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 Choir of Westminster Abbey.

Setting: Mass for Double Choir, Frank Martin (1890–1974)

Order of Service

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

It came upon the midnight clear,
   that glorious song of old,
from angels bending near the earth
   to touch their harps of gold:
'Peace on the earth, good-will to men,
   from heaven's all gracious King!'
The world in solemn stillness lay
   to hear the angels sing.

Still through the cloven skies they come,
   with peaceful wings unfurled;
and still their heavenly music floats
   o'er all the weary world;
above its sad and lowly plains
   they bend on hovering wing;
and ever o'er its Babel sounds
   the blessèd angels sing.

Yet with the woes of sin and strife
   the world has suffered long;
beneath the angel-strain have rolled
   two thousand years of wrong;
and man, at war with man, hears not
   the love-song which they bring:
O hush the noise, ye men of strife,
   and hear the angels sing!

For lo! the days are hastening on,
   by prophet bards foretold,
when, with the ever-circling years,
   comes round the age of gold;
when peace shall over all the earth
   its ancient splendours fling,
and the whole world give back the song
   which now the angels sing.

Words: Edmund Sears (1810–76)
Tune: Noël 29 NEH, English traditional melody, adapted by Arthur Sullivan (1842–1900)

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

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

All remain standing. The president introduces the Prayers of Penitence

We have come to Mount Zion, the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to myriads of angels, to God, the judge of all, and to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant. Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith.

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.

All sit after the opening phrase, Gloria in excelsis Deo sung by the choir

Gloria in excelsis Deo, 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.

Everlasting God, you have ordained and constituted the ministries of angels and mortals in a wonderful order: grant that as your holy angels always serve you in heaven, so, at your command, they may help and defend us on earth; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, 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 New Testament, Revelation 12: 7–12

War broke out in heaven; Michael and his angels fought against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought back, but they were defeated, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. The great dragon was thrown down, that ancient serpent, who is called the Devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world—he was thrown down to the earth, and his angels were thrown down with him.

Then I heard a loud voice in heaven, proclaiming,

'Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God and the authority of his Messiah,
for the accuser of our comrades has been thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God.
But they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony,
for they did not cling to life even in the face of death.
Rejoice then, you heavens and those who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea, for the devil has come down to you
with great wrath, because he knows that his time is short!'

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

The choir sings Psalm 103: 19–end

Antiphon Angels of the Lord, bless the Lord for ever.

The Lord has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom has dominion over all.
Bless the Lord, you angels of his, you mighty ones who do his bidding and hearken to the voice of his word.
Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you ministers of his who do his will.
Bless the Lord, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion; bless the Lord, O my soul.

The Epistle, Hebrews 1: 5–end

To which of the angels did God ever say,

'You are my Son; today I have begotten you'?

Or again,

'I will be his Father, and he will be my Son'?

And again, when he brings the firstborn into the world, he says,

'Let all God's angels worship him.'

Of the angels he says,

'He makes his angels winds, and his servants flames of fire.'

But of the Son he says,

'Your throne, O God, is for ever and ever, and the righteous sceptre is the sceptre of your kingdom.
You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness;
therefore God, your God, has anointed you with the oil of gladness beyond your companions.'

And,

'In the beginning, Lord, you founded the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands;
they will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like clothing;
like a cloak you will roll them up, and like clothing they will be changed.
But you are the same, and your years will never end.'

But to which of the angels has he ever said,

'Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet'?
Are not all angels spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation?

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

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

and all repeat

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Bless the Lord, all you his hosts, you ministers who do his will.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The reader announces the Gospel, John 1: 47–end

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.
Glory to you, O Lord.

When Jesus saw Nathanael coming towards him, he said of him, 'Here is truly an Israelite in whom there is no deceit!' Nathanael asked him, 'Where did you come to know me?' Jesus answered, 'I saw you under the fig tree before Philip called you.' Nathanael replied, 'Rabbi, you are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!' Jesus answered, 'Do you believe because I told you that I saw you under the fig tree? You will see greater things than these.' And he said to him, 'Very truly, I tell you, you will see heaven opened and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.'

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

The Sermon by The Very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster

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

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

The intercession ends

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

The president introduces the Peace

Hear again the song of the angels: 'Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace.'

The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.

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

Angel-voices ever singing
   round thy throne of light,
angel-harps for ever ringing,
   rest not day nor night;
      thousands only live to bless thee
      and confess thee
   Lord of might.

Thou who art beyond the farthest
   mortal eye can scan,
can it be that thou regardest
   songs of sinful man?
      Can we know that thou art near us,
      and wilt hear us?
   Yea, we can.

For we know that thou rejoicest
   o'er each work of thine;
thou didst ears and hands and voices
   for thy praise design;
      craftsman's art and music's measure
      for thy pleasure
   all combine.

In thy house, great God, we offer
   of thine own to thee;
and for thine acceptance proffer
   all unworthily
      hearts and minds and hands and voices
      in our choicest
   psalmody.

Honour, glory, might, and merit
   thine shall ever be,
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
   blessèd Trinity.
      Of the best which thou hast given
      earth and heaven
   render thee.

Words: Francis Pott (1832–1909)
Tune: Angel-voices 336 NEH, Edwin Monk (1819–1900)

All remain standing for the Eucharistic Prayer. The president says

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and good, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ.

You reveal your wise purpose for the salvation of the human race by assigning to the angels and archangels the ministry of your steadfast love and protection. While they contemplate your glory, standing before you and singing your praise, they keep a faithful vigil for us, guarding us along the way that leads to life, and guiding us towards the kingdom of your light.

In joyful gladness we unite our voices with theirs and sing the ageless hymn of your 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.

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 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

Let us pray, with confidence, in the words our Saviour 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

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ.
Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread.

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

The clergy and congregation receive Holy Communion in one kind (bread only). Gluten-free wafers are available. The wearing of face-coverings is recommended and hand-sanitiser is provided for those who wish to use it. Please receive the bread into the palm of your hand. The minister says to each communicant

The body 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.

Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

Plebs angelica, phalanx, et archangelica principans turma.
Virtus, Uranica ac potestas almiphona.
Dominantia numina divinaque subsellia.
Cherubim aetherea ac seraphim ignicoma.
Vos, O Michael coeli satrapa.
Gabrielque vera dans verbannuntia.
Atque Raphael vitae vernula.
Transferte nos in paradisicolas.

A host of angels, phalanx, and chief squadron of archangels.
Virtues, principalities, and resounding powers.
Spiritual dominions and divine thrones.
Heavenly cherubim and fiery seraphim.
O Michael, prince of heaven.
Gabriel, delivering the true Word.
Raphael, born in the house of life.
Bring us among the folk of paradise.

Words: 10th century, from the Abbey of St Martial, Limoges
Music: Michael Tippett (1905–98)

All stand to sing the Hymn

Ye holy angels bright,
   who wait at God's right hand,
or through the realms of light
   fly at your Lord's command,
      assist our song,
   for else the theme
   too high doth seem
      for mortal tongue.

Ye blessèd souls at rest,
   who ran this earthly race,
and now, from sin released,
   behold the Saviour's face,
      God's praises sound,
   as in his sight
   with sweet delight
      ye do abound.

Ye saints, who toil below,
   adore your heavenly King,
and onward as ye go
   some joyful anthem sing;
      take what he gives
   and praise him still,
   through good or ill,
      who ever lives!

My soul, bear thou thy part,
   triumph in God above:
and with a well-tuned heart
   sing thou the songs of love!
      Let all thy days
   till life shall end,
   whate'er he send,
      be filled with praise.

Words: Richard Baxter (1615–91)
Tune: Darwall's 148th 475 NEH, John Darwall (1731–89)

All remain standing. The president says the Prayer after Communion

Let us pray.

Lord of heaven, in this eucharist you have brought us near to an innumerable company of angels and to the spirits of the saints made perfect: as in this food of our earthly pilgrimage we have shared their fellowship, so may we come to share their joy in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

The president pronounces the Blessing

God keep you in the fellowship of his saints; Christ protect you by the ministry of the angels; the Spirit make you holy in God's service; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

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

Music after the service

Toccata in C BWV 564i, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

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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