St. Giles’ Cathedral
Morning Service at 11am
16th Sunday after Trinity
15th September 2024
Organ Music
Herbert Howells Master Tallis’s Testament
Marcel Dupré Berceuse (Suite Bretonne)
Introit
Blessed is the man
Blessed is the man that hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stood in the way of sinners: and hath not sat in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the Lord:
and in his law will he exercise himself day and night
Text: Psalm 1: 1-2
Music: Noel de Jongh b.1930
Processional Hymn
The Lord of heaven confess;
on high his glory raise.
Him let all angels bless,
him all his armies praise.
Him glorify
sun, moon, and stars;
ye higher spheres,
and cloudy sky.
From God your beings are,
him therefore famous make;
you all created were,
when he the word but spake.
And from that place,
where fixed you be
by his decree,
you cannot pass.
Praise God from earth below,
ye dragons, and ye deeps:
fire, hail, clouds, wind, and snow,
whom in command he keeps.
Praise ye his name,
hills great and small,
trees low and tall,
beasts wild and tame.
All things that creep or fly.
Ye kings, ye vulgar throng,
all princes mean or high;
both men and women young,
even young and old,
exalt his Name;
for much his fame
should be extolled.
Oh, let God's name be praised
above both earth and sky;
for he his saints hath raised,
and set their horn on high;
even those that be
of Israel's race,
near to his grace.
The Lord praise ye.
Text: George Wither 1588-1667 From Psalm 148
Tune: St John CH4 104 Perhaps by W.H.Havergal 1793-1870
Scripture Sentences
The Preces
O Lord open thou our lips
John Sanders 1933-2003
Bidding
Prayer
Collect
Eternal God, you call your church to witness that in Christ we are reconciled to you, and through you, to one another and to your whole creation. Help us so to proclaim the Good News of your love, that all who hear it may turn to you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
First Lesson Proverbs 1 20-33
The Choir sings PSALM 19
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.
There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard.
Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them hath he set a tabernacle for the sun,
Which is as a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a strong man to run a race.
His going forth is from the end of the heaven, and his circuit unto the ends of it: and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof.
The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.
The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.
Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.
Who can understand his errors? cleanse thou me from secret faults.
Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.
Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge.
Second Lesson St Mark 8 27-38
Hymn
Touch the earth lightly,
use the earth gently,
nourish the life of the world in our care:
gift of great wonder,
ours to surrender,
trust for the children tomorrow will bear.
We who endanger,
who create hunger,
agents of death for all creatures that live,
we who would foster
clouds of disaster -
God of our planet, forestall and forgive!
Let there be greening,
birth from the burning,
water that blesses and air that is sweet,
health in God's garden,
hope in God's children,
regeneration that peace will complete.
God of all living,
God of all loving,
God of the seedling, the snow and the sun,
teach us, deflect us,
Christ reconnect us,
using us gently, and making us one.
Text: Shirley Elena Murray b.1931
Tune: Tenderness CH4 243 Colin Alexander Gibson b.1933
Sermon
Anthem
Factus est repente
Suddenly there came a sound from heaven,
as of a mighty wind coming where they were sitting,
Alleluia;
and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit,
speaking the wonderful works of God,
Alleluia.
Music: James MacMillan b.1959
The Offering
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.
Hymn
Great God of every shining constellation
that wheels in splendour through the midnight sky;
grant us your Spirit's true illumination
to read the secrets of your work on high.
You, Lord, have made the atom's hidden forces;
your laws its mighty energies fulfil;
teach us, to whom you give such rich resources,
in all we use, to serve your holy will.
True life, awaking life in cell and tissue,
from flower to bird, from beast to humankind;
help us to trace, from birth to final issue,
the sure unfolding purpose of your mind.
You, Lord, have stamped your image on your creatures,
And, though we mar that image, love us still;
lift up our eyes to Christ, that in his features
we may discern the beauty of your will.
Lord of creation, shaping and renewing,
at work in nature and humanity;
help us to tread, with grace our souls enduing,
the road to life and immortality.
Text: Albert Frederick Bayly 1901-1984
Music: Highwood CH4 246 R.R.Terry 1865-1938
Benediction
Organ Voluntary
J.S.Bach Prelude in E minor BWV 543
CCL Licence No 980930
Streaming Licence 57837
The service was conducted by The Rev. Sigrid Marten