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.

The service is sung by the Choir of Westminster Abbey.

During the final hymn, a collection will be taken; the money from today's services will be divided equally between Combat Stress and the work of the Abbey. Combat Stress provides clinical treatment and support for veterans from the British Armed Forces.

Order of Service

The choir sings the Introit

Hide not thou thy face from us, O Lord, and cast not off thy servants in thy displeasure. For we confess our sins unto thee, and hide not our unrighteousness; for thy mercy's sake deliver us from all our sins.

Words: after Psalms 27: 10; 32: 6
Music: Richard Farrant (c 1525–80)

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 47

O clap your hands together, all ye people : O sing unto God with the voice of melody.
For the Lord is high, and to be feared : he is the great King upon all the earth.
He shall subdue the people under us : and the nations under our feet.
He shall choose out an heritage for us : even the worship of Jacob, whom he loved.
God is gone up with a merry noise : and the Lord with the sound of the trump.
O sing praises, sing praises unto our God : O sing praises, sing praises unto our King.
For God is the King of all the earth : sing ye praises with understanding.
God reigneth over the heathen : God sitteth upon his holy seat.
The princes of the people are joined unto the people of the God of Abraham : for God, which is very high exalted, doth defend the earth, as it were with a shield.

All stand

Chant: John Goss (1800–80)

All sit for the first Lesson, 1 Kings 3: 1–15

Solomon made a marriage alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt; he took Pharaoh's daughter and brought her into the city of David, until he had finished building his own house and the house of the Lord and the wall around Jerusalem. The people were sacrificing at the high places, however, because no house had yet been built for the name of the Lord.

Solomon loved the Lord, walking in the statutes of his father David; only, he sacrificed and offered incense at the high places. The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the principal high place; Solomon used to offer a thousand burnt-offerings on that altar. At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, 'Ask what I should give you.' And Solomon said, 'You have shown great and steadfast love to your servant my father David, because he walked before you in faithfulness, in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart towards you; and you have kept for him this great and steadfast love, and have given him a son to sit on his throne today. And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David, although I am only a little child; I do not know how to go out or come in. And your servant is in the midst of the people whom you have chosen, a great people, so numerous they cannot be numbered or counted. Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, able to discern between good and evil; for who can govern this your great people?'

It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. God said to him, 'Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches, or for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, I now do according to your word. Indeed I give you a wise and discerning mind; no one like you has been before you and no one like you shall arise after you. I give you also what you have not asked, both riches and honour all your life; no other king shall compare with you. If you will walk in my ways, keeping my statutes and my commandments, as your father David walked, then I will lengthen your life.'

Then Solomon awoke; it had been a dream. He came to Jerusalem, where he stood before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. He offered up burnt-offerings and offerings of well-being, and provided a feast for all his servants.

Here ends the first lesson.

All stand. The choir sings Magnificat

Evening Service in F minor, Alan Gray (1855–1935)

All sit for the second Lesson, Romans 8: 31–end

What are we to say about these things? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not withhold his own Son, but gave him up for all of us, will he not with him also give us everything else? Who will bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? It is Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us. Who will separate us from the love of Christ? Will hardship, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written,
'For your sake we are being killed all day long;
   we are accounted as sheep to be slaughtered.'
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Here ends the second lesson.

All stand. The choir sings Nunc dimittis

Evening Service in F minor, Alan Gray

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.

The officiant and choir sing the Lesser Litany; the Lord's Prayer and the Responses

Let us pray.

All kneel or sit

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

Grant, we beseech thee, merciful Lord, to thy faithful people pardon and peace, that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve thee with a quiet mind; through 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

My soul, there is a country
Far beyond the stars,
Where stands a wingèd sentry
All skilful in the wars:

There above noise, and danger,
Sweet Peace sits crowned with smiles,
And One born in a manger
Commands the beauteous files.

He is thy gracious friend,
And (O my soul, awake!)
Did in pure love descend,
To die here for thy sake.

If thou canst get but thither,
There grows the flower of Peace,
The Rose that cannot wither,
Thy fortress, and thy ease.

Leave then thy foolish ranges,
For none can thee secure,
But One who never changes,
Thy God, thy Life, thy Cure.

Words: Henry Vaughan (1621–95)
Music: from 'Songs of Farewell' Hubert Parry (1848–1918)

Members of College stand. The Master of the Choristers and the Head of the Choir School lead the Singing Boys to the Dean. The Headteacher says

Mr Dean, I present to you NN, who have completed their first year of training and will now begin to participate regularly in choral services.

The Dean addresses the new Singing Boys

It is the duty of the Choir to lead the people of God in worship, by its conduct to set an example, and to strive to lift the hearts of all people to God. In order to achieve this, it needs members who strive for excellence in all that they do. You have now completed your initial training and are ready to begin to play an active part in the daily life of this Collegiate Church. In a moment I will present each of you with a surplice, which is a sign that you have now reached this stage of your formation as choristers, and that you understand and accept the responsibilities of this position.

Do you promise to be a faithful member of this Choir?

I do.

Do you promise to do your best at all times?

I do.

Will you accept the discipline of those set over you, and serve God with reverence and joy?

I will, with the help of God.

Surplices are presented to each Singing Boy

The Dean says

May almighty God accept the offering of your worship, and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ. Amen.

The Singing Boys are led to their stalls by the Master of the Choristers

The Master of the Choristers leads the new Choristers to the Dean and says

Mr Dean, I present to you NN, to be admitted as Choristers of this Collegiate Church.

The Dean says

The Choristers comprise the senior boys in the Choir, whose experience and leadership provide an example to the other boys, and who formally become members of the Collegiate Foundation. With this in mind and so far as in you lies, do you promise to remain a faithful member of this Choir?

I do.

Will you continue to give of your best in all that you do within this Abbey Church?

I will, with the help of God.

Will you strive to set an example to your colleagues through your singing and your behaviour?

I will, with the help of God.

May almighty God accept the offering of your worship, and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ. Amen.

The Dean admits each Chorister, taking him by the hand and saying

N, you have promised to serve God in this Choir and to lead his people in worship and praise. I therefore admit you to this Collegiate Foundation of Saint Peter in Westminster, and we welcome you into our fellowship with a glad heart; in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Dean addresses the Choristers

Take heed that what you sing with your lips you may believe in your heart, and that what you believe in your heart you may show forth in your daily life.

The Dean leads the Choristers to the stalls, then says

Let us pray.

All stand

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: be ever present with thy servants who seek in this place through art and music to perfect the praises of thy people; and grant to them even now such glimpses of thy beauty, that they may at length be found worthy to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Dean 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 sing the Hymn

Eternal Ruler of the ceaseless round
   of circling planets singing on their way;
guide to the nations from the night profound
   into the glory of the perfect day;
rule in our hearts, that we may ever be
   guided and strengthened and upheld by thee.

We are of thee, the children of thy love,
   the brothers of thy well-belovèd Son;
descend, O Holy Spirit, like a dove,
   into our hearts, that we may be as one:
as one with thee, to whom we ever tend;
   as one with him, our Brother and our Friend.

We would be one in hatred of all wrong,
   one in our love of all things sweet and fair,
one with the joy that breaketh into song,
   one with the grief that trembleth into prayer,
one in the pow'r that makes the children free
   to follow truth, and thus to follow thee.

O clothe us with thy heav'nly armour, Lord,
   thy trusty shield, thy sword of love divine;
our inspiration be thy constant word;
   we ask no victories that are not thine:
give or withhold, let pain or pleasure be;
   enough to know that we are serving thee.

Words: John Chadwick (1840–1904)
Tune: Song 1 355 NEH, Orlando Gibbons (1583–1625) Organist and Master of the Choristers 1623–25

The Sermon by The Reverend Mark Birch MVO, 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

Thy hand, O God, has guided
   thy flock, from age to age;
the wondrous tale is written,
   full clear, on every page;
our fathers owned thy goodness,
   and we their deeds record;
and both of this bear witness:
   one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Thy heralds brought glad tidings
      to greatest, as to least;
they bade men rise, and hasten
to share the great King's feast;
and this was all their teaching,
   in every deed and word,
to all alike proclaiming
   one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Through many a day of darkness,
   through many a scene of strife,
the faithful few fought bravely
   to guard the nation's life.
Their gospel of redemption,
   sin pardoned, man restored,
was all in this enfolded,
   one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

And we, shall we be faithless?
   Shall hearts fail, hands hang down?
Shall we evade the conflict,
   and cast away our crown?
Not so: in God's deep counsels
   some better thing is stored;
we will maintain, unflinching,
   one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Thy mercy will not fail us,
   nor leave thy work undone;
with thy right hand to help us,
   the victory shall be won;
and then, by men and angels,
   thy name shall be adored,
and this shall be their anthem,
   one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Words: Edward Plumptre (1821–91)
Tune: Thornbury 485 NEH, Basil Harwood (1859–1949)

The Blessing. All respond Amen.

All remain standing as the clergy depart

Music after the service

Elegy, Hubert Parry

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

Choristerships at Westminster Abbey

The Choir of Westminster Abbey

If you have a son who enjoys singing, you can find out more information about our world-renowned Abbey Choir and its unique Choir School. Alternatively, please contact Dr Emma Margrett, Headteacher, Westminster Abbey Choir School, and Mr Andrew Nethsingha, Organist and Master of the Choristers, by emailing [email protected].

St Margaret's Choristers

If you have a daughter aged 10 or 11 who would like to sing with the St Margaret's Choristers, please contact Mr Greg Morris, Director of Music, St Margaret's Church, [email protected]. Find out more about Music at St Margaret's Church.

If you attend worship at the Abbey regularly, you may like to add this page to your home screen for easy access to our orders of service.

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.