8 am leaflet 1/7/24

The First Sunday after the Epiphany: The Baptism of our Lord January 7, 2024 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. Canon Bradley Varnell Celebrant The Liturgy is found in The Book of Common Prayer (BCP).

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 with thy spirit.

Let us pray.

Father in heaven, who at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan didst proclaim him thy beloved Son and anoint 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 thee and the same Spirit liveth and reigneth, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The First Reading Reader People

The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

The Holy Gospel Priest People

Mark 1:4–11

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

Glory be to thee, O Lord.

After the Gospel reading, the Priest says

People

Genesis 1:1–5

The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise be to thee, O Christ.

The Sermon

The Rev. Canon Bradley Varnell

The Renewal of Baptismal Vows

page 292

The Prayers of the People

Form IV, page 388

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

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.

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, 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.