Introit: “O taste and see” R Vaughan Williams

Call to Worship

We have come together as the people of God in this place
to offer praise and thanksgiving for the life and example of our
Queen,
to pray for her and for the people of our nations and our local
communities,
to commit ourselves afresh to serve our local community, our
nation and the world
that in us God’s will may be done and God’s kingdom go
forward
until the earth is filled with the knowledge of his justice and his
love. Amen


Hymn: Jubilee sets us free
with Procession with Symbols

During the singing of this hymn the following symbols are carried in procession to the front and held in view of the congregation: a large Bible; a container of oil and a spoon for anointing; a towel and a bowl of water; a symbol of the local community. On the conclusion of the hymn the bearers in turn lay the symbols in a prominent place saying in turn:

At Her Majesty’s Coronation she was
presented with a Bible with the words:
‘This Book is the most valuable thing
the world affords. Here is Wisdom; this is the royal Law; these are the lively oracles of God.’

Central to the Coronation was the anointing of The Queen, to bless and consecrate her for her holy office. We remember this and seek to follow the example of The Queen’s dedication to duty.

Every Maundy Thursday our Sovereign
demonstrates the majesty of Service,
as our Lord Jesus did when he
washed the disciples’ feet and said
‘You are to do as I have done for you.’


It is The Queen’s wish that we celebrate the community life of our nation and Commonwealth. May this community life be a living fellowship of mutual trust, care and compassion.

The bearers take their seats and the congregation is led in prayer.

Prayers of Thanksgiving and Confession

In humble gratitude let us pray to the Lord.

Let us give our praise and thanks for all the golden years of
Her Majesty’s reign, recalling her dedicated service to the
nation, her commitment to family life and the universal respect
in which she is held.

V. Bless the Lord my soul
R. Who leads me into life.

Let us rejoice in the personal testimony of The Queen, remembering her words at the Millennium, ‘For me the
teachings of Christ and my personal accountability before
God provide a framework in which I try to live my life.’

V. Bless the Lord my soul
R. Who leads me into life.

Let us be grateful for our heritage as a United Kingdom,
rejoicing that in these islands we bring together so many
strands of culture, language, customs and creeds that make
up the rich pattern of our national life.

V. Bless the Lord my soul
R. Who leads me into life.

Let us give thanks for the age-old custom of celebrating
Jubilee by the remission of debt, praying that the spirit of
celebration may bring release and new hope for all who are burdened, and freedom from debt throughout the
Commonwealth and the world.

V. Bless the Lord my soul
R. Who leads me into life.

Let us humbly acknowledge that as a nation we have not
always followed the Royal Law and heeded God’s Word,
recalling times when selfish gain has come before service of others, and praying for the grace of penitence and the
assurance of full and free forgiveness through the merit of
Jesus Christ, our Saviour.

V. Bless the Lord my soul
R. Who leads me into life.

Risen, reigning Christ,
in you past, present and future,
are brought together in one great hope.
Renew our faith in you,
so that the past may not hinder us,
nor the present overwhelm us,
or the future frighten us.
You have brought us this far;
continue to lead us
until our hope is fulfilled
and we join with all God’s people
in never-ending praise;
for your name’s sake. Amen

The Word

Old Testament Reading
Deuteronomy 11:18-21, 26-28

Psalm 31.1-5, 19-24

R. Be my strong rock, O Lord; a tower of strength.

In you, O Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame;
Deliver me in your righteousness.

Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue;
Be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.
Since you are my rock and my fortress,
For the sake of your name lead and guide me.

Free me from the trap that is set for me,
For you are my refuge.

Into your hands I commit my spirit;
Redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for
those who fear you,
which you bestow in the sight of all who take refuge in you.

In the shelter of your presence you hide them, from human
intrigues;
In your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.

Praise be to the Lord,
For he has showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a
besieged city.
In my alarm I said ‘I am cut off from your sight!’
Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.

Love the Lord, all his saints!
The Lord preserves the faithful, but the proud he will pay back
in full.

Be strong and take heart
All you who hope in the Lord.


New Testament Reading
Romans 1.1-6

Hymn: I vow to thee my country

The Gospel Reading
St Matthew 7.21-29

The Coronation Symbols

Anthem: “How lovely are thy dwellings Lord” J Brahms

Hymn: Lord for the years
Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided,
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.

Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us,
Lord of the word, receive your people’s praise.

Lord, for our hopes, the dreams of all our living,
Christ and his kingdom one united aim;
Rulers and peoples bound in high thanksgiving,
Lord of our hopes, our trust is in your name.

Lord, for our land, in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care;
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.

Lord, for our world; when we disown and doubt him,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain,
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without him:
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.

Lord for ourselves; in living power remake us,
self on the cross and Christ upon the throne;
past put behind us, for the future take us,
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.


Prayers of Intercession based on the Symbols of the Coronation Service

The Bible for faith

Gracious God, we give thanks for the Bible,
‘the most precious gift that earth affords’.

We pray
for all people of faith, and for those who seek a faith by which to live,
for Bible scholars and translators who open the Word of God
to others,
for those who preach the Gospel,
and those who would follow the Bible’s teachings,
that through the Holy Spirit, your Word may inspire and direct them.
V. In the life of our land
R. Your kingdom come, O Lord, your will be done.


Oil for anointing
Holy God, we rejoice that in every generation people hear your call to commitment and faithfulness.

We pray
for Elizabeth our Queen, giving thanks for her selfless dedication throughout her reign:
may she be blessed and strengthened,
for members of the Commonwealth with whom we share this Jubilee: may we grow in understanding and respect,
for those who bring healing and health to the sick and the suffering,
for those who care for prisoners and refugees;
that, through those who hear your call, your healing hand may be laid on the nations.

V. In the life of our land
R. Your kingdom come, O Lord, your will be done.

Towel and bowl for service

Loving God, we remember with gratitude that Jesus cared so much that he washed his disciples’ feet.

We pray
for those who seek to be Christ’s loving presence in the world,
for those who mourn the loss of loved ones,
for those who are sick,
those who are anxious or disillusioned,
for those whose needs we know, and those whose needs are
known by you alone,
that through your grace, your transforming power will bring
hope and confidence.

V. In the life of our land
R. Your kingdom come, O Lord, your will be done.

Living in community

Generous God, we recognize the joys and
challenges of living alongside each other.

We pray
for all in positions of authority and influence
in our community,
for those who work in hospitals and schools, in the police
force and emergency services,
for those who face suspicion and criticism when difficult
decisions need to be made,
for those among us who are homeless, refugee, stranger or
asylum seeker,
that through us, your people, the love of Christ may be shown in our community.

V. In the life of our land
R. Your kingdom come, O Lord, your will be done.

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name;
Thy kingdom come;
Thy will be done;
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us.
And lead us not into
temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom
The power and the glory,
For ever and ever. Amen

Act of Dedication

As we come to the end of this thanksgiving service in this time of Golden Jubilee let us dedicate ourselves anew, to the service of God, our nation and our world.

Lord of our lives and God of our salvation,
Grant that we may live by your word,
Remember with thanksgiving
Her Majesty’s example of dedication and service,
And commit ourselves afresh to serve
our local community, nation and world
for the building up of your kingdom,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen


The National Anthem

God save our Gracious Queen,
Long live our noble Queen,
God save The Queen.
Send her victorious
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us;
God save The Queen.

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause
To sing with heart and voice,
‘God save The Queen’.


The Blessing
God grant to the living grace,
to the departed rest,
to the Church, The Queen, the Commonwealth
and all people, peace and concord,
and to us and all his servants life everlasting,
and the blessing of God Almighty,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit be with you all
evermore. Amen


Hymn: Guide me O thou great redeemer

Out into the World

We say to each other

Go forth into the world in peace,
be of good courage,
hold fast that which is good,
render to no-one evil for evil,
strengthen the faint-hearted,
support the weak,
help the afflicted,
honour all people.

(Words from 1 Thessalonians, quoted by The Queen in her Christmas Broadcast 2000)