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A Service to Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies

Wednesday 6 May 2009 11.00 am HISTORICAL NOTE

NAFAS, the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies, is an educational charity dedicated to the promotion of the artistic use of all types of plant material through the medium of its flower clubs for both adults and children.

NAFAS is concerned about the environment and members uphold the principles of conservation and preservation of rare and endangered plants and flowers.

With approximately 1,300 clubs and 75,000 members throughout the , NAFAS is in a unique position to encourage the art of flower arranging through demonstrations, classes, exhibitions, festivals, and show-work.

NAFAS is affiliated to the Royal Horticultural Society and is a founder member of the World Association of Flower Arrangers.

The many member Clubs throughout the British Isles, and also a number of the overseas associates, have been and continue to be responsible for thousands of and festivals. It encourages a very high standard of artistic beauty and meticulous organisation. Festivals have varied in scope from simple ones in country churches using only garden flowers to resplendent spectacles involving hundreds of flower arrangers in St Paul’s Cathedral, , and Westminster Abbey.

2 Most of the church, with the exception of the North , is served by a hearing loop. Users should turn their hearing aid to the setting marked T.

Please ensure that mobile phones, cellular phones, and pagers are switched OFF.

The service is conducted by The Very Reverend Dr , of Westminster.

The service is sung by the Westminster Abbey Special Service , conducted by James O’Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers.

The organ is played by Robert Quinney, Sub-Organist.

Music before the service:

James McVinnie, Assistant Organist, plays:

Allegro maestoso from Sonata in G Op 28 Edward Elgar (1857-1934)

Sonata in C minor Percy Whitlock (1903-46) ii. Canzona iii. Scherzetto

The Lord Mayor of Westminster Locum Tenens is received at the Great West by The Dean and Chapter of Westminster. All stand as The Lord Mayor Locum Tenens is conducted to his seat in the Quire, and then sit.

3 4 ORDER OF SERVICE

All stand as the Choir and Clergy move to the Great West Door. The Choir sings

THE INTROIT

EEP me as the apple of an eye: hide me under the shadow of thy K wings.

Humphrey Clucas (b 1941) Psalm 17: 8

All remain standing to sing

THE HYMN

during which the Collegiate Procession moves to places in the Quire and Sacrarium

LL creatures of our God and King, A lift up your voice and with us sing Alleluia, alleluia! Thou burning sun with golden beam, thou silver moon with softer gleam: O praise him, O praise him, Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Thou rushing wind that art so strong, ye clouds that sail in heaven along, O praise him, Alleluia! Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice, ye lights of evening, find a voice:

Thou flowing water, pure and clear, make music for thy Lord to hear, Alleluia, alleluia! Thou fire so masterful and bright, that givest man both warmth and light:

5 Dear mother earth, who day by day unfoldest blessings on our way, O praise him, Alleluia! The flowers and fruits that in thee grow, let them his glory also show:

Let all things their Creator bless, and worship him in humbleness, O praise him, Alleluia! Praise, praise the Father, praise the Son, and praise the Spirit, three in One:

Lasst uns erfreuen 263 NEH Francis of Assisi (1182-1226) (1872-1958) translated by William Draper (1855-1933) after a melody in Geistliche Kirchengesäng Cologne, 1623

All remain standing. The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, , says

THE BIDDING

ELCOME to Westminster Abbey. Many of you have been actively W engaged in preparing for this flower festival and for this service. Your work has added contemporary freshness to this venerable building, which is itself both ancient and forever new. On behalf of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster, I thank you all.

We come to praise almighty God for his wonderful creation, to rejoice in the beauty of flowers, to celebrate the gifts of flower arrangers, and to delight in the fifty-year history and wide reach of the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies.

O all ye green things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord. O ye children of men, bless ye the Lord. Let us praise him and magnify him for ever.

The Song of the Three 54; 60

6 All sit. Pat Martin, Chairman, Westminster Abbey Festival of Flowers Committee 2009, reads

1 CHRONICLES 16: 29-34

SCRIBE to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering, and Acome before him. Worship the Lord in holy splendour; tremble before him, all the earth. The world is firmly established; it shall never be moved. Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice, and let them say among the nations, ‘The Lord is king!’ Let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the Lord, for he comes to judge the earth. O give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever.

All remain seated. The Choir sings

BENEDICITE

ALL ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and O magnify him for ever. O ye angels of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye heavens, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye waters that be above the firmament, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O all ye powers of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye sun, and moon, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye stars of heaven, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye showers, and dew, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye winds of God, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye fire and heat, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye winter and summer, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye dews, and frosts, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye frost and cold, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.

7 O ye ice and snow, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye nights, and days, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye light and darkness, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye lightnings, and clouds, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O let the earth bless the Lord: yea, let it praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye mountains, and hills, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O all ye green things upon the earth, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye wells, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye seas, and floods, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. All ye fowls of the air, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O all ye beasts, and cattle, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye children of men, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O let Israel bless the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye servants of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye spirits and souls of the righteous, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O ye holy and humble men of heart, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever. O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.

LORY be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Ghost; G as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen.

Malcolm Archer (b 1952) The Song of the Three 35-65

8 All remain seated. Dorothy Irvin, NAFAS National President, reads PHILIPPIANS 4: 2-9 URGE Euodia and I urge Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. I Yes, and I ask you also, my loyal companion, help these women, for they have struggled beside me in the work of the gospel, together with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

All stand to sing THE HYMN HEN morning gilds the skies, Wmy heart awaking cries, may Jesus Christ be praised: Alike at work and prayer to Jesus I repair; may Jesus Christ be praised.

The night becomes as day, when from the heart we say, may Jesus Christ be praised: The powers of darkness fear, when this sweet chant they hear, may Jesus Christ be praised.

In heaven’s eternal bliss the loveliest strain is this, may Jesus Christ be praised: Let air, and sea, and sky from depth to height reply, may Jesus Christ be praised.

9 Be this, while life is mine, my canticle divine, may Jesus Christ be praised: Be this the eternal song through all the ages on, may Jesus Christ be praised.

Laudes Domini 473 NEH German, 19th century, Joseph Barnby (1838-96) translated by Edward Caswall (1814-78)

All sit for THE ADDRESS by The Dean

The Reverend Michael Macey, Minor of Westminster, leads

THE PRAYERS

N the power of the Spirit and in union with Christ, let us pray to the I Father. All kneel or remain seated.

We rejoice in the splendour of creation and give thanks to God for the beauty of flowers; for their diversity in colour, shape, and scent; for their simple yet intricate design; and for the warmth and joy they bring. Lord, hear us; Lord, graciously hear us.

For the skill and dedication of those who arrange flowers for the enjoyment of others. On this the 50th anniversary of the founding of NAFAS, let us give thanks for Mary Pope, Founder President; and for all who have contributed to the life of this Association. Lord, hear us; Lord, graciously hear us.

Let us pray that all flower arranging societies and clubs throughout the country may be places of welcome, fellowship, and support; where friendships may blossom and creativity flourish. Lord, hear us; Lord, graciously hear us.

10 We give thanks for those who have worked to bring about this magnificent festival; for the imagination of the designers, for the determination of its organisers, and for the beauty of this Abbey Church. Lord, hear us; Lord, graciously hear us.

And let us pray that through this festival we may be inspired to rejoice in God’s creation and strive to be wise and generous stewards of all that he has given us. Lord, hear us; Lord, graciously hear us.

All these our prayers and praises let us now present before our heavenly Father, in the prayer our Saviour Christ has taught us:

UR Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy O 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 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. Amen.

All sit. The Choir sings

THE ANTHEM

OR the beauty of the earth, FFor the beauty of the skies, For the love which from our birth Over and around us lies, Lord of all, to thee we raise This our joyful hymn of praise.

For the beauty of each hour Of the day and of the night, Hill and vale and tree and flower, Sun and moon and stars of light,

For the joy of human love, Brother, sister, parent, child, Friends on earth and friends above, For all gentle thoughts and mild,

11 For each perfect gift of thine, To our race so freely given, Graces human and divine, Flowers of earth and buds of heaven,

John Rutter (b 1945) Folliott Sandford Pierpoint (1835-1917)

All remain seated. Valerie Best, NAFAS National Chairman, reads

SONG OF THE FLOWER XXIII

AM a kind word uttered and repeated I by the voice of nature; I am a star fallen from the blue tent upon the green carpet.

I am the daughter of the elements with whom winter conceived; to whom spring gave birth; I was reared in the lap of summer and I slept in the bed of autumn.

At dawn I unite with the breeze to announce the coming of light; at eventide I join the birds in bidding the light farewell.

The plains are decorated with my beautiful colours, and the air is scented with my fragrance.

As I embrace slumber the eyes of night watch over me, and as I awaken I stare at the sun, which is the only eye of the day.

I drink dew for wine, and hearken to the voices of the birds, and dance to the rhythmic swaying of the grass.

12 I am the lover’s gift; I am the wedding wreath; I am the memory of a moment of happiness; I am the last gift of the living to the dead; I am a part of joy and a part of sorrow.

But I look up high to see only the light, and never look down to see my shadow. This is wisdom which man must learn.

Khalil Gibran (1883-1931)

All stand to sing

THE HYMN

EJOICE! the Lord is King. R Your Lord and King adore; mortals, give thanks and sing, and triumph evermore: lift up your heart, lift up your voice; rejoice, again I say, rejoice.

Jesus, the Saviour, reigns, the God of truth and love; when he had purged our stains, he took his seat above:

His kingdom cannot fail; he rules o’er earth and heaven; the keys of death and hell are to our Jesus given:

He sits at God’s right hand till all his foes submit, and bow to his command, and fall beneath his feet:

Gopsal 443 NEH Charles Wesley (1707-88) (1685-1759)

13 All remain standing. The Dean pronounces

THE BLESSING

O forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that G which is good; render to no-one evil for evil; strengthen the faint- hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen.

Music after the service:

A tempo ordinario e staccato – Allegro Georg Frideric Handel from Organ Concerto arranged by William Thomas Best in B flat Op 4 no 2 (1826-97)

All remain standing as the Procession moves to the west end of the church.

Members of the Congregation are requested to remain in their places until directed to move by the Stewards.

The bells of the Abbey Church are rung.

Hymns covered by Christian Copyright Licensing (Europe) Ltd are reproduced under CCL no 1040271

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