St. Giles’ Cathedral
Morning Service at 11am
22nd Sunday after Trinity
Academic Service
27th October 2024
Organ Music
Gordon Jacob Festal Flourish
J.S.Bach Komm, Gott, Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist BWV 667
Herbert Howells Psalm Prelude Set 2 No 2
Introit
Praise the Lord, O my soul
Praise the Lord, O my soul:
O Lord my God thou art become exceeding glorious;
thou art clothed with majesty and honour
Text: Psalm 104 1
Music: Andrew Millington b.1952
Processional Hymn
Sing, all creation, sing to God in gladness;
joyously serve him, singing hymns of homage,
chanting his praises, come before his presence:
praise the Almighty!
Know that our God is Lord of all the ages;
he is our maker; we are all his creatures,
people he fashioned, sheep he leads to pasture:
praise the Almighty!
Enter his temple, ringing out his praises;
sing in thanksgiving as you come before him;
blessing his bounty, glorify his greatness:
praise the Almighty!
Great in his goodness is the Lord we worship;
steadfast his kindness, love that knows no ending;
faithful his word is, changeless, everlasting:
praise the Almighty!
Text: James Quinn 1919-2010
Tune: Christe Sanctorum CH4 64 Paris Antiphoner 1681 Harmonised David Evans 1874-1948
Scripture Sentences
The Preces
O Lord open thou our lips
Andrew Carvel b.1989
Bidding
Prayer
Collect
God of creation, you have made us, you nurture us in your care, and you offer to sustain us again and again with your love. Show us how to love our neighbours and ourselves, and teach us to delight in your wisdom, that we will know the way of gratitude and thanksgiving. In Christ’s name we pray. Amen
First Lesson Jeremiah 17 5-8
Read by Cllr Robert Aldridge
The Rt Hon Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh
The Choir sings PSALM 126
When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream.
Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, The Lord hath done great things for them.
The Lord hath done great things for us; whereof we are glad.
Turn again our captivity, O Lord, as the streams in the south.
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.
He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.
Second Lesson St Matthew 14 22-33
Hymn
Lord, speak to me, that I may speak
in living echoes of your tone;
as you have sought, so let me seek
your erring children lost and lone.
O lead me, Lord, that I may lead
the wandering and the wavering feet;
O feed me, Lord, that I may feed
your hungering ones with manna sweet.
O strengthen me, that, while I stand
firm on the rock, secure and free,
I may stretch out a loving hand
to wrestlers with the troubled sea.
O teach me, Lord, that I may teach
the precious things which you impart;
and wing my words, that they may reach
the hidden depths of many a heart.
O use me, Lord, use even me,
just as you will, and when, and where,
until at last your face I see,
your rest, your joy, your glory share.
Text: Frances Ridley Havergal 1836-1879
Tune: Winscott CH4 542 S.S.Wesley 1810-1876
Sermon
Cui bono?
What is hope? A smiling rainbow
Children follow through the wet;
‘Tis not here, still yonder, yonder:
Never urchin found it yet.
What is life? A thawing iceboard
On a sea with sunny shore:-
Gay we sail; it melts beneath us;
We are sunk, and seen no more.
What is man? A foolish baby,
Vainly strives, and fights, and frets;
Demanding all, deserving nothing;-
One small grave is all he gets.
Thomas Carlyle 1795-1881
Nay, This is Hope
Nay, this is Hope: a gentle dove,
That nestles in the gentle breast,
Bringing glad tidings from above
Of joys to come and heavenly rest.
And this is Life: ethereal fire
Striving aloft through smothering clay;
Mounting, flaming, higher, higher!
Till lost in immortality.
And Man- Oh! hate not nor despise
The fairest, lordliest work of God!
Think not He made the good and wise
Only to sleep beneath the sod!
Jane Welsh Carlyle 1801-1866
Anthem
All wisdom cometh from the Lord
All wisdom cometh from the Lord,
And is with Him for ever.
Who can number the sand of the sea and the drops of rain and the days of eternity?
Who can find out the height of heav’n and the breadth of the earth and the deep and wisdom.
Wisdom hath been created before all things and the understanding of prudence from everlasting.
The word of God most high is the fountain of wisdom, and her ways are everlasting commandments.
To whom hath the root of wisdom been revealed? Or who hath known wise counsels? There is one wise and greatly to be feared, the Lord sitting upon his throne. He created her, and saw her and number’d her, and pured her out upon all his works. She is with all flesh according to his gifts, and he hath given her to them that love him.
The fear of the Lord is honour and glory and gladness, and a crown of rejoicing. The fear of the Lord maketh a merry heart and bringeth joy and gladness, and a long life.
Teach me O Lord the way of thy statutes: and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding and I shall keep thy law; yeaI shall keep it with my whole heart.
Make me to go in the way of thy commandments: for therein is my desire.
O stablish thy word in thy servant: that I may fear thee.
Behold my delight is in thy commandments: O quicken me in thy righteousness.
Text: Ecclesiasticus 1 1-6, 8-12 Psalm 119 33-35, 38-40
Music: Philip Moore b.1943
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
As a fire is meant for burning
with a bright and warming flame,
so the church is meant for mission,
giving glory to God's name.
Not to preach our creeds or customs,
but to build a bridge of care,
we join hands across the nations,
finding neighbours ev'rywhere.
We are learners; we are teachers;
we are pilgrims on the way.
We are seekers; we are givers;
we are vessels made of clay.
By our gentle, loving actions,
we would show that Christ is light.
In a humble, list'ning Spirit,
we would live to God's delight.
As a green bud in the springtime
is a sign of life renewed,
so may we be signs of oneness
'mid earth's peoples, many hued.
As a rainbow lights the heavens
when a storm is past and gone,
may our lives reflect the radiance
of God's new and glorious dawn.
Text: Ruth C. Duck b.1947
Music: Beach Spring CH4 252 American Traditional
Benediction
Organ Voluntary
Eugène Gigout Grand Choeur Dialogué
CCL Licence No 980930
Streaming Licence 57837
The service was conducted by The Rev. Dr George J. Whyte
The preacher was Rev. Professor Alison M. Jack
New College, University of Edinburgh