Maundy Thursday: Choral Eucharist & Stripping of Altars

Occuring
for 1 hour, 15 mins
Venue
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
Address
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

After the triumphant scenes of Palm Sunday as Jesus entered Jerusalem, the atmosphere of Holy Week changes as we share something of the quiet companionship of Maundy Thursday at our evening Choral Eucharist at 6pm on Thursday 28th March sung by St Bride’s Choir.

Maundy Thursday gets its name from the Latin word mandare meaning to command. We remember Jesus’ command: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

All our welcome to join us at this moving service which is full of symbolism and sets the scene for the events to come on Good Friday.

St Bride's Choir will sing:

Communion Setting: Mass for four voices – William Byrd
Sermon: The Revd Steve Morris, Associate Priest of St Bride’s
Anthem: Ubi caritas – Maurice Duruflé

The night before his crucifixion, Jesus shared a final meal with his friends, before his betrayal and his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane.

“And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.” – Luke 22: 19-20

At the end of our service the Sacrament is processed to the Altar of Repose. The Sanctuary is then stripped of all adornment whilst Psalm 22 is read aloud by the congregation.

This ancient Maundy Thursday custom symbolises the humiliation of Jesus at the hands of the soldiers as he was stripped for crucifixion: “They part my garments among them : and cast lots upon my vesture.”

The congregation leaves the bare church in silence.

SUPPORT MUSIC-MAKING AT ST BRIDE'S

We are hugely grateful for people's generosity. If you would like to make a donation to support St Bride's ministry, music, and architectural heritage, please do so at https://www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet

Morning Prayer

Occuring
Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at for 15 mins
Venue
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
Address
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

A short prayerful service to help prepare for your day.

Find a meditative and reflective start to the working day at St Bride’s each weekday morning at 8:15 am by joining our service of morning prayer downstairs in the main crypt chapel.

This is a modern language service that lasts about 15 minutes, and includes prayers, silence, and the Bible readings set for the day.

At this service we offer the prayers left by visitors on our prayer board.

We also remember journalists who have died recently, and those who are in danger, held hostage, or who are in any kind of need, as part of our ministry to journalism.

Please note: there are some periods (such as the Christmas holiday) when this service does not take place. Please check the What's On calendar on our website.

Good Friday: Stabat Mater

Occuring
for 1 hour
Venue
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
Address
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

The companionship and servitude of the Last Supper on Maundy Thursday give way to the utter bleakness and desolation of Good Friday.

We mark this in music, words and prayer at St Bride’s in our Three Hours’ Devotion which begins with a performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater at 12 noon on Good Friday, 29th March, 2024.

We are delighted that the performance by singers Claire Seaton and Charlie Morris from St Bride’s Choir will be accompanied by string players from the St Bride’s Orchestra together with organ continuo.

This is the best-known setting of the 13th century poem based upon the prophecy of Simeon that a sword shall pierce the heart of Christ’s mother Mary (Luke 2: 35) and compassionately describes the sorrowing Mary as she keeps station at the foot of the cross.

The poet, debatably Jacapone da Todi, a thirteenth century Franciscan monk, prays to Mary to let him share her grief and to let him suffer with Jesus and for her intercession. In the last stanza the poet prays directly to God for a place in paradise.

Pergolesi’s setting was written in about 1735 and was first printed in London in 1749. It became the most frequently published single work of the 18th century.

Pergolesi (1710-1736) composed it at the end of his life which was spent at a Franciscan monastery in Pozzuoli and it was written as a replacement for the Allesandro Scarlatti setting in use at the church of Maria dei Sette Dolori in Naples.

SUPPORT MUSIC-MAKING AT ST BRIDE'S

We are hugely grateful for people's generosity. If you would like to make a donation to support St Bride's ministry, music, and architectural heritage, please do so at https://www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet

Good Friday: At the foot of the cross - an hour of devotional prayer

Occuring
for 1 hour
Venue
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
Address
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

We gather on this most solemn of days to retell in words and music the story of the last hours of Christ’s life and his death on the Cross.

The central section of our Three Hour Good Friday observance this year is a reflection on the Passion narrative in St Matthew’s Gospel, focussing on three key individuals in the narrative: Judas, Pilate and Jesus.

Each section of this Gospel narrative is explored through reflection, prayer, and silence, alongside some wonderful Passiontide hymns and instrumental music.

The Three Hour Devotion begins at 12pm with a performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and concludes with a performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion at 2pm. You are warmly invited to attend all or any part of the three hours.

Good Friday: Stainer's Crucifixion

Occuring
for 1 hour
Venue
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
Address
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

Good Friday is the most bleak and dark day of Holy Week. We mark this in music, words and prayer at St Bride’s in our Three Hours’ Devotion which concludes at 2pm with a performance of Stainer’s Crucifixion by St Bride’s Choir.

You are warmly invited to join us at 2pm for this free performance or to attend earlier during our Three Hours’ Devotion which begins at 12noon with a performance of Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater followed by an hour of readings, hymns and prayer at 1pm.

Stainer composed the “Crucifixion” in 1886-87 whilst organist at St Paul’s Cathedral. It is dedicated to William Hodge, his pupil and friend, who was organist at St Marylebone Church where it was premiered on Good Friday, 1887.

Conceived by Stainer as a ‘A Meditation on the Sacred Passion of the Holy Redeemer’ it is written for tenor and bass soloists, accompanied by choir and organ. Its structure is inspired by Bach’s great St John and St Matthew Passions. However, it lacks orchestral accompaniment as Stainer intended it to be performed by the forces available to a musically competent parish. Despite this, the skilful organ writing suggests a greater support for the singers than just one instrument.

Accessibility was key for Stainer and the work’s structure includes five hymns within it which are crucial to its impact. The congregation stand and take part by joining in with these hymns in this poignant retelling of the Passion of Christ.

Though the premiere was a success, the work, and in particular the libretto by the Reverend William Sparrow-Simpson, received harsh criticism and has continued to do so down the years.

However, its popularity with congregations and audiences at services and concerts has endured and it has outlived most other music of the Victorian period. It certainly remains one of the most popular musical moments in our calendar at St Bride’s.

SUPPORT MUSIC-MAKING AT ST BRIDE'S

We are hugely grateful for people's generosity. If you would like to make a donation to support St Bride's ministry, music, and architectural heritage, please do so at https://www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet

Space for Silence

Occuring
Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday at for 1 hour
Venue
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
Address
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

An oasis of peace in the heart of the busy city for a moment of mindfulness and reflection each weekday at 4:00 pm.

Each weekday at the end of the day, from 4:00 pm – 5:00 pm, the main body of the church becomes an oasis of peace in the heart of the busy city.

The church is candlelit, and anyone is welcome to call in for a time of quiet and stillness, whether for five minutes or the full hour.

The city can be a frantic and stressful environment for those who work or live in London, or are visiting the capital. We provide a welcome and much needed sanctuary and an opportunity for mindfulness, reflection and prayer.

Space for Silence runs throughout the year, but occasionally events in church mean that we may have to suspend it on a particular day. Please check the What's On calendar on our website to confirm.

Space for Silence runs throughout the year, but occasionally events in church mean that we may have to suspend it on a particular day. Please check the What's On calendar on our website to confirm.

Dawn Choral Eucharist & Kindling of the Easter Fire

Occuring
for 1 hour
Venue
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
Address
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

Our Dawn Service is one of the most evocative events in our yearly calendar enjoyed both by our congregation and visiting tourists.

It marks the beginning of a day of celebration of the feast of Easter. It starts with an echo of the darkness and despair of Good Friday but quickly moves to an affirmation of the strength of God’s love.

The service is immediately followed by traditional egg-rolling in Fleet Street after which a well-deserved breakfast is served back in church.

The service begins at 6:00am in darkness as we sit in vigil and hear the record of how God saved his people in ages past.

The congregation then moves to the West Door and a new flame is kindled from which the Easter Candle is lit. This new light of Christ is shared amongst the congregation.

We return to the nave to hear a lone voice sing the Exsultet, the great Easter song of praise. Light returns to the church, we reaffirm our faith and the first communion of Easter is celebrated.

Setting: Communion Service in C – John Ireland
Anthem: Now the green blade riseth – arr. Simon Lindley
Organ Voluntary: tbc

The Verger then leads us in procession out on to Fleet Street for egg-rolling which symbolises both new life and the rolling of the stone from Christ’s tomb. A suitably chocolate-y prize is awarded for the furthest rolled egg.

Don’t forget to bring your hard-boiled (decorated) eggs!

Choral Eucharist

Occuring
Every Sunday at for 1 hour, 15 mins
Venue
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
Address
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

Our Sunday morning Choral Eucharist (a sung service of Holy Communion) takes place every week at 11:00 am. The worship includes congregational hymns and a thought-provoking address and is enhanced by the wide-ranging choral repertoire sung by our outstanding choir. The service uses a modern language version of Common Worship.

A list of music for each service can be found via the calendar in the What's On section of our website https://www.stbrides.com/whats-on/

We welcome children to the service. During term time, our Sunday Club (Sunday School) provides a safe and stimulating environment for our younger members. https://www.stbrides.com/worship-music/worship/children/

Refreshments are served at the back of church after the service and everyone is warmly invited to join in. This opportunity for fellowship and conversation is an important part of the shared life of our diverse and widespread congregation and a wonderful way to meet visitors and make new friends.

At a number of significant occasions throughout the year, we are delighted to welcome the St Bride’s Orchestra to accompany the choir.

A pre-recorded version of this service is streamed as live online on the first and third Sundays of the month at 11:00 am and available to listen to thereafter on our Facebook, YouTube and SoundCloud pages. Subscribe to the St Bride’s Church podcast to stay up to date.

Easter Day: Choral Eucharist

Occuring
for 1 hour, 15 mins
Venue
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
Address
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

All are welcome to join us as we convene at our 11am Easter Sunday Service to celebrate the great miracle of Easter in readings, music and hymns and in joyful communion.

However deep the darkness and despair of Good Friday, in the end God’s love was far greater. There is new life. There is new hope, for Christ is risen from the dead.

Refreshments will be served after the service and there will be an Egg Hunt in the Rectory Garden and other Easter activities for the under 10s.

During the service St Bride’s Choir will sing some suitable jubilant music to celebrate this great feast day:

Setting: Messe solennelle – Jean Langlais
Canticle: Easter Hymn from Cavalleria rusticana – Pietro Mascagni
Sermon: The Revd Canon Dr Alison Joyce, Rector of St Bride’s
Anthems: Alleluia – Randall Thompson
Organ Voluntary: tbc

SUPPORT MUSIC-MAKING AT ST BRIDE'S

We are hugely grateful for people's generosity. If you would like to make a donation to support St Bride's ministry, music, and architectural heritage, please do so at https://www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet

Choral Evensong

Occuring
Every Sunday at for 1 hour
Venue
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
Address
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

All are welcome to attend this traditional service of Choral Evensong. The service follows the order in the Book of Common Prayer with readings from the King James bible version, enhanced by music of the highest standard from our professional choir.

A list of music for each service can be found via the calendar in the What's On section of our website https://www.stbrides.com/whats-on/

A pre-recorded version of the service on the Second, Fourth and Last Sundays of the month, with all the content and music that would be heard in church will be available for all who are unable to join us in person via our website (https://www.stbrides.com/webcast ) and our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/stbrideschurch/

You can also listen to them anytime after release:-
• on our SoundCloud page https://soundcloud.com/st-brides-church/
• subscribe to our podcast "St Bride's Church" wherever you get your podcasts

Midweek Communion

Occuring
Every Wednesday at for 30 mins
Venue
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street
Address
St Bride's Church, Fleet Street, London, EC4Y 8AU 020 7427 0133, EC4Y 8AU, United Kingdom

Every Wednesday lunchtime between 1:15pm and 1:45pm, we celebrate the Eucharist downstairs in the main crypt chapel of St Bride’s for all working and visiting in and around Fleet Street, in the City of London.

This is a modern language, said service of Holy Communion with Bible readings, prayers and a short address, which all are welcome to attend.

Please note: There are some periods in the year (for example over the Christmas holiday) when there is no lunchtime Eucharist. Please check our website for more details.