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 Lay Vicars of Westminster Abbey.

Setting: Missa Congratulamini mihi, Thomas Crecquillon (c 1505–c 57)

During the offertory hymn, a collection will be taken; the money from today's services will be divided equally between The King's Trust and the work of the Abbey. The King's Trust helps young people from disadvantaged communities and those facing the greatest adversity by supporting them to build the confidence and skills to live, learn, and earn.

Order of Service

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

I bind unto myself today
   the strong name of the Trinity,
by invocation of the same,
   the Three in One, and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever
   by pow'r of faith, Christ's incarnation;
his baptism in Jordan river;
   his death on cross for my salvation:
his bursting from the spicèd tomb;
   his riding up the heav'nly way;
his coming at the day of doom;
   I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the pow'r
   of the great love of Cherubim;
the sweet 'Well done' in judgement hour;
   the service of the Seraphim,
confessors' faith, apostles' word,
   the patriarch's prayers, the prophets' scrolls,
all good deeds done unto the Lord,
   and purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today
   the virtues of the star-lit heav'n,
the glorious sun's life-giving ray,
   the whiteness of the moon at ev'n,
the flashing of the lightning free,
   the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea,
   around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today
   the pow'r of God to hold and lead,
his eye to watch, his might to stay,
   his ear to hearken to my need.
The wisdom of my God to teach,
   his hand to guide, his shield to ward;
the word of God to give me speech,
   his heav'nly host to be my guard.

I bind unto myself the name,
   the strong name of the Trinity;
by invocation of the same,
   the Three in One, and One in Three.
Of whom all nature hath creation;
   eternal Father, Spirit, Word:
praise to the Lord of my salvation,
   salvation is of Christ the Lord.
      Amen.

Words: attributed to Patrick (fl 5th century) translated by Cecil Frances Alexander (1818–95)
Tune: 'St Patrick's Breastplate' 159 NEH, from the 'Petrie Collection of Irish Music' 1903

All remain standing. The president introduces the Prayers of Penitence, after which all say

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you
and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry
and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for us,
forgive us all that is past
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name.
Amen.

The president gives the Absolution

Almighty God, who forgives all who truly repent, have mercy upon you, pardon and deliver you from all your sins, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, and keep you in life eternal; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

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 on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God almighty Father.

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

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, Isaiah 40: 12–17, 27–end

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand
   and marked off the heavens with a span,
enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure,
   and weighed the mountains in scales
   and the hills in a balance?
Who has directed the spirit of the Lord,
   or as his counsellor has instructed him?
Whom did he consult for his enlightenment,
   and who taught him the path of justice?
Who taught him knowledge,
   and showed him the way of understanding?
Even the nations are like a drop from a bucket,
   and are accounted as dust on the scales;
   see, he takes up the isles like fine dust.
Lebanon would not provide fuel enough,
   nor are its animals enough for a burnt-offering.
All the nations are as nothing before him;
   they are accounted by him
   as less than nothing and emptiness.

Why do you say, O Jacob,
   and speak, O Israel,
'My way is hidden from the Lord,
   and my right is disregarded by my God'?
Have you not known? Have you not heard?
The Lord is the everlasting God,
   the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He does not faint or grow weary;
   his understanding is unsearchable.
He gives power to the faint,
   and strengthens the powerless.
Even youths will faint and be weary,
   and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength,
   they shall mount up with wings like eagles,
they shall run and not be weary,
   they shall walk and not faint.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The choir sings Psalm 8

Antiphon O Lord our governor, how glorious is your name in all the world!

Your majesty above the heavens is praised.
   Out of the mouths of babes at the breast
you have founded a stronghold against your foes,
   that you might still the enemy and the avenger.

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers,
   the moon and the stars that you have ordained;
what are mortals that you should be mindful of them,
   mere human beings that you should seek them out?

You have made them little lower than the angels,
   and crown them with glory and honour.
You have given them dominion over the works of your hands,
   and put all things under their feet,
All sheep and oxen,
   even the wild beasts of the field,
the birds of the air, the fish of the sea,
   and whatsoever moves in the paths of the sea.

The Epistle, 2 Corinthians 13: 11–end

Finally, brothers and sisters, farewell. Put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

and all repeat

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, one God, who was, and who is, and who is to come, the Almighty.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The reader announces the Gospel, Matthew 28: 16–20

The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'

The Sermon by The Reverend Helena Bickley-Percival, Sacrist

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

Peace to you from God our heavenly Father. Peace from his Son Jesus Christ who is our peace. Peace from the Holy Spirit, the life-giver.

All may greet one another with the words Peace be with you.

All remain standing to sing the Hymn during the Preparation of the Altar. A collection will be taken. Alternatively, cash and contactless donations may be given as you leave via the Great West Door

The God of Abraham praise
   who reigns enthroned above,
Ancient of everlasting days,
   and God of love:
to him uplift your voice,
   at whose supreme command
from earth we rise and seek the joys
   at his right hand.

There dwells the Lord our King,
   the Lord our Righteousness,
triumphant o'er the world of sin,
   the Prince of Peace:
on Sion's sacred height
   his kingdom he maintains,
and glorious with his saints in light
   for ever reigns.

Before the great Three-One
   they all exulting stand,
and tell the wonders he has done
   throughout the land:
the listening spheres attend,
   and swell the growing fame,
and sing in songs which never end
   the wondrous name.

The God who reigns on high
   the great archangels sing,
and 'Holy, holy, holy' cry
   'Almighty King!
who was, and is the same,
   and evermore shall be:
eternal Father, great I AM,
   we worship thee.'

The whole triumphant host
   give thanks to God on high:
'Hail, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost',
   they ever cry:
hail, Abram's God and mine!
   (I join the heavenly lays.)
All might and majesty are thine,
   and endless praise.

Words: Thomas Olivers (1725–99), after 'Yigdal'
Tune: 'Leoni' 148 NEH, traditional Hebrew melody

All remain standing for the Eucharistic Prayer. The president says

It is indeed right, our duty, and our joy, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God. For with your only-begotten Son and the Holy Spirit you are one God, one Lord. All that you reveal of your glory, the same we believe of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, without any difference or inequality. We, your holy Church, acclaim you, Father of majesty unbounded, your true and only Son, worthy of all worship, and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide. Three Persons we adore, one in being and equal in majesty. And so with angels and archangels, with cherubim and seraphim, we sing for ever of your glory:

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.

Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died: Christ is risen: Christ will come again.

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 president 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 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. Please refrain from dipping the wafer in the chalice. Those who do not wish to receive communion are invited to come for a blessing; please bow your head as you approach. 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

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.

Benedicimus Deum caeli et coram omnibus viventibus confitebimur ei, quia fecit nobiscum misericordiam suam.

Let us bless the God of heaven and utter his praises before all who live; for he has dealt with us according to his mercy.

Words: Tobit 12: 6
Music: Heinrich Isaac (c 1450–1517)

All stand to sing the Hymn

May the grace of Christ our Saviour,
   and the Father's boundless love,
with the Holy Spirit's favour,
   rest upon us from above.

Thus may we abide in union
   with each other and the Lord,
and possess in sweet communion,
   joys which earth cannot afford.

To the God whose wisdom made us,
   to the Son who set us free,
to the sanctifying Spirit,
   glory, endless glory, be!
      Amen.

Words: John Newton (1725–1807), verse 1 after 2 Corinthians 13: 13
Tune: 'Waltham' 298 NEH, Heinrich Albert (1604–51)

Let us pray.

All remain standing. The president says the Prayer after Communion

The president pronounces the Blessing

Music after the service

Prelude in E flat BWV 552i, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

Sunday Lunch

Come and enjoy Sunday lunch at the Cellarium

The Cellarium Café and Terrace serves a traditional roast lunch, with a selection of starters and desserts. From £20.00 per person. Open from noon.

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.