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Solemn Choral Evensong

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Solemn Choral Evensong Solemn Choral Evensong Easter Day Sunday 4 April 2021 3.00pm Welcome to Southwark Cathedral Set on the south bank of the River Thames in one of the most vibrant and diverse communities in London, this building has been a constant witness in a place of change. The first church was built on this site around the year 606. First a convent, then a monastery, it became in 1106 the Augustinian Priory of St Mary Overie. With Westminster Abbey and St Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield it is one of the three remaining great monastic churches of London. At the Reformation the Priory became a parish church and it remains so for the people of Bankside. In 1905, as south London was rapidly expanding, the church was consecrated as the cathedral for the new Diocese of Southwark. As well as a place of constant witness to our faith in Jesus Christ, this church has a momentous and proud history and has had links with many famous and influential characters including St Thomas Becket, Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. In the 20th century this cathedral was at the heart of the new movement in theology termed ‘South Bank Religion’. This movement asked challenging questions of people about faith in the modern age which continue to be explored at Southwark Cathedral which describes itself as ‘inclusive: faithful: radical’. Whatever has brought you here today, you are most welcome.Become part of the life here if you can; it will change your life as you encounter with us our living God. — Responses Bernard Rose Setting Evening Service in G · Herbert Sumsion Christians have maintained the rhythm of daily prayer on this site for over 1000 years. Beginning with the College of Priests established here by St Swithun in the 9th century, the Augustinian Canons who built the Priory Church of St Mary Overie further developed the monastic life in this part of Southwark. This monastic foundation remained until the Reformation. However, the closing of the Priory did not see the end of the daily round of prayer. Since that time the priests who ministered to the Parish of St Saviours, and since 1905 by the Chapter and Choir of the Cathedral Church of St Saviour and St Mary Overie, the daily offices have been, and are, continuously said and sung. The service of Evening Prayer in which we share this afternoon comes directly from the Book of Common Prayer (1662). This book, often described as the ‘Jewel of the English language’ is the work of Archbishop Thomas Cranmer. In a masterful way he managed to take the medieval daily offices of the church and create two services – Morning and Evening Prayer, which have become synonymous with the Anglican tradition from his day until our own. Evening Prayer is based around the monastic offices of Vespers and Compline. It is made up of psalms, readings from the Old and New Testaments, two canticles and a number of responses and prayers. 4 Canticles – which literally means ‘little songs’ – are an important part of this act of worship. Traditionally the Magnificat and the Nunc dimittis are said or sung at Evensong. Both come from St Luke’s Gospel. The Magnificat is the song that Mary, the Mother of Jesus sings in response to the news that she is to be the mother of God’s son. It is a song full of the hope of salvation. The Nunc Dimittis is the song sung by Simeon when he encounters Jesus in the Temple on the occasion of his Presentation. The old man sings of the child as the fulfilment of the promises of God. 5 This service forms the end of the keeping of the Triduum – the Great Three Days – at Southwark Cathedral. However, the joy of Easter and the resurrection does not end here. Our celebrations continue for the next 50 days – until we arrive at the day of Pentecost. Alleluia, Christ is risen! He is risen indeed, alleluia! 6 Please stand as the Clergy and Choir enter. Sentence from Scripture O give thanks unto the Lord, and call upon his name: tell the people what things he hath done. Psalm 105. 1 Versicles and Responses Sung by the Choir. O Lord, open thou our lips And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise. O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. 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. Praise ye the Lord; The Lord’s name be praised. 7 Please sit. Psalm Psalm 66. 1–11 Sung by the Choir. O be joyful in God, all ye lands: sing praises unto the honour of his Name, make his praise to be glorious. Say unto God, O how wonderful art thou in thy works: through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies be found liars unto thee. For all the world shall worship thee: sing of thee, and praise thy Name. O come hither, and behold the works of God: how wonderful he is in his doing toward the children of men. He turned the sea into dry land: so that they went through the water on foot; there did we rejoice thereof. 8 He ruleth with his power for ever; his eyes behold the people: and such as will not believe shall not be able to exalt themselves. O praise our God, ye people: and make the voice of his praise to be heard; Who holdeth our soul in life: and suffereth not our feet to slip. For thou, O God, hast proved us: thou also hast tried us, like as silver is tried. Thou broughtest us into the snare: and laidest trouble upon our loins. Thou sufferedst men to ride over our heads: we went through fire and water, and thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place. Please stand. 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. Please sit. 9 First Lesson Ezekiel 37. 1–14 Please stand for the Magnificat Sung by the Choir. During the Magnificat the Nave, Paschal Candle and people are censed. My soul doth magnify the Lord: and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded: the lowliness of his hand-maiden. For behold, from henceforth: all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me: and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him: throughout all generations. 10 He hath shewed strength with his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat: and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he has sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel: as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. 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. Please sit. Second Lesson Luke 24. 13–35 Please stand for the 11 Nunc Dimittis Sung by the Choir. 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. 12 The Apostles’ Creed All 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. Amen. 13 Lesser Litany, Lord’s Prayer and Responses Sung by the Choir. The Lord be with you; And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. 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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen. O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us; And grant us thy salvation. 14 O Lord, save the Queen; And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee. Endue thy ministers with righteousness; And make thy chosen people joyful. O Lord, save thy people; And bless thine inheritance. Give peace in our time, O Lord; Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God. O God, make clean our hearts within us; And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
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