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

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The service is sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.

Setting: Missa Trinitatis sanctae, Francis Grier (b 1955)

Order of Servie

All stand as the choir and clergy enter, and to sing the Hymn

O Jesus, I have promised
   to serve thee to the end;
be thou for ever near me,
   my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
   if thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
   if thou wilt be my Guide.

O let me hear thee speaking
   in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
   the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
   to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
   thou guardian of my soul.

O Jesus, thou hast promised
   to all who follow thee,
that where thou art in glory
   there shall thy servant be;
and, Jesus, I have promised
   to serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
   my Master and my Friend.

O let me see thy footmarks,
   and in them plant mine own;
my hope to follow duly
   is in thy strength alone;
O guide me, call me, draw me,
   uphold me to the end;
and then in heaven receive me,
   my Saviour and my Friend.

Words: Hymn for the Newly Confirmed John Bode (1816–74)
Tune: Wolvercote 420 NEH, William Ferguson (1874–1950)

The bishop says

Blessed be God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
blessed be his kingdom, now and for ever. Amen.

There is one body and one spirit:
there is one hope to which we were called;

one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all.

Peace be with you
and also with you.

The choir sings Gloria in excelsis Deo

Gloria in excelsis Deo,

All sit

et in terra pax hominibus bonae voluntatis.

Laudamus te, benedicimus te, adoramus te, glorificamus te, gratias agimus tibi propter magnam gloriam tuam, Domine Deus, Rex caelestis, Deus Pater omnipotens.

Domine Fili unigenite, Jesu Christe; Domine Deus, Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis; qui tollis peccata mundi, suscipe deprecationem nostram; qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, miserere nobis.

Quoniam tu solus Sanctus, tu solus Dominus, tu solus Altissimus, Jesu Christe, cum Sancto Spiritu, in gloria Dei Patris. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

All stand for the Collect

Let us pray.

Lord, you have taught us that all our doings without love are nothing worth: send your Holy Spirit and pour into our hearts that most excellent gift of love, the true bond of peace and of all virtues, without which whoever lives is counted dead before you. Grant this for your only Son Jesus Christ's sake, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

All sit for the Reading from the Old Testament, 1 Kings 19: 15–16, 19–end

The Lord said to Elijah, 'Go, return on your way to the wilderness of Damascus; when you arrive, you shall anoint Hazael as king over Aram. Also you shall anoint Jehu son of Nimshi as king over Israel; and you shall anoint Elisha son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah as prophet in your place.'

So he set out from there, and found Elisha son of Shaphat, who was ploughing. There were twelve yoke of oxen ahead of him, and he was with the twelfth. Elijah passed by him and threw his mantle over him. He left the oxen, ran after Elijah, and said, 'Let me kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow you.' Then Elijah said to him, 'Go back again; for what have I done to you?' He returned from following him, took the yoke of oxen, and slaughtered them; using the equipment from the oxen, he boiled their flesh, and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out and followed Elijah, and became his servant.

The choir sings Psalm 16: 1–8

Antiphon You are my lord, all my good depends on you.

Preserve me, O God, for in you have I taken refuge;
   I have said to the Lord, 'You are my lord, all my good depends on you.'
All my delight is upon the godly that are in the land,
   upon those who are noble in heart.
Though the idols are legion that many run after,
   their drink offerings of blood I will not offer,
   neither make mention of their names upon my lips.
The Lord himself is my portion and my cup;
   in your hands alone is my fortune.
My share has fallen in a fair land;
   indeed, I have a goodly heritage.

I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel,
   and in the night watches he instructs my heart.
I have set the Lord always before me;
   he is at my right hand; I shall not fall.
Wherefore my heart is glad and my spirit rejoices;
   my flesh also shall rest secure.

The Epistle, Galatians 5: 1, 13–25

For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for self-indulgence, but through love become slaves to one another. For the whole law is summed up in a single commandment, 'You shall love your neighbour as yourself.' If, however, you bite and devour one another, take care that you are not consumed by one another.

Live by the Spirit, I say, and do not gratify the desires of the flesh. For what the flesh desires is opposed to the Spirit, and what the Spirit desires is opposed to the flesh; for these are opposed to each other, to prevent you from doing what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not subject to the law. Now the works of the flesh are obvious: fornication, impurity, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, anger, quarrels, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these. I am warning you, as I warned you before: those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

By contrast, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit.

All stand for the Procession of the Gospel. The choir sings

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

and all repeat

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Welcome with meekness the implanted word that has the power to save your souls.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The reader announces the Gospel, Luke 9: 51–end

When the days drew near for Jesus to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem. And he sent messengers ahead of him. On their way they entered a village of the Samaritans to make ready for him; but they did not receive him, because his face was set towards Jerusalem. When his disciples James and John saw it, they said, 'Lord, do you want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them?' But he turned and rebuked them. Then they went on to another village.

As they were going along the road, someone said to him, 'I will follow you wherever you go.' And Jesus said to him, 'Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay his head.' To another he said, 'Follow me.' But he said, 'Lord, first let me go and bury my father.' But Jesus said to him, 'Let the dead bury their own dead; but as for you, go and proclaim the kingdom of God.' Another said, 'I will follow you, Lord; but let me first say farewell to those at my home.' Jesus said to him, 'No one who puts a hand to the plough and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.'

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, O Christ.

The Sermon by The Right Reverend Anthony Ball, Canon of Westminster and Rector of St Margaret's Church

All remain seated for the Presentation of the Candidates. The candidates stand before the bishop who says

As members of this community you have come today to be confirmed. Each of you has been nurtured here in the faith of the Church. Now you are to express for yourselves your allegiance to Christ and your rejection of all that is evil. Therefore I ask these questions:

Have you been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?
I have.

Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ?
I am.

The bishop addresses the whole congregation

People of God, will you welcome these candidates and uphold them in their life in Christ?
With the help of God, we will.

All remain seated for the Decision. The bishop says to the candidates

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into his marvellous light. To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him. Therefore I ask:

Do you turn to Christ?
I turn to Christ.

Do you repent of your sins?
I repent of my sins.

Do you renounce evil?
I renounce evil.

May God who has given you the desire to follow Christ give you strength to continue in the way. Amen.

All stand for the Profession of Faith. The bishop addresses the congregation

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess together with these candidates the faith of the Church.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

The bishop sprinkles the candidates with holy water as a reminder of their baptism

All remain standing. The bishop says

Almighty God, we thank you for our fellowship in the household of faith with all who have been baptized into your name. Keep us faithful to our baptism, and so make us ready for that day when the whole creation shall be made perfect in your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

All sit for the Confirmation. The bishop stands before those who are to be confirmed, and says

Our help is in the name of the Lord
who has made heaven and earth.

Blessed be the name of the Lord
now and for ever. Amen.

The bishop extends his hands towards those to be confirmed and says

Almighty and ever-living God, you have given these your servants new birth in baptism by water and the Spirit, and have forgiven them all their sins. Let your Holy Spirit rest upon them: the Spirit of wisdom and understanding; the Spirit of counsel and inward strength; the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness; and let their delight be in the fear of the Lord. Amen.

The bishop addresses each candidate

N, God has called you by name and made you his own.

Anointing with the oil of Chrism and laying his hands on the candidate's head, the bishop says

Confirm, O Lord, your servant with your Holy Spirit. Amen.

The bishop blesses those confirmed elsewhere and those to be confirmed in due course, saying

N, may the light of Christ shine on you in your journey of faith; may he nourish you in word and sacrament and keep you in the household of faith; and may almighty God bless you; the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, today and always. Amen.

When all have received the laying on of hands, the bishop says to the newly confirmed

Shine as a light in the world, as one of God's chosen ones, beloved and accepted in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

All stand. The bishop introduces the Peace

'Where two or three are gathered together in my name,' says the Lord, 'there am I in the midst of them.'

All may greet one another with the words Peace be with you. Please be sensitive to those who might not wish to shake hands

All remain standing to sing the Hymn during the Preparation of the Altar. Bread and wine are presented and a collection will be taken. The money from today's services will be divided equally between the work of the Abbey and the charities it supports. Alternatively, cash and contactless donations may be given as you leave via the Great West Door. UK residents may also donate £5 or £10 to the work of the Abbey by texting respectively ABBEY5 or ABBEY10 to 70025

Light's abode, celestial Salem,
   vision dear whence peace doth spring,
brighter than the heart can fancy,
   mansion of the highest King;
O, how glorious are the praises
   which of thee the prophets sing!

There for ever and for ever
   Alleluia is outpoured;
for unending, for unbroken
   is the feast-day of the Lord;
all is pure and all is holy
   that within thy walls is stored.

There no cloud nor passing vapour
   dims the brightness of the air;
endless noon-day, glorious noon-day,
   from the Sun of suns is there;
there no night brings rest from labour,
   there unknown are toil and care.

O how glorious and resplendent,
   fragile body, shalt thou be,
when endued with so much beauty,
   full of health, and strong, and free,
full of vigour, full of pleasure
   that shall last eternally!

Now with gladness, now with courage,
   bear the burden on thee laid,
that hereafter these thy labours
   may with endless gifts be paid,
and in everlasting glory
   thou with joy may'st be arrayed.

Laud and honour to the Father,
   laud and honour to the Son,
laud and honour to the Spirit,
   ever Three and ever One,
consubstantial, co-eternal
   while unending ages run. Amen.

Words: Jerusalem luminosa 15th century, translated by John Mason Neale (1818–66)
Tune: Regent Square 401 NEH, Henry Smart (1818–79)

All remain standing for the Eucharistic Prayer. The bishop says

Father, we give you thanks and praise through your beloved Son Jesus Christ, your living Word, through whom you have created all things; who was sent by you in your great goodness to be our Saviour.

By the power of the Holy Spirit he took flesh; as your Son, born of the blessed Virgin, he lived on earth and went about among us; he opened wide his arms for us on the cross; he put an end to death by dying for us; and revealed the resurrection by rising to new life; so he fulfilled your will and won for you a holy people.

Therefore with angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we proclaim your great and glorious name, for ever praising you and saying:

The choir sings Sanctus

Sanctus, sanctus, sanctus Dominus Deus Sabaoth, pleni sunt caeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might, heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

The bishop continues the Eucharist Prayer

Lord, you are holy indeed, the source of all holiness; grant that by the power of your Holy Spirit, and according to your holy will, these gifts of bread and wine may be to us the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ;

who, in the same night that he was betrayed, took bread and gave you thanks; he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup and gave you thanks; he gave it to them, saying: Drink this, all of you; this is my blood of the new covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

The bishop continues the Eucharist Prayer

And so, Father, calling to mind his death on the cross, his perfect sacrifice made once for the sins of the whole world; rejoicing in his mighty resurrection and glorious ascension, and looking for his coming in glory, we celebrate this memorial of our redemption. As we offer you this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, we bring before you this bread and this cup and we thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

Send the Holy Spirit on your people and gather into one in your kingdom all who share this one bread and one cup, so that we, in the company of [N and] all the saints, may praise and glorify you for ever, through Jesus Christ our Lord; by whom, and with whom, and in whom, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory be yours, almighty Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

All remain standing. The bishop introduces the Lord's Prayer

As we join our prayers with those of the Church Universal, so we say, each in our own language, the prayer that Jesus Christ has taught us,

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 remain standing for the Breaking of the Bread

The congregation is invited to sit as the president and other ministers begin the Giving of Communion. Those wishing to receive communion come forward as directed by the Stewards. If you receive communion in your own church you are welcome to do so here. Gluten-free wafers are available

Communion is offered in both kinds (bread and wine). Wine is offered to drink only; please refrain from dipping bread in the chalice. If you prefer to receive in one kind (bread alone) then you may do so. Those who do not wish to receive communion are invited to come for a blessing. Please bow your head to indicate to the priest that you are asking for a blessing. The minister says

The body of Christ. Amen.

The blood of Christ. Amen.

During the giving of communion, the choir sings Agnus Dei and the Motet

O hearken thou unto the voice of my calling,
   my King and my God,
   for unto thee will I make my prayer.
My voice shalt thou hear betimes, O Lord;
   early in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

Words: Psalm 5: 2–3
Music: Edward Elgar (1857–1934)

All stand to sing the Hymn, during which candles are lit and presented to those newly confirmed

   Now thank we all our God,
with heart and hands and voices,
   who wondrous things hath done,
in whom his world rejoices;
   who from our mother's arms
      hath blessed us on our way
   with countless gifts of love,
      and still is ours to-day.

   O may this bounteous God
through all our life be near us,
   with ever joyful hearts
and blessèd peace to cheer us;
   and keep us in his grace,
      and guide us when perplexed,
   and free us from all ills
      in this world and the next.

   All praise and thanks to God
the Father now be given,
   the Son, and him who reigns
with them in highest heaven,
   the One eternal God,
      whom earth and heaven adore;
   for thus it was, is now,
      and shall be evermore. Amen.

Words: Nun danket alle Gott Martin Rinkart (1586–1649) translated by Catherine Winkworth (1827–78)
Tune: Nun danket 413 NEH, in Johann Crüger's Praxis pietatis melica 1647

Let us pray.

All remain standing. The bishop says the Prayer after Communion

Loving Father, we thank you for feeding us at the supper of your Son: sustain us with your Spirit, that we may serve you here on earth until our joy is complete in heaven, and we share in the eternal banquet with Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The president pronounces the Blessing

The peace of God that passes all understanding, keep your hearts and minds in the knowledge and love of God and of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and has given us a place with the saints in light.

You have received the light of Christ; walk in this light all the days of your life.
Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father.

Go in the peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

Music after the service

Danse, Claude Debussy (1862–1918) arranged by Thierry Hirsch

Please pray for those confirmed in this service

Barnaby Scholes and Ben Tweedie

and for those blessed by the bishop, and confirmed elsewhere

Isaac Chapman, Caspar Del Mar, and Thomas Wilcox

CHORISTERSHIPS AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY

Enquiries are welcomed at any time. If you have a son who enjoys singing, and would like further details of the world-renowned Abbey Choir and its unique choir school, please visit www.abbeychoirschool.org

Mr Peter Roberts, Headmaster, Westminster Abbey Choir School, Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3NY, Tel 020 7222 6151 [email protected]
Mr James O'Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers, The Chapter Office, 20 Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3PA, Tel 020 7654 4854 [email protected]

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Hymns covered by Christian Copyright Licensing (International) Ltd are reproduced under CCL no 1040271 and MRL no 1040288. Common Worship (Church House Publishing, 2000), material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council. Scripture Readings are from the New Revised Standard Version.