VALEDICTORY EVENSONG & THANKSGIVING FOR THE MINISTRY OF STEPHEN DARLINGTON

Transcription

1 6 VALEDICTORY EVENSONG & THANKSGIVING FOR THE MINISTRY OF STEPHEN DARLINGTON Saturday 7 July pm

2 Evensong at Christ Church tonight is the last of several thousand choral services conducted by Stephen Darlington during his thirty-three year tenure as Organist. Over that time he has not only developed the Cathedral s international reputation, but has won universal admiration for his energy, his warmth and his dedication to the life of Cathedral, College, and Faculty alike. Stephen s links with Christ Church began in the early 1970s, as Organ Scholar under Simon Preston. Subsequently he became Assistant Organist at Canterbury Cathedral, and then Master of the Music at St Alban s Abbey, where he ran the International Organ Festival. In 1985 he returned to Christ Church as Organist and Tutor in Music. He is currently Choragus of the University of Oxford, and one of only two Oxford Doctors of Music in the Music Faculty. From he was President of the Royal College of Organists, he is an Honorary Fellow of the Royal School of Church Music and Chairman of the Ouseley Trust, and in recent years he has been awarded Honorary Membership of the Royal Academy of Music and appointed as a Lay Canon of Christ Church. At this, the final Stephensong, we wish him and Moira every blessing in years to come. Edmund Newey, Sub Dean Martyn Percy, Dean The Cathedral sings much of the service and is joined tonight by former choristers and clerks from throughout Stephen Darlington s years as Organist at Christ Church. We participate as a congregation by listening and by prayerful attention, bringing our own prayers and praises to God. Organ Music before the Service played by Clive Driskill-Smith, Sub-Organist Fantasia in F minor (K608) Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart ( ) Cover Image: Four Musical Angels, Florentine School, c (JBS 5) Christ Church, Oxford Reproduced by permission of the Governing Body of Christ Church, Oxford. 2

3 Please stand at the entry of the and Clergy. Our Father, whose creative Will Asked Being for us all, Confirm it that Thy Primal Love May weave in us the freedom of The actually deficient on The justly actual. Introit Though written by Thy children with A smudged a crooked line, Thy Word is ever legible, Thy Meaning unequivocal, And for Thy Goodness even sin Is valid as a sign. Inflict Thy promises with each Occasion of distress, That from our incoherence we May learn to put our trust in Thee, And brutal fact persuade us to Adventure, Art, and Peace. Words: W. H. Auden ( ) Music: Robert Saxton (b. 1953) Sentence The Lord hath put a new song in my mouth, even a thanksgiving unto our God. Many shall see it, and fear, and shall put their trust in the Lord. (Psalm 40: 3 4) The Sub Dean welcomes the Congregation. 3

4 Praise to the Holiest in the height, and in the depth be praise: in all his words most wonderful, most sure in all his ways. Hymn (CP 557, t. i) O loving wisdom of our God! When all was sin and shame, a second Adam to the fight and to the rescue came. O wisest love! That flesh and blood, which did in Adam fail, should strive afresh against the foe, should strive and should prevail; And that a higher gift than grace should flesh and blood refine, God s presence and his very self, and essence all-divine. O generous love! That he, who smote in Man for man the foe, the double agony in Man for man should undergo; And in the garden secretly, and on the cross on high, should teach his brethren, and inspire to suffer and to die. Praise to the Holiest in the height, and in the depth be praise: in all his words most wonderful, most sure in all his ways. Words: John Henry Newman ( ) Music: Gerontius, J. B. Dykes ( ) 4

5 The Opening Versicles and Responses Setting: Kenneth Leighton ( ) O Lord, open thou our lips and our mouth shall shew forth thy praise. O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us. 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. Praise ye the Lord. The Lord s Name be praised. Please sit. The sings the appointed psalm. Psalm 84 Quam dilecta 1 O how amiable are thy dwellings : thou Lord of hosts! 2 My soul hath a desire and longing to enter into the courts of the Lord : my heart and my flesh rejoice in the living God. 3 Yea, the sparrow hath found her an house, and the swallow a nest where she may lay her young : even thy altars, O Lord of hosts, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house : they will be alway praising thee. 5 Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee : in whose heart are thy ways. 6 Who going through the vale of misery use it for a well : and the pools are filled with water. 5

6 7 They will go from strength to strength : and unto the God of gods appeareth every one of them in Sion. 8 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer : hearken, O God of Jacob. 9 Behold, O God our defender : and look upon the face of thine Anointed. 10 For one day in thy courts : is better than a thousand. 11 I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God : than to dwell in the tents of ungodliness. 12 For the Lord God is a light and defence : the Lord will give grace and worship, and no good thing shall he withhold from them that live a godly life. 13 O Lord God of hosts : blessed is the man that putteth his trust in thee. 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. 6

7 Please remain seated. Old Testament Reading 2 Chronicles 5: (NRSV) read by Canon Carol Harrison (Lady Margaret Professor of Divinity) Now when the priests came out of the holy place (for all the priests who were present had sanctified themselves, without regard to their divisions), all the levitical singers, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, their sons and kindred, arrayed in fine linen, with cymbals, harps, and lyres, stood east of the altar with one hundred and twenty priests who were trumpeters, it was the duty of the trumpeters and singers to make themselves heard in unison in praise and thanksgiving to the Lord, and when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the Lord, For he is good, for his steadfast love endures for ever, the house, the house of the Lord, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud; for the glory of the Lord filled the house of God. Please stand. The sings the Magnificat Setting: Herbert Howells ( ) St Paul s Service My soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden. For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations. 7

8 He hath shewed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever. (Luke 1: 46 55) 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. Please sit. New Testament Reading Colossians 3: (NRSV) read by the Dean (The Very Revd Professor Martyn Percy) As God s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. But be doers of the word, and not merely hearers who deceive themselves. For if any are hearers of the word and not doers, they are like those who look at themselves in a mirror; for they look at themselves and, on going away, immediately forget what they were like. But those who look into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and persevere, being not hearers who forget but doers who act they will be blessed in their doing. 8

9 Please stand. The sings the Nunc dimittis Setting: Howells, St Paul s Service 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. 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. (Luke 2: 29 32) 9

10 The Congregation turns East to face the Altar and says the Apostles Creed. All 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. 10

11 Please kneel. The Lord be with you. And with thy spirit. Let us pray. Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us. 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. O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us. And grant us thy salvation. O Lord, save the Queen. And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee. Endue thy ministers with righteousness. And make thy chosen people joyful. O Lord, save thy people. And bless thine inheritance. The Preces and Responses Setting: Leighton Give peace in our time, O Lord. Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God. O God, make clean our hearts within us. And take not thy Holy Spirit from us. 11

12 The Collect of the Day O God, who hast prepared for them that love thee such good things as pass man s understanding: pour into our hearts such love toward thee, that we, loving thee above all things, may obtain thy promises, which exceed all that we can desire; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. The Collect for Peace 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. The Collect for Aid against Perils 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. Please sit. Anthem The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel to the poor: he hath sent me to heal the broken-hearted to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind to preach the acceptable year of the Lord; to give unto them that mourn a garland for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called the trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden that causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations. The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the Gospel. Words: Isaiah 61: 1 3, 11 Music: Edward Elgar ( ) 12

13 Thanksgiving & Blessing The Dean thanks Dr Darlington for his ministry at Christ Church and blesses him. Dean All Dean All We praise and thank you, God of the journey, for our brother, Stephen, who is soon to leave us. We bless you for his ministry among us, for his gift of music and all he has done in this place, for his patience and wisdom, his compassion towards all in his charge. We entrust him and Moira into your loving care, knowing that you are always the faithful traveller and companion on the Way. May the love which is in our hearts be a bond that unites us for ever wherever we may be. Shelter and protect them from all harm and anxiety. Grant them the courage to meet the future, and grace to let go into new life; through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen. The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen. Please kneel for the Prayers. 13

14 Prayers The Prayers are led by Canon Graham Ward (Regius Professor of Divinity) and conclude with all saying the Grace. All 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. The Congregation stands to sing the hymn, during which a collection is taken in support of the mission and ministry of the Cathedral. 14 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. Hymn (CP 368)

15 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: Robert Bridges ( ) based on the German text of Joachim Neander ( ) Music: Michael, Herbert Howells ( ) Please remain standing for the final blessing. Dean All 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 fainthearted; support the weak; help the afflicted; honour everyone; love and serve the Lord, rejoicing in the power of the Holy Ghost; and the blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, be amongst you and remain with you always. Amen. The Blessing The and Clergy depart. 15

16 Organ Music after the Service played by Clive Driskill-Smith, Sub-Organist Toccata in F major from Symphony No 5 Charles Marie Widor ( ) The Book of Common Prayer (1662) is copyright The Crown. Scripture readings are drawn from the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Anglicized Edition, 1989, 1995 National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.