6CHORAL EUCHARIST

The Second Sunday before Advent

Sunday 15 November 202011am Oxford Time

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Preparing for WorshipWelcome to Christ Church!

In this time of difficulty, uncertainty and lockdown, while we are unable to gather together physically to worship, we nevertheless gather virtually. Although distanced physically, we remain one in Christ and express that unity by worshipping together. In this season from All Saints to Advent, we are reminded that whenever we worship, we come before the throne of God with all the saints and are united with all who pray across the world and throughout history.

We know that, whatever the difficulties we live through, the central truth of Christian faith remains: Christ is the Lord and is the same yesterday, today and forever. So it’s right that we continue to worship, to praise God, and to pray for the healing of the world and its people; our worship does not ignore pain, grief and need, but expresses our hope in God.

This broadcast service involves very limited numbers, due to the regulations and guidance around this second lockdown. We are very pleased that these regulations do allow us to broadcast choral services with the boy choristers and clerks of the choir.

May God bless you as you come before him in worship, and remain with you in the days ahead.

Music before the ServicePlayed by Ben Sheen, Sub-Organist

Allein Gott in der Höh sei Her, BWV 662 J S Bach (1685–1750)

Setting of the EucharistMissa Euge bone Christopher Tye (1505–72)

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The GatheringThe Deacon carries the Book of the Gospels and places it on the High Altar.

President In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All Amen.

The Greeting

President The Lord be with youAll and also with you.

The President welcomes the congregation.

Invitation to Confession

You may like to adopt a prayer posture such as sitting with your head bowed, as we remember our brokenness and call to mind our sins.

Deacon Jesus says, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is close at hand.’ So let us turn away from sin and turn to Christ, confessing our sins in penitence and faith.

All Almighty God, our heavenly Father, we have sinned against you and against our neighbour in thought and word and deed, through negligence, through weakness, through our own deliberate fault. We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins. For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ, who died for us, forgive us all that is past and grant that we may serve you in newness of life to the glory of your name. Amen.

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Absolution

President Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

The Choir sings the Gloria in Excelsis.

Gloria in Excelsis

Gloria in excelsis Deo.Et in terra pax hominibus bonæ voluntatis.

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te.Gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam,Domine Deus, Rex cœlestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.

Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe,Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris,qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.Qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram.Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.

Glory to God in the highest,and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,almighty God and Father,we worship you, we give you thanks,we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,Lord God, Lamb of God,you take away the sin of the world:have mercy on us;you are seated at the right hand of the Father:receive our prayer.

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Quoniam tu solus Sanctus; tu solus Dominus;tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe,cum Sancto Spirituin gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

For you alone are the Holy One,you alone are the Lord,you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,with the Holy Spirit,in the glory of God the Father.Amen.

The Collect

President Let us pray.

Silence is kept.

President Heavenly Father, whose blessed Son was revealed to destroy the works of the devil and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life: grant that we, having this hope, may purify ourselves even as he is pure; that when he shall appear in power and great glory we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom; where he is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.All Amen.

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The Liturgy of the WordSit comfortably to listen to God speaking through the Scriptures.

First Reading1 Thessalonians 5:1–11(NRSV)

A reading from the first Letter of St Paul to the Thessalonians.

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers and sisters, you do not need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. When they say, ‘There is peace and security’, then sudden destruction will come upon them, as labour pains come upon a pregnant woman, and there will be no escape! But you, beloved, are not in darkness, for that day to surprise you like a thief; for you are all children of light and children of the day; we are not of the night or of darkness. So then, let us not fall asleep as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober; for those who sleep sleep at night, and those who are drunk get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, and put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation. For God has destined us not for wrath but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep we may live with him. Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, as indeed you are doing.

Reader This is the word of the Lord.All Thanks be to God.

The Choir sings the Gospel Acclamation.

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Gospel ReadingMatthew 25:14–30 (NRSV)

Deacon Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.All Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said to his disciples, ‘For it is as if a man, going on a journey, summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them; to one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away. The one who had received the five talents went off at once and traded with them, and made five more talents. In the same way, the one who had the two talents made two more talents. But the one who had received the one talent went off and dug a hole in the ground and hid his master’s money. After a long time the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them. Then the one who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five more talents, saying, “Master, you handed over to me five talents; see, I have made five more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” And the one with the two talents also came forward, saying, “Master, you handed over to me two talents; see, I have made two more talents.” His master said to him, “Well done, good and trustworthy slave; you have been trustworthy in a few things, I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master.” Then the one who had received the one talent also came forward, saying, “Master, I knew that you were a harsh man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you did not scatter seed; so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.” But his master replied, “You wicked and lazy slave! You knew, did you, that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I did not scatter? Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and on my return I would have received what was my own with interest. So take the talent from him, and give it to the one with the ten talents. For to all those who have, more will be given, and they will have an abundance; but from those who have nothing, even what they have will be taken away. As for this worthless slave, throw him into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”

Deacon This is the Gospel of the Lord.All Praise to you, O Christ.

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HomilyCanon Foot

After the reflection, we keep silence together for a few moments before affirming our faith together, using the words of the Creed – words which have been said across the world for over fifteen hundred years in times of sorrow and of joy.

The Creed

President Let us declare our faith in God

All I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

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Prayers of Intercession

A minister leads the prayers of the People.

Minister Let us pray.

You may like to adopt a prayer posture with your hands open and lifted up to God as we hold out all the prayers of our hearts to him.

Minister Lord, in your mercyAll hear our prayer.

The prayers end with:

Minister Merciful Father,All accept these prayers

for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

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The Liturgy of the Sacrament

The Peace

President To crown all things there must be love, to bind all together and complete the whole. Let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts.

President The peace of the Lord be always with youAll and also with you.

Deacon Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

We know that Christians have shared a sign of peace since the very earliest days of the Church. As once again we are separated from one another, we remember that peace is from the heart and from God. God’s peace in the Spirit moves among us to unite us with one another and with all who have served God in every age, distant in time and space yet one in the Body of Christ.

Offertory motet

O sacrum convivium, in quo Christus sumitur;recolitur memoria passionis ejus;mens impletur gratia; et futurae gloriae nobis pignus datur.

Words: 1 Corinthians 11:26 and Romans 8:18Music: Thomas Tallis (1505–85)

O sacred banquet, wherein Christ is received; the memorial of his passion is renewed;the soul is filled with grace; and a pledge of future glory is given to us.

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Preparation of the Table

President Yours, Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the splendour, and the majesty; for everything in heaven and on earth is yours.

All All things come from you, and of your own do we give you.

The Eucharistic Prayer

President The Lord be with youAll and also with you.

President Lift up your hearts.All We lift them to the Lord.

President Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.All It is right to give thanks and praise.

President It is indeed right, our duty and our joy, that we should always sing of your glory, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

For you are the hope of the nations, the builder of the city that is to come. Your love made visible in Jesus Christ brings home the lost, restores the sinner and gives dignity to the despised.

In his face your light shines out, flooding lives with goodness and truth, gathering into one in your kingdom a divided and broken humanity.

Therefore with all who can give voice in your creation we glorify your name, for ever praising you and singing:

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The Choir sings the Sanctus

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth:pleni sunt cœli et terra gloria tua.Hosanna in excelsis.

Holy, holy, holyLord God of hosts:heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest.

President Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ; who in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me. In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

Great is the mystery of faith.All Christ has died.

Christ is risen. Christ will come again.

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President And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of Frideswide and all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever.

All Amen.

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The Lord’s Prayer

President As our Saviour taught us, so we prayAll Our Father in heaven,

hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

The President breaks the consecrated bread.

President We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.All Though we are many, we are one body,

because we all share in one bread.

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Giving of Communion

President Draw near to Jesus with faith. In your hearts, receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you, and his blood which he shed for you. Remember that he died for you, and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

All Amen.

We pause together to rest in the presence of Christ in us and all around us; trusting that wherever we are, however we are, whoever we are with, Jesus comes to meet us as he has promised. Jesus invites us to receive him in our hearts by faith; to unite our prayers and our wills with his; and to rest in his perfect and eternal love. Without physically eating and drinking, we yet receive his body and his blood by grace.

There are no special words or prayers for this. All the Church has ever thought necessary is true desire, lively faith and genuine love. So you are invited to come honestly before God the way you know how. You may like to close your eyes, or to look at a picture; to pause the recording, or to listen to the music; to keep silence, or to pray one of the following prayers:

In union, O Lord with the faithful at every altar of thy Church, where the Holy Eucharist is now being celebrated, I desire to offer thee praise and thanksgiving. I present to thee my soul and body with the earnest wish that they may always be united to thee. And since I can not now receive thee sacramentally, I beseech thee to come spiritually into my heart. I unite myself to thee, and embrace thee with all the affections of my soul. Let nothing ever separate thee from me. May I live and die in thy love. Amen.

Lord, you stand at the door of my heart and knock. You wait for me and only I can let you in. I believe and trust in you and ask you now to fill me with your presence. Feed me with your body and unite me in your blood, that I may be your blessing to a world in need. Amen.

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Agnus DeiThe Choir sings the Agnus Dei.

Agnus Dei,qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

Prayer after Communion

President Let us pray.

All Father of all, we give you thanks and praise, that when we were still far off you met us in your Son and brought us home. Dying and living, he declared your love, gave us grace, and opened the gate of glory. Keep us firm in the hope you have set before us, so we and all your children shall be free, and the whole earth live to praise your name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

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The Dismissal

Blessing

President God, who has prepared for us a city with eternal foundations, give you grace to share the inheritance of the saints in glory; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.

All Amen.

Deacon Go in the peace of Christ.All Thanks be to God.

Music after the ServiceFantasia in g, BWV 542i J S Bach (1685–1750)

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As we continue to move through these unsettled times, please be assured that you are welcome, whether you are a long-standing member of our congregation or worshipping with us for the first time. Although the pattern of our life has changed so much, our prayers continue; and please let us know if we can pray for you, or if you need our support. You are warmly invited to continue to participate in our community worship, prayer and spiritual life.

During this lockdown, we are broadcasting a daily service of Evensong (sometimes Said Evening Prayer) on Youtube at 6pm, and meeting together on Zoom at 5.30pm on Sundays. If you would like to be put on our mailing list to receive our weekly newsletter, with a link to the online Zoom Tea, please contact us at cathedraloffice@chch.ox.ac.uk.

Online worship resources from Christ Church Cathedral

The Cathedral website contains an archive of sermons and services, alongside a regular series of blog reflections. You can find worship, resources and prayers at:

www.chch.ox.ac.uk/onlineworshipwww.chch.ox.ac.uk/cathedralblogwww.chch.ox.ac.uk/services-and-events/sermons@chchcathedralox

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Prayer for the Week

Gracious Lord,in this holy sacrament

you give substance to our hope:bring us at the last

to that fullness of life for which we long;through Jesus Christ our Saviour.

Amen.

Scripture readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, © 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Some liturgical materials in this service are copyright and reproduced here by permission: Common Worship © The Archbishops’ Council 2000–2008.CCLI Church Copyright Licence 262098, One License Church Copyright Licence A-733591Eucharistic Prayer B © The Central Board of Finance of the Church of England / The Archbishops’ Council.