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.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
Bow down before him, his glory proclaim;
With gold of obedience and incense of lowliness,
Kneel and adore him: the Lord is his name.

Low at his feet lay thy burden of carefulness;
High on his heart he will bear it for thee,
Comfort thy sorrows, and answer thy prayerfulness,
Guiding thy steps as may best for thee be.

Fear not to enter his courts in the slenderness
Of the poor wealth thou wouldst reckon as thine:
Truth in its beauty, and love in its tenderness,
These are the off’rings to lay on his shrine.

These, though we bring them in trembling and fearfulness,
He will accept for the name that is dear;
Mornings of joy give for ev’nings of tearfulness,
Trust for our trembling and hope for our fear.

O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness;
Bow down before him, his glory proclaim;
With gold of obedience and incense of lowliness,
Kneel and adore him: the Lord is his name. 

Words: John Samuel Bewley Monsell (1811-1875)
Music: melody from the ‘Rheinhardt MS’, Üttingen (1754)
Hymn Tune: WAS LEBET

In the name of the Father,
and of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The Greeting

Grace, mercy and peace
from God our Father
and the Lord Jesus Christ
be with you

and also with you.

Words of Welcome

Invitation to Confession

When Christ appears we shall be like him,
because we shall see him as he is.
As he is pure,
all who have grasped this hope make themselves pure.
So let us confess our sins that mar his image in us.

Silence is kept.

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you,
through our own fault,
in thought, and word, and deed,
and in what we have left undone.
We are heartily sorry,
and repent of all our sins.
For your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name.
Amen.

May almighty God have mercy on you,
forgive you your sins,
and bring you to everlasting life.

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’.

Father in heaven,
whose Son Jesus Christ was wonderfully transfigured
before chosen witnesses upon the holy mountain,
and spoke of the exodus he would accomplish at Jerusalem:
give us strength so to hear his voice and bear our cross
that in the world to come we may see him as he is;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.

Amen.

The Liturgy of the Word

Please sit.

A reading from the book of Daniel.

As I watched, thrones were set in place, and an Ancient One took his throne, his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames, and its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and flowed out from his presence. A thousand thousand served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood attending him. The court sat in judgement, and the books were opened. As I watched in the night visions, I saw one like a human being coming with the clouds of heaven. And he came to the Ancient One and was presented before him. To him was given dominion and glory and kingship, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that shall not pass away, and his kingship is one that shall never be destroyed.

Daniel 7.9,10,13,14

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Please stand as the gradual hymn is sung. During the hymn a procession will make its way to the centre of the nave from where the Gospel for the day is read. To symbolise our desire to turn to Christ in our daily lives, at the end of the hymn we remain standing and turn to face the place where the Gospel is proclaimed.

’Tis good, Lord, to be here!
Thy glory fills the night;
Thy face and garments, like the sun,
Shine with unborrowed light.

’Tis good, Lord, to be here,
Thy beauty to behold,
Where Moses and Elijah stand,
Thy messengers of old.

Fulfiller of the past,
Promise of things to be,
We hail thy Body glorified,
And our redemption see.

Before we taste of death,
We see thy kingdom come;
We fain would hold the vision bright,
And make this hill our home.

’Tis good, Lord, to be here!
Yet we may not remain;
But since thou bidd’st us leave the mount
Come with us to the plain.

 Words: Joseph Armitage Robinson (1858-1933)
 Music: Charles Lockhart (1745-1815)
 Hymn Tune: CARLISLE

Gospel Reading

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

Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus took with him Peter, and John and James, and went up on the mountain to pray. And while he was praying, the appearance of his face changed, and his clothes became dazzling white. Suddenly they saw two men, Moses and Elijah, talking to him. They appeared in glory and were speaking of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. Now Peter and his companions were weighed down with sleep; but since they had stayed awake, they saw his glory and the two men who stood with him. Just as they were leaving him, Peter said to Jesus, ‘Master, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ Peter did not know what he said. While he was saying this, a cloud came and overshadowed them; and they were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice that said, ‘This is my Son, my Chosen; listen to him!’ When the voice had spoken, Jesus was found alone. And they kept silent and in those days told no one any of the things they had seen.

Luke 9.28-36

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Please sit after the preacher 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 kneel or 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

Christ will transfigure our human body
and give it a form like that of his own glorious body.
We are the body of Christ.
We share his peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you

and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

This is usually a handshake shared with those near you.

Preparation of the Table

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

A hymn is sung. During this hymn a collection, our financial offering in support of the work of the Church both at St. Mary’s and across our diocese, is taken.

You can place cash or giving envelopes in the collection plates as they are passed around. If you would prefer, or if you miss the plate, you can also give by tapping your contactless card or device on the giving plate by the door as you leave, or on our donations page.

Longing for light, we wait in darkness. 
Longing for truth, we turn to you. 
Make us your own, your holy people, 
Light for the world to see.

Christ, be our light! 
Shine in our hearts, 
Shine through the darkness. 
Christ, be our light! 
Shine in your Church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled. 
Longing for hope, many despair. 
Your word alone has power to save us. 
Make us your living voice.

Christ, be our light! 
Shine in our hearts, 
Shine through the darkness. 
Christ, be our light! 
Shine in your Church gathered today.

Longing for food, many are hungry. 
Longing for water, many still thirst. 
Make us your bread, broken for others, 
Shared until all are fed.

Christ, be our light! 
Shine in our hearts, 
Shine through the darkness. 
Christ, be our light! 
Shine in your Church gathered today.

Longing for shelter, many are homeless, 
Longing for warmth, many are cold. 
Make us your building, sheltering others, 
Walls made of living stone.

Christ, be our light! 
Shine in our hearts, 
Shine through the darkness. 
Christ, be our light! 
Shine in your Church gathered today.

Many the gifts, many the people, 
Many the hearts that yearn to belong. 
Let us be servants to one another, 
Making your kingdom come.

Christ, be our light! 
Shine in our hearts, 
Shine through the darkness. 
Christ, be our light! 
Shine in your Church gathered today.

Words & Music: Bernadette Farrell (b. 1957

Taking of the Bread and Wine

Holy God,
receive all we bring before you this day,
and bring us also to that radiant glory
which we see in the transfigured face
of Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer (E)

Please kneel or 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.

It is indeed right and good,
our duty and our joy,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
For on this day he revealed his glory
before his chosen witnesses
and filled with divine splendour
the human flesh in which he is one with us.
So he prepared his disciples
to bear the scandal of the cross
and showed that in the Church, his body,
the same glory would be fulfilled
that shone forth from him, its head.
And so with joyful hearts we echo on earth
the song of the angels in heaven
as they praise your glory without end:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might.
Heav’n and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessèd is he, O blessèd is he
who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest, hosanna in the highest.  

We praise and bless you, loving Father,
through Jesus Christ, our Lord;
and as we obey his command,
send your Holy Spirit,
that broken bread and wine outpoured
may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.
On the night before he died he had supper with his friends
and, taking bread, he praised you.
He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:
Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;
do this in remembrance of me.
When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.
Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:
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.
So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,
in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice
made once for all upon the cross.
Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,
we proclaim his death and resurrection
until he comes in glory.

Great is the mystery of faith;

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

Lord of all life,
help us to work together for that day
when your kingdom comes
and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.
Look with favour on your people,
gather us in your loving arms
and bring us with Blessed Mary,
John Mason Neale, Dominic,
Mary Sumner, Laurence, Clare of Assisi and all the saints
to feast at your table in heaven.
Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,
for ever and ever.

Amen.

Silence is kept.

The Lord’s Prayer

Uniting our prayers with the whole company of heaven,
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.

The Agnus Dei is sung as the bread is broken for distribution.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,
you take away the sins of the world,
grant us peace.  

Invitation to Communion

Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ
which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Eat and drink
in remembrance that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts
by faith with thanksgiving.

The president and people receive communion. All baptised Christians are welcome to receive the sacrament. Please follow the guidance offered by the stewards.

If you are not baptised, or would prefer to not receive, then do still come forward for a blessing bringing this book with you so the president knows your intention.

The sacrament is available in both kinds, however if you wish to only receive the bread please do so and then return to your place. Receiving in one kind is still considered to be full communion by the Church of England. Please do not dip bread in the wine (sometimes called ‘intincting’).

It might be helpful to use this prayer during the distribution:

Lord of the mountain peak,
whose light reveals the earth
a dwelling place for love;
Lord of the overshadowing,
whose darkness confounds
the lie that we can possess you:
transform our heart and mind
that we might listen to him
who bears the weight of glory
in the lightness of our flesh;
through Jesus Christ, the Chosen One.
Amen.

Choir Anthem

‘Be still, for the presence of the Lord’

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) based on Exodus 3.1-6
Music: David Evans (b. 1957)
arranged by Martin John Richard How (1931-2022)

The following communion hymns may be sung during the distribution as time allows. Please remain seated.

The Lord will come and not be slow, 
His footsteps cannot err; 
Before him righteousness shall go, 
His royal harbinger. 

Truth from the earth, like to a flow’r, 
Shall bud and blossom then; 
And justice, from her heav’nly bow’r, 
Look down on mortal men. 

The nations all whom thou hast made 
Shall come, and all shall frame 
To bow them low before thee, Lord, 
And glorify thy name. 

For great thou art, and wonders great 
By thy strong hand are done: 
Thou in thy everlasting seat 
Remainest God alone. 

Words: John Milton (1608-1674)
based on Psalms 82, 85 and 86
Music: William Jones (1726-1800)
Hymn Tune: SAINT STEPHEN

Here, O my Lord, I see thee face to face, 
Here faith would touch and handle things unseen; 
Here grasp with firmer hand th’eternal grace, 
And all my weariness upon thee lean. 

Here would I feed upon the bread of God, 
Here drink with thee the royal wine of heav’n, 
Here would I lay aside each earthly load, 
Here taste afresh the calm of sin forgiv’n.

I have no help but thine, nor do I need 
Another arm save thine to lean upon; 
It is enough, enough, my Lord, indeed, 
My strength is in thy might, thy might alone. 

Words: Horatius Bonar (1808-1889)
 Music: Henry Lawes (1596-1662)
 Hymn Tune: FARLEY CASTLE

May the grace of Christ our Saviour,
And the Father’s boundless love,
With the Holy Spirit’s favour,
Rest upon us from above.

Thus may we abide in union
With each other and the Lord,
And possess, in sweet communion,
Joys which earth cannot afford.  

Words: John Newton (1725-1807) based on 2 Corinthians 13.14
Music: melody by Heinrich Albert (1604-1651)
adapted by Charles Steggall (1826-1905)
Hymn Tune: WALTHAM

The Post Communion Prayer

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

Holy God,
we see your glory in the face of Jesus Christ:
may we who are partakers at his table
reflect his life in word and deed,
that all the world may know his power to change and save.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

You have opened to us the Scriptures, O Christ,
and you have made yourself known
in the breaking of the bread.
Abide with us, we pray,
that, blessed by your royal presence,
we may walk with you
all the days of our life,
and at its end behold you
in the glory of the eternal Trinity,
one God for ever and ever.
Amen.

A hymn is sung.

O worship the King all glorious above,
O gratefully sing his pow’r and his love:
Our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days,
Pavilioned in splendour, and girded with praise.

O tell of his might, O sing of his grace,
Whose robe is the light, whose canopy space;
His chariots of wrath the deep thunder-clouds form,
And dark is his path on the wings of the storm.

The earth, with its store of wonders untold,
Almighty, thy pow’r hath founded of old;
Hath stablished it fast by a changeless decree,
And round it hath cast, like a mantle, the sea.

Thy bountiful care what tongue can recite?
It breathes in the air, it shines in the light;
It streams from the hills, it descends to the plain,
And sweetly distils in the dew and the rain.

Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail,
In thee do we trust, nor find thee to fail;
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end!
Our maker, defender, redeemer, and friend.

O measureless might, ineffable love,
While angels delight to hymn thee above,
Thy humbler creation, though feeble their lays,
With true adoration shall sing to thy praise.

Words: Robert Grant (1779-1838) based on Psalm 104
Music: melody and bass by William Croft (1678-1727)
in ‘A Supplement to the New Version’ (1708)
Hymn Tune: HANOVER

The Dismissal

The Blessing

Christ Jesus,
the splendour of the Father and the image of his being,
draw you to himself
that you may live in his light and share his glory;
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

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ. Amen.