Love it or loathe it (and there are many who loathe it, mainly cellists), Pachelbel’s Canon in D is famous. Instantly recognisable, it is the processional piece of choice for countless weddings the world over … More Canon in D – Pachelbel (1653-1706)
Based on Psalm 34:8, this anthem was composed for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953. It was also sung at her funeral last year. The text is … More O Taste and See – Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
On Monday 19 July we heard the story of Albert and Albrecht Duerer, which was followed by a reading from the Gospel of John, in which Jesus commands us to love each other as He has loved us, and that greater love has no one than to lay down his life for his friends; and we are Jesus’ friends if we do as He commands. One of the comments in response to this was, “he ain’t heavy, he’s my brother” … More He Ain’t Heavy
Here is the second in our series of posts about coronation anthems.
Parry wrote this setting of Psalm 122 for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 and revised it for King George V in 1911. It has been used at the coronation of every British monarch ever since … More I was Glad – Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1948-1918)
Good morning and welcome to our service of holy communion for Sunday 30 July. We welcome Michael Hardie from the Leprosy Mission to speak. … More The Leprosy Mission
This article first appeared in the July 2020 issue of the parish magazine. Here it is again for you to reflect on:
For many, lockdown has been an incredibly difficult time of worry, isolation, ill-health, boredom and captivity. It has been tough, and will continue to be so for many months to come.
For others it has offered opportunities and blessings. I am fortunate to be in this group … More Lockdown Blessings
Last month saw the coronation of King Charles III in Westminster Abbey – over 70 years since the last time such an event happened on our shores. The music was fabulous, and got me thinking about coronation anthems, old and new. I decided to write a short series of articles about music to be crowned to … More Zadok the Priest – G F Handel (1685-1759)
Good morning and welcome to our joint service of holy communion for Sunday 9 July, on which we welcome Rev Helen as our new curate. She will be sworn in by Rev Steve, but we begin with the hymn “Love divine, all loves excelling” … More Rev Helen’s Licensing Service
Before his Ascension, Jesus promised his disciples that he would not leave them as orphans, but instead gave them a Comforter. This is of course the Holy Spirit.
“Litany to the Holy Spirit” is a beautiful setting of the first three verses of the Herrick poem: … More Litany to the Holy Spirit – Hurford (1930-2019)
Tom and I are always open to suggestions of music – instrumental or vocal, hymns or anthems – that could be incorporated into our services at St Margaret’s. Sometimes, the suggestions are not seasonally appropriate, so they have to wait until later in the year. Sometimes they aren’t suitable for our singers and instruments. Sometimes the suggestions simply aren’t theologically or liturgically sound, so we just can’t use them. Sometimes though, they’re just right … More Build Your Kingdom Here – Rend Collective
St Margaret's Church Prestwich 