All Soul’s Service
All Saints Church, Matamata
New Zealand
Sunday, 2nd November
Members of the church and several people from the wider community joined together to remember those they have loved and lost, at our annual All Soul’s Service.
A moving and thoughtful service was led by the church choir, choristers from St Andrew’s Church Cambridge, and organist David Brookes. A time of reflection, prayer and song invited everyone to pause and remember those who have passed away. During the Service, the congregation was offered the opportunity to light a candle in memory of their loved ones. This was a special moment.
The music for this Service was chosen to create a feeling of meditation.
- Organ Music: Prelude: ‘Largo’ from the New World Symphony. Dvorak, and the Chorus: ‘It is well with my soul’ P. P. Bliss
- During the lighting of candles Chorale on the Scottish Psalm Tune ‘Crimmond’. B. Hesford. (Psalm 23.)
- The choir sang two Taize Responses- ‘Bless the Lord my soul’, and ‘Jesus remember me’.
- The Anthem: ‘God so loved the world’ from Stainer’s ‘Crucifixion’ was conducted by Merv Hunt
- Three hymns were sung by all: ‘Be still my soul’. Tune Finlandia’, ‘There’s a wideness in God’s mercy’. Tune ‘Cross of Jesus’. Stainer; and ‘When human voices cannot sing’ Tune ‘St Columba’
- The Lord’s Payer was sung by all to the setting by Gillard/ Smith
The service concluded in silence.
After the service all gathered to share a time of fellowship over tea and snacks in the church hall. This special Service continues to create a space for grief and grace, allowing God to move in our hearts
Joanne Evans. David Brookes.
