St. Giles’ Cathedral
Morning Service at 11am
3rd Sunday after Epiphany
Sunday 28th January 2024
Organ Music
J.S.Bach Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin BWV 616
Percy Whitlock Carol
Introit
Sacerdotes domini
Then did priests make offering of incense and loaves of finest wheat to God:
and therefore shall they be holy to their Lord and shall not defile his most holy name. Alleluia.
Music: William Byrd c1540-1623
Processional Hymn
Praise to the Lord, the Almighty, the King of creation;
praise God, my soul, for in him are your health and salvation:
come all who hear,
into his presence draw near,
joining in glad adoration.
Praise to the Lord, who in all things is wondrously reigning,
shields you from harm and is gently yet firmly sustaining.
Have you not seen
how your heart’s wishes have been
granted by God’s wise ordaining?
Praise to the Lord, who with blessing and power will defend you;
surely his goodness and mercy shall daily attend you;
ponder anew
what the Almighty can do,
God will for ever befriend you.
Praise to the Lord! O let all that is in me adore him!
All that has life and breath, come now with praises before him!
Let the Amen
sound from God’s people again:
gladly for ever adore him.
Text: J.Neander (1650-1680) Tr. Catherine Winkworth and others
Tune: Lobe den Herren CH4 124 Melody from Praxis Pietatis Melica 1668
Scripture Sentences
The Preces
O Lord open thou our lips
Richard Shephard 1949-2021
Bidding
Prayer
Collect
God of compassion, you have shown us in Christ that your love is never-ending. Enable us to love you with all our hearts and to love one another as Christ loved us. Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen
First Lesson 1 Corinthians 8 1-13
The Choir sings the Psalm 111
The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.
His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.
He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the Lord is gracious and full of compassion.
He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.
He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.
The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.
They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.
Second Lesson St Mark 1 21 -28
Hymn
Come down, O Love divine,
seek out this soul of mine,
and visit it with your own ardour glowing;
O comforter, draw near,
within my heart appear,
and kindle it, your holy flame bestowing.
O let it freely burn,
till earthly passions turn
to dust and ashes, in its heat consuming;
and let your glorious light
shine ever on my sight,
and clothe me round, the while my path illuming.
Let holy charity
my outward vesture be,
and lowliness become my inner clothing;
true lowliness of heart,
which takes the humbler part,
and o'er its own shortcomings weeps with loathing.
And so the yearning strong,
with which the soul will long,
shall far outpass the power of human telling;
we cannot guess its grace,
till we become the place
wherein the Holy Spirit makes a dwelling.
Text: Bianco da Siena d.1434 Tr. Richard Littledale 1833-1890
Music: Down Ampney CH4 489 R.Vaughan Williams 1872-1958
Sermon
Anthem
Nunc Dimittis
Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen : thy salvation,
Which thou hast prepared : before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles : and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Text: St Luke 2 29-32
Music: Gustav Holst 1874-1934
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
O for a thousand tongues to sing
my great redeemer's praise,
the glories of my God and king,
the triumphs of his grace!
Jesus! the name that charms our fears,
that bids our sorrows cease;
'tis music in the sinner's ears,
'tis life, and health, and peace.
He breaks the power of cancelled sin,
he sets the prisoner free;
his blood can make the foulest clean,
his blood availed for me.
He speaks; and, listening to his voice,
new life the dead receive;
the mournful, broken hearts rejoice;
the humble poor believe.
Hear him, ye deaf; his praise, ye dumb,
your loosened tongues employ;
you blind, behold your Saviour come;
and leap, ye lame, for joy!
My gracious Master and my God,
assist me to proclaim
to spread through all the earth abroad
the honours of thy Name.
Text: Charles Wesley 1707-1843
Music: Richmond CH4 352 (i) Melody by Thomas Haweis
Benediction
Organ Voluntary
Georg Muffat Toccata Decima
CCL Licence No 980930
Streaming Licence 57837
The service was conducted by The Rev Sigrid Marten