KING EDWARD VI SCHOOL
SOUTHAMPTON
SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING Winchester Cathedral Wednesday 16th March 2016 2.15 pm Led by The Reverend Canon Roland Riem Vice-Dean Preacher The Rt. Reverend David Stancliffe Fellow of St Chad’s College, Durham
Outline of the Service As we honour the past and we rejoice in present blessings, We dedicate ourselves to the future.
Welcome The School is welcomed to the Cathedral, the mother-church of the diocese where Christians have worshipped God for nearly fourteen hundred years. Symbols of our Christian and royal heritage and of Edwardians’ sacrifice for the nation are placed on the altar to indicate our commitment to the challenge of our inheritance.
Commemoration We remember with thanks all those whose generosity and example have so enriched and secured our present good fortune.
Thanksgiving We thank God for all blessings we enjoy by being Edwardians.
Dedication We consider our response to the privileges we enjoy and dedicate ourselves afresh to lives of service, to play our part in establishing a just, tolerant and peaceful world.
Dismissal Mindful of all we have sung, said and heard, we are sent out with God’s blessing into the world to use our talents and our education for the good.
For Reflection Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom Or the strong man boast of his strength Or the rich man boast of his riches, But let him who boasts boast about this: That he understands and knows me. Jeremiah 9: 23-24
Welcome Stand to sing the School hymn The Head Master, the Chair of Governors, the Bursar, representatives of the Staff, the Head of School and clergy are led to their seats.
Our God, our help in ages past,
A thousand ages in thy sight
Our hope for years to come,
Are like an evening gone,
Our shelter from the stormy blast,
Short as the watch that ends the night
And our eternal home.
Before the rising sun.
2. Under the shadow of thy throne
Time, like an ever rolling stream,
Thy saints have dwelt secure;
Bears all its sons away;
Sufficient is thine arm alone,
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
And our defence is sure.
Dies at the opening day.
Before the hills in order stood,
Our God, our help in ages past,
Or earth received her frame,
Our hope for years to come,
From everlasting thou art God,
Be thou our guard while troubles last,
To endless years the same.
And our eternal home. Psalm 90 Isaac Watts O.E. 1674-1748
Sit Canon Roly Riem We meet together today in this ancient place of worship to remember the holiness of God’s presence; to praise and thank Him for the many blessings visited on us and the School, and in fellowship with those who have gone before us, we give thanks for this present time, calling upon God to turn our hearts and minds to meet the needs of the world through lives of service.
Commemoration Holy is the true light, and passing wonderful, Lending radiance to them that endured in the heat of the conflict: From Christ they inherit a home of unfading splendour, Wherein they rejoice with gladness evermore. Salisbury Diurnal
Anthem
We wait for thy loving kindness
William Mckie
The Chamber Choir
We wait for thy loving kindness, O God, in the midst of thy temple, Alleluia. O God, according to thy name, so is thy praise unto the world's end. Thy right hand is full of righteousness, Alleluia. We wait for thy loving kindness, O God: in the midst of thy temple. Lord send us now prosperity. Amen.
Reading
Sirach 44.1-15 A Hymn in Honour of Our Ancestors Read by Yvie Lock
The Commemoration Prayer
Mr Julian Thould, The Head Master
We commemorate before God those who founded the School more than four hundred and fifty years ago by Letters Patent from Edward the Sixth, by the Grace of God King of this Realm, and William Capon, Priest; Master of Jesus College Cambridge and Rector of St. Mary’s, Southampton. We hold before God all those others who in their time have enriched and endowed this ancient School; giving of themselves for the benefit and well-being of this our pious and royal foundation. We ask you continuing blessing on them and upon us, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Choir sings the chant, repeated by the School (remain seated)
Representatives of the School Community place candles on the Altar. For King Edward the Sixth, our royal patron: All: Amen. For William Capon, our pious founder: Amen. For all our Benefactors, known and unknown: Amen. For all past Edwardians on whose shoulders we stand: Amen. The Choir sings the chant, repeated by the School Stand to sing the hymn based on Psalm 150
O praise ye the Lord, praise him in the height; Rejoice in his word, ye angels of light; Ye heavens, adore him by whom ye were made, And worship before him, in brightness arrayed.
O praise ye the Lord! Praise him upon earth, In tuneful accord, ye sons of new birth; Praise him who hath brought you his grace from above, Praise him who hath taught you to sing of his love.
O praise ye the Lord! All things that give sound; Each jubilant chord re-echo around; Loud organs, his glory forth tell in deep tone, And sweet harp, the story of what he hath done.
O praise ye the Lord! Thanksgiving and song To him be outpoured all ages along! For love in creation, for heaven restored, For grace of salvation, O praise ye the Lord! Sit During the anthem, a facsimile of the Royal Charter, a Bible, the Book of Remembrance, symbols of the School’s royal and pious foundation and of Old Edwardians’ service are brought to the Altar. Anthem
I was Glad
Hubert Parry
The Choir and Dancers
I was glad when they said unto me, We will go into the house of the Lord. Our feet shall stand in thy gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is builded as a city that is at unity in itself. O pray for the peace of Jerusalem, They shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls, And plenteousness within thy palaces. Words: Psalm 122: 1-3, 6, 7
For Reflection The children of God should not have any other country here below but the universe itself, the totality of all the reasoning creatures it has ever contained, contains or will ever contain. This is the native city to which we owe our love. Simone Weil 1974
Thanksgiving When God at first made man, having a glass of blessings standing by; Let us (said he) pour on him all we can: let the world’s riches, which dispersed lie, Contract into a span. George Herbert 1593-1633 Reading
Intelligence is not enough
Martin Luther King Jr
Read by Henry Marden
Stand to sing the hymn
How shall I sing that majesty
Enlighten with faith’s light my heart,
Which angels do admire?
Inflame it with love’s fire,
Let dust in dust and silence lie;
Then shall I sing and take my part
Sing, sing, ye heavenly choir.
With that celestial choir.
Thousands of thousands stand
I shall, I fear, be dark and cold,
Around thy throne, O God most high;
With all my fire and light;
Ten thousand times ten thousand
Yet when thou dost accept their gold,
Sound thy praise; but who am I?
Lord, treasure up my mite.
2. Thy brightness unto them appears,
How great a being, Lord, is thine,
While I thy footsteps trace;
Which doth all beings keep!
A sound of God comes to my ears,
Thy knowledge is the only line
But they behold thy face:
To sound so vast a deep:
They sing, because thou art their sun;
thou art a sea without a shore,
Lord, send a beam on me;
A sun without a sphere;
For where heaven is but once begun,
Thy time is now and evermore,
There alleluias be.
Thy place is everywhere. John Mason 1646-94
Sit
Prayers led by the Head of School, Heads of Houses and members of the Staff Parent Prayer group.
Remembering Edward Reynolds, sixteenth century Bishop of Norwich and Old Edwardian, author of the original form of The General Thanksgiving, we say together: Almighty God, Father of all mercies, we your unworthy servants give you most humble and hearty thanks for all your goodness and loving kindness. We bless you for our creation, preservation, and all the blessings of this life; but above all for your immeasurable love in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ, for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory. And give us, we pray, such a sense of all your mercies that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we show forth your praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives, by giving up ourselves to your service, and by walking before you in holiness and righteousness all our days; through Jesus Christ our Lord, to whom, with you and the Holy Spirit, be all honour and glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
We thank God for this School, and for those who founded and endowed it, and by whose example we learn; We thank you, Lord.
For the memories and traditions of the past that dignify the present and inspire us to face the future; We thank you, Lord.
For the example of faithful service evident in the life of Her Majesty the Queen; We thank you, Lord.
For Edwardians who lived and died in the service of others; We thank you, Lord.
For all whose lives have made God’s love manifest; We thank you, Lord.
For governors, teachers and all who work at the School to enable us to grow, nourished in body, mind and spirit; We thank you, Lord.
For our families and those by whose generosity we enjoy our present opportunities; We thank you, Lord.
For friendship, kindness and support, for loyalty and dedication to the task, We thank you, Lord.
For the many lessons we learn; for the gift of education Lord, help us to be worthy of the blessings you have given us.
Anthem
My spirit sang all day
Gerald Finzi
The Chamber Choir
My spirit sang all day O my joy. Nothing my tongue could say, only my joy! My heart an echo caught O my joy, and spake, Tell me thy thought, Hide not thy joy. My eyes gan peer around, O my joy, What beauty hast thou found? Shew us thy joy. My jealous ears grew whist; O my joy, Music from heaven is't sent for our joy? She also came and heard; O my joy, What, said she, is this word? What is thy joy? And I replied, O see, O my joy, 'Tis thee, I cried, 'tis thee: Thou art my joy. Words: Robert Bridges
Dedication We honour the past, rejoice in present blessings, so now we look to the future. Reading
Romans 12. 1 – 8 The Call to be Living Sacrifices Read by The Revd. Julian Poppleton, School Chaplain
The Address
Bishop David Stancliffe
Stand to sing the hymn
When I needed a neighbour, were you there, were you there? When I needed a neighbour, were you there? And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter, were you there? I was hungry and thirsty, were you there, were you there? I was hungry and thirsty, were you there? I was cold, I was naked, were you there, were you there? I was cold, I was naked, were you there? When I needed a shelter, were you there, were you there? When I needed a shelter, were you there? When I needed a healer, were you there, were you there? When I needed a healer, were you there? Wherever you travel, I’ll be there, I’ll be there, Wherever you travel, I’ll be there, And the creed and the colour and the name won’t matter, I’ll be there! Sydney Carter Sit
For Reflection How would you be if He, which is the top of judgment should but judge you as you are? O, think on that, and mercy then will breathe within your lips, Like man new made. William Shakespeare 1564-1616 Measure for Measure
Prayers led by pupils represented by the School Council. The Choir sings the chant, repeated by the School (remain seated) Ubi caritas et amor, ubi caritas Deus ibi est. Where there is love, God is present.
Loving Father, you are endlessly generous in the love you show us; We dedicate ourselves to lives of service and loving our neighbour. Lord, hear us; Lord, help us. Bless all who work in education; help us make the most of our gifts; may all have the chance to learn and grow in your image. Lord, hear us; Lord, help us. Bless the city of Southampton and those who order our common life; inspire those who govern; help us play our part to establish peace and justice. Lord, hear us; Lord, help us. Bless this Cathedral, that it may be a community of welcome and faithful worship and witness to the Gospel. Lord, hear us; Lord, help us. Bless our families, friends and neighbours; especially we pray for the people of Syria and all who flee war and violence. Fill us with compassion; Lord, hear us; Lord, help us. Make us instruments of your love; banish hatred and sectarianism; bring understanding between faith communities and rejoicing in diversity. Lord, hear us; Lord, help us. Strengthen and guide us that we may work diligently, act honourably and strive to be of service in the world. Lord, hear us; Lord, help us. The Choir sings the chant, repeated by the School
Anthem
Jubilate Deo
William Walton
The Senior Choir
O be joyful in the Lord all lands! Serve the Lord with gladness, And come before his presence with a song. Be ye sure that the Lord he is God: It is he that has made us and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. O go your way into his gates with thanksgiving and into his courts with praise; Be thankful unto him, and speak good of his name. For the Lord is gracious, his mercy is everlasting: And his truth endureth from generation to generation. 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 with without end. Amen.
Psalm 100
Dismissal A Blessing given by The Vice-Dean All: Amen
We stand and sing the hymn as the procession leaves
Guide me O thou great Redeemer, Pilgrim through this barren land; I am weak, but thou art mighty; Hold me with thy powerful hand: Bread of heaven, Feed me till I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain, Whence the healing stream doth flow; Let the fire and cloudy pillar Lead me all my journey through: Strong deliverer, Be thou still my strength and shield.
When I tread the verge of Jordan, Bid my anxious fears subside; Death of death, and hell’s destruction, Land me safe on Canaan’s side: Songs and praises I will ever give to thee. Sit until invited to leave by the stewards.
For Reflection
Teach us, good Lord, to serve thee as thou deservest; To give, and not to count the cost, to fight, and not to heed the wounds, To toil, and not to seek for rest, to labour, and not to ask for any reward, Save that of knowing that we do thy will. St. Ignatius of Loyola 1491-1556 My son, I will teach you the way of peace and true liberty…try to do another’s will rather than your own. Always choose to have less than more. Always choose the lowest place and to be less than everyone else. Always long and pray that the will of God may be fully realized in your life. You will find the man who does all this walks in the land of peace and quietness. Thomas à Kempis The Imitation of Christ
Education: by that I understand not merely the imparting of knowledge, But the drawing out of the powers of the mind, spirit, and body; The evoking of a reverence for the truth, And the use of the imagination in its pursuit. Michael Ramsey 1975 CCLI licence number 548169