Front Cover

Holy Communion

Trinity Sunday

Trinity Sunday at St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Trinity Sunday, one of the Principal Festivals in the church year, is

celebrated a week after Pentecost Sunday to articulate a fundamental

Christian belief: the undivided nature of God as Father, Son and Holy

Spirit. The origins of the celebration of Trinity Sunday lie in the early

church, as Christians began to define belief. The ‘Arian heresy’ of the

fourth century crystallized doctrinal belief in the triune nature of God,

which was confirmed at the Council of Nicaea in the year 325, from

which we get the Nicene Creed.

For Christians today the doctrine of the Trinity should help us in our

journey of faith as it reminds us that we can encounter God in many

different ways. In particular, we encounter God as Father, revealed by the

Old Testament to be Creator; as God the Son, who lived on earth

amongst us; and as God the Holy Spirit, celebrated at Pentecost, who fills

creation with new life and power.

The Collect for Trinity Sunday from 1662 BCP

Almighty and everlasting God,

who hast given unto us thy servants grace,

by the confession of a true faith,

to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity

and in the power of the divine majesty to worship the Unity:

We beseech thee, that thou keep us steadfast in this faith,

and evermore defend us from all adversities;

through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord,

who livest and reignest,

one God, world without end. Amen.

Thank you to members of Suffolk Sinfonia in Lockdown for performing

Pachelbel’s Canon, which will be played during the Spiritual Communion.

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Music before the service

Es ist das Heil, uns kommen her BWV638

J S Bach, 1685-1750

The Gathering

In the name of the Father,

and of the Son,

and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The Opening Hymn

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

early in the morning our song shall rise to thee;

holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!

God in three persons, blesséd Trinity!

Holy, holy, holy! all the saints adore thee,

casting down their golden crowns around the glassy sea;

cherubim and seraphim falling down before thee,

which wert and art and evermore shalt be.

Holy, holy, holy! Lord God Almighty!

all thy works shall praise thy name in earth and sky and sea;

holy, holy, holy! merciful and mighty!

God in three persons, blesséd Trinity!

Words: Reginald Hunter, 1783-1826

Music: Niaea, John Bacchus Dykes, 1823-1876

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The Greeting

President Grace, mercy and peace

from God our Father

and the Lord Jesus Christ

be with you.

All And also with you.

The Prayer of Preparation

All Almighty God,

to whom all hearts are open,

all desires known,

and from whom no secrets are hidden:

cleanse the thoughts of our hearts

by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit,

that we may perfectly love you,

and worthily magnify your holy name;

through Christ our Lord.

Amen.

The Prayers of Penitence

President Holy, holy, holy.

When our eyes have seen the Lord of hosts,

we echo the words of Isaiah,

‘Woe is me! I am doomed.’

We long for the fire of God’s cleansing to touch

our unclean lips,

for our iniquity to be removed and our sins wiped out.

So we meet Father, Son, and Holy Spirit

with confession on our lips.

Silence is kept.

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Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts;

the whole earth is full of his glory:

Lord, have mercy.

All Lord, have mercy.

Woe is me, for I am lost: I am a person of unclean lips:

Christ, have mercy.

All Christ, have mercy.

Your guilt is taken away, and your sin forgiven:

Lord, have mercy.

All Lord, have mercy.

President May the God of love and power

forgive you and free you from your sins,

heal and strengthen you by his Spirit,

and raise you to new life

in Christ our Lord.

All Amen.

The Gloria in Excelsis

Gloria in excelsis Deo Glory be to God on high,

et in terra pax hominibus and in earth, peace,

bonae voluntatis. goodwill towards men.

Laudamus te. Benedicimus te. We praise thee. We bless thee.

Adoramus te. Glorificamus te. We worship thee. We glorify thee.

Gratias agimus tibi We give thanks to thee

propter magnam gloriam tuam. for thy great glory.

Domine Deus, Rex coelestis O Lord God, heavenly King,

Deus Pater omnipotens. God the Father Almighty.

Domine Fili unigenite, O Lord, the only-begotten Son

Jesu Christe, Domine Deus, Jesus Christ, O Lord God,

Agnus Dei, Filius Patris, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,

Qui tollis peccata mundi, thou that takest away the sins

miserere nobis. of the world, have mercy upon us.

Qui tollis peccata mundi, Thou that takest away the sins

Suscipe deprecationem nostram. of the world, receive our prayer.

Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris, Thou that sittest at the right hand

miserere nobis. of the Father, have mercy on us.

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Quoniam tu solus sanctus, For thou only art holy;

tu solus Dominus, thou only art the Lord,

tu solus altissimus, Jesu Christe. thou only art the most high,

Cum Sancto Spiritu Jesus Christ. With the Holy Ghost,

in gloria Dei Patris. in the glory of God the Father.

Amen. Amen.

From Spatzenmesse K220, W.A. Mozart,1756-1791

The Collect

Holy God, faithful and unchanging: enlarge our minds with the knowledge of your truth, and draw us more deeply into the mystery of your love, that we may truly worship you, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

¶ The Liturgy of the Word

James Stark reads

The First Reading

A reading from book of the prophet Isaiah.

Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand and marked off

the heavens with a span, enclosed the dust of the earth in a measure, and

weighed the mountains in scales and the hills in a balance? Who has

directed the spirit of the Lord, or as his counsellor has instructed him?

Whom did he consult for his enlightenment, and who taught him the path

of justice? Who taught him knowledge, and showed him the way of

understanding? Even the nations are like a drop from a bucket, and are

accounted as dust on the scales; see, he takes up the isles like fine dust.

Lebanon would not provide fuel enough, nor are its animals enough for a

burnt-offering. All the nations are as nothing before him; they are

accounted by him as less than nothing and emptiness. Why do you say, O

Jacob, and speak, O Israel, ‘My way is hidden from the Lord, and my right

is disregarded by my God’?

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Have you not known? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting

God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow

weary; his understanding is unsearchable. He gives power to the faint, and

strengthens the powerless. Even youths will faint and be weary, and the

young will fall exhausted; but those who wait for the Lord shall renew

their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run

and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.

Isaiah 40.12-17, 27-31

For the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

Rachel Clover reads

The Second Reading

A reading from the second letter of Paul to the Corinthians.

Brothers and sisters, put things in order, listen to my appeal, agree with

one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with

you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The

grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the communion of

the Holy Spirit be with all of you.

2 Corinthians 13.11-13

For the word of the Lord.

All Thanks be to God.

The Gospel Acclamation

Alleluia, Alleluia.

Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit,

one God, who was, and who is, and who is to come,

the Almighty. cf Revelation 1.8

All Alleluia.

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The Rev’d Sarah Geileskey reads

The Gospel Reading

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ

according to Matthew.

All Glory to you, O Lord.

Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus

had directed them. When they saw him, they worshipped him; but some

doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on

earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy

Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.

And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.’

Matthew 28.16-20

This is the Gospel of the Lord.

All Praise to you, O Christ.

The Sermon

The Reverend Canon Michael Robinson

Canon Theologian

The sermon is followed by a brief silence for reflection.

The Profession of Faith

President And now, in the power of God’s Holy Spirit and in the

company of all his people, I ask you to make the profession

of the Christian faith into which you were baptized, and in

which you live and grow.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father, source of all

being and life, the one for whom we exist?

All I believe and trust in him.

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Do you believe and trust in God the Son, who took our

human nature, died for us and rose again?

All I believe and trust in him.

Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit, who gives

life to the people of God and makes Christ

known in the world?

All I believe and trust in him.

This is the faith of the church.

All This is our faith.

We believe and trust in one God,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen.

(after 1 Corinthians 15. 3-7)

Catherine Cox leads

The Prayers of Intercession

The prayers conclude with:

Thrice holy! Father, Spirit, Son,

Mysterious Godhead, Three in One:

We pray for ourselves,

for your Church, for all whom we remember before you.

Bring us all to bow before your throne in heaven,

to receive life and pardon, mercy and grace for all eternity,

as we worship you, saying,

Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest. Amen.

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¶ The Liturgy of the Sacrament

The Peace

Peace to you from God our heavenly Father.

Peace from his Son Jesus Christ who is our peace.

Peace from the Holy Spirit, the life-giver.

The peace of the triune God be always with you

All and also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

If you have other members of your household with you, you may wish to share

the peace with them now. If are alone, know Christ’s Peace to be with you now.

The Preparation of the Table

The Taking of the Bread and Wine

Holy God,

holy and strong,

holy and immortal,

give us the bread of everlasting life,

and make us branches of the true vine.

All Amen.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you

All and also with you

Lift up your hearts.

All We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

All It is right to give thanks and praise.

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It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

holy Father, almighty and eternal God.

For with your only-begotten Son and the Holy Spirit

you are one God, one Lord.

All that you reveal of your glory,

the same we believe of the Son

and of the Holy Spirit, without any difference or inequality.

We, your holy Church, acclaim you,

Father of majesty unbounded,

your true and only Son, worthy of all worship,

and the Holy Spirit, advocate and guide.

Three Persons we adore,

one in being and equal in majesty.

And so with angels and archangels,

with cherubim and seraphim,

we sing for ever of your glory:

All Holy, holy, holy Lord,

God of power and might,

heaven and earth are full of your glory,

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest.

We praise and bless you, loving Father,

through Jesus Christ, our Lord;

and as we obey his command,

send your Holy Spirit,

that broken bread and wine outpoured

may be for us the body and blood of your dear Son.

On the night before he died he had supper with his friends

and, taking bread, he praised you.

He broke the bread, gave it to them and said:

Take, eat; this is my body which is given for you;

do this in remembrance of me.

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When supper was ended he took the cup of wine.

Again he praised you, gave it to them and said:

Drink this, all of you;

this is my blood of the new covenant,

which is shed for you and for many

for the forgiveness of sins.

Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.

So, Father, we remember all that Jesus did,

in him we plead with confidence his sacrifice

made once for all upon the cross.

Bringing before you the bread of life and cup of salvation,

we proclaim his death and resurrection

until he comes in glory.

Jesus Christ is Lord.

All Lord, by your cross and resurrection

you have set us free.

You are the Saviour of the world.

Lord of all life,

help us to work together for that day

when your kingdom comes

and justice and mercy will be seen in all the earth.

Look with favour on your people,

gather us in your loving arms

and bring us with [N and] all the saints

to feast at your table in heaven.

Through Christ, and with Christ, and in Christ,

in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father,

for ever and ever.

All Amen.

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The Lord’s Prayer

President Being made one by the power of the Spirit,

let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us.

All 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.

The Breaking of the Bread

President Jesus said, ‘I am the bread of life.

Whoever comes to me will never be hungry,

and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.’

Agnus Dei

All Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world,

have mercy on us.

Lamb of God,

you take away the sin of the world,

grant us peace.

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Spiritual Communion

President Jesus is the Lamb of God,

who takes away the sin of the world.

Blessed are those who are called to his supper.

All Lord, I am not worthy to receive you,

but only say the word, and I shall be healed.

‘Spiritual Communion’ is a historic practice in the church for anyone who cannot

receive the bread and wine physically. It is possible because Communion is

always a spiritual practice and not simply physical. Through God’s grace, whilst

we cannot receive the bread and wine, we can still receive the sacrament in our

hearts, and share in communion with Jesus. In making our communion

spiritually, we are joining with Christians everywhere who cannot receive the

bread and wine at this time. The following prayer is one form of words to use

for Spiritual Communion.

Thanks be to you, Lord Jesus Christ,

for all the benefits you have given me,

for all the pains and insults you have borne for me.

Since I cannot now receive you sacramentally,

I ask you to come spiritually into my heart.

O most merciful redeemer, friend and brother,

may I know you more clearly,

love you more dearly,

and follow you more nearly,

day by day. Amen.

after the Prayer of St Richard of Chichester

During communion, the Suffolk Sinfonia plays

Pachelbel’s Canon

Johann Pachelbel, 1653-1706

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Prayer after Communion

President Let us pray.

Silence is kept

Almighty and eternal God,

you have revealed yourself as Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

and live and reign in the perfect unity of love:

hold us firm in this faith,

that we may know you in all your ways

and evermore rejoice in your eternal glory,

who are three Persons yet one God,

now and for ever. Amen.

All We thank you, Lord,

that you have fed us in this sacrament,

united us with Christ,

and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet

prepared for all peoples.

Amen.

¶ The Dismissal

The Blessing

God the Holy Trinity make you strong in faith and love,

defend you on every side,

and guide you in truth and peace;

and the blessing of God almighty,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

be upon you and remain with you always.

Amen.

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The Final Hymn

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

in light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,

almighty, victorious, thy great name we praise.

Unresting, unhasting, and silent as light,

nor wanting, nor wasting, thou rulest in might;

thy justice, like mountains high soaring above

thy clouds, which are fountains of goodness and love.

To all life thou givest, to both great and small;

in all life thou livest, the true life of all;

we blossom and flourish as leaves on the tree,

and wither and perish; but naught changeth thee.

Great Father of glory, pure Father of light,

thine angels adore Thee, all veiling their sight;

all laud we would render: O help us to see

'tis only the splendour of light hideth thee.

Words: Walter C. Smith 1824-1908

Music: St Denio, Traditional Welsh Tune

The Dismissal

Be in the peace of Christ. All Thanks be to God.

The Organ Voluntary

Prelude in E flat (for Trinity Sunday) BWV552

J S Bach, 1685-1750

Service order extracts from Common Worship Services, © The Central Board of Finance of The Church of England.

Music reproduced with permission - CCL Licence No 317297