PALM SUNDAY
StMarysRegina is on Mixlr
March 24, 2024
Organ Prelude: Pastorale – Gordon Young (1919-1998)
LITURGY OF THE PALMS.
Entrance of the Ministers. Please stand.
Minister: Hosanna to the Son of David!
People: Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, during Lent we have been preparing by works of love and self-sacrifice for the celebration of our Lord’s death and resurrection. Today we come together to begin this solemn celebration in union with the Church throughout the world. Christ enters his own city to complete his work as our Saviour, to suffer, to die, and to rise again. Let us go with him in faith and love, so that, united with him in his sufferings, we may share his risen life.
BLESSING AND OF THE PALMS
The Lord be with you.
And with thy Spirit.
Let us pray.
Bless, O Lord, we pray these branches of the palm tree, that as thy people outwardly with their bodies do worship thee, so inwardly in their souls they may serve thee with pure devotion, that they may be victorious over the assaults of the enemy, and cleave steadfastly unto all good works; through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who with thee, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, liveth and reigneth. On God, world without end. Amen.
Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Matthew.
Glory be to thee, O Lord.
And when they drew near to Jerusalem and came to Beth′phage, to the Mount of Olives, then Jesus sent two disciples, saying to them, “Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find an ass tied, and a colt with her; untie them and bring them to me. If any one says anything to you, you shall say, ‘The Lord has need of them,’ and he will send them immediately.” This took place to fulfil what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Tell the daughter of Zion, Behold, your king is coming to you,humble, and mounted on an ass, and on a colt, the foal of an ass.” The disciples went and did as Jesus had directed them; they brought the ass and the colt, and put their garments on them, and he sat thereon. Most of the crowd spread their garments on the road, and others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. And the crowds that went before him and that followed him shouted, “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” 1And when he entered Jerusalem, all the city was stirred, saying, “Who is this?” 11 And the crowds said, “This is the prophet Jesus from Nazareth of Galilee.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise be to thee, O Christ.
Antiphon
The children of the Hebrews, carrying the ` palms ` and `olive branches;/went `forth `to` meet `the `Lord.
Crying`out`and `saying;/Ho`sa`na `in `the `highest.
THE earth is the LORD’S, and all that `therein `is; / the compass of the world, and `they that `dwell there`in.
For he hath founded it up`on the `seas, / and es`tablished it ~up`on the `floods.
WHO shall ascend into the `hill of ~ the ` LORD? / or who shall `stand ~in his ` holy `place?
Even he that hath clean hands, and a `pure ` heart; / and that hath not lift up his mind unto vanity, nor ` sworn ~ to de` ceive his ` neighbour.
He shall receive a blessing ` from the `LORD, / and righteousness from the ` God of ` his sal` vation.
This is the generation of ` them that ` seek him; / even of them that seek thy ` face, O ` God of ` Jacob.
LIFT up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye ever` lasting ` doors; / and the King of ` glory ` shall come ` in.
Who is the ` King of ` glory? / it is the LORD strong and mighty, even the ` LORD `mighty in ` battle.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye ever` lasting ` doors; / and the King of ` glory ` shall come ` in.
Who is the ` King of ` glory? / even the LORD of hosts, ` he ~is the ` King of ` glory.
The children of the Hebrews, carrying the ` palms ` and `olive branches;/went `forth ` to` meet the Lord.
Crying` out` and `saying;/ Ho`sa`na `in `the `highest.
Let us pray.
O Lord Jesus Christ, who art our King and Redeemer, in whose honour we bear these branches while declaring thy solemn praises: Mercifully grant thy grace and heavenly benediction may descend wherever these branches shall be taken, and by thy mighty power defend those whom thou has redeemed from all assaults of the enemy. This we ask in thy Name, O Lord, who livest and reignest with the Father and the Holy Ghost, one God, world without end. Amen.
Let us go forth in peace.
IN the Name of Christ
HYMN IN PROCESSION: ALL GLORY LAUD AND HONOUR
All glory, laud, and honor,
to thee, Redeemer, King,
to whom the lips of children
made sweet hosannas ring.
Thou art the King of Israel,
thou David’s royal Son,
who in the Lord’s name comest,
the King and Blessed One.
The company of angels
are praising thee on high,
and we with all creation
in chorus make reply.
The people of the Hebrews
with psalms before thee went;
our prayer and praise and anthems
before thee we present.
To thee, before thy passion,
they sang their hymns of praise;
to thee, now high exalted,
our melody we raise.
Within that blessed City
Thy praises may we sing
And ever raise hosannas
To our most loving King.
The character of the service changes from the joyfulness at the entrance of Jesus into the holy city into the solemnity of His Passion.
Lord have mercy upon us
Christ have mercy upon us
Lord, have mercy upon us.
Collect for the Day.
The Lord be with you.
And with thy Spirit.
Let us pray.
ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who, of thy tender love towards mankind, hast sent thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of his great humility: Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of his patience, and also be made partakers of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
EPISTLE: Philippians 2:5-11
Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
R./ Thanks be to God.
PSALM: 22:12-21
MY God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me, / and art so far from my help, and from the words of my complaint?
O my God, I cry in the day-time, but thou hearest not; / and in the night-season also I take no rest.
And thou continuest holy, / O thou worship of Israel.
Our fathers trusted in thee; / they trusted in thee, and thou didst deliver them.
They called upon thee, and were saved; / they put their trust in thee, and were not confounded.
But as for me, I am a worm and no man; / a very scorn of men, and the outcast of the people.
All they that see me laugh me to scorn; / they shoot out their lips, and shake their heads,
Saying, ‘He trusted in God, that he would deliver him; / let him deliver him, if he delighteth in him.’
But thou art he that took me from the womb; / thou wast my hope, when I hanged yet upon my mother’s breasts.
I have been left unto thee ever since I was born; / thou art my God even from my mother’s womb.
O go not from me, for trouble is hard at hand, / and there is none to help me. MANY oxen are come about me; / strong bulls of Bashan close me in on every side.
They gape upon me with their mouths, / as it were a ramping and a roaring lion.
I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint; / my heart also in the midst of my body is even like melting wax.
My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue cleaveth to my gums, / and thou bringest me into the dust of death.
For many dogs are come about me, / and the council of the wicked layeth siege against me.
They pierced my hands and my feet; I may count all my bones: / they stand staring and looking upon me.
They part my garments among them, / and cast lots upon my vesture.
But be not thou far from me, O LORD; / thou art my succour, haste thee to help me.
Deliver my soul from the sword, / and my life from the power of the dog.
Save me from the Lion’s mouth; / thou hast heard me also from among the horns of the wild oxen.
THE HYMN: # 191 To Mock Your Reign
To mock your reign, O dearest Lord,
they made a crown of thorns;
set you with taunts along that road
from which no one returns.
They did not know, as we do now,
that glorious is your crown;
that thorns would flower upon your brow,
your sorrows heal our own.
In mock acclaim, O gracious Lord,
they snatched a purple cloak,
your passion turned, for all they cared,
into a soldier’s joke.
They did not know, as we do now,
that though we merit blame
you will your robe of mercy throw
around our naked shame.
A sceptered reed, O patient Lord,
they thrust into your hand,
and acted out their grim charade
to its appointed end.
They did not know, as we do now,
though empires rise and fall,
your Kingdom shall not cease to grow
till love embraces all.
THE HOLY GOSPEL: MATTHEW 27. 1-54
The congregation may be seated. A dramatic reading of the Gospel follows: ( N) Narrator. (+) Jesus, (P) Other persons. The part of the crowd (C) is taken by the whole congregation. We stand as indicated.
N When morning came, all the chief priests and the elders of the people took counsel against Jesus to put him to death; and they bound him and led him away and delivered him to Pilate the governor. When Judas, his betrayer, saw that he was condemned, he repented and brought back the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders, saying,
P “I have sinned in betraying innocent blood…”
N They said,
P “What is that to us? See to it yourself.”
N And throwing down the pieces of silver in the temple, he departed; and he went and hanged himself.But the chief priests, taking the pieces of silver, said,
P : “It is not lawful to put them into the treasury, since they are blood money.”
N So they took counsel, and bought with them the potter’s field, to bury strangers in. Therefore that field has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then was fulfilled what had been spoken by the prophet Jeremiah, saying, “And they took the thirty pieces of silver, the price of him on whom a price had been set by some of the sons of Israel, and they gave them for the potter’s field, as the Lord directed me.” Now Jesus stood before the governor; and the governor asked him,
P “Are you the King of the Jews?”
N Jesus said,
+ “You have said so.”
N But when he was accused by the chief priests and elders, he made no answer. Then Pilate said to him,
P “Do you not hear how many things they testify against you?”
N But he gave him no answer, not even to a single charge; so that the governor wondered greatly. Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to release for the crowd any one prisoner whom they wanted. And they had then a notorious prisoner, called Barab’bas. So when they had gathered, Pilate said to them,
P “Whom do you want me to release for you, Barab’bas or Jesus who is called Christ?”
N For he knew that it was out of envy that they had delivered him up. Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him,
P “Have nothing to do with that righteous man, for I have suffered much over him today in a dream.”
N Now the chief priests and the elders persuaded the people to ask for Barab’bas and destroy Jesus. The governor again said to them,
P “Which of the two do you want me to release for you?” And they said,
C “BARABBAS”
N Pilate said to them,
P “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?”
N They all said,
C “LET HIM BE CRUCIFIED”
N And he said,
P “Why, what evil has he done?”
N But they shouted all the more,
C “LET HIM BE CRUCIFIED.”
N So when Pilate saw that he was gaining nothing, but rather that a riot was beginning, he took water and washed his hands before the crowd saying,
P I am innocent of this man’s blood; see to it yourselves.” And all the people answered,
C “HIS BLOOD BE ON US AND ON OUR CHILDREN!”
N Then he released for them Barab’bas, and having scourged Jesus, delivered him to be crucified. Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the praetorium, and they gathered the whole battalion before him. And they stripped him and put a scarlet robe upon him, and plaiting a crown of thorns they put it on his head and put a reed in his right hand. And kneeling before him they mocked him, saying,
C “HAIL, KING OF THE JEWS!”
N And they spat upon him, and took the reed and struck him on the head. And when they had mocked him, they stripped him of the robe, and put his own clothes on him, and led him away to crucify him. As they went out, they came upon a man of Cyre’ne, Simon by name; this man they compelled to carry his cross. And when they came to a place called Gol’gotha (which means the place of the skull) they offered him wine to drink, mingled with gall, but when he tasted it, he would not drink it.
Please stand.
And when they had crucified him, they divided his garments among them by casting lots then they sat down and kept watch over him there. And over his head they put the charge against him, which read, “This is Jesus the King of the Jews…”
Then two robbers were crucified with him, one on the right and one on the left. And those who passed by derided him, wagging their heads and saying,
C YOU WHO WOULD DESTROY THE TEMPLE AND BUILD IT IN THREE DAYS. SAVE YOURSELF! IF YOU ARE THE SON OF GOD, COME DOWN FREOM THE CROSS.”
N So also the chief priests, with the scribes and elders, mocked him, saying,
P “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he desires him; for he said, “I am the Son of God.'”
A And the robbers who were crucified with him also reviled him in the same way. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land until the ninth hour. And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice,
+ “Eli, Eli, la’ma sabach-tha’ni?”
that is,
+ “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?”
And some of the bystanders hearing it said,
P “This man is calling Eli’jah.”
N And one of them at once ran and took a sponge, filled it with vinegar, and put it on a reed, and gave it to him to drink… But the others said,
P “Wait, let us see whether Elijah will come and save him.”
N And Jesus cried again with a loud voice and yielded up his spirit. And behold, thecurtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom and the earth shook, and the rocks were split; the tombs also were opened, and many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after his resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many. When the centurion and those who were with him, keeping watch over Jesus, saw the earthquake and what took place, they were filled with awe, and said,
P “Truly this was the Son of God!”
N When it was evening, there came a rich man from Arimathea, named Joseph, who was also a disciple of Jesus. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be given to him. So Joseph took the body and wrapped it in a clean linen cloth and laid it in his own new tomb, which he had hewn in the rock. He then rolled a great stone to the door of the tomb and went away. Mary Magdalene and the other Mary were there, sitting opposite the tomb. The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees gathered before Pilate and said,
P “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ Therefore command the tomb to be made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be worse than the first.”
N Pilate said to them,
P “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it as secure as you can.”
N So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone.
THE NICENE CREED
I BELIEVE in one God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, And of all things visible and invisible:
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, Begotten of the Father before all worlds; God, of God; Light, of Light; Very God, of very God; Begotten, not made; Being of one substance with the Father; Through whom all things were made: Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, And was made man, And was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate. He suffered and was buried, And the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures, And ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of the Father. And he shall come again with glory to judge both the quick and the dead: Whose kingdom shall have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Ghost, The Lord, The Giver of Life, Who proceedeth from the Father and the Son, Who with the Father and the Son together is worshipped and glorified, Who spake by the Prophets. And I believe One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church. I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the Resurrection of the dead, And the Life of the world to come. Amen.
THE SERMON
THE OFFERTORY
THE HYMN: # 596 My Song is Love Unknown
My song is love unknown–
my Savior’s love to me;
love to the loveless shown,
that they might lovely be.
Oh, who am I, that for my sake
my Lord should take frail flesh and die?
He came from His blest throne
salvation to bestow;
but men made strange, and none
the longed for Christ would know.
But oh, my Friend, my Friend indeed,
who at my need His life did spend!
Sometimes they strew His way,
and His sweet praises sing;
resounding all the day
hosannas to their King.
Then “Crucify!” is all their breath,
and for His death they thirst and cry.
Why, what hath my Lord done?
What makes this rage and spite?
He made the lame to run;
He gave the blind their sight.
Sweet injuries! Yet they at these
themselves displease,
and ‘gainst Him rise.
They rise, and needs will have
my dear Lord made away.
A murderer they save;
the Prince of Life they slay.
Yet cheerful He to suff’ring goes,
that He His foes from thence might free.
In life, no house, no home
my Lord on earth might have;
in death, no friendly tomb
but what a stranger gave.
What may I say? Heav’n was His home;
but mine the tomb wherein He lay.
Here might I stay and sing–
no story so divine!
Never was love, dear King,
never was grief like Thine.
This is my Friend, in whose sweet praise
I all my days could gladly spend.
OFFERTORY ANTHEM
BLESSED be thou, LORD God of Israel, for ever and ever. All that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine. All things come of thee, and of thine own have we given thee. 1 Chronicles 29. 10, 11, 14.
THE BIDDINGS
THE INTERCESSION.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, who by thy holy Apostle hast taught us to make prayers and supplications, and to give thanks, for all men: We humbly beseech thee most mercifully to accept our alms and oblations, and to receive these our prayers, which we offer unto thy Divine Majesty; beseeching thee to inspire continually the universal Church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord: And grant that all they that do confess thy holy Name may agree in the truth of thy holy Word, and live in unity and godly love. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
We beseech thee also to lead all nations in the way of righteousness; and so to guide and direct their governors and rulers, that thy people may enjoy the blessings of freedom and peace: And grant unto thy servant Charles III our King, and to all that are put in authority under him, that they may truly and impartially administer justice, to the maintenance of thy true religion and virtue. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
Give grace, O heavenly Father, to all Bishops, Priests, and Deacons, and specially to thy servant GREGORY our Metropolitan and Helen our Bishop, that they may both by their life and doctrine set forth thy true and living Word, and rightly and duly administer thy holy Sacraments: Prosper, we pray thee, all those who proclaim the Gospel of thy kingdom among the nations: And to all thy people give thy heavenly grace, and specially to this congregation here present, that, with meek heart and due reverence, they may hear and receive thy holy Word; truly serving thee in holiness and righteousness all the days of their life.
And we most humbly beseech thee of thy goodness, O Lord, to comfort and succourall them, who in this transitory life are in trouble, sorrow, need, sickness, or any other adversity, especially those for whom our prayers are desired.
We remember before thee, O Lord, all thy servants departed this life in thy faith and fear, and we bless thy holy Name for all who in life and death have glorified thee; beseeching thee to give us grace that, rejoicing in the fellowship of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and all the Saints, we may follow their good examples, and with them be partakers of thy heavenly kingdom. Lord in your mercy hear our prayer
Grant this, O Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake, our only Mediator and Advocate, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
CONFESSION and ABSOLUTION
YE that do truly and earnestly repent you of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbours, and intend to lead the new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in his holy ways: Draw near with faith, and take this holy Sacrament to your comfort; and make your humble confession to Almighty God, meekly kneeling upon your knees.
ALMIGHTY God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Maker of all things, Judge of all men: We acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness, Which we from time to time most grievously have committed, By thought, word, and deed, Against thy Divine Majesty. We do earnestly repent, And are heartily sorry for these our misdoings. Have mercy upon us, most merciful Father; For thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake, Forgive us all that is past; And grant that we may ever hereafter Serve and please thee In newness of life, To the honour and glory of thy Name; Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
ALMIGHTY God, our heavenly Father, who of his great mercy hath promised forgiveness of sins to all them that with hearty repentance and true faith turn unto him: Have mercy upon you; pardon and deliver you from all your sins; confirm and strengthen you in all goodness; and bring you to everlasting life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
COMFORTABLE WORDS
THANKSGIVING AND CONSECRATION
THE Lord be with you;
And with thy spirit.
Lift up your hearts;
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks unto our Lord God;
It is meet and right so to do.
Then shall the Priest turn to the Lord’s Table, and say:
IT is very meet, right, and our bounden duty, that we should at all times, and in all places give thanks unto thee, O Lord, Holy Father, Almighty, Everlasting God, Creator and Preserver of all things. THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord. Therefore with Angels, and Archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious Name; evermore praising thee and saying: (sing)
HOLY, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts,
Heaven and earth are full of thy glory. Glory be to thee, O Lord Most High.
BLESSED is he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: Hosanna in the highest.
BLESSING and glory and thanksgiving be unto thee Almighty God, our heavenly Father, who of thy tender mercy didst give thine only Son Jesus Christ to take our nature upon him, and to suffer death upon the Cross for our redemption; who made there, by his one oblation of himself once offered, a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world; and did institute, and in his holy Gospel command us to continue, a perpetual memorial of that his precious death, until his coming again.
Hear us, O merciful Father, we most humbly beseech thee; and grant that we receiving these thy creatures of bread and wine, according to thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ’s holy institution, in remembrance of his death and passion, may be partakers of his most blessed Body and Blood; who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took Bread; and, when he had given thanks, he brake it; and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat; this is my Body which is given for you: Do this in remembrance of me. Likewise after supper he took the Cup; and, when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all, of this; for this is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the remission of sins: Do this, as oft as ye shall drink it, in remembrance of me.
Wherefore, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, we thy humble servants, with all thy holy Church, remembering the precious death of thy beloved Son, his mighty resurrection, and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming again in glory, do make before thee, in this sacrament of the holy Bread of eternal life and the Cup of everlasting salvation, the memorial which he hath commanded; And we entirely desire thy fatherly goodness mercifully to accept this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, most humbly beseeching thee to grant, that by the merits and death of thy Son Jesus Christ, and through faith in his blood, we and all thy whole Church may obtain remission of our sins, and all other benefits of his passion; And we pray that by the power of thy Holy Spirit, all we who are partakers of this holy Communion may be fulfilled with thy grace and heavenly benediction; through Jesus Christ our Lord, by whom and with whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be unto thee, O Father Almighty, world without end. Amen, Amen, Amen
THE peace of the Lord be always with you;
And with thy spirit.
PRAYER OF HUMBLE ACCESS
WE do not presume to come to this thy Table, O merciful Lord, Trusting in our own righteousness, But in thy manifold and great mercies. We are not worthy So much as to gather up the crumbs under thy Table. But thou art the same Lord, Whose property is always to have mercy: Grant us therefore, gracious Lord, So to eat the Flesh of thy dear Son Jesus Christ, And to drink his Blood, That our sinful bodies may be made clean by his Body, And our souls washed through his most precious Blood, And that we may evermore dwell in him, And he in us. Amen.
O LAMB of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God, that takest away the sin of the world, grant us thy peace.
THE COMMUNION
Hymns during Communion
49 Draw Night and Take
Draw near and take the body of your Lord,
and drink with faith the blood for you outpoured.
Saved by his body, hallowed by his blood,
with souls refreshed, we give our thanks to God.
Salvation’s giver, Christ, the only Son,
by his dear cross and blood the victory won.
Let us approach with faithful hearts sincere,
and take the pledges of salvation here.
The Lord in this world rules his saints, and shields;
to all believers life eternal yields;
with heavenly bread makes those who hunger whole;
gives living waters to the thirsting soul.
Before your presence, Lord, all people bow.
In this your feast of love be with us now.
51 Now My Tongue the Mystery Telling
Now, my tongue, the mystery telling
of the glorious body sing,
and the blood, all price excelling,
which the Gentiles’ Lord and King,
in a Virgin’s womb once dwelling,
shed for this world’s ransoming.
Given for us, and condescending
to be born for us below,
he, with us in converse blending,
dwelt the seed of truth to sow,
till he closed with wondrous ending
his most patient life of woe.
That last night, at supper lying,
‘mid the Twelve, his chosen band,
Jesus, with the law complying,
keeps the feast its rites demand;
then, more precious food supplying,
gives himself with his own hand.
Word-made-flesh, true bread he maketh
by his word his flesh to be,
wine his blood; which whoso taketh
must from carnal thoughts be free:
faith alone, though sight forsaketh,
shows true hearts the mystery.
Therefore we, before him bending,
this great sacrament revere:
types and shadows have their ending,
for the newer rite is here;
faith, our outward sense befriending,
makes our inward vision clear.
Glory let us give and blessing
to the Father and the Son,
honour, might, and praise addressing,
while eternal ages run;
ever too his love confessing,
who, from both, with both is One. Amen.
52 O God Unseen Yet Ever Near.
O God, unseen yet ever near,
thy presence may we feel;
and, thus inspired with holy fear,
before thine altar kneel.
Here may thy faithful people know
the blessings of thy love,
the streams that through the desert flow,
the manna from above.
We come, obedient to thy word,
to feast on heavenly food;
our meat the body of the Lord,
our drink his precious blood.
Thus may we all thy word obey,
for we, O God, are thine;
and go rejoicing on our way,
renewed with strength divine.
THE LORD’S PRAYER
Let us pray.
OUR Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name, Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that 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. Amen.
ALMIGHTY and everliving God, we most heartily thank thee that thou dost graciously feed us, in these holy mysteries, with the spiritual food of the most precious Body and Blood of thy Son our Saviour Jesus Christ; assuring us thereby of thy favourand goodness towards us; and that we are living members of his mystical body, which is the blessed company of all faithful people; and are also heirs through hope of thy everlasting kingdom.
And here we offer and present unto thee, O Lord, ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice unto thee. And although we are unworthy, yet we beseech thee to accept this our bounden duty and service, not weighing our merits, but pardoning our offences; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with thee and the Holy Ghost, be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.
GLORIA
GLORY be to God on high, and in earth peace, good will 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 sin of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sin 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.
Anthem: O King All Glorious
O KING all glorious amid thy saintly company, / who ever shalt be praised:
Thou, O Lord, art in the midst of us, / and we are called by thy holy Name.
Leave us not, O our God; / but grant us that with a pure conscience we may duly keep the Paschal Feast,
And at the day of judgement / be placed in the number of thy Saints and chosen ones, King most blessed.
BLESSING
ANNOUNCEMENTS
HYMN: # 592 When I Survey
When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.
See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e’er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
DISMISSAL
Depart in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.
Organ Postlude: Postlude – Flor Peeters (1903-1986)