I am the resurrection and the life, saith the Lord: he that believeth in me, though he be dead, yet shall he live: and he that liveth and believeth in me shall never die. John 11: 25–26 I know that my Redeemer lives, and that he will stand at the last day on earth. whom I alone shall see, and my eyes shall see, and no other. Job 19: 25–27 We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain that we can bring nothing. blessed be the name of the Lord. 1 Timothy 6:7; Task 1: 21
The Choir of Westminster Abbey and the Choir of the Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace, sing:
You know, Lord, the secrets of our hearts. Do not close your merciful ears to our prayer. but save us, Lord most holy, God the mighty, holy and most merciful Saviour, worthy judge eternal, do not let us, at the last hour, for any pain of death, fall from you. Amen. The Book of Common Prayer 1549 I heard a voice from heaven saying to me: Write, from now on blessed are the dead who die in the Lord: so says the Spirit. for they rest from their labors. Amen. Revelation 14:13
Everyone stands up.
The Reverend Dr David Hoyle MBE, Dean of Westminster, gives:
THE TENDER
With sadness but also deep thanksgiving we come to this House of God, to a place of prayer, to a church where memory and hope are sacred tasks. Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we gather from all the nation, from the Commonwealth and from the nations of the world, to mourn our loss, to remember her long life of selfless service, and with sure assurance to commit her to mercy of God our creator and redeemer. We remember with gratitude her steadfast commitment to a high calling for so many years as Queen and Head of the Commonwealth. We remember with admiration her lifelong sense of duty and devotion to her people. With thanksgiving we glorify God for the steadfast example of Christian faith and devotion. We fondly remember her love for her family and her commitment to the causes she held dear. Now, in silence, let us remember in our hearts and minds the many reasons for our thanksgiving, let us pray for all the members of her family, and let us praise Queen Elizabeth in the care and preservation of almighty God.
There is a brief silence.
O Merciful God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who art the resurrection and the life. in whom he that believeth shall live, though he die. And whoever lives and believes in him will never die. who taught us, from his holy Apostle, Saint Paul, not to feel sorry, as people without hope, for those who sleep in him. We beseech Thee, Father, to raise us from the death of sin to the life of righteousness. that, when we depart from this life, we may rest in him, as our hope is that of our sister. And that, in the general Resurrection of the last day, we may find ourselves acceptable in your sight. and receive this blessing, which your beloved Son will then say to all those who love and fear you, saying: Come, blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this, we beseech you, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our mediator and redeemer. Amen.
Everyone sings:
THE HYMN
The day which thou hast given, O Lord, is ended, darkness falls at thy command: to thee our morning hymns are ascended, thy praise shall sanctify our rest. We thank thee that thy Church sleeps not, while the earth rolls forward to the light, throughout the world that keeps its vigil, and rests not now day or night. As on every continent and island, the dawn leads to another day, the voice of prayer is never silent, nor the pressure of praise fades. The sun that bids us rest wakes our brethren ‘neath the western sky, and hour by hour fresh lips do wondrous things that sound on high. So be it, Lord. thy throne shall never pass away, like the proud empires of the earth; thy kingdom endureth and increaseth for ever, till all thy creatures shall have thy dominion. St Clement, Clement Scholefield (1839–1904), John Ellerton (1826–93)
Everyone sits down.
The Right Honorable The Baroness of Asthal KC, Secretary General of the Commonwealth, reads:
THE FIRST LESSON
Now Christ rose from the dead and became the firstfruits of those who fell asleep. For since death came from man, from man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each in his turn: Christ the first fruits. then those who are Christ’s at his coming. Then comes the end, when he will have handed over the kingdom to God, the Father. when he shall have overthrown all power and all authority and power. For he must reign, until he has put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. When therefore this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality, then shall be fulfilled the saying which is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin. and the power of sin is the law. But we thank God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15: 20–26, 53–end Thank God.
Everyone remains seated.
The choir sings:
THE PSALM
As the olive tree longs for the rivers of water, so my soul longs for you, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, yea, even for the living God: when shall I come to appear before the presence of God? My tears have been my meat day and night: while daily they say to me: Where is your God now? Now, when I think of it, I pour out my heart alone; for I went with the multitude and brought them out to the house of God. With the voice of praise and thanksgiving: among them that keep the day of sanctification. Why art thou so full of gravity, my soul: and why art thou so troubled within me? Put your trust in God: for I will thank him yet for the help of his face. Judith Weir CBE (b. 1954), composed for this Service, Psalm 42:1–7
The Right Honorable Elizabeth Truss MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, reads:
THE SECOND LESSON
Let not your heart be troubled: believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would tell you. I’m going to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to myself. so that where I am, there you may be also. And where I go you know, and the way you know. Thomas says to him: Lord, we do not know where you are going. and how can we know the way? Jesus said to him: I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip says to him: Lord, show us the Father, and it is enough for us. Jesus says to him: Have I been with you so long and you have not known me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. John 14: 1–9a Thank God.
All stand to sing:
THE HYMN
The Lord is my shepherd, I do not want; he makes me lie down in green pastures. It leads to calm waters. He restoreth my soul again, and me to walk in the paths of righteousness, for his name’s sake.
The choir sings
Yea, though I pass through the dark valley of death, yet I will fear no sick man: for thou art with me, and thy staff still comforts me.
Everyone sings
You set my table in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil, and my cup overflows. Goodness and mercy all my life shall surely follow me: and in the house of God shall I dwell forever. Psalm 23, in Scots Psalter 1650, Crimond attributed to Jessie Seymour Irvine (1836–87), harmony by David Grant (1833–93), descant by William Baird Ross (1871–1950)
THE SERMON
Delivered by the Most Reverend and Right Reverend Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan
Everyone remains seated.
The choir sings:
THE HYMN
My soul, there is a land Far beyond the stars, Where stands a winged guardian All skilled in wars: There above noise and danger, Sweet Peace sits wreathed with smiles, And one born in a manger Commands the beautiful files. He is thy kind friend, And (O my soul, awake!) Descended in pure love, To die here for thy sake. If you can only get there, there grows the flower of peace, the rose that cannot wither, your fortress, and your ease. So leave your foolish fields, for no one can secure but one who never changes, your God, your life, your healing. From Songs of Farewell, Hubert Parry (1848–1918), Henry Vaughan (1621–95)
The Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor, leads:
THE PRAYERS
With confidence and trust, let us pray to the Father.
All kneel or remain seated.
The Reverend Dr Iain Greenshields, Moderator of the Church of Scotland’s General Assembly, says:
Let’s thank…
