St. Giles’ Cathedral
Morning Service at 11am
1st Sunday after Easter
Sunday 7th April 2024
Organ Music
Jeanne Demessieux Variations on O filii, o filiae
Louis Vierne Berceuse
Introit
O praise God in his holiness
O praise God in his holiness,
Praise him in the firmament of his power
Music: Kenneth Gange b.1939
Processional Hymn
The strife is o'er, the battle done;
now is the Victor's triumph won;
now be the song of praise begun;
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
The powers of death have done their worst,
but Christ their legions hath dispersed;
let shouts of holy joy outburst:
The three sad days have quickly sped;
he rises glorious from the dead;
all glory to our risen Head!
He brake the age-bound chains of hell;
the bars from heaven's high portals fell;
let hymns of praise his triumph tell.
Lord, by the stripes which wounded thee,
from death's dread sting thy servants free,
that we may live, and sing to thee:
Text: 17th century tr. Francis Pott 1832-1909
Music: Vulpius CH4 412 Melody from Vulpius’ Gesangbuch 1609
Scripture Sentences
The Preces
O Lord open thou our lips
Eric von Ibler
Bidding
Prayer
Collect
Almighty and eternal God, the strength of those who believe and the hope of those who doubt, may we. who have not seen, have faith and receive the fullness of Christ’s blessing, who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
First Lesson Isaiah 65 17-25
The Choir sings PSALM 133
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down upon the beard, even Aaron's beard: that went down to the skirts of his garments;
As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.
Second Lesson St John 20 19-31
Hymn
Lord, make us servants of your peace;
where there is hate, may we sow love;
where there is hurt, may we forgive;
where there is strife, may we make one.
Where all is doubt, may we sow faith;
where all is gloom, may we sow hope;
where all is night, may we sow light;
where all is tears, may we sow joy.
Jesus, our Lord, may we not seek
to be consoled, but to console,
nor look to understanding hearts,
but look for hearts to understand.
May we not look for love's return,
but seek to love unselfishly,
for in our giving we receive,
and in forgiving are forgiv'n.
Dying, we live, and are reborn
through death's dark night to endless day;
Lord, make us servants of your peace,
to wake at last in heaven's light.
Text: James Quinn 1919-2010 based on a prayer of St Francis of Assisi 1182-1226
© James Quinn/Cassell plc
Music: O waly waly CH4 527 English traditional
Sermon
Anthem
Haec Dies
This is the day which the Lord hath made: we will rejoice and be glad in it.
Text: Psalm 118 24
Music: William Byrd c.1540-1623
The Offering
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.
Hymn
Christ is alive! Let Christians sing.
The cross stands empty to the sky.
Let streets and homes with praises ring.
Love, drowned in death, shall never die.
Christ is alive! No longer bound
to distant years in Palestine,
but saving, healing, here and now,
and touching every place and time.
In every insult, rift and war,
where colour, scorn or wealth divide,
Christ suffers still, yet loves the more,
and lives, where even hope has died.
Women and men, in age and youth,
can feel the Spirit, hear the call,
and find the way, the life, the truth,
revealed in Jesus, freed for all.
Christ is alive, and comes to bring
good news to this and every age,
till earth and sky and ocean ring
with joy, with justice, love and praise.
Text: Brian Wren b.1936
Tune: Old Clarendonian CH4 416 Olwen Wonnacott b.1930
Benediction
Organ Voluntary
Jean Langlais Incantation pour un jour saint
CCL Licence No 980930
Streaming Licence 57837
The service was conducted by The Rev Dr George J Whyte