Choral Eucharist with Confirmation on 15th February will be livestreamed and available online at Holy Trinity’s YouTube site from 10.55am on Sunday at https://www.youtube.com/live/GKzv4DabZDA
PRELUDE: Cantabile (Jongen)
WELCOME
Grace and peace to you from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
OPENING HYMN NEH 334 All people that on earth do dwell (Old Hundredth)
1 All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
him serve with fear, his praise forth tell,
come ye before him, and rejoice.
2 The Lord, ye know, is God indeed;
without our aid he did us make;
we are his folk, he doth us feed,
and for his sheep he doth us take.
3 O enter then his gates with praise,
approach with joy his courts unto;
praise, laud, and bless his name always,
for it is seemly so to do.
4 For why? the Lord our God is good;
his mercy is for ever sure;
his truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure.
5 To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
the God whom heaven and earth adore,
from men and from the angel-host
be praise and glory evermore.
APPROACH TO GOD
I will go to the altar of God;
to the God of my joy and gladness.
My help is in the name of the Lord
Who made heaven and earth.
Turn us, O God and Saviour;
that your people may rejoice in you.
O Lord, show us your mercy;
and grant us your salvation.
Lord, hear our prayer;
give ear to our cry.
COLLECT FOR PURITY
We say together:
Almighty God,
to whom all hearts are open, all desires known,
and from whom no secrets are hidden:
cleanse the thoughts of our hearts
by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,
that we may perfectly love you,
and worthily magnify your holy Name;
through Christ our Lord. Amen.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION
God is love and we are God’s children.
There is no room for fear in love.
We love because God loved us first.
Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith.
Silence
God our Father, we confess to you
and to our fellow members in the Body of Christ
that we have sinned in thought, word and deed,
and in what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry.
Forgive us our sins,
and deliver us from the power of evil,
for the sake of your Son who died for us,
Jesus Christ, our Lord.
KYRIE ELEISON
Lord, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy,
Christ, have mercy,
Christ, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy,
Lord, have mercy.
THE ABSOLUTION
God, who is both power and love,
forgive us and free us from our sins,
heal and strengthen us by your Spirit,
and raise us to new life in Christ our Lord.
Amen.
GLORIA IN EXCELSIS
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.
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.
COLLECT:
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST READING 2 Peter 1:16-21
A reading from the second letter of Peter.
For we did not follow cleverly devised myths when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we had been eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received honour and glory from God the Father when that voice was conveyed to him by the Majestic Glory, saying, ‘This is my Son, my Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’ We ourselves heard this voice come from heaven, while we were with him on the holy mountain.
So we have the prophetic message more fully confirmed. You will do well to be attentive to this as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts. First of all you must understand this, that no prophecy of scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, because no prophecy ever came by human will, but men and women moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
At the end:
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GRADUAL HYMN NEH 178 'Tis good, Lord, to be here (Carlisle) (omit verse 4)
1 'Tis good, Lord, to be here!
Thy glory fills the night;
Thy face and garments, like the sun,
Shine with unborrowed light.
2 'Tis good, Lord, to be here,
Thy beauty to behold,
Where Moses and Elijah stand,
Thy messengers of old.
3 Fulfiller of the past!
Promise of things to be!
We hail Thy body glorified,
And our redemption see.
5 'Tis good, Lord, to be here!
Yet we may not remain;
But since Thou bidst us leave the mount,
Come with us to the plain.
GOSPEL (Matthew 17:1-9)
Hear the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew
When the Gospel is announced:
Glory to Christ our Saviour.
Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!’ When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. But Jesus came and touched them, saying, ‘Get up and do not be afraid.’ And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus ordered them, ‘Tell no one about the vision until after the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.’
At the end:
Give thanks to the Lord for his glorious Gospel
Praise to Christ our Lord.
SERMON
ANTHEM: Cantique de Jean Racine (Fauré)
Verbe égal au Très-Haut, notre unique espérance, jour éternel de la terre
et des cieux, de la paisible nuit nous rompons le silence: Divin Sauveur,
jette sur nous les yeux. Répands sur nous le feu de Ta grâce puissante;
oue tout l'enfer fuie au son de Ta voix; dissipe le sommeil d'une âme
languissante qui la conduit à l'oubli de Tes lois! Ô Christ! sois favorable
à ce peuple fidèle, pour Te bénir maintenant rassemblé; reçois les chants
qu'il offre à Ta gloire immortelle, et de Tes dons qu'il retourne comblé.
Word of the Highest, our only hope, eternal day of earth and the heavens, we
break the silence of the peaceful night; Saviour Divine, cast your eyes upon us!
Pour on us the fire of your powerful grace, that all hell may flee at the sound of
your voice; banish the slumber of a weary soul, that brings forgetfulness of
your laws! O Christ, look with favour upon your faithful people now gathered
here to praise you; receive their hymns offered to your immortal glory; may
they go forth filled with your gifts.
CONFIRMATION
The Bishop leads the responsory.
Blessed be God,
the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
by whose great mercy we have been born anew to a living hope
through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
The Rector presents the candidates.
Right Reverend Father in God,
Our brother Will and our sister Beatrice has come
to make a deeper commitment
to our Lord Jesus Christ
by renewing their baptismal promises and affirming their faith.
The Bishop addresses the Candidates.
Will, Beatrice, is it your wish to be confirmed?
Candidates: It is
The Bishop addresses the congregation
We pray for them and for ourselves.
Eternal God, who at the baptism of Jesus
revealed him to be your Son,
anointing him with the Holy Spirit:
keep your people, born of water and the Spirit,
faithful to their calling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
The Bishop addresses the candidates.
Will, Bee, as disciples of the living Lord Jesus,
Do you turn to Christ?
Candidates: I turn to Christ.
Do you repent of your sins?
Candidates: I repent of my sins.
Do you renounce all evil?
Candidates: I renounce evil.
The Bishop addresses the congregation
Do you believe in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
Do you believe in God the Son?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God's only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
and 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 again to judge the living and the dead.
Do you believe in God the Holy Spirit?
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.
The Bishop addresses the candidates
This is the faith of the Church.
Candidates: This is our faith. We believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
All: Amen.
Bee and Will, as disciples of Christ will you continue
in the Apostles' teaching and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread,
and in the prayers?
Candidates: With the help of God, I will.
Bishop: Will you proclaim the good news by word and deed,
serving Christ in all people?
Candidates: With the help of God, I will.
Bishop: Will you work for justice and peace,
honouring God in all Creation?
Candidates: With the help of God, I will.
The Bishop addresses the whole congregation
This is the calling of the Church.
This is our calling;
to live and work for the kingdom of God.
The Bishop leads us in prayer
God of mercy and love,
new birth by water and the Spirit is your gift,
a gift none can take away;
grant that your servants may grow
into the fullness of the stature of Christ.
Fill them with the joy of your presence.
Increase in them the fruit of your Spirit:
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of love, patience and gentleness,
the spirit of wonder and true holiness.
The Bishop lays hands on each candidate in silence, and then says
Come, Creator Spirit,
rekindle in N. your gifts of grace,
to love and serve as a disciple of Christ.
All Amen.
Renew her/his life in Christ
and bring to completion
all that your calling has begun.
All Amen.
Anointing the candidate with the Oil of Chrism, the Bishop says
Empower your disciple
to bring life to the world.
All Amen.
After the Bishop has anointed both candidates, he says
Living God, sustain all your people
to be hope and strength to the world;
through Jesus Christ, our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be honour and glory, now and for ever.
All Amen.
PEACE
Renewed in the Spirit, we meet in Christ’s name.
Let us share his peace.
OFFERTORY HYMN NEH 373 How shall I sing that majesty (Tune 'Coe Fen')
1 How shall I sing that Majesty
which angels do admire?
Let dust in dust and silence lie;
sing, sing, ye heavenly choir.
Thousands of thousands stand around
thy throne, O God most high;
ten thousand times ten thousand sound
thy praise; but who am I?
2 Thy brightness unto them appears,
whilst I thy footsteps trace;
a sound of God comes to my ears;
but they behold thy face:
they sing because thou art their sun:
Lord, send a beam on me;
for where heaven is but once begun,
there alleluyas be.
3 Enlighten with faith's light my heart,
inflame it with love's fire;
then shall I sing and bear a part
with that celestial choir.
I shall, I fear, be dark and cold,
with all my fire and light;
yet when thou dost accept their gold,
Lord, treasure up my mite.
4 How great a being Lord, is thine,
which doth all beings keep!
Thy knowledge is the only line
to sound so vast a deep:
thou art a sea without a shore,
a sun without a sphere;
thy time is now and evermore,
thy place is everywhere.
PRAYERS OF OFFERING
Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.
Through your goodness we have this bread to offer
which earth has given and human hands have made.
It will become for us the bread of life.
Blessed be God for ever.
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation.
Through your goodness we have this wine to offer,
fruit of the vine and work of human hands.
It will become the cup of our salvation.
Blessed be God for ever.
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.
Worship and praise belong to you, Father,
in every place and at all times.
All power is yours.
You created the heavens and established the earth;
you sustain in being all that is.
In Christ your Son, our life and yours
are brought together in a wonderful exchange.
He made his home among us
that we might for ever dwell in you.
Through your Holy Spirit
you call us to new birth
in a creation restored by love.
As children of your redeeming purpose,
we offer you our praise,
with angels and archangels
and the whole company of heaven,
singing the hymn of your unending glory:
SANCTUS AND BENEDICTUS
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Hosanna, Hosanna, hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Glory and thanksgiving be to you,
most loving Father,
for the gift of your Son born in human flesh.
He is the Word existing beyond time,
both source and final purpose,
bringing to wholeness all that is made.
Obedient to your will he died upon the Cross.
By your power you raised him from the dead.
He broke the bonds of evil
and set your people free
to be his Body in the world.
On the night when he was given up to death,
knowing that his hour had come,
having loved his own,
he loved them to the end.
At supper with his disciples
he took bread and offered you thanks.
He broke the bread, and gave it to them, saying:
“Take, eat. This is my Body:
it is broken for you.”
After supper, he took the cup,
he offered you thanks, and gave it to them saying:
“Drink this, all of you.
This is my Blood of the new covenant;
it is poured out for you, and for all,
that sins may be forgiven.
Do this in remembrance of me.”
We now obey your Son's command.
We recall his blessed passion and death,
his glorious resurrection and ascension;
and we look for the coming of his Kingdom.
Made one with him, we offer you these gifts
and with them ourselves,
a single, holy, living sacrifice.
Hear us, most merciful God,
and send your Holy Spirit upon us
and upon this bread and this wine,
that, overshadowed by his life-giving power,
they may be the Body and Blood of your Son,
and we may be kindled with the fire of your love
and renewed for the service of your Kingdom.
Help us, who are baptised into the
fellowship of Christ's Body
to live and work to your praise and glory;
may we grow together in unity and love
until at last, in your new creation,
we enter into our heritage
in the company of the Virgin Mary,
the apostles, and prophets,
and of all our brothers and sisters
living and departed.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord,
with whom, and in whom,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory be to you,
Lord of all ages,
world without end. Amen.
THE FRACTION
The living bread is broken for the life of the world.
Lord, unite us in this sign.
As our Saviour Christ has commanded and 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.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory
For ever and ever. Amen.
AGNUS DEI
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Have mercy, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world,
Grant us, grant us peace.
INVITATION
Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
Happy are we who are called to share this supper.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,
but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
COMM HYMN 305 Soul of my Saviour (Anima Christi)
1 Soul of my Saviour, sanctify my breast,
Body of Christ, be thou my saving guest,
Blood of my Saviour, bathe me in thy tide,
Wash me with water flowing from thy side.
2 Strength and protection may thy passion be,
O blessèd Jesu, hear and answer me;
Deep in thy wounds, Lord, hide and shelter me,
So shall I never, never part from thee.
3 Guard and defend me from the foe malign,
In death's dread moments make me only thine:
Call me and bid me come to thee on high
Where I may praise thee with thy saints for ay.
THANKSGIVING AND SENDING OUT
Give thanks to the Lord, he is gracious.
And his mercy endures for ever.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
Loving God,
your steadfast purpose is the completion of all things in your Son.
May we who have received the pledges of the kingdom,
live by faith, walk in hope and be renewed in love,
until the world reflects your glory and you are all in all;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
BLESSING:
The peace of God which passes all understanding,
keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God
and of Jesus Christ our Lord:
And the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen
DISMISSAL
Let us go in peace, to love and serve the Lord.
In the Name of Christ. Amen.
FINAL HYMN : NEH 372 He who would valiant be (Monk's Gate)
1 He who would valiant be
'Gainst all disaster,
Let him in constancy
Follow the master.
There's no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.
2 Who so beset him round
With dismal stories,
Do but themselves confound -
His strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might,
Though he with giants fight:
He will make good his right
To be a pilgrim.
3 Hobgoblin nor foul fiend
can daunt his spirit;
he knows he at the end
shall life inherit.
Then, fancies, fly away;
he'll not fear what men say;
he'll labour night and day
to be a pilgrim.
ORGAN VOLUNTARY: