Choral Eucharist for Candlemas - the Presentation of Christ in the Temple - 2nd February, 2025
The Celebrant and Preacher at this sung service of Holy Communion is Revd Tom Burden, Vicar of Ventnor and Rector of Bonchurch, and the Deacon is Revd Jo Nicholson, Curate. The Order of Service is below, together with the words of the hymns. Please do join in singing at home; you might light a candle, too! And please consider making a donation, if you are able, towards the upkeep of this historic (1862) church and its maintenance of the Anglican choral tradition: https://www.parishgiving.org.uk/donor... If you have visited Holy Trinity, or watched recordings of previous services, you may notice a significant change to the layout of the church. The Nave Altar has been removed, and the Celebration takes place at the High Altar, which is not visible in this recording. The re-arrangement is for a trial period. “A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.” OPENING HYMN: NEH 234 Christ, whose glory fills the skies 1. Christ, whose glory fills the skies, Christ, the true, the only light, Sun of Righteousness, arise, Triumph o'er the shades of night; Dayspring from on high, be near; Daystar, in my heart appear. 2. Dark and cheerless is the morn Unaccompanied by thee; Joyless is the day's return, Till thy mercy's beams I see; Till they inward light impart, Glad my eyes, and warm my heart. 3. Visit then this soul of mine, Pierce the gloom of sin and grief; Fill me, radiancy divine, Scatter all my unbelief; More and more thyself display, Shining to the perfect day. Old Testament Reading: Malachi 3: 1-5 “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?” Epistle: Hebrews 2:14-18. “For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.” THE CANDLEMAS PROCESSION (GRADUAL) HYMN: NEH 157 Hail to the Lord who comes 1. Hail to the Lord who comes, Comes to his temple gate! Not with his angel host, Not in his kingly state; No shouts proclaim him nigh, No crowds his coming wait; 2. But borne upon the throne Of Mary's gentle breast, Watched by her duteous love, In her fond arms at rest; Thus to his Father's house He comes, the heavenly guest. 3. There Joseph at her side In reverent wonder stands; And, filled with holy joy, Old Simeon in his hands Takes up the promised Child, The glory of all lands. 4. Hail to the great First-born Whose ransom-price they pay! The Son before all worlds, The Child of man to-day, That he might ransom us Who still in bondage lay. 5. O Light of all the earth, Thy children wait for thee! Come to thy temples here, That we, from sin set free, Before thy Father's face May all presented be! Gospel: St Luke 2: 22-40 “And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” SERMON; CREED; INTERCESSIONS; PRAYERS OF PENITENCE THE PEACE OFFERTORY HYMN: Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour 1. Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour, All for love’s sake becamest poor; Thrones for a manger didst surrender, Sapphire-paved courts for stable floor. Thou who wast rich beyond all splendour, All for love’s sake becamest poor. 2. Thou who art God beyond all praising, All for love’s sake becamest man; Stooping so low, but sinners raising Heav'nwards by thine eternal plan. Thou who art God beyond all praising, All for love’s sake becamest man. 3. Thou who art love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship thee. Emmanuel, within us dwelling, Make us what thou wouldst have us be. Thou who art love beyond all telling, Saviour and King, we worship thee. EUCHARIStIC PRAYER GIVING OF COMMUNION COMMUNION ANTHEM (choir): When to the temple Mary went (Johannes Eccard - 1533-1611) CLOSING HYMN: NEH 338 At the name of Jesus (tune: Camberwell) 1. At the name of Jesus Every knee shall bow, Every tongue confess him King of glory now; ’Tis the Father’s pleasure We should call him Lord, Who from the beginning Was the mighty Word. 2. At his voice creation Sprang at once to sight, All the angel faces, All the hosts of light, Thrones and bright dominations, Stars upon their way, All the heavenly orders, In their great array. 3. Humbled for a season, To receive a name From the lips of sinners Unto whom he came, Faithfully he bore it Spotless to the last, Brought it back victorious When from death he passed: 4. Bore it up triumphant With its human light, Through all ranks of creatures, To the central height, To the throne of Godhead, To the Father’s breast; Filled it with the glory Of that perfect rest. 5. In your hearts enthrone him; There let him subdue All that is not holy, All that is not true: He is God the Saviour, He is Christ the Lord, Ever to be worshipped, Trusted, and adored. 6. Brothers, this Lord Jesus Shall return again, In the Father's glory, With his angel train; For all wreaths of empire Meet upon his brow, And our hearts confess him King of glory now.
