
Services at St Stephen’s
Advent 2024 to date
Archives: 2023-24, 2022-23, 2021-22, 2020-21, 2019-20
St Stephen’s has been at the centre of its community for over 900 years, and remains so today. Our mission is to equip God’s people through thoughtful worship, warm fellowship, and enriching teaching. We are a church with a thriving robed choir of an excellent standard. If you are 9 months or 90 years old, or anywhere in between, we look forward to welcoming you!
Sunday | 10.30am | Sung Eucharist * |
6.00pm | Choral Evensong * | |
Wednesday | 10.00am | Holy Communion (said) |
Lectionary Year C
The Fifth Sunday of Easter
Sunday 18th May 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
Setting: The Johannesburg Service – Bertalot
Anthem: Christ the Lord is risen again – Rutter
Hymns: 401, 115, 103, 273 (t. 302), 112
Voluntary: Festive Finale – Archer
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Responses: Ayleward
Psalm 98
Canticles: Parish Psalter Set B
Anthem: Christians shout for joy and gladness – J. S. Bach
Hymns: 119, 104 (omit *)
Voluntary: Christ lag in Todesbanden BWV 625 – J. S. Bach
The Fourth Sunday of Easter
Sunday 11th May 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: The Johannesburg Service – Bertalot
Anthem: The Lord is my Shepherd – Goodall
Hymns: 109 (Easter vv. 1–7), 459, 106, 282, 114
Voluntary: Christ the Lord is risen – Bertalot
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Sung by the Tenors and Basses
Responses: Plainsong
Psalm 114
Canticles: Benson
Anthem: Easter (from ‘Five Mystical Songs’) – Vaughan-Williams
Hymns: 112, MHT 122
Voluntary: Christ lag in Todesbanden – Zachau
The Third Sunday of Easter
Sunday 4th May 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: The Johannesburg Service – Bertalot
Anthem: Good Christians all rejoice and sing – Archer
Hymns: 103, 102, 104 (omit *), 276ii, 124
Voluntary: Festive Finale – Archer
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Introit: Christ the Lord is risen again – Foster
Responses: Ayleward
Psalm 86
Canticles: Stanford in B-flat
Anthem: This joyful Eastertide – trad. arr. Lindley
Hymns: 118, 114
Voluntary: Eastertide – Stanford
The Second Sunday of Easter
Sunday 27th April 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: The Johannesburg Service – Bertalot
Anthem: Arise in us – Shaw
Hymns: 105ii, 107, 112, 275, 125 (omit *)
Voluntary: O Filii et Filiae – Dandrieu
6.00pm Evening Prayer (said)
Evening Prayer won’t be streamed today.
Easter Day
Sunday 20th April 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Introit: Christ is risen – How
Setting: The Johannesburg Service – Bertalot
Anthem: The Easter Song of Praise – Shepherd
Hymns: 110, 113, 106, 123, 120
Voluntary: Sortie in E-flat – Lefébure-Wely
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Introit: The Easter Anthems
Psalm 66 vv. 1–11
Responses: Ayleward
Canticles: Brewer in D
Anthem: This joyful Eastertide – Dutch carol arr. Ledger
Hymns: 101, 117
Voluntary: Paraphrase on Handel’s ‘Judas Maccabeus’ – Guilmant
Good Friday
Friday 18th April 2025
10.30am All Ages Service
2.00pm Liturgy of the Passion
Psalm: 22 vv. 1–21 (tone II-1)
Passion: Barker
Reproaches: Barker
Agnus Dei: Plainsong
Anthem: Drop, drop slow tears – Joanna Forbes L’Estrange
Hymns 92, 94, 517 (omit vv. 3–8), 82, 95
Maundy Thursday
Thursday 17th April 2025
7.30pm Sung Eucharist and Stripping of the Altar
Setting: Mass of St Thomas – Thorne
Taizé chant – Ubi caritas
Anthem: A new commandment – Nardone
Hymns: 293 (t. 239), 270, ‘From heaven you came’, 268 (part 1; t. 202)
Psalm: 22 vv. 1–21 (tone II-1)
Palm Sunday
Sunday 13th April 2025
10.30am Procession of Palms & Sung Eucharist
President: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Preacher: Rev. Sally Pickersgill, Curate
Introit: Hosanna to the Son of David – Rawsthorne
Setting: The Hadleigh Service – Ridout
Anthem: God so loved the world – Stainer
Hymns: 511, 509, 90 (omit *), 82, 86 (omit *)
Voluntary: Chorale Prelude ‘Herzlich tut mich verlangen’ BWV 727 – J. S. Bach
6.00pm A Service of Readings and Music for Passiontide
The Fifth Sunday of Lent
Sunday 6th April 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: The Hadleigh Service – Ridout
Anthem: Solus ad victimam – Leighton
Hymns: ‘Lift high the cross’, 83, 84, 304, 94
Voluntary: Contemplation on ‘Caswall’ – Archer
There is no Choral Evensong this evening as our clergy are at St Paul’s Church for the installation of their new incumbent.
The Fourth Sunday of Lent – Mothering Sunday
Sunday 30th March 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: The Hadleigh Service – Ridout
Anthem: For the beauty of the earth – Rutter
Hymns: 186, 161 (t. 385), 185, 282, 394
Voluntary: Fugue on the Magnificat BWV733 – J. S. Bach
6.00pm Choral Evensong Sung by the Sopranos & Altos
Responses: Plainsong
Psalm 30
Canticles: Plainsong
Anthem: My song is love unknown – Archer
Hymns: 60ii, 70i
Voluntary: Chorale Prelude ‘Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, daß du für uns gestorben bist’ bwv 623 – J. S. Bach
The Third Sunday of Lent
Sunday 23rd March 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Preacher: Rev. Sally Pickersgill, Curate
Setting: The Hadleigh Service – Ridout
Anthem: Nolo mortem pecatoris – Morley
Hymns: 333, 63, 73i, 288, 437
Voluntary: Chorale Prelude ‘Erbarm dich mein, O herre Gott’ BWV 721 – J. S. Bach
6.00pm Choral Evensong for The Annunciation of Our Lord to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Responses: Plainsong
Psalms 131 & 146
Canticles: Morley Fauxbourdons
Anthem: Gabriel’s Message – Basque carol, arr. Petmann
Hymns: 181ii, 161 (t. 385)
Voluntary: Prelude on ‘The Angel Gabriel’
The Second Sunday of Lent
Sunday 16th March 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: The Hadleigh Service – Ridout
Anthem: Let thy merciful ears – Mudd
Hymns: 338, 339, 439i (omit *), 308, ‘I, the Lord of sea and sky’
Voluntary: Praembulum spura Jesu, meine freude – Krebs
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Sung by the Tenors & Basses
Responses: Plainsong
Psalm 135 vv. 1–14
Canticles: Plainsong
Anthem: The Lent Prose – Plainsong
Hymns: 59ii, 62
Voluntary: Trio on Attende, Domine – Sarah MacDonald
The First Sunday of Lent
Sunday 9th March 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: The Hadleigh Service – Ridout
Anthem: Wash me throughly – Wesley
Hymns: 67, 64, 414, 307, 383ii (omit *)
Voluntary: Toccata on Aberystwyth – Bednall
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Remembering Lady Loretta, 13th century Anchoress at St Stephen’s Church
Responses: Plainsong
Psalms 119 vv. 73–88
Canticles: Plainsong
Anthem: Lead me, Lord – Wesley
Hymns: ‘Brother, sister, let me serve you’ (A&M 604), 420
Voluntary: Aus tiefer not schrei ich zu dir – Reger
Ash Wednesday
Wednesday 5th March 2025
7.30pm Sung Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes
Introit: Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts – Purcell
Setting: Canterbury Mass – Piccolo
Litany – Piccolo
Anthem: Lord, for thy tender mercy’s sake – Hilton/Farrant
Hymns: 67, 64, 70i, 76
Voluntary: Postlude on ‘Southwell’ – Bullard
The Sunday next before Lent
Sunday 2nd March 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President: Canon David Roper
Preacher: Rev. Sally Pickersgill, Curate
Setting: The Canterbury Service – Barker
Anthem: O nata lux – Tallis
Hymns: 234 (t. ‘Christ’s Glory’), 178, 389, 307, 286
Voluntary: Nun danket alle Gott – Karg-Elert
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Quinquagesima
Responses: Ayleward
Psalm 89 vv. 1–18
Canticles: Stanford in B-flat
Anthem: From the rising of the sun – Ouseley
Hymns: 494 (t. 413), 339
Voluntary: Dialogue – Hurford
The Second Sunday before Lent
Sunday 23rd February 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Preacher: Rev. Sally Pickersgill, Curate
Setting: The Canterbury Service – Barker
Anthem: Go forth into the world in Peace – Rutter
Hymns: 146, 191, 408i, 305, 466
Voluntary: Toccata in Seven – Rutter
6.00pm Choral Evensong for Peace
Sexagesima
Responses: Ayleward
Psalm 122
Canticles: Parish Psalter Set A
Anthem: A Prayer for Ukraine – Mykola Lysenko
Hymns: ‘Make me a channel of your peace’, ‘Put peace into each other’s hands’ (A&M 566), ‘God of freedom, God of justice’ (A&M 559)
Voluntary:Wine of Peace – Camileri
The Third Sunday before Lent
Sunday 16th February 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: The Canterbury Service – Barker
Anthem: A Prayer of Desmond Tutu – Whitbourn
Hymns: 333, 341, 375, 277, ‘When, in our music, God is glorified’
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Septuagesima; sung by the Tenors and Basses
Responses: Plainsong
Psalm 6
Canticles: Benson
Anthem: Christe Redemptor omnium – Monteverdi
Hymns: 421, 477
Voluntary: Veni Redemptor – Tallis
The Fourth Sunday before Lent
Sunday 9th February 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Canon David Roper
Setting: The Canterbury Service – Barker
Anthem: Vox Christi – Wilby
Hymns: 345, 390 (t. 493), 353, 276ii, 361 (t. 322)
Voluntary: Alla marcia – Ireland
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Sung by the Sopranos and Altos
Responses: Ripon – Wilby
Psalm 2
Canticles: Bairstow in E-flat
Anthem: Fairest Lord Jesus – Silesian folk song arr. How
Hymns: 480 (t. 15), 235
Voluntary: Postlude on a theme by Orlando Gibbons – Tambling
The Presentation of Christ in the Temple (Candlemas)
Sunday 2nd February 2025
10.30am Festal Sung Eucharist and Confirmation
President and Preacher: The Rt. Rev. Rose Hudson-Wilkin, Bishop of Dover
Introit: Arise, shine, for your light has come – How
Setting: The Canterbury Service – Barker
Psalm 24 vv. 7–10
Anthem: When to the temple Mary went – Eccard
Hymns: 33 (omit vv. 2, 3 & 6; last verse CfC2), 138, 271, 140, ‘Christ be our light’
Voluntary: Toccata – Dubois
6.00pm Festal Choral Evensong
Responses: Ayleward
Psalm 132
Canticles: Brewer in D
Anthem: Hail, gladdening light – Stainer
Hymns: 156 (t. 149ii), 157
Voluntary: Light of the nations – Moore
The Third Sunday of Epiphany
Sunday 26th January 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: The Canterbury Service – Barker
Anthem: Blessed be the God and Father – S. S. Wesley
Hymns: 374, 391, 324, 302, 415 (omit *; t. ‘Lingham’)
Voluntary: Fugue in G major BWV 576 – J. S. Bach
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Responses: Ayleward
Psalm 33 vv. 1–12
Canticles: Gibbons Short Service
Anthem: Almighty and everlasting God – Gibbons
Hymns: 57, 56 (omit *)
Voluntary: Voluntary in A minor – Gibbons
The Second Sunday of Epiphany
Sunday 19th January 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Preacher: Rev. Sally Pickersgill, Curate
Setting: The Canterbury Service – Barker
Anthem: Listen sweet dove – Ives
Hymns: 443, 377, 484 (omit *; t. 167), 280 (omit *), 467
Voluntary: Processional – Ives
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Responses: Ayleward
Psalm 96
Canticles: Parish Psalter Set B
Anthem: The Lamb – Tavener
Hymns: 49, 51
Voluntary: Variations on ‘King Jesus had a garden’ – Peeters
The Baptism of Christ
Sunday 12th January 2025
10.30am Sung Eucharist
Setting: The Canterbury Service – Barker
Anthem: Tomorrow shall be my dancing day – Gardner
Hymns: 352, 58, 55, 294, 56 (omit *)
Voluntary: Noël – Daquin
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Responses: Ayleward
Psalms 46 & 47
Canticles: Stanford in B-flat
Anthem: In the bleak mid-winter – Darke
Hymns: 58, 431
Voluntary: Adagio in E – Bridge
The Epiphany
Sunday 5th January 2025
10.30am Festal Sung Eucharist
Celebrant and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: The Canterbury Service – Barker
Anthem: The first nowell – Chilcott
Hymns: 47 (CfC1 p.8), 49ii, 50 (t. 363), 40, 52
Voluntary: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern – Buxtehude
6.00pm Festal Choral Evensong
Responses: Ayleward
Psalm 98
Canticles: Parish Psalter Set A
Anthem: Three kings in great glory – Shaw
Hymns: 46ii, 48
Voluntary: Prelude on ‘We three kings of orient are’ – Mawby
St Thomas of Canterbury
Sunday 29th December 2024
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: Mass of St Thomas – Thorne
Hymns: 33 (omit *), ‘King of the martyrs’ noble band’ (t. 59ii), 25, 39
CHRISTMAS DAY
Wednesday 25th December 2024
10.30am Festal Sung Eucharist
President: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Preacher: Rev. Sally Pickersgill, Curate
Setting: The Canterbury Service – Barker
During Communion: Choir carols
Hymns: 30 (omit vs. 4), 21, 28, 22 (CfC1 p2), 26 (omit vs.4; CfC1 p39)
Voluntary: Toccata from Symphony V – Widor
Christmas Eve
Tuesday 24th December 2024
10.30am Crib Service
St Stephen’s Choir will be singing for the Archbishop and leading the Community Carols in Rose Square at 6.15pm this evening
10.00pm Midnight Mass
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: Mass of St Thomas – Thorne
Hymns: 34, 29, 32 (omit vs. 4), 35, 30 (omit vs. 4)
Voluntary: Chorale Prelude on ‘In dulci jubilo’ (BWV 729) – J. S. Bach
The Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sunday 22nd December 2024
10.30am Sung Eucharist and Baptism
President: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: St Anne’s Mass – MacMillan
Anthem: Nova! Nova! – Chilcott
Hymns: 11, 15, 185, 295, 10
Voluntary: Advent reflections – Bonighton
6.00pm Service of Lessons and Carols for Christmas
The Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday 15th December 2024
10.30am Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: St Anne’s Mass – MacMillan
Anthem: Rejoice in the Lord alway – Purcell
Hymns: 6, 170ii, 16, 18, 7
Voluntary: Wake, O wake – Marsh
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Sung by the Tenors and Basses
Responses: Plainsong
Psalm 50 vv. 1–6
Magnificat: Plainchant tone vi
Nunc dimittis: Plainchant tone iv-4
Anthem: The Advent Prose – Plainchant (ed. Cleobury)
Hymns: 1i , 8 (t. 128ii)
Voluntary: Rorate Caeli Choral orne – Demessieux
The Second Sunday of Advent
Sunday 8th December 2024
10.30am Sung Eucharist
Celebrant and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Setting: St Anne’s Mass – MacMillan
Anthem: People, look East – Besancon carol melody, arr. Shaw
Hymns: 5, 12, 14, 308, 388i
Voluntary: Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn (BWV 601) – J. S. Bach
6.00pm Choral Evensong
Responses: Plainsong
Psalm 75
Magnificat: Morley fauxbourdons
Nunc dimittis: Morley fauxbourdons
Anthem: How lovely are the messengers – Mendelssohn
Hymns: 2, ‘Hark, what a sound’ (t. NEH 320i)
Voluntary: Prelude on ‘Come, thou long expected Jesus’ – Setchell
The First Sunday of Advent
Sunday 1st December 2024
10.30am Festal Sung Eucharist
President and Preacher: Rev. Dr David Vannerley, Interim Priest-in-Charge
Introit: I look from afar – adapted from a Magnificat by Palestrina
Setting: St Anne’s Mass – MacMillan
Anthem: The truth from above – trad. English carol, arr. Vaughan Williams
Hymns: 11, 3ii, 7, 298, 9
Voluntary: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme (BWV 645) – J. S. Bach
6.00pm ‘From Darkness to Light’ — A Service for Advent
The Advent Antiphons
I look from afar – adapted from a Magnificat by Palestrina
A tender shoot – Goldschmidt
O thou the central orb – Wood
O radiant dawn – MacMillan
Dismissal – Barker
Hymns 19 (omit vv. 5 & 7), 7, 12, ‘O come, O come, Emmanuel’, 9
Voluntary: Toccata on ‘Veni Emmanuel’ – Carter