to save us. O Flower of Jesse’s Line, Son of David, you have been lifted up as a sign of peace, drawing all kings and peoples to stand silent in your presence: Come quickly and help us, we beseech you. O Key of David, and sceptre of the house of Israel, you have opened to us the way of hope, and shut the door on the powers of evil: Come and free us from our prisons of darkness. O Morning Star, radiance of the Father’s love, you are the brightness that disperses the shadows of our hearts: Come, cleanse and renew us in your glory. O King of the Nations, you alone bring joy when you reign in our hearts, and you are the cornerstone of our lives: Come and strengthen us, who were formed by you. O Emmanuel, God with us, Hope of the world, and Savior of all, Come and live in us, now and for ever. Amen.

Additional Prayers of Intercession & Thanksgiving Following the Prayers of the People during the instrumental music and hymn, and at any time hereafter, you are welcome to come forward to light a votive candle as a symbol of your prayer. As we see others light candles, we recognize that we are all carrying prayer concerns known to us alone, and we are reminded to treat one another with kindness and care. Tapers and votives are located to the right of the altar and in front of the transept to the left. Please feel free to go to either of these places to light a candle. 3

Hymn Congregation sings or hums this refrain continuously during the separate verses Wait for the Lord sung by the cantor. This continues until the cantor leaves the platform.

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Wait

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the Lord,

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heart!

The Peace His judgement is not vengeance, an eye for an eye; his peace is not false, a veil for injustice; he comes to break the spear, to silence the guns and still our warring souls May the peace of Christ rule our world and heal our hearts. 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.

Lighten our darkness

Offertory Hymn

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Christ Christ

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who is light. who is light.

The people stand.

The Holy Communion The Great Thanksgiving Celebrant People Celebrant People Celebrant People

The Lord be with you. And also with you. Lift up your hearts. We lift them to the Lord. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. It is right to give God thanks and praise.

Mystery of winter skies, we thank you in the darkening hour for opening our eyes to see your starlit beauty; for parting the wide heavens to send your gentle light; for offering your word to take our mortal flesh. He was promised by those who shared your dream of peace; John the Baptist cleared his way with words of desert fire; Mary and Joseph accepted his coming with tenderness and faith; we know that he draws near again to show us who we really are with honesty and love. Now we take up the song of hope that we might awaken to his coming among us and the world be touched by the footfall of his glory: 5

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. We ask that your Holy Spirit will fall upon us and upon these gifts that these fragile, earthly things may be to us the body and blood of our lord and brother, Jesus Christ; who, on the night that he was betrayed, gathered with his faltering friends for a meal that tasted of freedom. Calling them to his table, he took bread and broke it and said: ‘this is my body, which is given for you. do this to remember me.’ In the same way after supper, he took the cup saying: ‘this cup is the new covenant in my blood. do this, whenever you drink it, to remember me.’ As on that night, so here and now he offers himself in touch and taste beyond all words can hold. Great is the mystery of faith: Christ has died Christ is risen Christ will come again. Therefore, in our eating and drinking we are filled with the life-giving presence of Christ; we proclaim him as creation’s host, transforming poverty in to plenty in the reckless generosity of love. Inspire us with the hope that one day death and greed will be no more and people without number will come from east and west, north and south to share the kingdom meal. We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom and in whom in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory be yours, Mother of blessings, forever and ever. AMEN.

The Lord’s Prayer And now, as our Savior Christ has taught us, we are bold to say, Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. 6

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking Of The Bread Celebrant People Celebrant People

We break this bread to share in the Body of Christ; We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread. Bread and wine; the gifts of God for the people of God. May we who share these gifts be found in Christ and Christ in us.

Post Communion Prayer Celebrant Let us pray.

Eternal God, we thank you that in Christ you give yourself into our hands: May we who have tasted life proclaim the coming feast when many will come from east and west, from north and south to greet the Lord of all; we ask this in his name. Amen.

The Blessing May the God who brings heaven close to earth give truth to our judgement and flame to our longing that our hearts might be ready to be born again in love; and the blessing of God, Creator, Redeemer and Sustainer, be with you this night and always. Amen.

Hymn 69

St. Mark’s, Berkeley

The Dismissal Celebrant Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to

People

you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace of the Son of God to you. Deep peace, deep peace. Thanks be to God.

Closing Music Traditional English Tune Becky Baxter, Music Coordinator and Harpist for The Well Lauren Kavanaugh, flautist Sally Keller, cellist 7

The Book of Remembrance This week we remember Nell Walker Jeffers. The Beauty of Flowers The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to celebrate the Advent needlepoint hangings to the glory of God in loving memory of Geraldine Campbell Naschke and her beloved husband John Hess Naschke by their three daughters Kathy Stites, Nancy Simonds and Gerrie Bielefeld. The flowers on the Cathedral Altar also are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Ann Randolph Bledsoe and in thanksgiving for Nancy Staub Wareing by their children.

Welcome

Sunday, December 10, 2023 Announcements Las Posadas and Gran Posada begin Saturday • All are welcome to commemorate the journey of Joseph and Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to the baby Jesus. Join us each night, Dec. 16–23, from 7–9 p.m. in various locations. The Gran Posada and Sancocho Supper will be held on Sunday, Dec. 17, in Reynolds Hall at 5:45 p.m. For details visit: www.christchurchcathedral.org/posadas Christmas Camp • Join us Saturday, Dec. 16, 9:30-11:30 a.m. in the Cathedral to choose costumes, play games, make crafts, and run through the basic highlights of the Christmas pageant as we prepare to welcome the Christ child. Our pageant will be held Christmas Eve at the 4 p.m. service, and attending the rehearsal is not required. All are welcome to participate. Annual Parish Retreat at Camp Allen • Join your Cathedral family for the Parish Retreat at Camp Allen, Jan. 12–14, 2024. Reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and renew your relationship with God. To register or learn more, visit: www.christchurchcathedral. org/parishretreat Christmas Movie: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” • During the 10 o’clock hour next Sunday, Dec. 17, all parishioners are invited to join us in Reynolds Hall for a viewing of the Christmas classic, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” The Longest Night Service • This is a tender, candle-lit service that provides a reflection on loss and hope. Join us in the Cathedral on Wed., Dec. 20, 6 p.m., as we hold space for sorrow and struggles alongside joy. This service will also be livestreamed for those who may not be able to attend in-person. Costa Rica Mission Trip • The deadline for registering for the mission trip to Costa Rica is Jan. 12. The mission trip is for adults, high school youth, and eighth graders in confirmation class. To register visit: www.christchurchcathedral.org/youthcostarica Make your Every Member Canvass 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. Sunday School • Each Sunday we gather together as a community and grow in our faith through teaching and discussion. Classes are offered for children and youth each Sunday from 10-11 a.m. and Latino ministries from 1-2:30 p.m. Learn more and register at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/sundayschool

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 OM E card in your pew and put it in the offering plate or give it to an usher. Tours of the Cathedral are available after the 5 p.m. service on the third Sunday every month. If you would like a tour, meet the tour guide by the eagle lectern.

Portions of this service come from “Prayers for an Inclusive Church” by Steven Shakespeare, published by Church Publishing, Inc. Please be advised that our services are Livesteamed 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. 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.