9/11 Service held at Westminster Abbey this evening

This evening I attended 'A SERVICE TO MARK THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF 9/11 ON AWARENESS SUNDAY'  held at Westminster Abbey.

The service was conducted by The Very Reverend Dr John Hall, Dean of Westminster.

Organ played by Robert Quinney, Sub-Organist.

Music before the service:
Organ Scholar Andrej Kouznetsov.

Psalm Prelude Set 1 no !
Lo, the poor crieth and the Lord heareth him - Herbert Howells (1892 - 1983)

Chorale Prelude on Eventide - Hubert Parry (1848 - 1987)

Elegy in F - George Thalben-Ball (1896 - 1987)

Epitaphe from 24 Pieces en style libre - Louis Vierne (1870 - 1937)

Solemn Prelude: In Memorian - Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934)

A reflection on Remembrance by Dr Courtney Cowart - a 9/11 survivor.


Hymns
Jerusalem the Golden - Alexander Ewing adapted
Amazing Grace - American folk melody
The Kingdom is upon you - Aurelia - Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1810 -76)
Lead us, heavenly  Father, lead us.

Anthem
Deep river, my home is over Jordan
Afro-American spiritual arranged  by Michael Tippet (1905 -98

The Kontakion for the Dead

Give rest, O Christ, to thy servants with they saints: where sorrow and pain are no more; neither sighing, but life everlasting.  Thou only art immortal, the Creator and Maker of man; and we are mortal, formed of the earth, and unto earth shalll we return; for so thou didst ordain, when thou createdst me, saying Dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return.  All we go down to the dust; and weeping o'er the grave, we make our song; alleluea, alleluea!  Give rest, O Christ, to they servants wit thy saints: where sorrow and pain are no more; neither sighting, but life everlasting.

Kiev melody translated by W J Birkbeck (1869 - 1916)

Readings:

Micah 4:1-4
Romans 12:9-21

The address was given by The Reverend Nadim Nassar, Director, Awareness Foundation.


The Reverend Dr James Hawkey, Minor Canon and Sacrist, introduced:

The Prayers

In confidence and trust, let us pray to the Father through Jesus Christ, who ever lives to make intercession for us.

Pamela Carrington said:
We remember with thanksgiving those we love but see no longer as a result of man's inhumanity to man; that they may share in the joys of the saints in glory:
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

Bert Cooper said:
We give thanks for all who work to keep our communities safe and free from harm: for those in the emergency services, remembering especially the gallantry of those who sacrificed their own lives to help others;
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

Hud Nassar said:
We pray for the healing and wholeness of those whose relationships are strained as a result of terrorism; for those who corrupt religion through the use of violence, that they may turn from their wickedness and live; and for greater understanding and acceptance of the difference between cultures and faiths.
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

Russ Parker said:
We pray that the hope of Christ shining in the world may sustain and enrich society; that, confident of Christ's reconciling love, we may learn to love as he loves us, bearing one another's burdens and living in peace and harmony with all;
Lord, hear us.
Lord, graciously hear us.

The Sacrist continued;

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear than we to pray and to give more than either we desire or deserve; pour down upon us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things which our conscience is afraid and giving us those good things which we are not worthy to ask but through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who is alive and reigns with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever.  Amen.

........................................................

As you would expect, this was a deeply moving service.  At the same time the Abbey was filled with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and His love, peace, hope and joy.  I feel greatly blessed that I was able to be part of it and to learn something about myself too!