St. Giles’ Cathedral
Morning Service at 9.30am
Ascension Sunday
12th May 2024
Organ Music
David Briggs Ricercare on Llanfair
William McKie Romance
Introit
When I consider thy heavens
O Lord our Lord
How excellent is thy name in all the earth!
Who has set thy glory above the heavens.
When I consider the heavens
the work of thy fingers,
the moon and the stars which thou hast ordained.
Text: Psalm 8
Music: Stuart Murray-Mitchell
Processional Hymn
Lift up your hearts, believers!
This is the holy day
when Jesus, our Redeemer,
completes salvation's way.
The forty days are over,
and clouds shine high and bright
as Christ, the overcomer,
is lifted from our sight.
Lift up your hearts, believers!
Ye gates, lift up your heads!
Though minds be full of wonder,
though souls be filled with dread.
The Spirit has been promised,
and, though we are alone,
we wait until the moment
when fire and wind are known.
Lift up your hearts believers!
And do not be downcast,
for Jesus, our Redeemer,
receives the crown at last.
The thorns of crucifixion
are changed to stars of light,
and Christ, the Lord of glory,
is named as God's delight.
Lift up your hearts, believers!
This is the holy day
when Jesus, our Redeemer,
completes salvation's way.
Text: Author unknown
Music: St Theodulph CH4 446 Later form of a melody by Melchior Teschner c.1615
Invitation
Confession
God of mercy, God of love, in humbleness of heart we confess our sins. We forget to love and serve you, and wander from your ways. We are careless of your world, and put its life in danger. We talk of our concern for others, but fail to match our words with action.
Kyrie Eleison sung by the Choir
Kyrie Eleison
Christe Eleison
Kyrie Eleison
Missa brevis K194 W.A.Mozart
Declaration of forgiveness
Gloria patri sung by the choir (Ridout)
First Lesson Acts 1 1-11
Metrical Psalm
The Lord doth reign, and clothed is he
with majesty most bright;
his works do show him clothed to be,
and girt about with might.
The world is also stablished,
that it cannot depart.
Thy throne is fixed of old, and thou
from everlasting art.
The floods, O Lord, have lifted up,
they lifted up their voice;
the floods have lifted up their waves,
and made a mighty noise.
But yet the Lord, that is on high,
is more of might by far
than noise of many waters is,
of great sea-billows are.
Thy testimonies every one
in faithfulness excel;
and holiness for ever, Lord,
thine house becometh well.
Text: Scottish Psalter 1929 Psalm 93
Music: Stroudwater from Wilkins’s Psalmody c.1730
The Gospel St Luke 24 44-53
The Sermon
The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Ghost,
Born of the Virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, dead, and buried:
He descended into hell;
The third day he rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Ghost;
The Holy Catholic Church;
The Communion of Saints;
The Forgiveness of sins;
The Resurrection of the body,
And the Life everlasting.
The Offering
The Intercessions
Gloria in Excelsis sung by the choir
Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty.
O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us.
For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Missa brevis K194 W.A.Mozart
Thanksgiving
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 our thanks and praise
Prayer
Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy,
Lord God of Hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Glory be to you, O Lord Most High.
Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord:
Hosanna in the highest.
Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in 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.
Agnus Dei
Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world,
Have mercy upon us.
Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world,
Grant us your peace.
Holy Communion
During Communion the Choir sings
Agnus Dei
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, grant us your peace.
Music: W.A.Mozart 1756-1791
Prayer
Hymn
Look, ye saints, the sight is glorious;
see the Man of Sorrows now,
from the fight returned victorious;
every knee to him shall bow:
Crown him! crown him! crown him! crown him!
crowns become the victor's brow.
Crown the Saviour, angels crown him!
Rich the trophies Jesus brings;
in the seat of power enthrone him,
while the vault of heaven rings.
Crown him! crown him! crown him! crown him!
crown the Saviour King of kings!
Sinners in derision crowned him,
Mocked the dying Saviour's claim;
saints and angels crowd around him,
own his title, praise his name.
Crown him! crown him! crown him! crown him!
spread abroad the Victor's fame.
Hark, those bursts of acclamation!
hark, those loud triumphant chords!
Jesus takes the highest station:
Oh, what joy the sight affords.
Crown him! crown him! crown him! crown him!
King of kings, and Lord of lords!
Text: Thomas Kelly 1769-1854
Tune: Regent Square CH4 439 Henry Smart 1813-79
Benediction
Organ Voluntary
Marco Lo Muscio New Litanies
CCL Licence No 980930
Streaming Licence 57837
The service was conducted by The Rev Dr George J Whyte