St. Giles’ Cathedral
Morning Prayer
Sunday 13th December 2020
3rd Sunday in Advent
Organ Music
J.S.Bach Nun komm der Heiden Heiland BWV 599
J.S.Bach Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottes Sohn BWV 601
J.S.Bach Adagio e dolce (Sonata III) BWV 527
Scripture Sentences and Call to Worship
Psalm 126 (responsively)
When the Lord restored the fortunes of Zion, we were like those who dream.
Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy;
then it was said among the nations, The Lord has done great things for them.’
The Lord has done great things for us, and we rejoiced.
Restore our fortunes, O Lord, like the watercourses in the Negeb.
May those who sow in tears reap with shouts of joy.
Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing,
shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
Bidding
Prayer
Prayer of Confession
Almighty and compassionate God, you have loved us with unfailing, self-giving mercy, but we have not loved you in return. You constantly call us, and yet we do not listen. You ask us to love one another, and yet we refuse to do so. In your mercy, Lord, forgive us.
Declaration of Pardon
First Lesson Isaiah 61 1-4, 8-11
Music for reflection
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth
For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people:
But the Lord shall arise and his glory shall be seen upon thee.
And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising.
The people that walked in darkness have seen a great light; And they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Text: Isaiah 60 1,2 Isaiah 9 2
Music: G.F.Handel 1685-1759
Second Lesson St John 1 6-8, 19-28
Homily
Anthem
Lift up your heads
Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors :
and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is the King of glory?
It is the Lord strong and mighty, ev’n the Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.
Text: Psalm 24
Music: Orlando Gibbons 1583-1625
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.
Prayers of Intercession
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.
The Song of Simeon
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.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son :
and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be :
world without end. Amen.
Tone iv.4
Benediction
Organ Voluntary
Dieterich Buxtehude Praeludium in D minor BuxWV 140
CCL Licence No 980930
Streaming Licence 57837
The service was conducted by Rev Craig Meek
The cantor was Hugh Hillyard-Parker
The organ was played by Michael Harris, Organist and Master of the Music
The anthem was recorded in 2004 by the Choir of St Giles’ Cathedral, Michael Harris, Organist and Master of the Music.