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 Matins 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.

Please join in saying the words 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 Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir.

Following the service, a collection will be taken; the money from today's services will divided equally between Charity details.

This service will be live-streamed.

The City of Westminster

Westminster first achieved the status of a city in 1540 when, for only ten years, it became a bishopric. Its first recorded civic administration dates from 1585, in the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, when an Act authorised the establishment of a Court of Burgesses 'for the good government of the City of Westminster'.

While Queen Elizabeth I was creating mayors elsewhere in England, she was concerned that a mayor in Westminster might challenge the authority of the monarch in her own capital city, and she therefore appointed instead the High Steward of Westminster Abbey as Chairman of her newly created Court of Burgesses. The first High Steward to chair the new Court of Burgesses was the Queen's First Minister, William Cecil, Lord Burleigh.

The Court of Burgesses was an administrative body which dealt with public health and morality, planning permissions, the prevention and punishment of crime, and the regulation of weights and measures. It comprised twelve Burgesses appointed by the Dean—one for each ward.
However, when the London Government Act of 1899 created twenty-eight Metropolitan Borough Councils, each having an elected Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors, the authority of the Dean and the High Steward in secular affairs ceased.

The last High Steward, who was also effectively Mayor, was Lord Salisbury, who was then also Prime Minister. The Duke of Norfolk was the first Mayor of Westminster. On 29th October 1900, a Royal Charter confirmed the status of Westminster as a city.

Since 1935, in order to preserve this historic link between Westminster Abbey and the City Council, the High Steward (the Abbey's senior Lay Officer) has each year appointed the current Mayor of Westminster as Deputy High Steward of Westminster.

The new City of Westminster, incorporating the Boroughs of Paddington and St Marylebone, was constituted by Royal Charter on 1st April 1965. The following year, the Queen granted the First Citizen the style and dignity of Lord Mayor.

To recognise these links between Westminster Abbey and the City Council, the Dean and Chapter welcomes annually the new Lord Mayor of Westminster, the Deputy High Steward, in State to the Civic Service.

Music before the service

Saraband Processional,  William Harris (1883–1973)

Postlude on an old Irish melody Op 101 no 5,  Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924)

Chorale Prelude on S S Wesley's Hampton,  Hubert Parry (1848–1918)

Choral Song and Fugue, Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810–76)

Rhapsody in D flat major Op 17 no 1, Herbert Howells (1892–1983)

Order of Service

The Lord Mayor of Westminster is received at the Great West Door. All stand

All remain standing as the processions of the Lord Mayor and Councillors of the City of Westminster move to places in the Lantern and in Quire

The choir sings the Introit

Locus iste a Deo factus est, inaestimabile sacramentum: irreprehensibilis est.

This place was made by God: a priceless and unblemished sign of his presence

Words: Gradual, Mass for the dedication of a church
Music: Anton Bruckner (1824–96)

All sing the Hymn, during which the choir and clergy process to places in Quire and the Sacrarium

All my hope on God is founded;
   he doth still my trust renew.
Me through change and chance he guideth,
   only good and only true.
God unknown,
he alone
calls my heart to be his own.

Pride of man and earthly glory,
   sword and crown betray his trust;
what with care and toil he buildeth,
   tower and temple, fall to dust.
But God's power,
hour by hour,
is my temple and my tower.

God's great goodness aye endureth,
   deep his wisdom, passing thought:
splendour, light, and life attend him,
   beauty springeth out of naught.
Evermore
from his store
new-born worlds rise and adore.

Daily doth th'Almighty giver
   bounteous gifts on us bestow;
his desire our soul delighteth,
   pleasure leads us where we go.
Love doth stand
at his hand;
joy doth wait on his command.

Still from man to God eternal
   sacrifice of praise be done,
high above all praises praising
   for the gift of Christ his Son.
Christ doth call
one and all:
ye who follow shall not fall.

Words: Meine Hoffnung stehet feste, Joachim Neander (1650–80) translated by Robert Bridges (1844–1930)
Tune: Michael 333 NEH, Herbert Howells (1892–1983) 

All remain standing for the Welcome

The officiant says a Sentence of Scripture

The officiant and choir sing the Responses

Music: Richard Ayleward (1626–69)

All sit. The choir sings Venite exultemus Domino

Chant: Edwin Monk (1819–1900)

All remain seated. The choir sings Psalm 133

Behold, how good and joyful a thing it is : brethren, to dwell together in unity!
It is like the precious ointment upon the head, that ran down unto the beard : even unto Aaron's beard, and went down to the skirts of his clothing.
Like as the dew of Hermon : which fell upon the hill of Sion.
For there the Lord promised his blessing : and life for evermore.

All stand

Chant: James Turle (1802–82) Organist and Master of the Choristers 1831–82

All sit for the first Lesson, Deuteronomy 15: 1–11

Every seventh year you shall grant a remission of debts. And this is the manner of the remission: every creditor shall remit the claim that is held against a neighbour, not exacting it from a neighbour who is a member of the community, because the Lord's remission has been proclaimed. From a foreigner you may exact it, but you must remit your claim on whatever any member of your community owes you. There will, however, be no one in need among you, because the Lord is sure to bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you as a possession to occupy, if only you will obey the Lord your God by diligently observing this entire commandment that I command you today. When the Lord your God has blessed you, as he promised you, you will lend to many nations, but you will not borrow; you will rule over many nations, but they will not rule over you.

If there is among you anyone in need, a member of your community in any of your towns within the land that the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hard-hearted or tight-fisted towards your needy neighbour. You should rather open your hand, willingly lending enough to meet the need, whatever it may be. Be careful that you do not entertain a mean thought, thinking, 'The seventh year, the year of remission, is near', and therefore view your needy neighbour with hostility and give nothing; your neighbour might cry to the Lord against you, and you would incur guilt. Give liberally and be ungrudging when you do so, for on this account the Lord your God will bless you in all your work and in all that you undertake. Since there will never cease to be some in need on the earth, I therefore command you, 'Open your hand to the poor and needy neighbour in your land.'

Here ends the first lesson.

All stand. The choir sings Te Deum laudamus

Te Deum in G, Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872–1958)

All sit for the second Lesson, Philippians 4: 4–13

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Let your gentleness be known to everyone. The Lord is near. Do not worry about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Finally, beloved, whatever is true, whatever is honourable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Keep on doing the things that you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, and the God of peace will be with you.

I rejoice in the Lord greatly that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned for me, but had no opportunity to show it. Not that I am referring to being in need; for I have learned to be content with whatever I have. I know what it is to have little, and I know what it is to have plenty. In any and all circumstances I have learned the secret of being well-fed and of going hungry, of having plenty and of being in need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Here ends the second lesson.

All stand. The choir sings Jubilate Deo

O be joyful in the Lord, all ye lands.
   Serve the Lord with gladness;
   and come before his presence with a song.

Be ye sure that the Lord he is God.
   It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves;
   we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving,
   and into his courts with praise.
   Be thankful unto him, and speak good of his name.

For the Lord is gracious;
   his mercy is everlasting,
   and his truth endureth from generation to generation.

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

Morning Service in B flat, Charles Villiers Stanford (1852–1924)

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, for Grace

O Lord, we beseech thee mercifully to hear us; and grant that we, to whom thou hast given an hearty desire to pray, may by thy mighty aid be defended and comforted in all dangers and adversities; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, who art the author of peace and lover of concord, in knowledge of whom standeth our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; defend us thy humble servants in all assaults of our enemies; that we, surely trusting in thy defence, may not fear the power of any adversaries; through the might of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord, our heavenly Father, almighty and everlasting God, who hast safely brought us to the beginning of this day; defend us in the same with thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, neither run into any kind of danger, but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always that is righteous in thy sight; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Music: Richard Ayleward

All sit. The choir sings the Anthem

Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty,
   give unto the Lord glory and strength.
Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name;
   worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.

The voice of the Lord is upon the waters,
   the God of glory thundereth.
   It is the Lord that ruleth the sea;
the voice of the Lord is mighty in operation;
   the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.

The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars;
   yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.

Yea, the voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire;
yea, the voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness,

   and strippeth the forests bare;
   in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.

Worship the Lord, in the beauty of holiness.

The Lord sitteth above the water flood
   and the Lord remaineth a King for ever.
The Lord shall give strength unto his people;
   the Lord shall give his people the blessing of peace.

Words: Psalms 29: 1–5, 7–8a, 9b–end; 96: 9a
Music: Edward Elgar (1857–1934)

The officiant says

Let us pray.

All kneel or remain seated for the Intercessions, during which the following response is used

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

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

And did those feet in ancient time
   walk upon England's mountains green?
And was the holy Lamb of God
   on England's pleasant pastures seen?
And did the countenance divine
   shine forth upon our clouded hills?
And was Jerusalem builded here
   among those dark satanic mills?

Bring me my bow of burning gold!
   Bring me my arrows of desire!
Bring me my spear! O clouds, unfold!
   Bring me my chariot of ?re!
I will not cease from mental ?ght,
   nor shall my sword sleep in my hand,
till we have built Jerusalem
   in England's green and pleasant land.

Words: William Blake (1757–1827)
Tune: Jerusalem 488 NEH, Hubert Parry (1848–1918)

The Sermon by Father Christopher Colven, Chaplain to The Lord Mayor of Westminster

All stand to sing the Hymn

Praise, my soul, the King of heaven;
   to his feet thy tribute bring.
Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
   who like me his praise should sing?
Praise him! Praise him!
   Praise the everlasting King.

Praise him for his grace and favour
   to our fathers in distress;
praise him still the same for ever,
   slow to chide, and swift to bless.
Praise him! Praise him!
   glorious in his faithfulness.

Father-like, he tends and spares us;
   well our feeble frame he knows;
in his hands he gently bears us,
   rescues us from all our foes.
Praise him! Praise him!
   widely as his mercy flows.

Angels, help us to adore him;
   ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon, bow down before him;
   dwellers all in time and space.
Praise him! Praise him!
   Praise with us the God of grace.

Words: Henry Francis Lyte (1793–1847) after Psalm 103
Tune: Praise, my soul 436 NEH, John Goss (1800–80)

All remain standing for the Blessing

Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast that which is good; render to no-one evil for evil; strengthen the faint-hearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour all people; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

All sing the National Anthem

God save our gracious King,
long live our noble King,
   God save The King.
Send him victorious,
happy and glorious,
long to reign over us:
   God save The King.

All remain standing as the processions move through Quire and the Nave

Music after the service

Allegro maestoso (Organ Sonata in G Op 28), Edward Elgar

The Procession of The Lord Mayor and Councillors moves to College Garden, with invited guests following

The bells of the Abbey church are rung