This year’s Act of Worship for Good Friday was held in St Michael’s, Bishops Stortford. A choir of around 50 came together under Nathan Collin’s direction for the sequence of readings, prayers, hymns and anthems accompanied by Michael Smith (organ). The repeated Trisagion (Ogden) provided an nice thread through the service becoming more elaborate each time. It was also notable that the choir sang a lovely piece, “Drop, drop, slow tears”, composed by one of the members – Rebecca Watts from Standon. A sizable congregation were present as this was the main Good Friday service for the church. Readers were drawn from the choir and the church’s own clergy and congregation. Revd Derwyn Williams (Vicar) led the service. The details that applied to the service are listed below.
SERVICE: 7.30 p.m.; rehearsal 4.30 – 6.30 p.m. (with a break). After the rehearsal, drink will be provided in the Church Hall. Bring & Share tea. Diversity of food please. Discuss with your choir. Choir robes are to be worn (or black and white). NOTE: numbers of singers should be sent to Dorothy Ayre via the form – which has been sent out previously but is also HERE.
PREPARATORY REHEARSAL: Saturday 1st April; St Mary’s, High Street, Standon SG11 1LA ; 9 for 9.30-11.30 (Free parking on the High Street.)
This will be directed by Nathan Collins (St Michael’s). The organist for Good Friday is Michael Smith (St Mary’s, Standon). For the rehearsal at Standon, the accompanist will be Stephen Penton (St Andrews, Much Hadham). A donation of £1 per adult singer towards music costs would be much appreciated.
To see the Order of Service (i.e. music list) is HERE – and with links to recordings, click HERE.
The music booklet (which contains all the music for the rehearsals and service) is HERE.
The poster is HERE. Please print it off and display it; AND forward it by email to those who might be interested in coming to the service.