Stirling Castle - 27

The Stirling Heads were commissioned by James V in about 1540 to adorn the ceiling of the King's Inner Hall.



The idea was that he could sit on his chair of estate with his credentials displayed on the ceiling above him. James may have never seen his scheme completed before his death in 1542.



They are truly beautiful!

Feast of Sts Peter & Paul

Today we celebrate the Feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, but I like to emphasise the former, as St Paul has his big day on 25 January every year. Perhaps I am a little biassed because of my own name!



Forsaken once, and thrice denied,
The risen Lord gave pardon free,
Stood once again at Peter’s side,
And asked him, “Lov’st thou Me?”

How many times with faithless word
Have we denied His holy Name,
How oft forsaken our dear Lord,
And shrunk when trial came?

Saint Peter, when the cock crew clear,
Went out, and wept his broken faith;
Strong as a rock through strife and fear,
He served his Lord till death.

How oft his cowardice of heart
We have without his love sincere,
The sin without the sorrow’s smart,
The shame without the tear!

O oft forsaken, oft denied,
Forgive our shame, wash out our sin;
Look on us from Thy Father’s side
And let that sweet look win.

Hear when we call Thee from the deep,
Still walk beside us on the shore,
Give hands to work, and eyes to weep,
And hearts to love Thee more.

Happy Feast!

Stirling Castle - 26

Here is lovely modern carving in oak depicting the love of the King for the Queen.



The coronation of Mary Queen of Scots took place at Stirling Castle in September 1543. The ceremony took place in the old Chapel Royal which no longer stands. Cardinal Beaton, then Archbishop of St Andrews, officiated; the crown was held by the Earl of Arran, who at that time was regent. Mary is said to have wailed throughout.

Stirling Castle - 25

Between the years 1538 and 1542, James V had a new Royal Palace built at Stirling Castle in celebration of his marriage.



In 1542 Mary Queen of Scots was born to James V and Mary of Guise.



Six days after her birth, James V died, and the baby Mary was crowned Queen in Stirling Castle.

Stirling Castle - 24

In 1537 James V married Madeleine, the daughter of the king of France. Sadly, she soon died from tuberculosis.



In 1538 James V married Mary de Guise, a distinguished French Noblewoman.



These marriages strengthened the long-standing political amity between Scotland and France.

Stirling Castle - 23

It was in the year 1528, at the age of 16, that King James V took control of the Scottish Kingdom.



In the year 1534, King James V sealed a peace treaty with his uncle, King Henry VIII of England. This proved to be short-lived!



Henry VIII was not so much a friendly uncle to James V, as an overbearing neighbour.

Birth of John the Baptist

Today we celebrate the birth of John the Baptist - the harbinger of morn.



As it is also midsummer's day, let us sing a lovely summer-time hymn. There will be an opportunity for some liturgical dancing after we have sung the hymn!

Summer suns are glowing over land and sea;
Happy light is flowing, bountiful and free;
Everything rejoices in the mellow rays;
Earth’s ten thousand voices swell the psalm of praise.

God’s free mercy streameth over all the world,
And His banner gleameth, by His church unfurled;
Broad and deep and glorious, as the heaven above,
Shines in might victorious His eternal love.

Lord, upon our blindness Thy pure radiance pour;
For Thy lovingkindness we would love Thee more;
And when clouds are drifting dark across the sky,
Then, the veil uplifting, Father, be Thou nigh.

We will never doubt Thee, though Thou veil Thy light;
Life is dark without Thee, death with Thee is bright;
Light of light, shine o’er us on our pilgrim way;
Go Thou still before us to the endless day.



That was fun! Happy Sunday!

Stirling Castle - 22

Here we are in the Outer Hall of the King's Palace.



I stand in front of the lovely fire and meditate.



1. O Thou who camest from above,
the pure celestial fire to impart
kindle a flame of sacred love
upon the mean altar of my heart.

2. There let it for thy glory burn
with inextinguishable blaze,
and trembling to its source return,
in humble prayer and fervent praise.

3. Jesus, confirm my heart's desire
to work and speak and think for thee;
still let me guard the holy fire,
and still stir up thy gift in me.

4. Ready for all thy perfect will,
my acts of faith and love repeat,
till death thy endless mercies seal,
and make my sacrifice complete.



What splendid ruffs the choristers are wearing!

Stirling Castle - 21

Standing here in front of the magnificent fireplace in the King's Inner Hall made me feel proud to be Scottish!



I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love:
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.

Stirling Castle - 20

We have now left the King's Bedchamber and have entered the King's Inner Hall.



Here are the Royal Arms of Scotland.



Jerusalem the golden,
with milk and honey blest,
beneath thy contemplation
sink heart and voice oppressed:
I know not, oh, I know not,
what joys await us there;
what radiancy of glory,
what bliss beyond compare!

They stand, those halls of Zion,
all jubilant with song,
and bright with many an angel,
and all the martyr throng:
the Prince is ever in them,
the daylight is serene;
the pastures of the blessèd
are decked in glorious sheen.

There is the throne of David;
and there, from care released,
the shout of them that triumph,
the song of them that feast;
and they who with their Leader
have conquered in the fight,
for ever and for ever
are clad in robes of white.

Oh, sweet and blessèd country,
the home of God's elect!
Oh, sweet and blessèd country,
that eager hearts expect!
Jesus, in mercy bring us
to that dear land of rest,
who art, with God the Father,
and the Spirit, ever blest.

Stirling Castle - 19

Here we see details of the lovely ceiling in the King's Bedchamber.



The spacious firmament on high,
with all the blue ethereal sky,
and spangled heavens, a shining frame,
their great Original proclaim.
The unwearied sun from day to day
does his Creator's power display;
and publishes to every land
the work of an almighty hand.

Soon as the evening shades prevail,
the moon takes up the wondrous tale,
and nightly to the listening earth
repeats the story of her birth:
whilst all the stars that round her burn,
and all the planets in their turn,
confirm the tidings, as they roll
and spread the truth from pole to pole.

What though in solemn silence all
move round the dark terrestrial ball?
What though no real voice nor sound
amid their radiant orbs be found?
In reason's ear they all rejoice,
and utter forth a glorious voice;
for ever singing as they shine,
'The hand that made us is divine.'

Stirling Castle - 18

Here we see the splendid fireplace in the King's Bedchamber.



Colours of day dawn into the mind,
The sun has come up, the night is behind.
Go down in the city, into the street,
And let's give the message to the people we meet.

Refrain:
So light up the fire and let the flame burn,
Open the door, let Jesus return.
Take seeds of his Spirit, let the fruit grow,
Tell the people of Jesus, let his love show.

Go through the park, on into the town;
The sun still shines on, it never goes down.
The light of the world is risen again;
The people of darkness are needing our friend.

Refrain

Open your eyes, look into the sky,
The darkness has come, the sun came to die.
The evening draws on, the sun disappears,
But Jesus is living, and his Spirit is near.

Refrain

Stirling Castle - 17

What a shock! I went through this door looking for the Queen and found myself in the King's Bedchamber!



The King is a devout man and spends much of his time in prayer. By the look of the bed, he also believes in austerity!



Abide with me; fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide.
When other helpers fail and comforts flee,
Help of the helpless, O abide with me.

Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day;
Earth’s joys grow dim; its glories pass away;
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.

I need Thy presence every passing hour.
What but Thy grace can foil the tempter’s power?
Who, like Thyself, my guide and stay can be?
Through cloud and sunshine, Lord, abide with me.

I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless;
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness.
Where is death’s sting? Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

Hold Thou Thy cross before my closing eyes;
Shine through the gloom and point me to the skies.
Heaven’s morning breaks, and earth’s vain shadows flee;
In life, in death, O Lord, abide with me.

Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus

As we shall be keeping next Sunday (24 June) as the Birth of John the Baptist, I decided we will delay our return to 'Green Sundays' until 1 July. So, let's keep today as the Feast of the Sacred Heart - of course, only on the blog!



I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Come unto Me and rest;
Lay down, thou weary one, lay down Thy head upon My breast.”
I came to Jesus as I was, weary and worn and sad;
I found in Him a resting place, and He has made me glad.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “Behold, I freely give
The living water; thirsty one, stoop down, and drink, and live.”
I came to Jesus, and I drank of that life giving stream;
My thirst was quenched, my soul revived, and now I live in Him.

I heard the voice of Jesus say, “I am this dark world’s Light;
Look unto Me, thy morn shall rise, and all thy day be bright.”
I looked to Jesus, and I found in Him my Star, my Sun;
And in that light of life I’ll walk, till traveling days are done.



Happy Sunday!

Stirling Castle - 16

Another long wait for the Queen. However, she is obviously a very religious person, as she also has an altar in her bedchamber. I take the opportunity to say Morning Prayer.



New every morning is the love
Our wakening and uprising prove;
Through sleep and darkness safely brought,
Restored to life and power and thought.

New mercies, each returning day,
Hover around us while we pray;
New perils past, new sins forgiven,
New thoughts of God, new hopes of heaven.

If, on our daily course, our mind
Be set to hallow all we find,
New treasures still, of countless price,
God will provide for sacrifice.

Old friends, old scenes, will lovelier be,
As more of heaven in each we see;
Some softening gleam of love and prayer
Shall dawn on every cross and care.

We need not bid, for cloistered cell,
Our neighbour and our words farewell,
Nor strive to find ourselves too high
For sinful man beneath the sky.

The trivial round, the common task,
Will furnish all we ought to ask;
Room to deny ourselves, a road
To bring us daily nearer God.

Only, O Lord, in Thy dear love,
Fit us for perfect rest above,
And help us, this and every day,
To live more nearly as we pray.

Stirling Castle - 15

There is some beautiful furniture inside the Queen's Bedchamber, such as this fine wardrobe. I thought it wise not to look inside!



Teach me, my God and King,
in all things thee to see,
and what I do in anything
to do it as for thee.

A man that looks on glass,
on it may stay his eye;
or if he pleaseth, through it pass,
and then the heaven espy.

All may of thee partake;
nothing can be so mean,
which with this tincture, "for thy sake,"
will not grow bright and clean.

A servant with this clause
makes drudgery divine:
who sweeps a room, as for thy laws,
makes that and the action fine.

This is the famous stone
that turneth all to gold;
for that which God doth touch and own
cannot for less be told.

Stirling Castle - 14

Here is the rather fine table at which the Queen will be seated for our meeting. It looks as though she is planning to offer me a goblet of wine and some fruit.



Let us, with a gladsome mind,
Praise the Lord, for He is kind.

Refrain
For His mercies aye endure,
Ever faithful, ever sure.

Let us blaze His Name abroad,
For of gods He is the God.

Refrain

He with all commanding might
Filled the new made world with light.

Refrain

He hath, with a piteous eye,
Looked upon our misery.

Refrain

He the golden tressèd sun
Caused all day his course to run.

Refrain

Th’horned moon to shine by night;
’Mid her spangled sisters bright.

Refrain

All things living He doth feed,
His full hand supplies their need.

Refrain

Let us, with a gladsome mind,
Praise the Lord, for He is kind.

Refrain

Stirling Castle - 13

I found the Lady in Waiting who looked after the Queen's Bedchamber far more pleasant than the one in the Inner Court. She just smiled benignly when I said I wanted to see the Queen.



Immortal love, forever full,
forever flowing free,
forever shared, forever whole,
a never ebbing sea!

Our outward lips confess the name
all other names above;
love only knoweth whence it came,
and comprehendeth love.

We may not climb the heavenly steeps
to bring the Lord Christ down;
In vain we search the lowest deeps,
for him no depths can drown.

But warm, sweet, tender, even yet,
a present help is he;
and faith still has its Olivet,
and love its Galilee.

The healing of his seamless dress
is by our beds of pain;
we touch him in life's throng and press,
and we are whole again.

Through him the first fond prayers are said
our lips of childhood frame,
the last low whispers of our dead
are burdened with his Name.

Alone, O Love ineffable,
Thy saving name is given
To turn aside from thee is hell,
To walk with thee is heaven.

Stirling Castle - 12

I know you thought I was joking when I said I entered the Queen's bedchamber - but I was not!



This room was reserved for the Queen and her most important visitors. The great state bed was symbolic - she slept in a small room nearby.

Here we see the glorious state bed.



Glory to thee, my God, this night,
for all the blessings of the light:
keep me, O keep me, King of kings,
beneath thine own almighty wings.

Forgive me, Lord, for thy dear Son,
the ill that I this day have done;
that with the world, myself, and thee,
I, ere I sleep, at peace may be.

Teach me to live, that I may dread
the grave as little as my bed;
teach me to die, that so I may
rise glorious at the awful day.

O may my soul on thee repose,
and with sweet sleep mine eyelids close;
sleep that shall me more vigorous make
to serve my God when I awake.

When in the night I sleepless lie,
my soul with heavenly thoughts supply;
let no ill dreams disturb my rest,
no powers of darkness me molest.

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
praise him, all creatures here below;
praise him above, ye heavenly host:
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.

Stirling Castle - 11

The Lady in Waiting is being far from helpful, and picks up a unicorn horn in order to defend the Queen. However, whilst she has her back turned, I spot an opportunity to enter the Queen's Bedchamber!



Stand up, stand up for Jesus, ye soldiers of the cross;
Lift high His royal banner, it must not suffer loss.
From victory unto victory His army shall He lead,
Till every foe is vanquished, and Christ is Lord indeed.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the solemn watchword hear;
If while ye sleep He suffers, away with shame and fear;
Where’er ye meet with evil, within you or without,
Charge for the God of battles, and put the foe to rout.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the trumpet call obey;
Forth to the mighty conflict, in this His glorious day.
Ye that are brave now serve Him against unnumbered foes;
Let courage rise with danger, and strength to strength oppose.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone;
The arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own.
Put on the Gospel armour, each piece put on with prayer;
Where duty calls or danger, be never wanting there.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, each soldier to his post,
Close up the broken column, and shout through all the host:
Make good the loss so heavy, in those that still remain,
And prove to all around you that death itself is gain.

Stand up, stand up for Jesus, the strife will not be long;
This day the noise of battle, the next the victor’s song.
To those who vanquish evil a crown of life shall be;
They with the King of Glory shall reign eternally.



Happy Feast!

Corpus Christi

THIS BLOG WISHES HRH PRINCE PHILIP (THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH) A VERY HAPPY 91ST BIRTHDAY.

Today we give thanks for the institution of the Eucharist.



Lord, enthroned in heavenly splendor,
first-begotten from the dead.
Thou alone, our strong defender,
liftest up thy people's head.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus, true and living bread!

Here our humblest homage pay we,
here in loving reverence bow;
here for faith's discernment pray we,
lest we fail to know thee now.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou art here, we ask not how.

Though the lowliest form doth veil thee
as of old in Bethlehem,
here as there thine angels hail thee,
branch and flower of Jesse's stem.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
We in worship join with them.

Paschal Lamb, thine offering, finished
once for all when thou was slain,
in its fullness undiminished
shall for evermore remain.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Cleansing souls from every stain.

Life-imparting heavenly Manna,
stricken Rock with streaming side,
heaven and earth with loud hosanna
worship thee, the Lamb who died.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Risen, ascended, glorified!



Happy Sunday!

Stirling Castle - 10

Good News! Prince Philip was discharged from hospital at lunchtime today - just in time for his 91st birthday which is tomorrow.



In this tapestry, the unicorn represents Christ. Note that the unicorn has been slain - there are wounds in its feet, its side has been pierced with a spear, and it is wearing a crown of thorns. I have much on which to meditate as I await the arrival of the Queen.



The royal banners forward go,
the cross shines forth in mystic glow;
where he in flesh, our flesh who made,
our sentence bore, our ransom paid.

Where deep for us the spear was dyed,
life's torrent rushing from his side,
to wash us in that precious flood,
where mingled water flowed, and blood.

Fulfilled is all that David told
in true prophetic song of old,
amidst the nations, God, saith he,
hath reigned and triumphed from the tree.

O tree of beauty, tree of light!
O tree with royal purple dight!
Elect on whose triumphal breast
those holy limbs should find their rest.

Blest tree, whose chosen branches bore
the wealth that did the world restore,
the price of humankind to pay,
and spoil the spoiler of his prey.

Upon its arms, like balance true,
he weighed the price for sinners due,
the price which none but he could pay,
and spoiled the spoiler of his prey.

O cross, our one reliance, hail!
Still may thy power with us avail
to give new virtue to the saint,
and pardon to the penitent.

To thee, eternal Three in One,
let homage meet by all be done:
whom by the cross thou dost restore,
preserve and govern evermore. Amen.

Stirling Castle - 9

Still waiting, so I shall have to admire one of the magnificent tapestries hanging in the Queen's Inner Hall.



The Queen was deeply religious, and these tapestries are meant to represent the passion, death and resurrection of Christ.

Crown Him with many crowns, the Lamb upon His throne.
Hark! How the heavenly anthem drowns all music but its own.
Awake, my soul, and sing of Him who died for thee,
And hail Him as thy matchless King through all eternity.

Crown Him the virgin’s Son, the God incarnate born,
Whose arm those crimson trophies won which now His brow adorn;
Fruit of the mystic rose, as of that rose the stem;
The root whence mercy ever flows, the Babe of Bethlehem.

Crown Him the Son of God, before the worlds began,
And ye who tread where He hath trod, crown Him the Son of Man;
Who every grief hath known that wrings the human breast,
And takes and bears them for His own, that all in Him may rest.

Crown Him the Lord of life, who triumphed over the grave,
And rose victorious in the strife for those He came to save.
His glories now we sing, Who died, and rose on high,
Who died eternal life to bring, and lives that death may die.

Crown Him the Lord of peace, Whose power a sceptre sways
From pole to pole, that wars may cease, and all be prayer and praise.
His reign shall know no end, and round His piercèd feet
Fair flowers of paradise extend their fragrance ever sweet.

Crown Him the Lord of love, behold His hands and side,
Those wounds, yet visible above, in beauty glorified.
No angel in the sky can fully bear that sight,
But downward bends his burning eye at mysteries so bright.

Crown Him the Lord of Heaven, enthroned in worlds above,
Crown Him the King to Whom is given the wondrous name of Love.
Crown Him with many crowns, as thrones before Him fall;
Crown Him, ye kings, with many crowns, for He is King of all.

Crown Him the Lord of lords, who over all doth reign,
Who once on earth, the incarnate Word, for ransomed sinners slain,
Now lives in realms of light, where saints with angels sing
Their songs before Him day and night, their God, Redeemer, King.

Crown Him the Lord of years, the Potentate of time,
Creator of the rolling spheres, ineffably sublime.
All hail, Redeemer, hail! For Thou has died for me;
Thy praise and glory shall not fail throughout eternity.

Stirling Castle - 8

I cannot think why the Queen is keeping me waiting so long! Fortunately, there is an altar in the Inner Hall, and so I will be able to say the Office there whilst I wait.



O God of earth and altar,
bow down and hear our cry,
our earthly rulers falter,
our people drift and die;
the walls of gold entomb us,
the swords of scorn divide,
take not thy thunder from us,
but take away our pride.

From all that terror teaches,
from lies of tongue and pen,
from all the easy speeches
that comfort cruel men,
from sale and profanation
of honour, and the sword,
from sleep and from damnation,
deliver us, good Lord!

Tie in a living tether
the prince and priest and thrall,
bind all our lives together,
smite us and save us all;
in ire and exultation
aflame with faith, and free,
lift up a living nation,
a single sword to thee.

Stirling Castle - 7

Here we see the throne on which the Queen will be seated during our audience.

Judge eternal, throned in splendour,
Lord of lords and King of kings,
with thy living fire of judgment
purge this land of bitter things;
solace all its wide dominion
with the healing of thy wings.

Still the weary folk are pining
for the hour that brings release,
and the city's crowded clangour
cries aloud for sin to cease;
and the homesteads and the woodlands
plead in silence for their peace.

Crown, O God, thine own endeavour;
cleave our darkness with thy sword;
feed all those who do not know thee
with the richness of thy word;
cleanse the body of this nation
through the glory of the Lord.

THE DIAMOND JUBILEE OF HER MAJESTY QUEEN ELIZABETH II

Message from The Queen



PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

Tuesday Afternoon: The Duke of Edinburgh is "feeling better" after being treated for a bladder infection, his youngest son Prince Edward has said.

The Earl of Wessex was speaking after visiting his father, who was admitted to hospital on Sunday.

And the Countess of Wessex said he was "in good spirits, he's on good form".

Thanks be to God!

On this day of jubilation we give thanks to Almighty God for our glorious Sovereign.

THE GENERAL THANKSGIVING

Almighty God, Father of all mercies,
we thine unworthy servants
do give thee most humble and hearty thanks
for all thy goodness and loving-kindness
to us and to all men.
We bless thee for our creation, preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for thine inestimable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we beseech thee,
give us that due sense of all thy mercies,
that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful;
and that we show forth thy praise,
not only with our lips, but in our lives,
by giving up our selves to thy service,
and by walking before thee
in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom, with thee and the Holy Spirit,
be all honour and glory, world without end. Amen.

THE NATIONAL ANTHEM

God save our gracious Queen!
Long live our noble Queen!
God save the Queen!
Send her victorious,
Happy and glorious,
Long to reign over us,
God save the Queen.

Thy choicest gifts in store
On her be pleased to pour,
Long may she reign.
May she defend our laws,
And ever give us cause,
To sing with heart and voice,
God save the Queen.



GOD SAVE OUR GRACIOUS QUEEN!

Stirling Castle - 6

URGENT PRAYER REQUEST - PLEASE PRAY FOR PRINCE PHILIP

The Duke of Edinburgh has been taken to hospital with a bladder infection and will miss the rest of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Buckingham Palace said Prince Philip, 90, had been taken to the King Edward VII Hospital in London from Windsor Castle as a "precautionary measure".

A spokesman said the Queen would still go to the Jubilee concert at the palace - being attended by 12,000 people.

The prince will remain in hospital under observation for a few days.



The prince had appeared to be in good health when he accompanied the Queen on Sunday on the royal barge the Spirit of Chartwell, which formed part of the rain-drenched Jubilee river pageant.

He and the Queen stood for most of the 80-minute journey, as they were accompanied by 1,000 boats travelling seven miles down the river to Tower Bridge.

Here we see Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II (accompanied by His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh) receiving the keys of Stirling Castle on 6 July 2011.

Let us pray:

Dear God our Father,
we thank you for the blessings of our country and for the freedom which we enjoy.
We pray for our Queen and her family,
and for those who govern in her name.
Give them health and strength, wisdom and courage,
so that they may carry out their many duties in the best interests of all our people.
Let all who have power remember that they are your servants,
and that your Son came to serve rather than to be served.
We ask this in his name, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Let us now listen to the glorious words of the Te Deum. Her Majesty has personally requested that these words be sung to the magnificent setting by Ralph Vaughan Williams as she processes down the aisle of St Paul's Cathedral, London during the Diamond Jubilee Service which will be held there tomorrow.

We praise thee, O God: we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee: the Father everlasting.
To thee all angels cry aloud:
the heavens, and all the powers therein.
To thee cherubin and seraphin: continually do cry, Holy, holy, holy: Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full of the majesty: of thy glory.
The glorious company of the apostles: praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the prophets: praise thee.
The noble army of martyrs: praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world: doth acknowledge thee; The Father: of an infinite majesty;
Thine honourable, true: and only Son; Also the Holy Ghost: the Comforter.
Thou art the King of glory: O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting Son: of the Father.
When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man:
thou didst not abhor the Virgin’s womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death:
thou didst open the kingdom of heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God: in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come: to be our judge.
We therefore pray thee, help thy servants:
whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy saints: in glory everlasting.



LONG LIVE OUR NOBLE QUEEN!

LONG LIVE PRINCE PHILIP!

Trinity Sunday

Glory to the Father and to the Son
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning is now
and shall be for ever. Amen.

I saw the Lord, sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up,
and his train filled the temple.
Above it stood the seraphims: each one had six wings;
with twain he covered his face,
and with twain he covered his feet,
and with twain he did fly.
And one cried unto another,
Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of Hosts:
the whole earth is full of his glory.
And the posts of the door moved at the voice of him that cried,
and the house was filled with smoke.

O Trinity! O Unity!
Be present as we worship Thee,
And with the songs that angels sing
Unite the hymns of praise we bring. Amen.



Prayer for the Queen

V. O Lord, save Elizabeth, our Queen.
R. And hear us on the day we call upon you.
V. O Lord, hear my prayer.
R. And let my cry come before you.
V. The Lord be with you.
R. and with your spirit.

Almighty God, we pray,
that your servant Elizabeth, our Queen,
who, by your providence has received the governance of this realm,
may continue to grow in every virtue,
that, imbued with your heavenly grace,
she may be preserved from all that is harmful and evil
and, being blessed with your favour
may, with her consort and the royal family,
come at last into your presence,
through Christ who is the way, the truth and the life
and who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen

Happy Sunday!

Stirling Castle - 5

We have been invited into The Queen's Inner Hall.

And here we are welcomed by The Queen's Lady in Waiting.

Today is the 59th Anniversary of the Coronation of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey on 2 June 1953.

All people that on earth do dwell,
Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice;
Him serve with fear, his praise forth tell,
Come ye before him, and rejoice.

The Lord, ye know, is God indeed,
Without our aid he did us make;
We are his folk, he doth us feed,
And for his sheep he doth us take.

O enter then his gates with praise,
Approach with joy his courts unto;
Praise, laud, and bless his name always,
For it is seemly so to do.

For why? The Lord our God is good:
His mercy is for ever sure;
His truth at all times firmly stood,
And shall from age to age endure.

To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
The God whom heaven and earth adore,
From men and from the Angel-host
Be praise and glory evermore. Amen.



GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

Stirling Castle - 4

Yes, we are going to meet The Queen!

We shall not be dining here, because we shall shortly be moving to the Inner Hall.

In the meantime, let us warm ourselves by the magnificent fireplace.