A special extra podcast for the Feast of Candlemas, which marks the end of the Epiphany and Christmas season.

Preacher: Canon Anne Le Bas

Hymn: Faithful Vigil Ended, sung by the choir of St Martin in the Fields

Join us for worship from Seal Church. A copy of the service sheet can be found on the church website. www.sealpeterandpaul.com

Preacher: Kevin Bright

Image: Eleventh Century Fresco: the Exorcism at Capernaum

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jesus_in_the_synagogue_of_Capernaum#/media/File:Christus_heilt_einen_Besessenen.jpg

Today’s hymn sung by St Martins in the Fields is: King of Glory, King of Peace

Join us for worship from Seal Church. A copy of the service sheet can be found on the church website. www.sealpeterandpaul.com

Preacher: Canon Anne Le Bas

Image: The Wedding at Cana by Paulo Veronese

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wedding_at_Cana#/media/File:Paolo_Veronese_008.jpg

Today’s hymn sung by St Martins in the Fields is: Songs of thankfulness and praise.

Join us for worship

Preacher: Canon Anne Le Bas

Image: Eli and Samuel , by John Singleton Copley

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Eli_and_Samuel.jpg

Today’s hymn sung by St Martins in the Fields is: Hail to the Lord's Anointed

great David's greater Son!

Hail, in the time appointed,

his reign on earth begun!

He comes to break oppression,

to set the captive free,

to take away transgression,

and rule in equity.

2 He comes, with succour speedy,

to those who suffer wrong;

to help the poor and needy,

and bid the weak be strong;

to give them songs for sighing,

their darkness turn to light,

whose souls, condemned and dying,

were precious in his sight.

3 He shall come down like showers

upon the fruitful earth;

that love, joy, hope, like flowers,

spring in his path to birth;

before him, on the mountains,

shall peace the herald go;

and righteousness, in fountains,

from hill to valley flow.

4 Kings shall bow down before him,

and gold and incense bring;

all nations shall adore him,

his praise all people sing;

to him shall prayer unceasing

and daily vows ascend,

his kingdom still increasing,

a kingdom without end.

5 O'er every foe victorious,

he on his throne shall rest;

from age to age more glorious,

all-blessing and all-blest.

The tide of time shall never

his covenant remove;

his name shall stand for ever,

his changeless name of Love.

James Montgomery (1771-1854)

(Public Domain)

Join us for worship

Preacher: Canon Anne Le Bas

Image: The Adoration of the Kings, by Jan Brueghel the Elder

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/jan-brueghel-the-elder-the-adoration-of-the-kings

Today’s hymn sung by St Martins in the Fields is: Brightest and Best of the Sons of the Morning

Brightest and best

sung by St Martin’s Voices

1 Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,

dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;

star of the east, the horizon adorning,

guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

2 Cold on his cradle the dew-drops are shining;

low lies his head with the beasts of the stall;

angels adore him in slumber reclining,

Maker and Monarch and Saviour of all.

3 Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,

odours of Edom, and offerings divine,

gems of the mountain and pearls of the ocean,

myrrh from the forest, or gold from the mine?

4 Vainly we offer each ample oblation,

vainly with gifts would his favour secure:

richer by far is the heart's adoration,

dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.

5 Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,

dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;

star of the east, the horizon adorning,

guide where our infant Redeemer is laid.

Reginald Heber (1783-1826)

Join us for Christmas worship from Seal Church. A copy of the service sheet can be found on the church

This podcast contains the sermon I preached at our Christmas night service. If you would like to hear the story I told on Christmas Morning you can find a link to it on our church website and blog.

Preacher: Revd Canon Anne Le Bas

Image: The Adoration of the Shepherds by Guido Reni

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/guido-reni-the-adoration-of-the-shepherds

Today’s hymn sung

and the music at the start of the service is played by Philip Le Bas

Join us for worship

Preacher: Canon Anne Le Bas

Image: John the Baptist preaching in the wilderness, by Pier Francesco Mola

https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/paintings/pier-francesco-mola-saint-john-the-baptist-preaching-in-the-wilderness

Today’s hymn sung

1 O come, O come Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,

That mourns in lonely exile here,

Until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel

Shall come to thee, O Israel.

2 O come, Thou Rod of Jesse, free

Thine own from Satan's tyranny;

From depths of hell Thy people save,

And give them victory o'er the grave.

Refrain

3 O come, Thou Day-spring, come and cheer

Our spirits by Thine advent here;

Disperse the gloomy clouds of night,

And death's dark shadows put to flight.

Refrain

4 O come, Thou Key of David, come,

And open wide our heavenly home;

Make safe the way that leads on high,

And close the path to misery.

Refrain

5 O come, O come, Thou Lord of might,

Who to Thy tribes, on Sinai's height,

In ancient times didst give the law

In cloud and majesty and awe.

Refrain

Latin 13th century translated by John M Neale (1818-1866)

Join us for worship

Preacher: Canon Anne Le Bas

Image: John the Baptist by Phillipe de Champaigne

Today’s hymn sung

Join us for worship

Preacher: Canon Anne Le Bas

Image: Advent Candle https://www.flickr.com/photos/mtsofan/23796332085

Today’s hymn sung

Join us for worship

Preacher: Kevin Bright

Image: A young Syrian boy herding sheep