Scriptures and Hymns - June 28
St Alban's Day
Processional Hymn 42
1 HARK the sound of holy voices
Chanting at the crystal sea:
Alleluia, Alleluia,
Alleluia, Lord, to Thee:
Multitude, which none can number
Like the stars in glory stands,
Clothed in white apparel, holding
Palms of victory in their hands.
2 Patriarch and holy prophet
Who prepared the way of Christ,
King, Apostle, Saint, Confessor,
Martyr and Evangelist,
Saintly maiden, godly matron,
Widows who have watched in prayer,
Joined in holy concert singing
To the Lord of all, are there.
3 Marching with Thy cross their banner,
They have triumphed following
Thee, their Captain of salvation,
Thee, their Leader and their King;
Worthy deeds they wrought and wonders,
Worthy of the Name they bore;
We with meetest praise and sweetness
Honour them for evermore.
4 Now they reign in heavenly glory,
Now they walk in golden light,
Now they drink, as from a river
Holy bliss and infinite;
Love and peace they taste for ever,
And all truth and knowledge see
In the Beatific Vision
Of the Blessèd Trinity.
5 God of God, Alone-begotten,
Light of Light, Emmanuel,
In Whose Body joined together
All the Saints for ever dwell;
Pour upon us of Thy fullness,
That we may for evermore,
God the Father, God the Son, and
God the Holy Ghost adore. Amen.
The Collect
WE praise Thee, O Lord, for the example and assistance given to us by thy holy martyr St Alban, the patron of our church throughout the world, and we pray Thee that under his protection Thy church may continually serve Thee in all good works; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Epistle
The portion of scripture appointed for the epistle is taken from the third chapter of the Book of the Wisdom of Solomon, beginning at the first verse.
THE souls of the righteous are in the hand of God and there shall no torment touch them. In the sight of the unwise they seemed to die and their departure is taken for misery and their going from us to be utter destruction; but they are in peace. For though they be punished in the sight of men, yet is their hope full of immortality. And having been a little chastised, they shall be greatly rewarded; for God proved them and found them worthy for himself. As gold in the furnace hath he tried them and received them as a burnt offering. They shall judge the nations and have dominion over the people and the Lord shall reign for ever. They that put their trust in him shall understand the truth and such as be faithful in love shall abide with him; for grace and mercy is to his saints and he hath care for his elect.
Special Gradual
Gradual for Common of the Saints:
Behold my servant whom I uphold:
Mine elect in whom my soul delighteth.
I have put my Spirit upon him:
and he shall bring forth judgment to my people.
Who are these who are arrayed in white robes and whence came they?
These are they who have washed their robes and made them white.
They shall judge the nations and have dominion over the people:
And their Lord shall reign for ever.
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.
The Gospel
The holy gospel is taken from the eighteenth chapter of the Gospel according to St Matthew, beginning at the twenty-fourth verse.
THEN said Jesus unto his disciples: If any man will come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it, and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he shall reward every man according to his works.
Offertory Hymn 29
1 FOR Thy dear Saints, O Lord,
Who strove in Thee to live,
Who followed Thee, obeyed, adored,
Our grateful hymn receive.
2 For Thy dear Saints, O Lord,
Who strove in Thee to die,
And found in Thee a full reward,
Accept our thankful cry.
3 Thine earthly members fit
To join Thy Saints above,
In one communion ever knit,
One fellowship of love.
4 O Christ, Thy Name we bless,
And humbly pray that we
May follow them in holiness,
Who lived and died for Thee.
5 All might, all praise, be Thine,
Father, co-equal Son,
And Spirit, Bond of love Divine,
While endless ages run. Amen
Recessional Hymn 100
1 Who are these like stars appearing,
These before God's throne who stand?
Each a golden crown is wearing,
Who are all this glorious band?
Alleluia, hark, they sing,
Praising loud their heavenly King.
2 Who are these of dazzling brightness,
Clothed in God's own righteousness,
These whose robes of purest whiteness,
Shall their lustre still possess,
Still untouched by time's rude hand-
Whence came all this glorious band?
3 These are men of holy living,
Pure and noble, full of love,
Who, while utmost service giving,
Fixed their hearts on things above,
Eager helpers true and tried,
Casting thoughts of self aside.
4 Offering as a pure oblation
Every step their feet have trod,
Here amid the world's temptation
They have lived as sons of God.
Workers in his chosen field,
Loving service they did yield.
5 These the Almighty contemplating,
Did as Priests before Him stand,
Mind and body always waiting,
Day and night at His command.
By the love that in them burned,
Higher service they have earned. Amen