Choral Eucharist

Above: Christ embraces children in the Love Window of Saint Thomas Church. Today’s Gospel from Saint Mark has Jesus responding to his disciples, who are arguing about who among them is the greatest. “And Jesus sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. And he took a child, and set him in the midst of them: and when he had taken him in his arms, he said unto them: Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.“ Note the text of hymn 480, which we sing just before the reading of this Gospel.

Included in this Choral Eucharist are hymns sung by the congregation and choir, additional music sung exclusively by the choir, lessons, prayers, a sermon, and a Rite I Mass. All baptized Christians are welcome to receive Holy Communion. Details of the service may be seen in the leaflet, which is posted at the bottom of this page, where you will also find links to the webcast during and after the service.

Music notes: Stanley Vann made an immense contribution to the Anglican choral tradition, having served as a gifted choir trainer at Chelmsford and Peterborough Cathedrals, while teaching harmony and counterpoint at Trinity College, London. In his retirement until his death one month past his hundredth birthday, he devoted his time to composing both organ and choral music. Missa Sancti Pauli was written in 1997 at the request of John Scott to mark the tercentenary of St. Paul’s Cathedral. A true Missa Brevis with a mostly syllabic treatment of the text, trumpets herald the Gloria in excelsis and are echoed later in the Sanctus. The combination of the colorful harmonies in the Agnus Dei and Vann’s sense of economy make this an attractive and welcome addition to the repertoire.

• Choral Services
• Worship Services