The Annual Civic Service and Sung Eucharist at Temple Newsam House

The Gathering

The service is introduced by Maya Harrison (Principal Keeper) on behalf of the House and the City and by the Reverend Dr Claire Honess, Vicar of Whitkirk, on behalf of St Mary’s Church and the Parish of Whitkirk.

At the sound of the bell, please stand as the choir and the sacred ministers enter, during which the introit hymn is sung.

Immortal, invisible, God only wise, 
in light inaccessible hid from our eyes, 
most blessèd, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, 
almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise. 

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light, 
nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might; 
thy justice like mountains high soaring above 
thy clouds which are fountains of goodness and love. 

To all life thou givest, to both great and small; 
in all life thou livest, the true life of all; 
we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree, 
and wither and perish, but naught changeth thee. 

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light, 
thine angels adore thee, all veiling their sight; 
all laud we would render, O help us to see 
’tis only the splendour of light hideth thee. 

Words: Walter Chalmers Smith (1824-1908)
based on 1 Timothy 1.17
Music: Welsh traditional hymn melody (1839)
Hymn Tune: SAINT DENIO

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.

Invitation to Confession

As those who know the generosity of God,
let us confess our sins,
especially the ways in which we take his good gifts
for granted.

Silence is kept.

Consider the birds of the air;
they do not sow or gather into barns,
yet our heavenly Father feeds them.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow;
they do not toil nor spin,
yet even Solomon in all his glory
was not arrayed like one of these.

Christ, have mercy.

Christ, have mercy.

How little faith we have.
Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.

Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

Matthew 6.26, 28-30, 33

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’.

Almighty God,
to whose glory we celebrate this house and grounds,
we praise you for the many blessings
you have given over the last one hundred and four years
to those who have encountered you here:
and we pray that all who seek you in this place
may find you,
and, being filled with the Holy Spirit,
may become acceptable to you;
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,
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

First Reading

Please sit.

A reading from the book of Jonah.

Read by the Earl of Halifax.

When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

But this was very displeasing to Jonah, and he became angry. He prayed to the Lord and said, ‘O Lord! Is not this what I said while I was still in my own country? That is why I fled to Tarshish at the beginning; for I knew that you are a gracious God and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and ready to relent from punishing. And now, O Lord, please take my life from me, for it is better for me to die than to live.’ And the Lord said, ‘Is it right for you to be angry?’ Then Jonah went out of the city and sat down east of the city, and made a booth for himself there. He sat under it in the shade, waiting to see what would become of the city.

The Lord God appointed a bush, and made it come up over Jonah, to give shade over his head, to save him from his discomfort; so Jonah was very happy about the bush. But when dawn came up the next day, God appointed a worm that attacked the bush, so that it withered. When the sun rose, God prepared a sultry east wind, and the sun beat down on the head of Jonah so that he was faint and asked that he might die. He said, ‘It is better for me to die than to live.’

But God said to Jonah, ‘Is it right for you to be angry about the bush?’ And he said, ‘Yes, angry enough to die.’ Then the Lord said, ‘You are concerned about the bush, for which you did not labour and which you did not grow; it came into being in a night and perished in a night. And should I not be concerned about Nineveh, that great city, in which there are more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who do not know their right hand from their left, and also many animals?’

1 Jonah 3.10-end of 4

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Psalm

The Choir sings Psalm 145 verses 1-8.

I will magnify thee, O God, my King : 
And I will praise thy Name for ever and ever. 

Every day will I give thanks unto thee : 
And praise thy Name for ever and ever. 

Great is the Lord, and marvellous worthy to be praised : 
There is no end of his greatness. 

One generation shall praise thy works unto another : 
And declare thy power. 

As for me, I will be talking of thy worship : 
Thy glory thy praise and wondrous works.  

So that men shall speak of the might of thy marvellous acts :

And I will also tell of thy greatness. 

The memorial of thine abundant kindness shall be shewed : 
And men shall sing of thy righteousness. 

The Lord is gracious and merciful : 
Long-suffering and of great goodness.

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.  

Second Reading

A reading from the letter of Paul to the Philippians.

Read by the Lord Mayor of Leeds.

For to me, living is Christ and dying is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labour for me; and I do not know which I prefer.I am hard pressed between the two: my desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better; but to remain in the flesh is more necessary for you. Since I am convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with all of you for your progress and joy in faith, so that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus when I come to you again.

Only, live your life in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that, whether I come and see you or am absent and hear about you, I will know that you are standing firm in one spirit, striving side by side with one mind for the faith of the gospel, and are in no way intimidated by your opponents. For them this is evidence of their destruction, but of your salvation. And this is God’s doing. For he has graciously granted you the privilege not only of believing in Christ, but of suffering for him as well— since you are having the same struggle that you saw I had and now hear that I still have.

Philippians 1.21-30

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Hymn

Please stand as the gradual hymn is sung, at the end of the hymn we remain standing and turn to face the place where the Gospel is proclaimed.

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 Alan Jackson (1917-2022)
Hymn Tune: EAST ACKLAM

Gospel Reading

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

Glory to you, O Lord.

‘For the kingdom of heaven is like a landowner who went out early in the morning to hire labourers for his vineyard. After agreeing with the labourers for the usual daily wage, he sent them into his vineyard. When he went out about nine o’clock, he saw others standing idle in the market-place; and he said to them, “You also go into the vineyard, and I will pay you whatever is right.” So they went. When he went out again about noon and about three o’clock, he did the same. And about five o’clock he went out and found others standing around; and he said to them, “Why are you standing here idle all day?” They said to him, “Because no one has hired us.” He said to them, “You also go into the vineyard.”

When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his manager, “Call the labourers and give them their pay, beginning with the last and then going to the first.” When those hired about five o’clock came, each of them received the usual daily wage. Now when the first came, they thought they would receive more; but each of them also received the usual daily wage. And when they received it, they grumbled against the landowner, saying, “These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.” But he replied to one of them, “Friend, I am doing you no wrong; did you not agree with me for the usual daily wage? Take what belongs to you and go; I choose to give to this last the same as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous?” So the last will be first, and the first will be last.’

Matthew 20.1-16

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Please sit after the preacher leads us in prayer.

Our preacher this year is the Very Reverend Andrew Nunn,
Dean Emeritus of Southwark Cathedral.

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.

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.

The following hymn is sung.

There’s a wideness in God’s mercy,  
like the wideness of the sea; 
there’s a kindness in his justice, 
which is more than liberty. 
There is no place where earth’s sorrows  
are more felt than up in heav’n; 
there is no place where earth’s failings 
have such kindly judgement giv’n.

For the love of God is broader 
than the measure of man’s mind; 
and the heart of the Eternal 
is most wonderfully kind. 
But we make his love too narrow 
by false limits of our own; 
and we magnify his strictness 
with a zeal he will not own.

There is plentiful redemption 
in the blood that has been shed; 
there is joy for all the members 
in the sorrows of the Head. 
There is grace enough for thousands 
of new worlds as great as this; 
there is room for fresh creations  
in that upper home of bliss.

If our love were but more simple 
we should take him at his word; 
and our lives would be all gladness 
in the joy of Christ our Lord.  

Words: Frederick William Faber (1814-1863) alt.
Music: Maurice Bevan (1921-2006)
Hymn Tune: CORVEDALE

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.

It is indeed right,
it is our duty and our joy,
at all times and in all places
to give you thanks and praise,
holy Father, heavenly King,
almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

And now we give you thanks
for your blessing on this house,
where through your grace
we offer you the sacrifice of praise
and are built by your Spirit
into a temple made without hands,
even the body of your Son Jesus Christ.
Therefore with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we proclaim your great and glorious name,
for ever praising you and singing:

Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of pow’r 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.

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.

Christ is the bread of life:

When we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus,
until you come in glory, until you come in glory.

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.

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

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. 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’).

For those at home it might be helpful to use this prayer during the distribution, a prayer that was included in the first Temple Newsam service a hundred and four years ago.

Prevent us, O Lord,
in all our doings with thy most gracious favour,
and further us with thy continual help;
that in all our works begun, continued and ended in thee,
we may glorify thy holy name,
and, finally, by thy mercy obtain everlasting life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Motet

The choir sings a motet.

Hymns

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

Please remain seated.

Bread of heav’n, on thee we feed, 
for thy flesh is meat indeed; 
ever may our souls be fed 
with this true and living bread; 
day by day with strength supplied 
through the life of him who died. 

Vine of heav’n, thy blood supplies 
this blest cup of sacrifice; 
Lord, thy wounds our healing give, 
to thy cross we look and live: 
Jesus, may we ever be 
grafted, rooted, built in thee. 

Words: Josiah Conder (1789-1855)
Music: William Dalrymple Maclagan (1826-1910)
Hymn Tune: BREAD OF HEAVEN

Fairest Lord Jesus, Lord of all creation, 
Jesus, of God and Mary the Son; 
thee will I cherish, thee will I honour, 
O thou my soul’s delight and crown. 

Fair are the meadows, fairer still the woodlands, 
robed in the verdure and bloom of spring, 
Jesus is fairer, Jesus is purer, 
he makes the saddest heart to sing. 

Fair are the flowers, fairer still the sons of men, 
in all the freshness of youth arrayed: 
yet is their beauty fading and fleeting; 
my Jesus, thine will never fade. 

Words: German 17th century
translated by Lillian Sinclair Stevenson (1870-1960)
Music: Silesian folk song (1842)

The Post Communion Prayer

Please stand with the president who introduces a time of silent prayer with the words ‘Let us pray’ before we say together:

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.

A hymn is sung.

Light’s abode, celestial Salem, 
vision whence true peace doth spring, 
brighter than the heart can fancy, 
mansion of the highest King; 
O how glorious are the praises 
which of thee the prophets sing! 

There for ever and for ever 
alleluia is outpoured; 
for unending, for unbroken, 
is the feast-day of the Lord; 
all is pure, and all is holy 
that within thy walls is stored. 

There no cloud or passing vapour 
dims the brightness of the air; 
endless noon-day, glorious noon-day, 
from the Sun of suns is there; 
there no night brings rest from labour, 
for unknown are toil and care. 

O how glorious and resplendent, 
fragile body, shalt thou be, 
when endued with so much beauty, 
full of health, and strong, and free, 
full of vigour, full of pleasure 
that shall last eternally. 

Now with gladness, now with courage, 
bear the burden on thee laid, 
that hereafter these thy labours 
may with endless gifts be paid: 
and in everlasting glory 
thou with brightness be arrayed. 

Laud and honour to the Father, 
laud and honour to the Son, 
laud and honour to the Spirit, 
ever Three and ever One, 
consubstantial, co-eternal, 
while unending ages run. 

Words: ascribed to Thomas à Kempis (c. 1379-1471)
translated by John Mason Neale (1818-1866)
Music: Henry Smart (1813-1879)
Hymn Tune: REGENT SQUARE

The Dismissal

The Blessing

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face to shine upon you,
and be gracious unto you;
the Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you,
and give you peace;
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 the peace of Christ.

Thanks be to God.