During this time of self-isolation we will be placing links to our ‘virtual services’ and other items that we hope will be of interest and help. Copies of A Service of Prayers and Readings for Use at Home and A List of Prayers are at the bottom of the page.
Holy Week
Anne has written a reflection for Wednesday of Holy Week, 8 April:
Palm Sunday (Chapter One)with Reverend Mother Wilma RoestReading by RuthMusic by Karl(All voice recordings were made by the contributors inside their own homes. The hymn was recorded in St Mary Magdalene, Richmond on Sunday, 22nd March, before churches were asked to temporarily close their doors, social distancing was observed throughout).Words for the hymnRIDE ON, RIDE ON IN MAJESTY!Ride on! ride on in majesty! Hark! all the tribes hosanna cry,O Savior meek, pursue thy road with palms and scattered garments strowed.Ride on! ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die; O Christ, thy triumphs now begin o’er captive death and conquered sin.Ride on! ride on in majesty! The angel-squadrons of the sky look down with sad and wondering eyes to see the approaching sacrifice.Ride on! ride on in majesty! Thy last and fiercest strife is nigh; the Father on his sapphire throne awaits his own anointed Son.Ride on! ride on in majesty! In lowly pomp ride on to die; bow thy meek head to mortal pain, then take, O God, thy power, and reign.
Palm Sunday (Chapter Two)with Reverend Mother Wilma RoestThe Passion Narrator: Sam Jesus: Ben Judas: James Other parts: Phil, Maia & DanielPrayers by EmmaMusic by Felix(All voice recordings were made by the contributors inside their own homes. The organ voluntary was recorded on 1st February 2020, at a recital given by Felix, one of our organ scholars, before churches were asked to temporarily close their doors, social distancing was observed throughout).Do listen to Chapter One, if you haven’t already done so.
Passion Sunday Thought 2020by Reverend Mother Wilma RoestReading by EmmaMusic by Karl(All voice recordings were made by the contributors in their own homes. The hymn and organ voluntary were recorded last Sunday, 22nd March before churches were asked to temporarily close their doors, social distancing was observed throughout).Words for the hymnO SACRED HEADO sacred head, sore wounded,Defiled and put to scorn:O kingly head, surroundedWith mocking crown of thorn;What sorrow mars thy grandeur?Can death thy bloom deflower?O countenance whose splendourThe hosts of heav'n adore!Thy beauty, long desired,Hath vanished from our sight:Thy pow'r is all expired,And quenched the light of light.Ah me! for whom thou diest,Hide not so far thy grace:Show me, O Love most highest,The brightness of thy face.In thy most bitter passionMy heart to share doth cry.With thee for my salvationUpon the cross to die.Ah, keep my heart thus movedTo stand thy cross beneath,To mourn thee, well-beloved,Yet thank thee for thy death.What language shall I borrowTo thank thee, dearest friend,For this thy dying sorrow,Thy pity without end?Oh, make me thine forever!And should I fainting be,Lord, let me never, neverOutlive my love for thee.My days are few, O fail not,With thine immortal pow'r,To hold me that I quail notIn death's most fearful hour:That I may fight befriended,And see in my last strifeTo me thine arms extendedUpon the cross of life.ORGAN VOLUNTARYJ.S. Bach – Erbarm' dich mein, oh Herre Gott, BWV 72
Wilma led the first of the virtual services on Sunday morning, 22 March, Mothering Sunday:
Mothering Sunday Thought 2020with Reverend Mother Wilma RoestSt Mary Magdalene, Richmond.Music played by Alex Knight.Words to the hymns:SING WE OF THE BLESSÈD MOTHERSing we of the blessed MotherWho received the angel's word,And obedient to his summonsBore in love the infant Lord;Sing we of the joys of MaryAt whose breast that child was fedWho is Son of God eternalAnd the everlasting Bread.Sing we, too, of Mary's sorrows,Of the sword that pierced her through,When beneath the cross of JesusShe his weight of suffering knew,Looked upon her Son and SaviourReigning high on Calvary's tree,Saw the price of man's redemptionPaid to set the sinner free.Sing again the joys of MaryWhen she saw the risen Lord,And in prayer with Christ's apostles,Waited on his promised word;From on high the blazing gloryOf the Spirit's presence came,Heavenly breath of God's own being,Manifest through wind and flame.Sing the chiefest joy of MaryWhen on earth her work was done,And the Lord of all creationBrought her to his heavenly home;Virgin Mother, Mary blessed,Raised on high and crowned with grace,May your Son, the world's redeemer,Grant us all to see his face.TAKE UP THY CROSSTake up thy cross, the Saviour said, if thou wouldst my disciple be; deny thyself, the world forsake, and humbly follow after me.Take up thy cross, let not its weight fill thy weak spirit with alarm; his strength shall bear thy spirit up, and brace thy heart and nerve thine arm.Take up thy cross then in his strength, and calmly sin's wild deluge brave, 'twill guide thee to a better home, it points to glory o'er the grave.Take up thy cross and follow Christ, nor think til death to lay it down; for only those who bear the cross may hope to wear the glorious crown.To thee, great Lord, the One in Three, all praise forevermore ascend: O grant us in our home to see the heavenly life that knows no end.TELL OUT MY SOULTell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord! Unnumbered blessings give my spirit voice; tender to me the promise of his word; in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his Name! Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done; his mercy sure, from age to age to same; his holy Name–the Lord, the Mighty One.Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might! Powers and dominions lay their glory by. Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight, the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word! Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure. Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord to children's children and for evermore.
THE EVENING HYMNPlayed by Karl Dorman, thank you Karl for your time this afternoon, when we recorded a number of hymns you will be hearing over the coming days and weeks.THE DAY THOU GAVEST The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended, the darkness falls at thy behest; to thee our morning hymns ascended, thy praise shall sanctify our rest.We thank thee that thy Church, unsleeping while earth rolls onward into light, through all the world her watch is keeping and rests not now by day nor night.As o'er each continent and island the dawn leads on another day, the voice of prayer is never silent, nor dies the strain of praise away.The sun that bids us rest is waking our brethren 'neath the western sky, and hour by hour fresh lips are making thy wondrous doings heard on high.So be it, Lord; thy throne shall never, like earth's proud empires, pass away; thy kingdom stands, and grows for ever, till all thy creatures own thy sway.
