Weekly reflections from one of the Cathedral clergy.
Please open the pdf files of the orders of service for use with the videos.
Ascension to Pentecost Communion Weekdays
Evening Prayer Ascension to Pentecost
Easter 7 Sunday 24 May
Date: Wednesday 27 May
Led by: The Canon Precentor
Date: Wednesday 27 May
Led by: The Dean
Date: Tuesday 26 May
Led by: The Canon Pastor and Sub Dean
Date: Tuesday 26 May
Led by: The Canon Pastor and Sub Dean
Date: Monday 25 May
Led by: The Canon Precentor
Date: Monday 25 May
Led by: The Dean
Thank you to our musicians who continue to provide a variety of reflective music for us during ‘lockdown’ to help prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Accompanying text by the Precentor, Canon Philip Banks
Date: Tuesday 26 May
Richard Cook, Acting Director of Music
“You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you” – I love this prayer of St Augustine, first Archbishop of Canterbury from the seventh century, remembered in the church’s calendar today. In these days before Pentecost as we pray the gift of the Holy Spirit, and as you listen to Richard Cook playing the Toccata from Boellmann’s Suite Gothique, you may like to use the following prayer based on St Augustine’s words:
“Almighty God, ~ you have made us for yourself, ~ and our hearts are restless till they find their rest in you; ~ so lead us by your Spirit ~ that in this life we may live to your glory ~ and in the life to come enjoy you for ever”.
Date: Monday 25 May
Members of St Edmundsbury Cathedral Choir
“Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your people: kindle in us the fire of your love”: this ancient prayer of Christians is still used daily in this ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ period before Sunday’s celebration of Pentecost/Whitsun. Pentecost is the ‘birthday of the church’ – the pivotal moment when the disciples were given the means by the Holy Spirit to tell everyone of the healing, strengthening love which Jesus brings to all who welcome him into their hearts.
As you listen to our Lay Clerks sing ‘Agnus Dei’, pray that the person of Jesus would enter your heart, and the hearts of those for whom you pray, to bring that peace and strength which comes from above.
Date: Friday 22 May
William Saunders, Assisting Organist
“Come Holy Spirit, kindle in us the fire of your love”: in these days leading to Pentecost/Whitsun, Christians have traditionally prayed for the “greenness and freshness” of God’s Spirit to disturb accepted norms, and enter our lives and world. How thrilling must it have been to enter the church each week where Marcel Dupré improvised stunningly profound music – this piece comes from a set of Assumption Day improvisations , and beautifully interprets on the organ a sensual text from the Song of Solomon.
As you listen, think about whether the Spirit is inspiring you to ‘improvise’ or do differently or new. “As your Spirit moved over the face of the waters ~ bringing light and life to your creation, ~ pour out your Spirit on us today ~ that we may walk as children of light.”
