St Michael’s affirms and encourages the best expression of humanity, not only through the Sunday service but though our wellbeing programs and our commitment to counselling and psychotherapy. We believe faith, spirituality and a meaning to life are vital ingredients for our health and wellbeing and that there is a need to get hold of a more authentic religious understanding.
Sunday services commence at 10am.
Free Entry
The Choir of St Michael’s with guest conductor John Rivers, with Rhys Boak at the organ.
Music between the readings: Ubi Caritas – M. Duruflé (1902-1986)
Based on plainchant, this serenely beautiful motet by twentieth-century composer Maurice Duruflé is among the most loved choral music in the repertory. It is a setting of a tenth-century hymn text which translates as follows: “Where charity and love [are], there is God. Love has gathered us together in one Christ. Let us exult and take joy in it.”
Music during the offering: There’s a wideness in God’s wisdom – Louis Vierne (1870-1937)
This motet was originally set with the Latin text of the Tantum Ergo by the French organist and composer Louis Vierne. The Latin text has been replaced by words that are perhaps more comprehensible by an English-speaking congregation in the 21st century. The new text comes from former St Michael’s minister, Dr Francis Macnab.
Music during communion: Panis Angelicus – César Franck (1822-1890) arr. Rhys Boak
The Postlude: Toccata – Joseph Jongen (1873-1953)
There are many wonderful and memorable toccatas for the organ. These include works by such luminaries as Bach, Widor, Frescobaldi and many others. This toccata by the great Belgian virtuoso, Joseph Jongen, was completed in its final form in February 1953 only months before the composer’s death. It uses extremely rich and colourful harmony as well as exploring the full power of the organ. It is regarded as one of the most technically difficult works in the repertory, and as such is seldom performed and remains little known.