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