Please join in saying the words and singing the hymns 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 Collegium Vocale.

Setting: Mass for four voices, William Byrd (c 1540–1623)

Order of Service

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

Sing we of the blessèd Mother
   who received the angel's word,
and obedient to his summons
   bore in love the infant Lord;
sing we of the joys of Mary
   at whose breast that child was fed
who is Son of God eternal
   and the everlasting bread.

Sing we, too, of Mary's sorrows,
   of the sword that pierced her through,
when beneath the cross of Jesus
   she his weight of suffering knew,
looked upon her Son and Saviour
   reigning high on Calvary's tree,
saw the price of man's redemption
   paid to set the sinner free.

Sing again the joys of Mary
   when she saw the risen Lord,
and in prayer with Christ's apostles,
   waited on his promised word:
from on high the blazing glory
   of the Spirit's presence came,
heavenly breath of God's own being,
   manifest through wind and flame.

Sing the chiefest joy of Mary
   when on earth her work was done,
and the Lord of all creation
   brought her to his heavenly home:
Virgin Mother, Mary blessèd,
   raised on high and crowned with grace,
may your Son, the world's redeemer,
   grant us all to see his face.

Words: George Timms (1910–97)
Tune: Abbot's Leigh 185 NEH, Cyril Taylor (1907–92)

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

All remain standing. The president introduces the Prayers of Penitence, after which all say

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.

The choir sings Gloria in excelsis Deo

Gloria in excelsis Deo,

All sit

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.

All sit for the Reading from the Old Testament, Isaiah 61: 10–end

I will greatly rejoice in the Lord,
   my whole being shall exult in my God;
for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation,
   he has covered me with the robe of righteousness,
as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland,
   and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
For as the earth brings forth its shoots,
   and as a garden causes what is sown in it to spring up,
so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise
   to spring up before all the nations.

The choir sings Psalm 45: 10–end

Hear, O daughter; consider and incline your ear;
   forget your own people and your father's house.
So shall the king have pleasure in your beauty;
   he is your lord, so do him honour.
The people of Tyre shall bring you gifts;
   the richest of the people shall seek your favour.
The king's daughter is all glorious within;
   her clothing is embroidered cloth of gold.
She shall be brought to the king in raiment of needlework;
   after her the virgins that are her companions.
With joy and gladness shall they be brought
   and enter into the palace of the king.
'Instead of your fathers you shall have sons,
   whom you shall make princes over all the land.
I will make your name to be remembered through all generations;
   therefore shall the peoples praise you for ever and ever.'

The Epistle, Galatians 4: 4–7

When the fullness of time had come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children. And because you are children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, 'Abba! Father!' So you are no longer a slave but a child, and if a child then also an heir, through God.

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

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

and all repeat

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

Greetings, favoured one. The Lord is with you. Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!

The reader announces the Gospel, Luke 1: 46–55

Mary said,
'My soul magnifies the Lord,
   and my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour,
for he has looked with favour on the lowliness of his servant.
   Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
for the Mighty One has done great things for me,
   and holy is his name.
His mercy is for those who fear him
   from generation to generation.
He has shown strength with his arm;
   he has scattered the proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
He has brought down the powerful from their thrones,
   and lifted up the lowly;
he has filled the hungry with good things,
   and sent the rich away empty.
He has helped his servant Israel,
   in remembrance of his mercy,
according to the promise he made to our ancestors,
   to Abraham and to his descendants for ever.'

The Sermon by The Reverend Ralph Godsall, Priest Vicar

All stand to say the Creed

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary, and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

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

The intercession ends

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

The president introduces the Peace

Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and his name shall be called the Prince of Peace.

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 during the Preparation of the Altar. Bread and wine are presented and a collection will be taken. The money from today's services will be divided equally between the work of the Abbey and the charities it supports. Alternatively, cash and contactless donations may be given as you leave via the Great West Door. UK residents may also donate £5 or £10 to the work of the Abbey by texting respectively ABBEY5 or ABBEY10 to 70025

Love Divine, all loves excelling,
   joy of heaven, to earth come down,
fix in us thy humble dwelling,
   all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesu, thou art all compassion,
   pure unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
   enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver,
   let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
   never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
   serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
   glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation,
   pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation,
   perfectly restored in thee,
changed from glory into glory
   till in heaven we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
   lost in wonder, love, and praise!

Words: Charles Wesley (1707–88)
Tune: Blaenwern 408i NEH, William Rowlands (1860–1937)

All remain standing for the Eucharistic Prayer. The president says

It is indeed right and good, our duty and our salvation, almighty Father, ever-living God, to give you thanks and praise for the work of your grace in the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For by the overshadowing of your Holy Spirit she conceived and bore the Word made flesh. At the cross she kept her vigil, and saw the saving work of your Son brought to its perfection. She rejoiced in his resurrection, and joining her prayers with those of the apostles, was filled with the gift of your promised Spirit. In her you show us the greatness of your love, and the wonderful purpose you intend for all your children.

Therefore we join our voice with hers, and all the company of heaven, as they sing with joy the hymn of your glory:

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.

The president continues the Eucharistic Prayer

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.

The president continues the Eucharistic Prayer

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.

All remain standing. The president introduces the Lord's Prayer

As we join our prayers with those of the Church Universal, so we say, each in our own language, the prayer that Jesus Christ has 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

The congregation is invited to sit as the president and other ministers begin the Giving of Communion. Those wishing to receive communion come forward as directed by the Stewards. If you receive communion in your own church you are welcome to do so here. Gluten-free wafers are available.

Communion is offered in both kinds (bread and wine). Wine is offered to drink only; please refrain from dipping bread in the chalice. If you prefer to receive in one kind (bread alone) then you may do so. Those who do not wish to receive communion are invited to come for a blessing. Please bow your head to indicate to the priest that you are asking for a blessing. The minister says

The body of Christ. Amen.

The blood of Christ. Amen.

During the giving of communion, the choir sings Agnus Dei and the Motet

Ave Maris Stella,
Dei Mater alma,
Atque semper Virgo
Felix Caeli Porta.

Solve vincla reis:
Profer lumen caecis,
Mala nostra pelle,
Bona cuncta posce.

Vitam praesta puram,
Iter para tutum,
Ut, videntes Jesum,
Semper collaetemur.

Sit laus Deo Patri,
Summo Christo decus,
Spiritui Sancto;
Tribus honor unus.
Amen.

Hail Star of the Sea, gentle Mother of God, ever Virgin, and blessed Gate of Heaven.

Loose the chains of the captives, give light to the blind, banish our evil, and require of us all that is good.

Grant us a holy life, and make our journey safe; so that we, beholding Jesus, may always rejoice.

Praise and glory be to God the Father, to the most-holy Christ, and to the Holy Spirit; the same honour to the Three. Amen.

Words: Vesper hymn, c 9th century
Music: Edvard Grieg (1843–1907)

Let us pray.

All stand. The president says the Prayer after Communion

God most high, whose handmaid bore the Word made flesh: we thank you that in this sacrament of our redemption you visit us with the Holy Spirit and overshadow us by your power; strengthen us to walk with Mary the joyful path of obedience and so to bring forth the fruits of holiness; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The president pronounces the Blessing

Christ the Son of God, born of Mary, fill you with his grace to trust his promises and obey his will; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.

Music after the service

Fuga sopra il Magnificat BWV 733, Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750)

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Hymns covered by Christian Copyright Licensing (International) Ltd are reproduced under CCL no 1040271 and MRL no 1040288. 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.