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The Gathering

Our worship begins at the sound of the bell, please stand as the sacred ministers enter, during which the introit hymn is sung.

All creatures of our God and King,
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 heav’n along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
Ye lights of evening, find a voice:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Thou flowing water, pure and clear,
Make music for thy Lord to hear,
Alleluia, alleluia!
Thou fire so masterful and bright,
That givest us both warmth and light:
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Dear mother earth, who day by day
Unfoldest blessings on our way,
O praise him, alleluia!
The flow’rs and fruits that in thee grow,
Let him his glory also show.
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

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.
O praise him, O praise him,
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Words: William Henry Draper (1855-1933) alt.
based on the ‘Cantico di Frate Sole’ of St Francis of Assisi (1182-1226)
Music: melody from ‘Geistliche Kirchengesang’, Cologne (1623)
arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
Hymn Tune: LASST UNS ERFREUEN

The Greeting

Welcome in the name of Christ.
God’s grace, mercy and peace be with you.

And also with you.

Introduction and Welcome

From Lisa Broadest, Head of Operations, Leeds Museums and Galleries

Welcome to this service that marks the acquisition of this house and gardens by the City of Leeds on the 19th September 1922.

At that time provision was made that annually, around that date, a service of Holy Communion according to the rites of the Church of England is to take place. For almost one hundred years the parish of St. Mary Whitkirk, in which the house and grounds are located, has offered that Holy Eucharist.

This evening we particularly welcome the Earl of Halifax whose grandfather was the last person to hold the house and estate in private ownership, together with representatives of our city, among them, the Lord Mayor, Councillor Asghar Khan and the Bishop of Kirkstall, Paul Slater, the Area Bishop for Leeds who is presiding and preaching.

Invitation to Confession

Matthew Peat, Vicar of Whitkirk

As we gather here, let us recall some words of scripture as we reflect on the year since we last met; “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labour in vain.”

Loving God, we confess to you
our lack of care for the world you have given us.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

We confess to you
our selfishness in not sharing the earth’s bounty fairly.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

We confess to you
our failure to protect resources for others.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

The almighty and merciful Lord
grant you pardon and forgiveness of all your sins,
time for amendment of life,
and the grace and strength of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

Gloria in Excelsis

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.

The Collect

The president introduces a period of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’.

Lord of creation
whose glory is around and within us:
open our eyes to your wonders,
that we may serve you with reverence and justice
sharing your peace with all your people,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

Please sit.

A reading from the Prophet Isaiah.

Read by the Earl of Halifax.

To whom then will you liken God, or what likeness compare with him? An idol? A workman casts it, and a goldsmith overlays it with gold, and casts for it silver chains. As a gift one chooses mulberry wood, wood that will not rot then seeks out a skilled artisan to set up an image that will not topple.

Have you not known? Have you not heard? Has it not been told you from the beginning? Have you not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he who sits above the circle of the earth, and its inhabitants are like grasshoppers; who stretches out the heavens like a curtain, and spreads them like a tent to live in; who brings princes to naught, and makes the rulers of the earth as nothing.

Scarcely are they planted, scarcely sown, scarcely has their stem taken root in the earth, when he blows upon them, and they wither, and the tempest carries them off like stubble.

To whom then will you compare me, or who is my equal? says the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing.

Isaiah 40:18-26

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Please stand as the gradual hymn is sung. At the end of the hymn please remain standing as the Gospel for the day is read.

For the fruits of his creation,
Thanks be to God;
For his gifts to ev’ry nation,
Thanks be to God;
For the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
Silent growth while we are sleeping,
Future needs in earth’s safe keeping,
Thanks be to God.

In the just reward of labour,
God’s will is done;
In the help we give our neighbour,
God’s will is done;
In our world-wide task of caring
For the hungry and despairing,
In the harvests we are sharing,
God’s will is done.

For the harvests of his Spirit,
Thanks be to God;
For the good we all inherit,
Thanks be to God;
For the wonders that astound us,
For the truths that still confound us,
Most of all, that love has found us,
Thanks be to God.

Words: Fred Pratt Green (1903-2000)
Music: Francis Jackson (b. 1917)
Hymn Tune: EAST ACKLAM

Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, according to Luke.

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat, or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!

And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? If then you are not able to do so small a thing as that, why do you worry about the rest?

Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you — you of little faith!

And do not keep striving for what you are to eat and what you are to drink, and do not keep worrying. For it is the nations of the world that strive after all these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, strive for his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

Luke 12:22-31

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Please sit after the preacher, The Right Reverend Paul Slater, Bishop of Kirkstall, leads us in prayer.

The Nicene Creed

Please stand with the president.

Let us declare our faith in God.

We believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all that is,
seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
eternally begotten of the Father,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
of one Being with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary
and was made man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried.
On the third day he rose again
in accordance with the Scriptures;
he ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.
Amen.

Prayers of Intercession

Following an invitation to pray from the intercessor we sit to pray.

The response to the bidding

Lord, in your mercy.

Hear our prayer.

then at the end

Merciful Father,

accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.

The Liturgy of the Sacrament

Please stand with the president.

The Peace

Peace to this house from God our heavenly Father.
Peace to this house from his Son who is our peace.
Peace to this house from the Holy Spirit, the life-giver.

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Preparation of the Table

The table is prepared and bread and wine are placed upon it.

A hymn is sung.

Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
The Holy One, is here;
Come, bow before him now,
With reverence and fear.
In him no sin is found,
We stand on holy ground.
Be still, for the presence of the Lord,
The Holy One, is here.

Be still, for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around;
He burns with holy fire,
With splendour he is crowned.
How awesome is the sight,
Our radiant King of Light!
Be still, for the glory of the Lord
Is shining all around.

Be still, for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place,
He comes to cleanse and heal,
To minister his grace.
No work too hard for him,
In faith receive from him;
Be still, for the power of the Lord
Is moving in this place.

Words: David Evans (b. 1957)
Music: David Evans (b. 1957) arr. Norman Warren (b. 1934)

Taking of the Bread and Wine

Wise and gracious God,
you spread a table before us;
nourish your people with the word of life
and the bread of heaven.

Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer (A)

Please sit.

The Lord is here.

His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give thanks and praise.

Hearts and minds and souls and voices
we lift in thanks and praise to you,
Lord God of heaven and earth.
You made the earth as a playground
for us to enjoy your glory
and yet we consistently turn your abundance
into our scarcity,
your elegance into our meanness
and your simplicity into our corruption.
In Noah you drew all the goodness
of your creation into one ark
and in Moses you placed the law of love
into the ark of your covenant.
In Christ you turned the wood of manger and cross
into the ark of your salvation.
And so we rejoice to thank you, singing,
with all the company of heaven,
the hymn of your unending praise.

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Accept our praises, heavenly Father,
through your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ,
and as we follow his example and obey his command,
grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit
these gifts of bread and wine
may be to us his body and his blood;
who, in the same night that he was betrayed,
took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke 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.

In the same way, after supper
he took the cup and gave you thanks;
he gave it to them, saying:
Drink this, all of you;
this is my blood of the new covenant,
which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.

Therefore, heavenly Father,
we remember his offering of himself
made once for all upon the cross;
we proclaim his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension;
we look for the coming of your kingdom,
and with this bread and this cup
we make the memorial of Christ your Son our Lord.

Great is the mystery of faith:

Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.

Accept through him, our great high priest,
this our sacrifice of thanks and praise,
and as we eat and drink these holy gifts
in the presence of your divine majesty,
renew us by your Spirit,
inspire us with your love
and unite us in the body of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Through him, and with him, and in him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
with all who stand before you in earth and heaven,
we worship you, Father almighty,
in songs of everlasting praise:

Blessing and honour and glory and power
be yours for ever and ever.
Amen.

Silence is kept.

The Lord’s Prayer

Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught 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.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

The president breaks the consecrated bread.

We break this bread
to share in the body of Christ.

Though we are many, we are one body,
because we all share in one bread.

Invitation to Communion

God’s holy gifts
for God’s holy people.

Jesus Christ is holy,
Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.

The president and people receive communion. At the giving of communion, the president receives communion in both kinds. The words of distribution (“The body and blood of Christ, broken/shed for us all”) are spoken to the congregation, and all who intend to receive reply with “Amen”.

At the distribution, please follow the guidance offered by the stewards. Holy Communion is administered without speaking and the consecrated bread is dropped into the hands of communicants. To reduce the risk of spreading any infection, communion will be in one kind (bread) only. This is still considered to be complete communion by the Church of England.

For those at home it might be helpful to use this prayer during the distribution.

Make clean our hearts, O God and renew a right spirit within us,
that we may seek to serve you in joy and gladness
and bring others into the glory of your love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever and ever.
Amen.

The Post Communion Prayer

Please stand with the president who introduces a time of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’.

God our Father,
whose Son, the light unfailing,
has come from heaven to deliver the world
from the darkness of ignorance:
let these holy mysteries open the eyes of our
understanding that we may know the way of life,
and walk in it without stumbling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Then the Lord Mayor of Leeds offers this prayer.

We give thanks and praise for this house and grounds
for all who work and volunteer here
and we look forward with hope
commending the coming year to God’s care
praying that all who visit this place
may rest in the beauty of creation,
learn something of our history
enjoying time alone or with friends and family
leaving renewed
to love and serve you, our loving God.

Amen.

A hymn is sung.

O praise ye the Lord!
Praise him in the height;
Rejoice in his word,
Ye angels of light;
Ye heavens adore him
By whom ye were made,
And worship before him,
In brightness arrayed.

O praise ye the Lord!
Praise him upon earth,
In tuneful accord,
Ye sons of new birth;
Praise him who has brought you
His grace from above,
Praise him who has taught you
To sing of his love.

O praise ye the Lord!
All things that give sound;
Each jubilant chord,
Re-echo around;
Loud organs, his glory
Forth tell in deep tone,
And sweet harp, the story
Of what he has done.

O praise ye the Lord!
Thanksgiving and song
To him be outpoured
All ages along:
For love in creation,
For heaven restored,
For grace of salvation,
O praise ye the Lord!

Words: Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877)
based on Psalms 148 and 150
Music: Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848-1918)
Hymn Tune: LAUDATE DOMINUM (PARRY)

The Dismissal

The Blessing

May God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who is the source of all goodness and growth,
pour his blessing upon all things created,
and upon you his children,
that you may use his gifts to his glory
and the welfare of all peoples;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.

Amen.

The Dismissal

Let us bless the Lord:

Thanks be to God.

Blessing, honour and glory be yours,
here and everywhere,
now and for ever.

Amen.


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St Mary’s is a charity which receives no funding from the government and is entirely dependent on donations and fees to keep operating.

If you'd like to donate to support our work you can give contactlessly as you leave the building by tapping your contactless card device against our card reader. You can also leave cash in the offering plate by the door.

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All creatures of our God and King
Words © J. Curwen & Sons
Music © Oxford University Press

Communion Setting
© The Royal School of Church Music

For the fruits of his creation
Words © Stainer & Bell Ltd
Music © F. Jackson

Be still, for the presence of the Lord
© Kingsway’s Thankyou Music

Music during Holy Communion
© Kevin Mayhew Ltd

Lead me, Lord
© Kevin Mayhew Ltd

Organ Voluntary
© Kevin Mayhew Ltd

CCL licence: 668063