On this special weekend of events to mark the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth the Second we held a special family Service of Thanksgiving at St Mary's.

The opening hymn was 'All people that on earth do dwell' This hymn was sung at the Coronation in 1953. The words by William Kethe, a Scottish 16th century Bible translator, are a metrical version in English of psalm 100. Known in the English speaking world as the Old Hundreth, the tune first appeared in the second edition of the Genevan Psalter published in 1511. We then followed the service of the family Eucharist that we normally use on the first Sunday in the month. In his Sermon Father Stephen compared and contrasted the two Elizabethan Queens,  our present Queen's years of Christian Service underlining how fitting was our Service of Thanksgiving.
Instead of the Creed, the choir sand the Te Deum in B flat by Charles Villiers Stanford. This was sung at the Coronation in 1902. Traditionally sung on occasions for rejoicing and thanksgiving this ancient Latin hymn was translated and put into the Church of England service of Matins, which is a combination of the two early morning monastic offices.
After the Peace the offertory Hymn was 'O Worship the King, all glorious above' words by Robert Grant are based on William Kethe's version of Psalm 104, one of the traditional psalms of thanks
giving and often used for royal occasions; the tune 'Hanover' is one that probably arrived in the UK with George 1 in the early 18th century.

During Communion the hymn was 'Sweet Sacrament Divine' and as the Anthem the Choir sang  'I was Glad'. The words are taken from Psalm 122 and have been one of the traditional texts associated with coronations since that of Charles II in 1661. The setting by Sir Charles Hubert H Parry was written for the Coronation of Edward VII in 1902 and was performed again at the Coronations in 1911,1937, and 1953.

After final prayers for Her Majesty we sang 'O Praise ye the Lord' the words (by The Rev Sir Henry Williams Baker) are based on Psalm 150; the tune comes from Sit Charles Hubert H Parry's anthem 'Hear my words, Ye people'. This hymn is a favourite of HM The Queen.

Following the Blessing the first 2 verses of the National Anthem were sung.
Joanna played Crown Imperial by William Walton as the voluntary. Written for the Coronation of 1937, the composer revised this orchestral march for the Coronation of our present Queen in 1953.
Many thanks to Joanna for the notes on the music.

After the Service as well as coffee wine was served, and a Loyal Toast was proposed by Father Stephen and drunk. Many people were dressed in red white and blue for the occasion.
We wish Her Majesty a very Happy 90th birthday, and long may she reign!!