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.

The service is sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.

Setting: Mass for four voices, William Byrd (c 1540–1623)

During the offertory hymn a collection will be taken. The money from today's services will be divided equally between the Cardinal Hume Centre and the work of the Abbey. The Cardinal Hume Centre, based in Westminster, supports families and young people facing poverty and homelessness by helping them to thrive. Alternatively, cash and contactless donations may be given as you leave via the Great West Door

Order of Service

All assemble in the Nave, standing and facing the Great West Door

The choir sings the Antiphon

Behold, our God will come with mighty power, to give light to the eyes of his servants. Alleluia!

Music: plainsong
Words: Isaiah 35: 4–5

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The president introduces the Blessing of Candles saying

Brothers and sisters in Christ, forty days ago we celebrated the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now we recall the day on which he was presented in the Temple, when he was offered to the Father and shown to his people. As a sign of his coming among us, his mother was purified, as we now come to him for cleansing. In their old age Simeon and Anna recognised him as their Lord, as we today sing of his glory. In this Eucharist, we celebrate both the joy of his coming and his searching judgement, looking back to the day of his birth and forward to the coming days of his passion.

All hold up their candles for the Prayer of Blessing

Lord God, the springing source of everlasting light, bless these candles to your servants' use, and pour into the hearts of your faithful people the brilliance of your eternal splendour, that we, who by these kindling flames light up this temple to your glory, may have the darkness of our souls dispelled, and so be counted worthy to stand before you in that eternal city where you live and reign, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The taperers light the candles of the congregation. Please pass the flame to those around you. As the candles are lit, the choir sings Nunc dimittis

Antiphon A light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of thy people Israel.

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace
   according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,
  which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;
to be a light to lighten the Gentiles
   and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Music: plainsong
Words: Luke 2: 29–32

All sing the Hymn, during which the choir, clergy, and congregation move to their places. Please be guided by the stewards

Of the Father's heart begotten,
   ere the world from chaos rose,
he is Alpha: from that Fountain
   all that is and hath been flows;
he is Omega, of all things
   yet to come the mystic Close,
      evermore and evermore.

O how blest that wondrous birthday,
   when the Maid the curse retrieved,
brought to birth mankind's salvation,
   by the Holy Ghost conceived;
and the Babe, the world's Redeemer,
   in her loving arms received,
      evermore and evermore.

This is he, whom seer and sibyl
   sang in ages long gone by;
this is he of old revealèd
   in the page of prophecy;
lo! he comes, the promised Saviour;
   let the world his praises cry!
      evermore and evermore.

Let the storm and summer sunshine,
   gliding stream and sounding shore,
sea and forest, frost and zephyr,
   day and night their Lord adore;
let creation join to laud thee
   through the ages evermore,
      evermore and evermore.

Sing, ye heights of heaven, his praises;
   angels and archangels, sing!
Wheresoe'er ye be, ye faithful,
   let your joyous anthems ring,
every tongue his name confessing,
   countless voices answering,
      Evermore and evermore.

Words: Corde natus ex parentis Prudentius (348–c 413), translated by Robert Davis (1866–1937)
Tune: Divinum mysterium 33 NEH from Piae cantiones Theoderici Petri Nylandensis 1582

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.

All sit for the Reading from the Old Testament, Malachi 3: 1–5

See, I am sending my messenger to prepare the way before me, and the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple. The messenger of the covenant in whom you delight—indeed, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts. But who can endure the day of his coming, and who can stand when he appears?

For he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap; he will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver, and he will purify the descendants of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, until they present offerings to the Lord in righteousness. Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the Lord as in the days of old and as in former years.

Then I will draw near to you for judgement; I will be swift to bear witness against the sorcerers, against the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, against those who oppress the hired workers in their wages, the widow, and the orphan, against those who thrust aside the alien, and do not fear me, says the Lord of hosts.

The choir sings Psalm 24: 7–end

Antiphon And they offered a sacrifice according to the law, 'a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons'.

Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors;
   and the King of glory shall come in.
'Who is the King of glory?'
   'The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord who is mighty in battle.'
Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors;
   and the King of glory shall come in.
'Who is this King of glory?'
   'The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.'

The Epistle, Hebrews 2: 14–end

Since the children share flesh and blood, Jesus himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels, but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered, he is able to help those who are being tested.

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

and all repeat

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

This child is the light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The reader announces the Gospel, Luke 2: 22–40

When the time came for their purification according to the law of Moses, the parents of Jesus brought him up to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord (as it is written in the law of the Lord, 'Every firstborn male shall be designated as holy to the Lord'), and they offered a sacrifice according to what is stated in the law of the Lord, 'a pair of turtle-doves or two young pigeons.'

Now there was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon; this man was righteous and devout, looking forward to the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit rested on him. It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord's Messiah. Guided by the Spirit, Simeon came into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him what was customary under the law, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God, saying,
'Master, now you are dismissing your servant in peace,
   according to your word;
for my eyes have seen your salvation,
   which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples,
a light for revelation to the Gentiles
   and for glory to your people Israel.'

And the child's father and mother were amazed at what was being said about him. Then Simeon blessed them and said to his mother Mary, 'This child is destined for the falling and the rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be opposed so that the inner thoughts of many will be revealed—and a sword will pierce your own soul too.'

There was also a prophet, Anna the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was of a great age, having lived with her husband for seven years after her marriage, then as a widow to the age of eighty-four. She never left the temple but worshipped there with fasting and prayer night and day. At that moment she came, and began to praise God and to speak about the child to all who were looking for the redemption of Jerusalem.

When they had finished everything required by the law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee, to their own town of Nazareth. The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favour of God was upon him.

All candles are extinguished

The Sermon by The Reverend Mark Birch, Precentor

All stand to say the Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

All remain standing for the Prayers of Intercession. At the end of each petition there is said

The intercession ends

Merciful Father, accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.

The president introduces the Peace

In the tender mercy of our God the dayspring from on high has broken upon us, to give light to those who dwell in darkness and in the shadow of death and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

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. A collection will be taken; the money from today's services will be divided equally between the work of the Abbey and the Cardinal Hume Centre. Alternatively, cash and contactless donations may be given as you leave via the Great West Door

Hail to the Lord who comes,
   comes to his temple gate!
Not with his angel host,
   not in his kingly state;
no shouts proclaim him nigh,
   no crowds his coming wait;

but borne upon the throne
   of Mary's gentle breast,
watched by her duteous love,
   in her fond arms at rest;
thus to his Father's house
   he comes, the heavenly guest.

There Joseph at her side
   in reverent wonder stands;
and, filled with holy joy,
   old Simeon in his hands
takes up the promised Child,
   the glory of all lands.

Hail to the great First-born
   whose ransom-price they pay!
the Son before all worlds,
   the Child of man to-day,
that he might ransom us
   who still in bondage lay.

O Light of all the earth,
   thy children wait for thee!
Come to thy temples here,
   that we, from sin set free,
before thy Father's face
   may all presented be!

Words: John Ellerton (1826–93)
Tune: Old 120th 157 NEH, from Este's Psalter 1592

All remain standing for the Eucharistic Prayer. The president says

It is indeed right and good, always and everywhere to give you thanks and praise through Jesus Christ, who is one with you from all eternity.

For on this day he appeared in the Temple in substance of our flesh to come near to us in judgement. He searches the hearts of all your people and brings to light the image of your splendour. Your servant Simeon acclaimed his as the light to lighten the nations while Anna spoke of him to all who looked for your redemption. Destined for the falling and rising of many, he was lifted high upon the cross and a sword of sorrow pierced his mother's heart when by his sacrifice he made our peace with you.

And now we rejoice and glorify your name that we, too, have seen your salvation and join with angels and archangels in their unending hymn of praise:

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 president continues the Eucharistic 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 president concludes the Eucharistic 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.

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

Believing the promises of God, 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 distribution of Holy Communion. Those wishing to receive 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

Holy 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 to each communicant

The body of Christ. Amen.

The blood of Christ. Amen.

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

Senex puerum portabat, puer autem senem regebat: quem Virgo peperit, et post partum virgo permansit, ipsum quem genuit adoravit.

The old man carried the boy, yet the boy was Lord of the old man. The Virgin bore him and thereafter remained a virgin; him whom she bore, she also worshipped.

Words: Alleluia verse, Mass of the Presentation
Music: William Byrd Gradualia 1605

All stand when the president stands

All candles are lit once more, and the choir sings Nunc dimittis

Lord, let thy servant now depart in peace,
   according to thy promise.
For mine eyes have seen the Saviour sent from thee,
   whom thou hast prepared before the face of thy people.
A light to lighten the gentiles,
   to be the glory of thy people of Israel.

Glory to the Father and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost;
as it was in the beginning, and is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Alway so be it.

Christopher Tye (c 1505–c 73)

Let us pray.

All remain standing. The president says the Prayer after Communion

Lord, you fulfilled the hope of Simeon and Anna, who lived to welcome the Messiah: may we, who have received these gifts beyond words, prepare to meet Christ Jesus when he comes to bring us to eternal life; for he is alive and reigns, now and for ever. Amen.

The president pronounces the Blessing

Christ, whose glory fills the skies, fill you with radiance and scatter the darkness from your path. Amen.

Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, gladden your eyes and warm your heart. Amen.

Christ, the Dayspring from on high, draw near to guide your feet into the way of peace. Amen.

And the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Music after the service

Mit Fried und Freud BuxWV 76, Dieterich Buxtehude (c 1637–1707)

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 Mark Mitchell, Acting Headmaster, Westminster Abbey Choir School, Dean's Yard, London, SW1P 3NY, Tel 020 7222 6151 [email protected]
Mr Andrew Nethsingha, 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.