Category: Choral Evensong

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Choral Evensong

Sunday 5th February 2023 – 15:15

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Choral Evensong at Saint Patrick’s Cathedral is a tiny fragment of something else: it is part of the worship which is offered to God by people every hour of the day and night, in every corner of the world. When you come to Evensong here, it is as if you are dropping in on a conversation already in progress – a conversation between God and his people. So do not be surprised or concerned if there are some parts that you do not understand straight away.

Evensong is drawn almost entirely from the Bible. Much of the language spoken and sung in this service is that spoken by worshippers more than four hundred years ago. It may sound old-fashioned, but its meaning is not out of date. We invite you to allow the music and words to speak to you in the beauty and peace of this place.

Pioneer ministry is a growing movement within the Church of Ireland to reach those with little or no connection to hurch. It will encourage, support and release pioneers and new ministries to share the good news of Jesus Christ in new places and in different ways.

The Church of Ireland, and many other church traditions, are encountering tidal wave of cultural change that has dramatically impacted habits of belief and any sense of belonging to the church. North, South, East, and West, there are now many more people in our communities who have no engagement with the church and no understanding of the Christian message. Chaplaincies, parishes and dioceses are wrestling with how to bridge this growing gap, and pioneer ministry seeks to help. New approaches to ministry – Pioneer Ministries – will work alongside traditional models to cross cultural barriers and reach those who have maybe forgotten, or waked away or even know nothing at all, of the good news of Jesus Christ.

Pioneer Ministry is at the behest of, and fully endorsed by, the House of Bishops. Generous funding has been secured from the Representative Body to establish a Pioneer Leadership Team who are being commissioned here today. A Pioneer Ministry Fund will also help significantly in the selection, training and deployment of new employed and volunteer pioneers and their respective projects across the whole church. In May 2023 a Pioneer Ministry Council will be established as a body of the General Synod to oversee, champion and advocate for Pioneer Ministry.

Thank you very much for coming – The Pioneer Leadership Team.


For more comprehensive information and how to get involved , please visit www.pioneerministry.org or email the National Director at rob@pioneerminsitry.org 

You are invited to say the text in bold in English. 

Order of Service

Please stand as the Minister sings

Let us pray.

Please remain standing whilst the Choir and Clergy enter the stalls

Please remain standing to sing the

Hymn

 

1. We have a gospel to proclaim,
Good news for men in all the earth;
The gospel of a Saviour’s name:
We sing his glory, tell his worth.

2. Tell of his birth at Bethlehem,
Not in a royal house or hall,
But in the stable dark and dim:
The Word made flesh, a light for all.

3. Tell of his death at Calvary,
Hated by those he came to save;
In lonely suffering on the cross
For all he loved, his life he gave.

4. Tell of that glorious Easter morn:
Empty the tomb, for he was free;
He broke the power of death and hell
That we might share his victory.

5. Tell of his reign at God’s right hand,
By all creation glorified;
He sends his Spirit on his Church
To live for him the Lamb who died.

6. Now we rejoice to name him King;
Jesus is Lord of all the earth:
This gospel message we proclaim;
We sing his glory, tell his worth.

Edward Burns (b.1938) William Gardiner (1815)

 

Please remain standing

A representative of each of the Church of Ireland’s eleven dioceses lights a candle of hope which will be presented to every Diocesan Bishop over the coming months as a symbol of unity and our common vision for Pioneer Ministry.
A prayer led by the Reverend Rebecca Hamilton who will work alongside and support the Pioneer Leadership Team:

Disturb us, Lord, when we are too well pleased with ourselves, when our dreams have come true because we have dreamed too little, when we arrive safely because we sailed too close to the shore. Disturb us, Lord, when with the abundance of things we possess, we have lost our thirst for the waters of life, having fallen in love with life, we have ceased to dream of eternity, and in our efforts to build a new earth, we have allowed our vision of the new heaven to dim. Disturb us, Lord, to dare more boldly, to venture on wider seas, where storms will show your mastery, where losing sight of land, we shall find the stars. We ask you to push back the horizon of our hopes, and to push us into the future in strength, courage, hope, and love. This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord, the author and pioneer of our faith. Amen.

 

The WELCOME

The Very Reverend W. W. Morton, B.Th., M.A., Ph.D., M.Mus., D.Litt.
Dean and Ordinary

 

The Minister and Choir sing the

Preces and Responses

O Lord, open thou our lips.
And our mouth shall show 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.

Please sit as the Choir sings the 

PSALM 118, vv 19–29

Open me the gates of righteousness: that I may go into them, and give thanks unto the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord: the righteous shall enter into it. I will thank thee, for thou hast heard me: and art become my salvation. The same stone which the builders refused: is become the head-stone in the corner. This is the Lord’s doing: and it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it. Help me now, O Lord: O Lord, send us now prosperity. Blessed be he that cometh in the Name of the Lord: we wish you good luck from the house of the Lord. God is the Lord who hath shewed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, yea, even unto the horns of the altar. Thou art my God, and I will thank thee: thou art my God, and I will praise thee. O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is gracious: and his mercy endureth for ever.

Please stand for

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 for the

Please stand as the Choir sings 

MAGNIFICAT

Service in G; Charles Wood (1866–1926)

Please sit for the 

Please stand as the Choir sings 

NUNC DIMITTIS

Service in G; Charles Wood (1866–1926)

Please remain standing to say the 

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. Amen.

The Minister and Choir sing the 

SUFFRAGES AND RESPONSES

The Lord be with you.
And with thy spirit.
Let us pray.

Please kneel or sit, according to your custom

Lord, have mercy upon us.
Christ, have mercy upon us.
Lord, have mercy upon us.

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 those who 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.

O Lord, guide and defend our rulers.
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.

The Minister intones the 

God and Father, Lord of all the world, through thy Son thou hast called us into the fellowship of thy universal Church; hear our prayer for thy faithful people, that each in their vocation and ministry may be an instrument of thy love, and grant to thy servants now to be commissioned, the needful gifts of grace; through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. 

Amen.

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 

Amen.

Please stand for

Hymn

1. Lord, you give the great commission:
‘Heal the sick and preach the Word.’
Lest the Church neglect her mission
And the Gospel go unheard,
Help us witness to your purpose
With renewed integrity:
With the Spirit’s gifts empower us
For the work of ministry.

2. Lord, you call us to your service:
‘In my name baptize and teach.’
That the world may trust your promise,
Life abundant meant for each;
Give us all new fervour, draw us
Closer in community:
With the Spirit’s gifts empower us
For the work of ministry.

3. Lord, you make the common holy:
‘This my Body, this my Blood.’
Let us all, for earth’s true glory,
Daily lift life heavenward,
Asking that the world around us
Share your children’s liberty:
With the Spirit’s gifts empower us
For the work of ministry.

4. Lord, you show us love’s true measure:
‘Father, what they do, forgive.’
Yet we hoard as private treasure
All that you so freely give.
May your care and mercy lead us
To a just society:
With the Spirit’s gifts empower us
For the work of ministry.

Jeffrey Rowthorn (1973)

The Revd Cyril Vincent Taylor (1907–91)

 

THE SERMON

Preacher: The Most Reverend A. T. G. John, LL.B., B.A.,
Archbishop of Wales

 

Please stand

THE COMMISSIONING of the Pioneer Ministry team by the Most Reverend F. J. McDowell, Archbishop of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland and Metropolitan;

and the Most Reverend M. G. St A. Jackson, Archbishop of Dublin and Bishop of Glendalough, Primate of Ireland and Metropolitan

 

Pioneer Leadership Team

Mrs Ingrid Brennan – Pioneer Ministry Personal Assistant

The Reverend Rob Jones – Pioneer Ministry National Director

The Venerable Barry Forde – Pioneer Ministry Operations and Strategy

The Archbishop of Armagh says

Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you’ And with that he breathed on them and said, ‘Receive the Holy Spirit’. We make this our prayer as we commission you as a team and appoint you as pioneer enablers within the Church of Ireland.

 

The Archbishop of Dublin says

As you follow God’s call, are you ready to dedicate yourselves afresh to God’s service, to share your lives and learning as pioneers to offer your resources and talents to serve the Church of Ireland?

 

Members of the team respond: We are.

 

The Archbishop of Armagh says

As followers of Jesus will you yourselves continue to embrace a journey of prayer, faith and risk in the kingdom of God?

 

Members of the team respond: With God’s help, we will.

 

The Archbishop of Dublin says

 

Will you commit to pioneering in all its various forms, constantly seeking unity and new ways to communicate God’s love in this generation and encouraging the Church to flourish in new ways on this Island?

 

Members of the team respond: With God’s help, we will.

 

The Archbishop of Armagh says

 

Will you commit yourselves to follow God’s call and be led by the Holy Spirit, as you support and encourage the Church of Ireland in this new initiative with a heart to release a movement ?

 

Members of the team respond: With God’s help, we will.

 

The Archbishops of Armagh and of Dublin say, with the laying on of hands:

 

We commission you in Jesus’ name. Receive the Holy Spirit, and may God grant you grace and peace, strength, favour and inspiration. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord!

 

The Archbishops address the People

 

Will all you gathered here commit to support and encourage them in their new ministry?

 

 

The People respond

 

With the help of God, and in the name of Christ, we will.

 

The People express their support and appreciation.

 

Please sit

 

We sing as one  Young Oceans

Sadhbh Dennedy  Soloist  

Taylor Mehl and Caitlín Escobar  Accompaniment

 

THE OCCASIONAL PRAYERS

 

A Minister says

Let us pray.

 

Please kneel or sit, according to your custom

 

THE RESPONSORY

 

Led by the Reverend Canon Phil Potter

Consultant and Adviser to the Pioneer Leadership Team

 

There are varieties of gifts:

But the same Spirit.

There are varieties of service:

But the same Lord.

There are different kinds of working:

But the same God is at work in all.

There is one body, one Spirit, one hope in God’s call:

One Lord, one faith, one baptism.

There is one God, Father of all, over all and in all:

To whom Christ ascended on high.

And through his Spirit he gives us gifts:

Some are apostles, some are his prophets;

Evangelists, pastors and teachers he gives us:

So that we can minister together

To build up his body:

To be mature in the fullness of Christ.

 

Prayers led by Miss Sarah Louise Hockey (Church Army Evangelist); the Reverend Doctor Maurice Elliott C.I.T.I.); Mrs Lucy Hill (24/7 Prayer Ireland); Mr David Richie (R.C.B.); Mr Dom Perrem (Alpha Ireland); and Miss Romila Ghosh (U.C.D. National Young Adults).

 

The Prayers conclude with this PRAYER, and THE GRACE, said by all:

 

Almighty God, source of our hope and of all good things; you call us in love to share in the work of creation in making all things new. Bless this new endeavour and may we be faithful in our worship; confident in our discipleship; and joyful in our service; that, through Pioneer Ministry, the Church may grow in its mission and in the love you have for each one of us; made known to us in your Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

 

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, evermore. Amen.

Please stand to sing

Hymn

A collection is made during this hymn for Jobcare, an Irish charity that pioneers ways to give unemployed people skills, training and support needed to find work.

 

Donate to Jobcare

1. Go forth and tell! O Church of God, awake!

    God’s saving news to all the nations take:

    Proclaim Christ Jesus, Saviour, Lord and King,

    That all the world his worthy praise may sing.

 

2. Go forth and tell! God’s love embraces all;

    He will in grace respond to all who call:

    How shall they call if they have never heard

    The gracious invitation of his word?

 

3. Go forth and tell where still the darkness lies;

    In wealth or want, the sinner surely dies:

    Give us, O Lord, concern of heart and mind,

    A love like yours which cares for all mankind.

 

4. Go forth and tell! The doors are open wide:

    Share God’s good gifts – let no one be denied;

    Live out your life as Christ your Lord shall choose,

    Your ransomed powers for his sole glory use.

 

5. Go forth and tell! O Church of God arise!

    Go in the strength which Christ your Lord supplies;

    Go till all nations his great name adore

    And serve him, Lord and King for evermore.

 

James Seddon (1915–83)

Walter Greatorex (1877–1949)

 

 

The Blessing

The Archbishop of Armagh and the Archbishop of Dublin

 

Please stand as the Choir and Clergy depart. 

Please remain at your seat for the duration of the 

ORGAN VOLUNTARY

Postlude in D minor  (Opus 105) Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924)

Donations

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