Inverness Cathedral - 2

Here we have a fine view of the Cathedral taken from the West Door on the 6th Sunday of Easter. Prominent on the south aisle is the white ensign.



The white ensign (the flag of the Royal Navy) hangs here for safe–keeping after use on the Cenotaph in London. Over the ‘west’ door is a gable of pierced tracery, and a sculpture of Jesus’s commission to the Apostles, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel’. The flanking statues are of Saints Andrew, Peter, Paul and John the Baptist.

Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones,
raise the glad strain, Alleluia!
Cry out, dominions, princedoms, powers,
virtues, archangels, angels' choirs:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

O higher than the cherubim,
more glorious than the seraphim,
lead their praises, Alleluia!
Thou bearer of th' eternal Word,
most gracious, magnify the Lord:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Respond, ye souls in endless rest,
ye patriarchs and prophets blest,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Ye holy twelve, ye martyrs strong,
all saints triumphant, raise the song:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

O friends, in gladness let us sing,
supernal anthems echoing,
Alleluia! Alleluia!
To God the Father, God the Son,
and God the Spirit, Three in One:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

Inverness Cathedral - 1

Well, we have now moved 350 miles north of Ripon and are back in Inverness. The daffodils which were just coming out in Ripon on Sunday 7 April, were just coming out in Inverness on Sunday 5 May - not the same ones of course!



Here is the scene from St Andrew's Cathedral - we see Inverness Castle across the River Ness. I cannot remember seeing the river so full, nor the trees so late coming into leaf. Nature is about 3 or 4 weeks behind normal. Still, spring is on the way - time for us to sing one of my favourite hymns.

All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,
All things wise and wonderful:
The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,
Each little bird that sings,
He made their glowing colors,
He made their tiny wings.

Refrain

The rich man in his castle,
The poor man at his gate,
He made them, high or lowly,
And ordered their estate.

Refrain

The purple headed mountains,
The river running by,
The sunset and the morning
That brightens up the sky.

Refrain

The cold wind in the winter,
The pleasant summer sun,
The ripe fruits in the garden,
He made them every one.

Refrain

The tall trees in the greenwood,
The meadows where we play,
The rushes by the water,
To gather every day.

Refrain

He gave us eyes to see them,
And lips that we might tell
How great is God Almighty,
Who has made all things well.

Refrain

6th Sunday of Easter

In the gospel today we hear Jesus assuring us of his gift of peace.



Jesus lives! thy terrors now
can no longer, death, appall us;
Jesus lives! by this we know
thou, O grave, canst not enthrall us.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! henceforth is death
but the gate of life immortal;
this shall calm our trembling breath
when we pass its gloomy portal.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! for us he died;
then, alone to Jesus living,
pure in heart may we abide,
glory to our Saviour giving.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! our hearts know well
nought from us his love shall sever;
life, nor death, nor powers of hell
tear us from his keeping ever.
Alleluia!

Jesus lives! to him the throne
over all the world is given:
may we go where he has gone,
rest and reign with him in heaven.
Alleluia!



Happy Sunday!

Ripon Cathedral - 22

We end our trip to Ripon by visiting Kirby Malzeard Methodist Church. Kirby Malzeard is located six miles north west of Ripon.



Here we see my cousin, Janet Jordan, practicing the hymns for Divine Service on Low Sunday. Her husband Michael is putting up the hymn numbers - an important job!

1 Born in song!
God's people have always been singing.
Born in song!
Hearts and voices raised.
So today we worship together;
God alone is worthy to be praised.

2 Praise to God!
Sing praise to the one who has made us.
Praise to God
whose image we bear.
Heaven and earth are full of God's glory;
let creation praise God everywhere.

3 Christ is king!
He left all the glory of heaven.
Christ is king!
Born to share in our pain;
crucified, for sinners atoning,
risen, exalted, soon to come again.

4 Sing the song!
God's Spirit is poured out among us.
Sing the song!
We're created anew.
Every member part of the Body;
given God's power, God's will to seek and do.

5 Tell the world!
All power to Jesus is given.
Tell the world!
He is with us always.
Spread the word, that all may receive him;
every tongue confess and sing his praise.

6 Then the end!
Christ Jesus shall reign in his glory.
Then the end
of all earthly days.
Yet above the song will continue;
all his people still shall sing his praise.

Ripon Cathedral - 21

Here we see the former deanery situated at the north side of the Cathedral.



It is no longer the home of the Dean of Ripon, rather it is now the Old Deanery Hotel. After attending the Sung Eucharist in the Cathedral on Sunday, why not walk over the road to the Old Deanery for lunch? Here is the Sunday Lunch Menu:

Starters
Vegetable soup
Moules marinières
Ham hock terrine, piccalilli, crispy poached egg
Gin and beetroot salmon gravadlax, pickled fennel salad, textures of beetroot

Mains
Roast beef, Yorkshire pudding, roast potatoes
Roast chicken, greens, boiled potatoes, jus
Pan fried salmon, kale, creamed potatoes, tomato and mussel broth
Gnocchi, roast tomato and garlic sauce, basil pesto

Dessert
Coffee parfait, toasted marshmallow, honeycomb, compote
Textures of rhubarb
Apple and custard tart, caramel ice cream
Cheese board, celery, grapes, water biscuits & home made chutney

One course £13.95
Two courses £16.95
Three courses £19.95

Ripon Cathedral - 20

Either side of the high altar, the two choir aisles contain side chapels. The side chapel shown here is at the north west corner of the Cathedral close to the gift shop. It has modern furnishings and is used for some midweek celebrations of the Eucharist.



Come, ye faithful, raise the anthem,
cleave the skies with shouts of praise;
sing to him who found the ransom,
Ancient of eternal days,
God of God, the Word incarnate,
whom the heaven of heaven obeys.

Ere he raised the lofty mountains,
formed of the seas, or built the sky,
love eternal, free and boundless,
moved the Lord of life to die,
foreordained the Prince of princes
for the throne of Calvary.

There, for us and our redemption,
see him for all his lifeblood pour,
there he wins our full salvation,
dies that we may die no more;
then, arising, lives for ever,
reigning where he was before.

High on yon celestial mountains
stands his sapphire throne, all bright,
midst unending alleluias
bursting from the sons of light;
Zion's people tell his praises,
Victor after hard-won fight.

Yet this earth he still remembers,
still be him the flock are fed;
yea, he gives them food immortal,
gives himself, the living Bread;
leads them where the precious fountain
from the smitten rock is shed.

Bring your harps, and bring your incense,
sweep the string and pour the lay;
let the earth proclaim his wonders,
King of that celestial day;
he the lamb once slain is worthy,
who was dead, and lives for ay.

Laud and honour to the Father,
laud and honour to the Son,
laud and honour to the Spirit,
ever Three and ever One,
consubstantial, co-eternal,
while unending ages run.

Ripon Cathedral - 19

This window depicts St John the Evangelist. Today, as we think of Sts Philip and James (Apostles and Martyrs) we give thanks for all the saints.



For all the saints, who from their labours rest,
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
Thy Name, O Jesu, be forever blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
All are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

O may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on His way.
Alleluia, Alleluia!

From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia, Alleluia!