Monday 20 March 2017

Evening Service with Fauré Requiem

An Evening Service
with music from the Requiem Mass by Gabriel Fauré

Gabriel Fauré wrote the Requiem, the best-known of his large-scale choral works, between 1887 and 1890, adding further instrumental parts in 1900. The text is based on the Roman Catholic Mass for the Dead but it departs significantly from the standard liturgical text.
John Bawden explains: “Fauré included two new sections, the lyrical Pie Jesu and the transcendent In Paradisum, with its soaring vocal line and murmuring harp accompaniment. He also omitted the Dies Irae and Tuba Mirum - for most composers an opportunity to exploit to the full the dramatic possibilities of all the available choral and orchestral forces. Consequently the prevailing mood is one of peacefulness and serenity, and the work has often been described, quite justly, as a Requiem without the Last Judgement.”


Preparation
Hymn 14 Eternal Light, shine in my heart

O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Lead your people to freedom, O God,
and banish all darkness from our hearts and minds.
The Rector introduces the service.

I Introit – Kyrie
Rest eternal give them, Lord,
and let light always shine on them.
It is right to hymn you, God, in Sion
and to you will be made a vow in Jerusalem.
Hear my prayer, to you all flesh will come.
Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy.

II Offertorium
O Lord, Jesus Christ, king of glory,
free the souls of the dead from the punishment of hell and the deep pit.
O Lord Jesus Christ, king of glory,
deliver the dead souls from the mouth of the lion,
so they are not swallowed by hell and do not fall into darkness.
Sacrifices and prayers to you, Lord, with praise we offer
receive them for those souls whom today we remember.
Make them, Lord, from death cross over to life
as once to Abraham you promised and to his seed.

The Word of God
Old Testament reading: Joshua 1:1-9
Each Scripture reading concludes with
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

III Sanctus
Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts,
full are the heavens and earth with the glory of you.
Hosanna in the highest.

New Testament reading: Ephesians 6:10-20

IV Pie Jesu
Merciful Jesus, Lord, give them rest,
give them rest, eternal rest.
A sermon is preached.
Hymn 602 Blest are the pure in heart
Confession and Forgiveness
Christ the light of the world has come to dispel
the darkness of our hearts.
In his light let us examine ourselves and confess our sins.
Silence may be kept.
Let us admit to God the sin which always confronts us.
Lord God,
we have sinned against you;
we have done evil in your sight.
We are sorry and repent.
Have mercy on us according to your love.
Wash away our wrongdoing and cleanse us from our sin.
Renew a right spirit within us
and restore us to the joy of your salvation,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Rector declares God’s forgiveness.

V Agnus Dei
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world,
give them rest.
Let light eternal shine on them, Lord,
with your saints for eternity,
for you are merciful.
give them eternal rest, Lord,
and let light always shine on them.

Intercessions
That the rest of this day may be holy,
peaceful and full of your presence;
in faith we pray.
We pray to you our God.
That the work we have done and the people we have met today
may bring us closer to you;
in faith we pray.
We pray to you our God.
That we may hear and respond to your call to peace and justice;
in faith we pray.
We pray to you our God.
That you will sustain the faith and hope of those who are lonely,
oppressed and anxious;
in faith we pray.
We pray to you our God.
That you will strengthen us in your service,
and fill our hearts with longing for your kingdom;
in faith we pray.
We pray to you our God.
God of mercy,
you know us and love us and hear our prayer:
keep us in the eternal fellowship of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

The Collect of the Day and the Lord’s Prayer

VI Libera me
Free me, Lord, from death eternal
on that day of dread,
when the heavens will be shaken and the earth,
while you come to judge the world with fire.
I am made to shake, and am afraid,
awaiting the trial and the coming anger.
That day, day of anger, of calamity and misery,
that day, the day of great and exceeding bitterness.

Sending Out
The Rector pronounces God’s blessing on his people

VII In Paradisum
Into paradise may angels draw them,
on your arrival, may the martyrs receive you
and lead you into the holy city Jerusalem.
May the chorus of angels receive you,
and with Lazarus, once a beggar,
may you have eternal rest.