Organ Music 

Maurice Duruflé Prélude sur l’introït de l’Épiphanie 

Olivier Messiaen Les Mages 

Introit 

Brich an, du schönes Morgenlicht 

Break out, O beautiful light of morning, 
and let the heavens dawn! 
You shepherd folk, do not fear 
because the angels tell you 
that this weak baby boy 
shall be our consolation and joy, 
subdue Satan and bring peace at last! 

Text: Johann Rist 1607-1667 

Music: J.S.Bach 1685-1750 

Processional Hymn 

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, 

dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid; 

star of the east, the horizon adorning, 

guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. 

Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining; 

low lies his head with the beasts of the stall; 

angels adore him in slumber reclining, 

Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all. 

Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion, 

odours of Edom, and offerings divine, 

gems of the mountains and pearls of the ocean, 

myrrh from the forest or gold from the mine? 

Vainly we offer each ample oblation, 

vainly with gifts would his favour secure: 

richer by far is the heart's adoration, 

dearer to God are the prayers of the poor. 

Brightest and best of the sons of the morning, 

dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid; 

star of the east, the horizon adorning, 

guide where our infant Redeemer is laid. 

Text: Reginald Heber 1783-1826 

Music: Was lebet, was schwebet CH4 327 Melody from the Rheinhardt M.S. Üttingen 1754 

Invitation 

Confession 

Lord God, as we remember the journey of the wise men, we confess that we do not venture far from what we know and where we feel safe. As we recall the generosity of their gifts, we confess that we seek security in possessions clinging tight to that which does not last. We ask forgiveness that in this new year we might set out on the road bearing treasure for the child of Bethlehem. 

Kyrie Eleison sung by the Choir 

Kyrie Eleison 

Christe Eleison 

Kyrie Eleison 

Communion Service in G Francis Jackson 

Declaration of forgiveness 

Gloria patri sung by the choir (Tone iii)  

First Lesson Isaiah  60  1-6 

Metrical Psalm 

His large and great dominion shall 
from sea to sea extend: 
it from the river shall reach forth 
unto earth's utmost end. 

The kings of Tarshish, and the isles, 
to him shall presents brings; 
And unto him shall offer gifts 
Sheba's and Seba's king. 
 

Yea, all the mighty kings on earth 
before him down shall fall; 
And all the nations of the world 
do service to him shall. 

His Name for ever shall endure; 
last like the sun it shall: 
men shall be blest in him, and blest 
all nations shall him call. 
 

Now blessèd be the Lord our God, 
the God of Israel, 
for he alone doth wondrous works, 
in glory that excel. 
 

And blessèd be his glorious Name 
to all eternity: 
the whole earth let his glory fill. 
Amen, so let it be. 
 

Text: Psalm 72  vv 8, 10-11, 17-19 Scottish Psalter 1929 

Tune: Effingham CH4 48 Melody from Musikalisches Handbuch, Hamburg 1690 

The Gospel St Matthew 2  1-12 

The Sermon 

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 Offering 

The Intercessions 

Gloria in Excelsis sung by the choir 

Glory be to God on high, and in earth peace, goodwill towards men. We praise thee, we bless thee, we worship thee, we glorify thee, we give thanks to thee for thy great glory, O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. 

O Lord, the only-begotten Son Jesu Christ; O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.  Thou that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us. Thou that takest away the sins of the world, receive our prayer.  Thou that sittest at the right hand of God the Father, have mercy upon us. 

For thou only art holy; thou only art the Lord; thou only, O Christ, with the Holy Ghost, art most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen. 

Communion Service in G Francis Jackson 

Thanksgiving 

The Lord be with you 

And also with you 

Lift up your hearts 

We lift them to the Lord 

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God 

It is right to give our thanks and praise 

Prayer 

Sanctus 

Holy, holy, holy,  

Lord God of Hosts, 

Heaven and earth are full of your glory. 

Glory be to you, O Lord Most High. 

Blessed is he that comes in the Name of the Lord: 

Hosanna in the highest.  

Prayer  

The Lord’s Prayer 

Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come, thy will be done, in 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. 

Agnus Dei 

Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, 

Have mercy upon us. 

Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, 

Have mercy upon us. 

Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world, 

Grant us your peace. 

Holy Communion 

During Communion the Choir sings 

Omnes de Saba 

All they from Saba shall come, 
bringing gold and frankincense: 
and showing forth praise to the Lord. Alleluia! 

Text: Isaiah 60  6b 

Music: Jakob Handl 1550-1591 

The Peace 

Prayer 

Hymn 

Of the Father's love begotten 

ere the worlds began to be, 

he is Alpha and Omega, 

he the source, the ending he, 

of the things that are, that have been, 

and that future years shall see, 

evermore and evermore. 

O that birth for ever blessèd! 

when the Virgin, full of grace, 

by the Spirit’s power conceiving, 

bore the Saviour of our race, 

and the Babe, the world's Redeemer, 

first revealed his sacred face, 

evermore and evermore. 

This is he whom seers and sages 

sang of old with one accord; 

whom the voices of the prophets 

promised in their faithful word; 

now he shines, the long-expected: 

let creation praise its Lord, 

evermore and evermore. 

All the heights of heaven, adore him; 

angel-hosts, his praises sing; 

powers, dominions, bow before him, 

and extol our God and King: 

let no tongue on earth be silent, 

every voice in concert ring, 

evermore and evermore. 

Christ, to thee, with God the Father, 

and, O Holy Ghost, to thee, 

hymn and chant and high thanksgiving 

and unwearied praises be. 

honour, glory, and dominion, 

and eternal victory, 

evermore and evermore. 

Text: Prudentius 348-c.413 Tr. J.M.Neale 1818-66 and H.W.Baker 1821-77 

Tune: Corde natus CH4 319 Piae Cantiones 1582 

Benediction 

Organ Voluntary 

Gaston Litaize Épiphanie 

CCL Licence No 980930 

 Streaming Licence 57837 

The service was conducted by The Rev. Dr George J. Whyte