THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT IS ISSUED BY THE PRESS SECRETARY TO THE QUEEN
Organ music before the service
From 10.00 am to 10.20 am Peter Stevens, Organ Scholar St George's Chapel will play:
Imperial March Sir Edward Elgar (1857-1934)
Trio super Allein Johan Sebastian Bach
Gott in der Höh' sei Ehr' BWV 664 (1685-1750)
March on a Theme of Handel Felix-Alexandre Guilmant (1837-1911)
From 10.25 am Roger Judd, Assistant Organist St George's Chapel, will play:
Spring Song Alfred Hollins (1865-1942)
A Fancy Sir William Harris (Organist, St George's Chapel, from 1933 to 1961)(1883-1973)
Flourish for an Occasion Sir William Harris
Prelude on Rhosymedre Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
All stand as the Military Knights of Windsor enter the Nave.
All stand as Members of the Royal Family, having been received at the Galilee Porch by the Canons of Windsor, are conducted to their places in the Nave.
All stand as Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh are conducted by the Dean of Windsor through the Quire to their places in the Nave.
All stand as 'Tolls Down' is called and the Choir and Clergy proceed through the Quire to their places in the Nave.
Order of Service
All sit before the Choir sings the Introit 'Birthday Prayer':
Through loving, You have touched our lives with time,
Transformed the basest metal of our days
To transient gold. Confirm our duty
Now, not to cage or hold, that rising up
Within the restless wings of change we view
The patterns of Your purpose from on high.
NB The poem and music for this short introit were especially written for the
service by Canon John White and Mr Francis Shaw as an act of thanksgiving
for Her Majesty's birthday.
All stand
Hymn:
Through all the changing scenes of life,
In trouble and in joy,
The praises of my God shall still
My heart and tongue employ.
O magnify the Lord with me,
With me exalt his name;
When in distress to him I called,
He to my rescue came.
The hosts of God encamp around
The dwellings of the just;
Deliverance he affords to all
Who on his succour trust.
O make but trial of his love,
Experience will decide
How blest are they, and only they,
Who in his truth confide.
Fear him, ye saints, and you will then
Have nothing else to fear;
Make you his service your delight,
Your wants shall be his care.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom we adore,
Be glory, as it was, is now,
And shall be evermore. Amen.
Words Psalm 34 (New Version 1696) Music George Smart, Nahum Tate (1652-1715) (1776-1867) and Nicholas Brady (1659-1726).
All remain standing
The Introduction
The Reverend Canon Laurence Gunner (Canon in Residence)
We are gathered together today to offer our Sunday worship to
Almighty God during this Easter tide. Most especially on this Festival
of St George, we render thanksgiving for God's merciful goodness shown to our nation both now and through the past centuries. In particular we express our gratitude that our heavenly Father has preserved to us Elizabeth our Queen. We pray she will long continue to inspire her people to walk by the ways of faith and truth, so we may come to share one heart and mind in the service of the common good.
All remain standing as The Reverend Alan Gyle, Deputy Minor Canon, and the Choir sing:
The Preces
O Lord, open thou our lips;
And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
O God, make speed to save us;
O Lord, make haste to help us.
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.
Praise ye the Lord;
The Lord's name be praised.
Music William Smith of Durham (1603-45)
All remain standing
Psalm 67:
God be merciful unto us, and bless us:
and shew us the light of his countenance,
and be merciful unto us;
That thy way may be known upon earth:
thy saving health among all nations.
Let the people praise thee, O God:
yea, let all the people praise thee.
O let the nations rejoice and be glad:
for thou shalt judge the folk righteously,
and govern the nations upon earth.
Let the people praise thee, O God:
let all the people praise thee.
Then shall the earth bring forth her increase:
and God, even our own God, shall give us his blessing.
God shall bless us:
and all the ends of the world shall fear him.
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.
All sit
The first lesson:
Joshua 1.1-9
read by The Reverend Canon Doctor Hueston Finlay (Steward of the College)
After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord spoke to
Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant, saying, 'My servant Moses is
dead. Now proceed to cross the Jordan, you and all this people, into the land that I am giving to them, to the Israelites. Every place that the sole of your foot will tread upon I have given to you, as I promised to Moses. From the wilderness and the Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, to the Great Sea in the west shall be your territory. No one shall be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will not fail you or forsake you. Be strong and courageous; for you shall put this people in possession of the land that I swore to their ancestors to give them. Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to act in accordance with all the law that my servant Moses commanded you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, so that you may be successful wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth; you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to act in accordance with all that is written in it. For then you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall be successful. I hereby command you: Be strong and courageous; do not be frightened or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.'
All stand
Jubilate Deo
OBE joyful in the Lord, all ye lands:
serve the Lord with gladness,
and come before his presence with a song.
Be ye sure that the Lord he is God:
it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.
O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
and into his courts with praise:
be thankful unto him, and speak good of his Name.
For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting:
and his truth endureth from generation to generation.
Words Psalm 100 Music Sir Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)
Jubilate in C
All sit
The second lesson
Ephesians 6.10-20
Read by The Reverend Canon John Ovenden (Chaplain of the College)
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his power. Put on
the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to stand against the
wiles of the devil. For our struggle is not against enemies of blood and flesh, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers of this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, so that you may be able to withstand on that evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand therefore, and fasten the belt of truth around your waist, and put on the breastplate of righteousness. As shoes for your feet put on whatever will make you ready to proclaim the gospel of peace. With all of these, take the shield of faith, with which you will be able to quench all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.
The Congregation remains seated, while the Choir sings:
The Golden Rule
The waves unfurl and change the shape of coasts,
The shrinking woods fall backwards through their leaves,
The night-horizons twist in chains of light:
The Golden rule, your constancy, survives.
The language bursts its bounds and breaks new ground,
The fledgling words lay down a treasure-trove,
The speed of heart-to-heart accelerates:
The Golden rule, your constancy, survives.
The sun unwinds its heat through threadbare sky,
The lakes and rivers map their stony graves,
The stars still shine although their names grow faint:
The Golden rule, your constancy, survives.
The black-and-white of certainty dissolves,
The single mind insists on several lives,
The ways to measure truth elaborate:
The Golden rule, your constancy, survives.
Words ANDREW MOTION Music SIR PETER MAXWELL DAVIES
Poet Laureate Master of The Queen's Music.
The Golden Rule
The anthem was commissioned by The Friends of St George's and the
Windsor Festival in celebration of The Queen's Birthday. It will be presented in its shorter liturgical form at this service and in a longer orchestral form on Wednesday 27 September 2006. Both poem, by the Poet Laureate, and the music by the Master of The Queen's Music, were composed as a birthday tribute.
All stand and those in the Quire turn to face the High Altar, as The Reverend Michael Boag, Minor Canon and Succentor, leads the Creed, Lesser Litany and Lord's Prayer.
The Creed
Minor Canon:
I believe in God,
All 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.
Minor Canon The Lord be with you;
All And with thy spirit.
All kneel or sit
The Lesser Litany and Lord's Prayer
Minor Canon:
LET us pray.
Lord, have mercy upon us.
All Christ, have mercy upon us.
Minor Canon Lord, have mercy upon us.
Minor Canon OUR Father,
All 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 them that trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
The Deputy Minor Canon and Choir continue
The responses
O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us;
And grant us thy salvation.
O Lord, save The Queen;
And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee.
Endue thy ministers with righteousness;
And make thy chosen people joyful.
O Lord, save thy people;
And bless thine inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord;
Because there is none other that fighteth for us,
but only thou, O God.
O God, make clean our hearts within us;
And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.
Music William Smith of Durham (1603-45)
The Collect for the first Sunday after Easter
Almighty Father, who hast given thine only Son to die for our sins,
and to rise again for our justification: Grant us so to put away the
leaven of malice and wickedness, that we may alway serve thee in pureness of living and truth; through the merits of the same thy Son Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The collect for St George's Day
O God of hosts, who didst so kindle the flame of love in the heart of
thy servant George that he bore witness to the risen Lord by his life
and by his death: grant us the same faith and power of love that we, who
rejoice in his triumphs, may come to share with him the fullness of the
resurrection; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Collect for peace
O God who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge
of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom:
Defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The collect for Grace
O Lord our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, who hast
safely brought us to the beginning of this day: Defend us in the same
with thy mighty power, and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger; but that all our doings may be ordered by thy
governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
All stand
Hymn
The King of love my Shepherd is,
Whose goodness faileth never;
I nothing lack if I am his
And he is mine for ever.
Where streams of living water flow
My ransomed soul he leadeth,
And where the verdant pastures grow
With food celestial feedeth.
Perverse and foolish oft I strayed,
But yet in love he sought me,
And on his shoulder gently laid,
And home, rejoicing, brought me.
In death's dark vale I fear no ill
With thee, dear Lord, beside me;
Thy rod and staff my comfort still,
Thy cross before to guide me.
Thou spread'st a table in my sight;
Thy unction, grace bestoweth:
And O what transport of delight
From thy pure chalice floweth!
And so through all the length of days
Thy goodness faileth never;
Good Shepherd, may I sing thy praise
Within thy house for ever.
Words H W Baker (1821-77) Music J B Dykes (1823-76)
(Psalm 23)
All sit
The Sermon
The Right Reverend David Conner (Dean of Windsor)
All stand
During the hymn a collection will be received to support the work of the Thames Valley Hospice and the Paul Bevan Hospice.
Hymn
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
Endless is the victory thou o'er death hast won;
Angels in bright raiment rolled the stone away,
Kept the folded grave-clothes where thy body lay.
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
Endless is the vict'ry thou o'er death hast won.
Lo, Jesus meets us, risen from the tomb;
Lovingly he greets us, scatters fear and gloom;
Let the Church with gladness hymns of triumph sing,
For her Lord now liveth, death hath lost its sting:
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
Endless is the vict'ry thou o'er death hast won.
No more we doubt thee, glorious Prince of Life;
Life is nought without thee: aid us in our strife,
Make us more than conquerors through thy deathless love;
Bring us safe through Jordan to thy home above:
Thine be the glory, risen, conquering Son,
Endless is the vict'ry thou o'er death hast won.
Words French, Music George Frederick Handel
Edmond Budry (1854-1932) (1685-1759 )
Translation Richard Hoyle (1875-1939 )
All kneel or sit
The Prayers lead by The Reverend Canon John A White LVO (Vice-Dean)
As we join Her Majesty The Queen in giving thanks to Almighty God for his loving-kindness made known to us new every morning all the days of our life, we pray, especially at this time of her birthday celebrations, for The Queen and for all Members of the Royal Family.
ALMIGHTY God our Heavenly Father, we thank you that you have
preserved to us Elizabeth our Queen and given her throughout her
days the many blessings of faith, hope and love. Continue to surround her
with your mercies that she may receive the gifts she needs to fulfil her duties as our Sovereign. Protect and support all the members of her family and grant that, by their service, peace and justice may flourish amongst her people, and integrity and truth become the ensigns of our common life. On this our earthly pilgrimage, so assist us with your grace that together we may share the joys of your eternal kingdom, for the praise and honour of your Holy Name. Amen.
As we continue to celebrate Eastertide we make our prayers for the world for which Christ died, praying that it may be raised from all injustice, violence, prejudice and suffering to know the blessing of true peace founded on the love of God and our neighbours.
ALMIGHTY God, who through the resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ
has brought a new light of hope into the world, bless the people of all
nations: reconcile those who are divided, relieve the hungry and oppressed, bring joy to the sorrowing and peace and love to all. Give to each of us the spirit of compassion for those in need, and the courage and strength to help and support them to the best of our ability; this we ask through our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Finally, on this St George's Day, we pray for our nation, for its government, for its many peoples, for all in positions of responsible leadership, for all who give freely of their gifts and of their time to the service of others, and for our young men and women that they may continue to be inspired to stand against everything that belittles our humanity, striving for what best serves our common life.
ALMIGHTY God, you gave to your servant St George the gifts of faith
and courage so that he despised suffering and received the martyr's
crown. Grant to the people of this nation such a desire for truth and for the
dignity of all humankind that we may hold fast to what is good and overcome all that would do us harm, through the strength and power that you supply to all who seek to know and do your will; to you be all praise and power and glory, now and forever. Amen.
All say
THE grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and
the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all, evermore.
Amen.
The prayers continue as the Choir sings
O HEARKEN THOU
OHEARKEN thou unto the voice of my calling, my King, and my God:
for unto thee will I make my prayer.
Words Psalm 5, verse 2 Music Sir William Harris (1883-1973)
sometime Organist, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle
The Blessing
The Right Reverend David Conner (Dean of Windsor)
All stand
The National Anthem
GOD save our gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us;
God save The Queen!
Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign:
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice
God save The Queen!
The Voluntary
Toccata in F BWV 540 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
is played by Roger Judd, Assistant Organist, who then plays Overture to the Occasional Oratorio by George Frederick Handel (1685-1759)
All remain standing as the Military Knights of Windsor, followed by the Choir and Minor Canons leave the Chapel by way of the West Door to line the West Steps of the Chapel.
All remain standing as Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh are conducted by the Dean of Windsor from the Chapel by way of the West Door.
All remain standing as Members of the Royal Family are conducted by the Canons of Windsor from the Chapel by way of the West Door.
