Diocesan Mothers' Union Lady Day Service

Diocesan Lady Day Service Re-building Hope and Confidence

Thursday 25 March 2021 2.00pm

Welcome to Bradford Cathedral The seat of the Bishop of Leeds and a Centre of Worship and Mission One of three Cathedrals in the Anglican Diocese of Leeds

Our purpose is to serve Jesus Christ as a vibrant community of worship and mission enriching the City, the Diocese and further afield.

❖ A very warm welcome to Bradford Cathedral for this service in celebration of the Feast of the Annunciation of our Lord to the Virgin Mary.

❖ Please join in with saying or singing the words in bold type in this order of service and sit or stand as directed if you are able.

❖ The Cathedral Choir lead our worship.

HOSPITALITY info@bradfordcathedral.org www.bradfordcathedral.org

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FAITHFULNESS

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WHOLENESS

Bradford Cathedral, Stott Hill, Bradford, BD1 4EH T: 01274 777720 2

Charity number 1164024

Our Identity worldwide Mothers’ Union is a global, women-led movement. United in our diversity and living out our faith, we support individuals and families to transform their lives.

Embedded in the Church and community, we have unprecedented reach that gives a voice to the stigmatised and vulnerable around the world.

Mothers’ Union in the Diocese of Leeds Our Vision Statement The Mothers’ Union of the Diocese of Leeds, through the love of God and in partnership with the Church, seeks to reach out creatively and actively to support stable family relationships and to promote a more just society.

Our membership Our members are not all women and not all married people. Membership is open to women and men who have been baptised in the Holy Trinity and promise to uphold our aims and objectives.

The Mothers’ Union theme for 2021 is RE-BUILDING HOPE AND CONFIDENCE During our global listening process MULOA (Mothers’ Union Listens, Observes and Acts) the voices of over 200,000 members worldwide were heard. This enabled the Worldwide Council to draw together key emerging elements, and thus shape the way forward for us as a movement. “Building hope and confidence” has been placed at the heart of our call to support individuals and families to transform their lives. As we build our hope and confidence in God, we will be inspired and equipped to build hope and confidence in others, in both local and global context.

Projects in the Diocese of Leeds include working in partnership with prisons, hospitals and organisations which support families such as women’s refuges and baby banks. We offer an Away From It All holiday scheme (AFIA) for families in need of a break and we support local schools and food banks.

Mothering Sunday Appeal 2021 GIFTS THAT GROW We thank the Dean and Chapter and Canon Paul Maybury, Canon Precentor, for their support as we come to Bradford Cathedral for this service.

This service is broadcast on YouTube and will be available for the following two weeks.

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Voluntary: Ave Maria Stella by M. Dupré

Welcome and Introduction The Very Reverend Jerry Lepine, Dean of Bradford Welcome to our Mothers’ Union Lady Day Service. The obedience and faith of Mary is a wonderful example to us as we reach out in service to families and communities. It is this that we gather to celebrate, give thanks for and be inspired by, as we seek to follow God in whichever way he calls.

We stand

Call to worship I will sing of the Lord’s great love for ever; with my mouth I will make your faithfulness known through all generations.

We gather to glorify the Lord with open hearts and voices.

We gather to rejoice in God our Saviour who has done great things for us.

Holy is his name. Amen.

Hymn All my hope on God is founded; he doth still my trust renew.

Me through change and chance he guideth, only good and only true.

God unknown, he alone calls my heart to be his own.

Pride of man and earthly glory, sword and crown betray his trust; what with care and toil he buildeth, tower and temple, fall to dust.

But God’s power, hour by hour, is my temple and my tower.

God’s great goodness aye endureth, deep his wisdom, passing thought: splendour, light, and life attend him, beauty springeth out of naught.

Evermore from his store new-born worlds rise and adore.

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Psalm 89:1

Daily doth th’Almighty giver bounteous gifts on us bestow; his desire our soul delighteth, pleasure leads us where we go.

Love doth stand at his hand; joy doth wait on his command.

Still from man to God eternal sacrifice of praise be done, high above all praises praising for the gift of Christ his Son. Christ doth call one and all: ye who follow shall not fall.

Words: Robert Bridges (1844-1930) Tune: MICHAEL; Herbert Howells (1892-1983); CP 368

We sit

Prayers of Penitence Lord, you call us to lives of obedience and faith as the example of Mary portrays.

Forgive us when we close our ears to your voice and surrender to doubt and fear.

Lord, you call us to lives of acceptance and praise as the example of Mary displays.

Forgive us when we refuse the narrow path and protest in selfishness.

God of mercy and grace forgive our faults and weaknesses.

Transform us into people of obedience and faith. Amen

Prayer of the Day We beseech you, O Lord, pour your grace into our hearts, that as we have known the incarnation of your Son Jesus Christ by the message of an angel, so by his cross and passion we may be brought to the glory of his resurrection. through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord.

Amen.

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We sit

Old Testament Reading

Isaiah 7.10-14

read by the Reverend Tim Stevens

Again the Lord spoke to Ahaz, saying, 11Ask a sign of the Lord your God; let it be deep as Sheol or high as heaven. 12But Ahaz said, I will not ask, and I will not put the Lord to the test. 13Then Isaiah said: ‘Hear then, O house of David! Is it too little for you to weary mortals, that you weary my God also? 14Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Look, the young woman is with child and shall bear a son, and shall name him Immanuel.

This is the word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

Choir View me, Lord, a work of thine: shall I then lie drowned in night?

Might thy grace in me but shine, I should seem made all of light.

Cleanse me, Lord, that I may kneel at thine altar, pure and white; they that once thy mercies feel, gaze no more on earth’s delight.

Worldly joys, like shadows fade when the heavenly light appears; but the covenants thou hast made, endless, know nor days, nor years.

In thy word, Lord, is my trust, to thy mercies fast I fly; though I am but clay and dust, yet thy grace can lift me high.

Words: Thomas Campion (1567-1620) Music: Richard Lloyd (b.1933)

Silence

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We stand

Gospel Reading

Luke 1.26-38

Read by the Reverend Pat Smith

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke.

Glory to you, O Lord.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent by God to a town in Galilee called Nazareth, 27to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. The virgin’s name was Mary. 28And he came to her and said, ‘Greetings, favoured one! The Lord is with you.’ 29But she was much perplexed by his words and pondered what sort of greeting this might be. 30The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favour with God. 31And now, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you will name him Jesus. 32He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his ancestor David. 33He will reign over the house of Jacob for ever, and of his kingdom there will be no end.’ 34Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ 35The angel said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be holy; he will be called Son of God. 36And now, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son; and this is the sixth month for her who was said to be barren. 37For nothing will be impossible with God.’ 38Then Mary said, ‘Here am I, the servant of the Lord; let it be with me according to your word.’ Then the angel departed from her.

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon After an opening prayer, we sit The Right Reverend Dr Toby Howarth, Bishop of Bradford Silence

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Choir 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

My soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.

For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his handmaiden.

For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.

For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name.

And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.

He hath shewed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.

He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.

He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed 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.

Words: Luke 1.46-55 Music: Humphrey Clucas (b. 1941); ‘Bradford Service’

Commissioning of Area Chaplains The two chaplains-designate stand before the Bishop Bishop

We come now to commission the Reverend Pat Smith and the Reverend Tim Stevens to the office of Mothers’ Union Chaplain in the Episcopal Areas of Bradford and Wakefield.

This is a joyful and important occasion. This office carries great responsibility for Mothers’ Union is a worldwide organisation whose members seek to express the Christian faith by the transformation of communities worldwide through the promotion of stable marriage, family life and the protection of children.

Do you accept this office in the Mothers’ Union?

Chaplains

I do, the Lord being my helper.

Bishop

Will you serve God in this way, in the firm belief that the power of the Holy Spirit will guide and direct all who call upon Him? 8

Chaplains

I will, putting my trust in Him.

Bishop

Will you walk alongside Mothers’ Union members holding the organisation in your prayers, and supporting the members in their work?

Chaplains

I will, the Lord being my helper.

Bishop

I admit you both to the office of Diocesan Chaplain, in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen

The Bishop presents Commissioning certificates to the Chaplains.

The Bishop addresses the Mothers’ Union Diocesan President Bishop

On behalf of MU members in Leeds Diocese will you welcome your new Area Chaplains? Will you remember Pat and Tim in your prayers and give them your support and encouragement?

President

On behalf of our members, I welcome you. We will pray for you and support you.

Prayers of Intercession

Led by Mrs Jean Thurman, Diocesan President

Heavenly Father, You hold all possibilities in your hands and nothing is impossible with you.

Make known your will for each one of us, though we may ask, “Who, me?”

Take us as we are and accept all we have.

Let it be with us according to your word.

Amen Lord, thank you for all the ways you break into our lives with your message of love and hope for the future.

Thank you for your angels, who come to us in so many different ways.

May we be open to recognise and welcome them.

Amen As we walk through this challenging season.

We pray for all who are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and for people across the world experiencing conflict, war and oppression, famine and poverty; for victims and survivors of Modern Day Slavery and Gender Based Violence; that they would feel your comfort and protection at this time.

We face the future trusting each other and loving each other.

Together we will rebuild the hope and confidence of families and communities everywhere 9

reaching out as God’s hands and feet across the world.

Amen Remembering the work of our organisation, unified in lifting the humble high across the world, we say together our Mothers’ Union prayer Loving Lord, we thank you for your love so freely given to us all.

We pray for families around the world.

Bless the work of the Mothers' Union as we seek to share your love through the encouragement, strengthening and support of marriage and family life. Empowered by your Spirit, may we be united in prayer and worship, and in love and service reach out as your hands across the world.

In Jesus' name.

Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer As our Saviour taught us, so we pray 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 forever. Amen.

Hymn Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to thee; take my moments and my days, let them flow in ceaseless praise.

Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of thy love; take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for thee.

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Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King; take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from thee.

Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold; take my intellect, and use every power as thou shalt choose.

Take my will, and make it thine: it shall be no longer mine; take my heart: it is thine own; it shall be thy royal throne.

Take my love; my Lord, I pour at thy feet its treasure-store; take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for thee.

Words: Frances Ridley Havergal Tune: Nottingham CP581

The Dismissal Christ the Son of God, born of Mary, fill you with hope and confidence to trust his promises and follow 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 Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

In the name of Christ.

Amen.

Voluntary: Toccata by T. Dubois The organ voluntary is offered as part of our worship

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Material in this Order of Service is taken from Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, copyright © The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2000 and Common Worship: Times & Seasons, copyright © The Archbishops’ Council of the Church of England, 2006. Scripture readings are taken from the New Revised Standard Version (Anglicised Edition) of the Bible, copyright © 1989, 1994 The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Copyright hymns and songs are reproduced under the Christian Copyright Licensing scheme: licence number 3887. This compilation is copyright © 2021 The Chapter of Bradford.

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