Choral EucharistWednesday of Holy Week

Wednesday 31 March 2021

12.45pm

Welcome to Southwark Cathedral

Set on the south bank of the River Thames in one of the most vibrant and diverse communities in London, this building has been a constant witness in a place of change.

The first church was built on this site around the year 606. First a convent, then a monastery, it became in 1106 the Augustinian Priory of St Mary Overie. With Westminster Abbey and St Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield it is one of the three remaining great monastic churches of London. At the Reformation the Priory became a parish church and it remains so for the people of Bankside. In 1905, as south London was rapidly expanding, the church was consecrated as the cathedral for the new Diocese of Southwark.

As well as a place of constant witness to our faith in Jesus Christ, this church has a momentous and proud history and has had links with many famous and influential characters including St Thomas Becket, Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens.

In the 20th century this cathedral was at the heart of the new movement in theology termed ‘South Bank Religion’. This movement asked challenging questions of people about faith in the modern age which continue to be explored at Southwark Cathedral which describes itself as ‘inclusive: faithful: radical’.

Whatever has brought you here today, you are most welcome.Become part of the life here if you can; it will change your life as you encounter with us our living God.

PLEASE BELIEVE THESE DAYS WILL PASS

by Mark Titchner, 2006 nominee for the Turner Prize, is our selected work to mark the season of Lent this year. A glimpse of it can be seen on the front cover of this order of service. Regrettably, due to the national lockdown it will not be on public display before the summer.

Please visit us between 2 June and 22 July to see the Lent Art Installation in place in the Cathedral.

SettingMissa XI Orbis Factor

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All stand as the President enters.

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

All Amen.

The Lord be with you.All and also with you.

The President introduces the celebration.

Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have failed you, as did your first disciples. We ask for your mercy and your help in penitence and in faith.

When we take our ease rather than watch with you. Lord, forgive us.

All Christ, have mercy.

When we bestow a kiss of peace yet nurse enmity in our hearts. Lord, forgive us.

All Christ, have mercy.

When we strike at those who hurt us rather than stretch out our hands to bless. Lord, forgive us.

All Christ, have mercy.

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When we deny that we know you for fear of the world and its scorn. Lord, forgive us.

All Christ, have mercy.

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.

All Amen.

The Collect

Let us pray.

Almighty and everlasting God, who in your tender love towards the human race sent your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ to take upon him our flesh and to suffer death upon the cross: grant that we may follow the example of his patience and humility, and also be made partakers of his resurrection;

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through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.

All Amen.

All sit.

The Liturgy of the Word

First ReadingIsaiah 50. 4–9a

Read by Louis Alexander.

A reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah.

The servant of the Lord said:

The Lord God has given me the tongue of a teacher, that I may know how to sustain the weary with a word. Morning by morning he wakens— wakens my ear to listen as those who are taught.

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The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, I did not turn backwards. I gave my back to those who struck me, and my cheeks to those who pulled out the beard; I did not hide my face from insult and spitting.

The Lord God helps me; therefore I have not been disgraced; therefore I have set my face like flint, and I know that I shall not be put to shame; he who vindicates me is near. Who will contend with me? Let us stand up together. Who are my adversaries? Let them confront me. It is the Lord God who helps me; who will declare me guilty?

This is the word of the LordAll Thanks be to God.

All stand.

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The Gospel Acclamation

Sung by the Choir.

Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory. If any want to become my followers, says the Lord, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Praise to you, O Christ, King of eternal glory.

GospelJohn 13. 21–32

The Lord be with you.All And also with you.

Hear the Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to John.

All Glory to you, O Lord.

Jesus was troubled in spirit, and declared, ‘Very truly, I tell you, one of you will betray me.’ The disciples looked at one another, uncertain of whom he was speaking. One of his disciples—the one whom Jesus loved—was reclining next to him; Simon Peter therefore motioned to him to ask Jesus of whom he was speaking. So while reclining next to Jesus, he asked him, ‘Lord, who is it?’ Jesus answered, ‘It is the one to whom I give this piece of bread when

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I have dipped it in the dish.’ So when he had dipped the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas son of Simon Iscariot. After he received the piece of bread, Satan entered into him. Jesus said to him, ‘Do quickly what you are going to do.’ Now no one at the table knew why he said this to him. Some thought that, because Judas had the common purse, Jesus was telling him, ‘Buy what we need for the festival’; or, that he should give something to the poor. So, after receiving the piece of bread, he immediately went out. And it was night. When he had gone out, Jesus said, ‘Now the Son of Man has been glorified, and God has been glorified in him. If God has been glorified in him, God will also glorify him in himself and will glorify him at once.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.All Praise to you, O Christ.

All sit.

HomilyThe Very Revd Andrew Nunn, Dean of Southwark

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Prayers of Intercession

Led by the Deacon. All sit or kneel.

This response is used after each petition:

Lord, in your mercy,All hear our prayer.

After the final petition:

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

All Amen.

All stand.

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The Liturgy of the Sacrament

The Peace

Once we were far off, but now in union with Christ Jesus we have been brought near through the shedding of Christ’s blood, for he is our peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with youAll and also with you.

All sit.

AnthemO bone Jesu · Richard Dering

All stand.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with youAll and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.All We lift them to the Lord.

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Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.All It is right to give thanks and praise.

It is indeed right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Jesus Christ our Lord.

For as the time of his passion and resurrection draws near the whole world is called to acknowledge his hidden majesty. The power of the life-giving cross reveals the judgement that has come upon the world and the triumph of Christ crucified.

He is the victim who dies no more, the Lamb once slain, who lives for ever, our advocate in heaven to plead our cause, exalting us there to join with angels and archangels, for ever praising you and singing:

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.

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We praise and bless you, loving Father, through Jesus Christ, our Lord; and as we obey his command, send your Holy Spirit, that broken bread and wine outpoured may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends and, taking bread, he praised you. He broke the bread, gave it to them and said: Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of me.

When supper was ended he took the cup of wine. Again he praised you, gave it to them and said: 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.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did, in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice made once for all upon the cross. Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation, we proclaim his death and resurrection until he comes in glory.

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Praise to you, Lord Jesus:All Dying you destroyed our death,

rising you restored our life: Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Lord of all life, help us to work together for that day when your kingdom comes and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.

Look with favour on your people, gather us in your loving arms and bring us with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and all the saints to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever.

All Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer

Standing at the foot of the cross, as our Saviour has taught us, so we pray

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All Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread, Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours now and for ever. Amen.

Breaking of the Bread

We break this bread to share in the body of Christ. All Though we are many, we are one body,

because we all share in one bread.

Invitation to Communion

Jesus is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. Blessed are those who are called to his supper.

All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

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The President makes their communion saying

The body of Christ.All Amen.

The blood of Christ.All Amen.

Please follow the directions of the Stewards. Communion is given in one kind only and in silence. If you would like to receive a blessing please bow your head. The blessing will be given in silence. Please return to your seat by the central aisle and respect your distance at all times.

The Choir sings the Agnus Dei.

Prayer after Communion

All stand.

Let us pray.

God our help, your Son was betrayed by one who called himself a friend. May we who call him Lord ever remain his faithful people, for he lives and reigns with you now and for ever.

All Amen.

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All Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ. Through him we offer you our souls and bodies to be a living sacrifice. Send us out in the power of your Spirit to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

The Blessing and Dismissal

The Lord be with youAll and also with you.

Christ crucified draw you to himself, to find in him a sure ground for faith, a firm support for hope, and the assurance of sins forgiven; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you, and remain with you always.

All Amen.

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.All In the name of Christ. Amen.

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Voluntary

Please leave the Cathedral by the north-west doors and the Millennium Courtyard. Please support us by giving using the contactless donation points if you have not set up a regular payment. Thank you for your ongoing support for the ministry and mission of the Cathedral.

Southwark Cathedral London Bridge London SE1 9DA

020 7367 6700 southwarkcathedral.org.uk

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000.

All songs covered by the Christian Copyright Licensing have been reproduced under CCL licence no. 223439.

The Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches in the USA: Scripture quotations from The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible © 1989 The Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.