Welcome to Westminster Abbey. Daily prayer has been offered in this place for over a thousand years, and your participation in today's service is warmly welcomed. At choral Evensong most of the service is sung by the choir on our behalf. We participate through our presence and our listening, that the words and the music might become a prayer within us and lift us to contemplate God's beauty and glory.

The service always includes one or more psalms. These ancient prayers, taken from the Old Testament, reflect the full range of human emotions and experiences; from the depths of anger, resentment, and abandonment to the heights of ecstatic joy and praise. They were used by Jesus, and have always been at the heart of the Church's daily prayer.

The canticles Magnificat (Luke 1: 46–55) and Nunc dimittis (Luke 2: 29–32) reflect two responses to the Incarnation (God becoming fully human in Jesus Christ). Both speak of the fulfilment of God's promises, not just to 'Abraham and his seed', but also 'to be a light to lighten the Gentiles' (all nations). With their themes of fulfilment and completion, these texts have been given central place for many centuries in the Church's prayers for the evening and at the end of the day.

Please join in saying the words and singing the hymns printed in bold type.

The church is served by a hearing loop. Users should turn their hearing aid to the setting marked T.

Photography, filming, and sound recording are not allowed in the Abbey during services. Please ensure that mobile telephones and other electronic devices are silent.

During the Abbey Choir's vacation we welcome visiting choirs from the United Kingdom and beyond to lead the music at our services. The service is sung by the Exultate Singers.

Following the service a collection will be taken; the money from today's services will be divided equally between The Honeypot Children's Charity and the work of the Abbey. Honeypot works to enhance the lives of young carers aged 5–12 years by providing respite breaks and ongoing outreach support.

Order of Service

All stand as the choir and clergy enter

The officiant welcomes the congregation

All remain standing as the officiant introduces a general Confession

Dearly beloved brethren, the Scripture moveth us in sundry places to acknowledge and confess our manifold sins and wickedness; and that we should not dissemble nor cloke them before the face of almighty God our heavenly Father; but confess them with an humble, lowly, penitent, and obedient heart; to the end that we may obtain forgiveness of the same, by his infinite goodness and mercy. And although we ought at all times humbly to acknowledge our sins before God; yet ought we most chiefly so to do, when we assemble and meet together to render thanks for the great benefits that we have received at his hands, to set forth his most worthy praise, to hear his most holy Word, and to ask those things which are requisite and necessary, as well for the body as the soul. Wherefore I pray and beseech you, as many as are here present, to accompany me with a pure heart, and humble voice, unto the throne of the heavenly grace, saying after me;

All kneel or sit

Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have erred, and strayed from thy ways like lost sheep.
We have followed too much the devices and desires of our own hearts.
We have offended against thy holy laws.
We have left undone those things which we ought to have done;
and we have done those things which we ought not to have done;
and there is no health in us.
But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us, miserable offenders.
Spare thou them, O God, which confess their faults.
Restore thou them that are penitent;
according to thy promises declared unto mankind in Christ Jesu our Lord.
And grant, O most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may hereafter live a godly, righteous, and sober life,
to the glory of thy holy name.
Amen.

The officiant gives the Absolution

Almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who desireth not the death of a sinner, but rather that he may turn from his wickedness, and live; and hath given power and commandment to his ministers, to declare and pronounce to his people, being penitent, the absolution and remission of their sins: he pardoneth and absolveth all them that truly repent, and unfeignedly believe his holy gospel. Wherefore let us beseech him to grant us true repentance, and his Holy Spirit, that those things may please him, which we do at this present; and that the rest of our life hereafter may be pure, and holy; so that at the last we may come to his eternal joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

All say together the Lord's Prayer

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.

All stand. The officiant and choir sing the Responses

Music: Kenneth Leighton (1929–88)

All sit. The choir sings Psalm 85

Lord, thou art become gracious unto thy land : thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob.
Thou hast forgiven the offence of thy people : and covered all their sins.
Thou hast taken away all thy displeasure : and turned thyself from thy wrathful indignation.
Turn us then, O God our Saviour : and let thine anger cease from us.
Wilt thou be displeased at us for ever : and wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from one generation to another?
Wilt thou not turn again, and quicken us : that thy people may rejoice in thee?
Shew us thy mercy, O Lord : and grant us thy salvation.
I will hearken what the Lord God will say concerning me : for he shall speak peace unto his people, and to his saints, that they turn not again.
For his salvation is nigh them that fear him : that glory may dwell in our land.
Mercy and truth are met together : righteousness and peace have kissed each other.
Truth shall flourish out of the earth : and righteousness hath looked down from heaven.
Yea, the Lord shall shew loving-kindness : and our land shall give her increase.
Righteousness shall go before him : and he shall direct his going in the way.

All stand

Chant: Charles Lloyd (1849–1919)

All sit for the first Lesson, Wisdom 9: 1–12

'O God of my ancestors and Lord of mercy,
who have made all things by your word,
and by your wisdom have formed humankind
to have dominion over the creatures you have made,
and rule the world in holiness and righteousness,
and pronounce judgement in uprightness of soul,
give me the wisdom that sits by your throne,
and do not reject me from among your servants.
For I am your servant, the son of your servant-girl,
a man who is weak and short-lived,
with little understanding of judgement and laws;
for even one who is perfect among human beings
will be regarded as nothing without the wisdom that comes from you.
You have chosen me to be king of your people
and to be judge over your sons and daughters.
You have given command to build a temple on your holy mountain,
and an altar in the city of your habitation,
a copy of the holy tent that you prepared from the beginning.
With you is wisdom, she who knows your works
and was present when you made the world;
she understands what is pleasing in your sight
and what is right according to your commandments.
Send her forth from the holy heavens,
and from the throne of your glory send her,
that she may labour at my side,
and that I may learn what is pleasing to you.
For she knows and understands all things,
and she will guide me wisely in my actions
and guard me with her glory.
Then my works will be acceptable,
and I shall judge your people justly,
and shall be worthy of the throne of my father.'

Here ends the first lesson.

All stand. The choir sings Magnificat

St Paul's Service, Herbert Howells (1892–1983)

All sit for the second Lesson, Galatians 4: 1–5

My point is this: heirs, as long as they are minors, are no better than slaves, though they are the owners of all the property; but they remain under guardians and trustees until the date set by the father. So with us; while we were minors, we were enslaved to the elemental spirits of the world. But when the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.

Here ends the second lesson.

All stand. The choir sings Nunc dimittis

St Paul's Service, Herbert Howells

All face east to say together 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.

Let us pray.

All kneel or sit. The officiant and choir sing the Lesser Litany; the Lord's Prayer and the Responses

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 them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation; but deliver us from evil. Amen.

The officiant sings the Collects; of the day, for peace, and for aid against all perils

We beseech thee, O Lord, pour thy grace into our hearts; that, as we have known the incarnation of thy Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought unto the glory of his resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels and all just works do proceed: Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee we being defended from the fear of our enemies may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Lighten our darkness we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Music: Kenneth Leighton

All sit. The choir sings the Anthem

Aurora lucis rutilat,
Coelum laudibus intonat,
Mundus exsultans jubilat,
Gemens infernus ululat.

Cum Rex ille fortissimus,
Mortis confractis viribus
Pede conculcans tartara,
Solvit a poena miseros,

Ille qui clausus lapide
Custoditur sub milite,
Triumphans pompa nobili,
Victor fugit de funere.

Solutis iam gemitibus,
Et infernis doloribus
Quia surrexit Dominus,
Resplendens clamat Angelus,

Quae sumus Auctor omnium,
in hoc pascali gaudio,
Ab omni mortis impetu
Tuum defende populum.

Gloria tibi Domine,
Qui surrexisti a mortuis,
Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu,
in sempiterna saecula,
   Amen.

The day draws on with golden light,
glad songs go echoing through the height,
the broad earth lifts an answering cheer,
the deep makes moan with wailing fear.

For lo, he comes, the mighty King,
to take from death his power and sting,
to trample down his gloomy reign
and break the weary prisoner's chain.

Enclosed he lay in rocky cell,
with guard of armed sentinel;
but thence returning, strong and free,
he comes with pomp of jubilee.

But now they put their grief away,
the pains of hell are loosed today;
for by the grave, with flashing eyes,
'Your Lord is risen,' the angel cries.

Maker of all, to you we pray,
fulfil in us your joy today;
when death assaults, grant, Lord, that we
may share thy paschal mystery.

To you, who, dead, again does live,
all glory, Lord, your people give;
all glory, as is ever meet,
to Father and to Paraclete.
   Amen.

Words: Office hymn at Lauds in Eastertide (translation by Thomas Lacey (1853–1931))
Music: Orlande de Lassus (c 1532–94)

All kneel or remain seated for the Intercessions

The officiant says the Prayers; for the Royal Family, and for the Members of the Order of the Bath

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, we humbly beseech thee to bless our most gracious Sovereign Lord King Charles, Queen Camilla, William Prince of Wales, the Princess of Wales, and all the Royal Family: endue them with thy Holy Spirit; enrich them with thy heavenly grace; prosper them with all happiness; and bring them to thine everlasting kingdom, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

God save our Gracious Sovereign, and all the Members of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath living and departed. 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.

All stand to sing the Hymn

Her Virgin eyes saw God incarnate born,
when she to Bethl'em came that happy morn;
how high her raptures then began to swell,
none but her own omniscient Son can tell.

As Eve when she her fontal sin reviewed,
wept for herself and all she should include,
blest Mary with man's Saviour in embrace
joyed for herself and for all human race.

All saints are by her Son's dear influence blest,
she kept the very Fountain at her breast;
the Son adored and nursed by the sweet Maid
a thousandfold of love for love repaid.

Heaven with transcendent joys her entrance graced,
next to his throne her Son his Mother placed;
and here below, now she's of heaven possest,
all generations are to call her blest.

Words: from 'Sion, or Philothea' Thomas Ken (1637–1711)
Tune: 'Farley Castle' 182 NEH, Henry Lawes (1596–1662)

The Sermon by The Venerable Tricia Hillas, Canon in Residence

All stand to sing the Hymn during which a collection will be taken. Alternatively, cash and contactless donations may be given as you leave via the Great West Door

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord:
   unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
   in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name:
   make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
   his holy name, the Lord, the Mighty One.

Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might:
   powers and dominions lay their glory by;
proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
   the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.

Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word:
   firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
   to children's children and for evermore.

Words: Timothy Dudley-Smith (b 1926) after Luke 1: 46–55
Tune: 'Woodlands' 186 NEH, Walter Greatorex (1877–1949)

The Blessing. All respond Amen.

All remain standing as the clergy depart

Music after the service

Praeludium in D BuxWV 139, Dieterich Buxtehude (c 1637–1707)

Those who wish to may sit for the remainder of the organ voluntary

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