The Third Sunday of Advent December 17, 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 Rev. Elizabeth Parker, Assisting Priest Celebrant The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP).
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
Trisagion
page 324
Celebrant
People
The Trisagion is said three times. Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy upon us.
The Collect of the Day Celebrant People Celebrant
The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Let us pray.
Stir up thy power, O Lord, and with great might come among us; and, because we are sorely hindered by our sins, let thy bountiful grace and mercy speedily help and deliver us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be honor and glory, world without end. Amen.
The First Reading Reader People
The Word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
The Holy Gospel Priest People
John 1:6-8,19-28
The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. Glory be to thee, O Lord. After the Gospel reading, the Priest says
People
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11
The Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to thee, O Christ.
The Sermon
The Rev. Elizabeth Parker, Assisting Priest
The Nicene Creed
page 326
The Prayers of the People
Form IV, page 388
The General Confession
page 331
The Peace Celebrant
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
People
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
Eucharistic Prayer II, page 340
Celebrant
The Lord be with you.
People
And with thy spirit.
Celebrant
Lift up your hearts.
People
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Celebrant
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God.
People
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
Alleluia. Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us;
People
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 Priest People
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord. Thanks be to God.
Readings this Week from the Revised Common Lectionary The Old Testament
Isaiah 61:1–4, 8–11
The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and release to the prisoners; to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn; to provide for those who mourn in Zion — to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit. They will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, to display his glory. They shall build up the ancient ruins, they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. For I the Lord love justice, I hate robbery and wrongdoing; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Their descendants shall be known among the nations, and their offspring among the peoples; all who see them shall acknowledge that they are a people whom the Lord has blessed. I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my whole being shall exult in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. For as the earth brings forth its shoots, and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up, so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring up before all the nations.
The Epistle
1 Thessalonians 5:16–24
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise the words of prophets, but test everything; hold fast to what is good; abstain from every form of evil. May the God of peace himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do this.
The Gospel
John 1:6–8, 19–28
There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify to the light, so that all might believe through him. He himself was not the light, but he came to testify to the light. This is the testimony given by John when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed and did not deny it, but confessed, “I am not the Messiah.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the prophet?” He answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you? Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’” as the prophet Isaiah said. Now they had been sent from the Pharisees. They asked him, “Why then are you baptizing if you are neither the Messiah, nor Elijah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with
water. Among you stands one whom you do not know, the one who is coming after me; I am not worthy to untie the thong of his sandal.” This took place in Bethany across the Jordan where John was baptizing.
The Book of Remembrance This week we remember Clyde Barrington Holloway. The Beauty of Flowers The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Robert C. and Madie M. Richter by Bob Richter Jr. The flowers on the Cathedral Altar are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Cherry Gulledge by her children and grandchildren.
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
Welcome
Sunday, December 17, ,2023 Announcements TODAY Christmas Movie: “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” • During the 10 o’clock hour all parishioners are invited to join us in Reynolds Hall for a viewing of the Christmas classic, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” There will be popcorn and spiced cider, as we reflect on how to create more kindness in our world and await the coming of the Christ child. Gran Posada and Sancocho Supper • All are welcome to join this evening at 5:45 p.m. in Reynolds Hall, as we break bread and enjoy sancocho, a traditional Dominican soup. Following the meal, we’ll journey together as the Cathedral grounds become our home for the Las Posadas walk. Mendeliz will provide the music, and we’ll have seasonal treats for all ages. There is still time to fulfill your 2023 EMC pledge and to pledge for 2024 • Submit your pledge by dropping a pledge card in the offering plate or scan the QR code to pledge online. To pay a remaining pledge balance you can make a payment online, via PayPal, or even text to give by visiting: www.christchurchcathedral. org/give Questions? Contact CFO Patrick Saccomanno at psaccomanno@ christchurchcathedral.org or 713-220-9759. Las Posadas • 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 through Dec. 23 from 7-9 p.m. in various locations. For details visit: www.christchurchcathedral.org/posadas The Longest Night Service • This a tender, candle-lit service that provides a reflection on loss and hope. Join us in the Cathedral on Wed., Dec. 20, at 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. 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. Questions? Stop by the cloister table on Sundays, Dec. 17, 24, and 31 or Jan. 7. To register or learn more: www.christchurchcathedral.org/parishretreat 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 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 Cathedral offices will be closed Dec. 25 and Dec. 26 • The Cathedral offices will be closed in observance of the Christmas holiday Monday, Dec. 25, and Tuesday, Dec. 26. Offices reopen with regular hours Wednesday, Dec. 27. After-Hours Emergency Pastoral Care Line • 713-826-5332
Christmas Services Christmas Eve
Sunday, December 24
4 p.m.
8 p.m.
Family Eucharist, Rite II,
Choral Eucharist, Rite II, with Parish Choir (Childcare is available)
and the Christmas Play (Childcare is available)
10:30 p.m.
6 p.m.
Prelude with the Cathedral Choir and Instrumentalists
Festival Eucharist, Rite II,
11 p.m.
in Spanish
7:30 p.m. Organ Prelude
Festival Eucharist, Rite I, with the Cathedral Choir and Instrumentalists with incense
Christmas Day
Monday, December 25 10 a.m.
Eucharist and Carols
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.
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.