The Diamond Jubilee Scottish Thanksgiving Service Highlights

Good evening and welcome to Glasgow ka teed ral, this ancient church --

cathedral. This ancient church stood as Scottish history unfolded

through tumult and triumph alike. Today it was on service, a

cathedral service to praise royal service, a service of Thanksgiving

to mark Her Majesty the Queen's In the choir there you see the

various politicians waiting for their place. Look back a couple of

rows, you can see members of the Police Service and the other

emergency services, of course, they are there in their place. But it's

also a tribute to the work they do. This is a Christian,

interdenominational service. You see Cardinal Dara O'Briain. Also

other -- Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien. Also other denominations.

As well as a Christian service this is an interfaith occasion.

Representatives of the Muslim community, representatives of the

Buddhist community and at the end there you can see representative

from the Greek Orthodox Church all incite varietyed. -- invited. In

the cross itself there, it's 70 years old. But it's attached to a

pillar, 700 years old, right at the centre of the cross, you can see

the symbol of the lamb of God. I draw this to your attention,

because this will feature in the sermon, delivered by the moderator

of the General Assmebly of the Church of Scotland. The lamb of God

representing the idea of uplift from Christ. It's the idea of

triumphing over disaster and the moderator will talk about that in

the contemporary context of the difficulties that Scotland and the

United Kingdom is facing. But as well as that, as well as the

history, also young people in the congregation, five young pupils

from schools across Glasgow who will lead prayers as part of the

service, as part of the service which commemorates and marks the

Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty, the Queen. There's the heralds arriving

into their place, waiting to greet Her Majesty, the Queen, as she

arrives very shortly indeed. Now that will play a large part, of

course, the signal of the opening of the service and those young

people will be leading the prayers when the service proper gets under

way. Her Majesty, the Queen, arriving

outside Glasgow Cathedral. Greeted by cheering crowds, many of whom

have been waiting for hours. I arrived myself rather early this

morning, but not early enough to beat the crowds. They were queuing

from the beginning, the Queen, accompanied by Prince Philip, the

Duke of Edinburgh. The Queen moving forward to greet those who will

lead the service. The moderator there, Albert Bogle. The minister

of the church, Dr Laurence Whitley and the Very Reverend John Cairns,

Dean of Her Majesty's Chapel Royal, there he is with the red gown. Her

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds

Majesty moves towards the west door # All people that on earth do dwell,

# Sing to the Lord with cheerful voice.

# Him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,

# Know that the Lord is God indeed; # Without our aid he doth us make;

# We are his flock, he doth us feed, # O enter then his gates with

praise, # Approach with joy his courts

unto: # Praise, laud, and bless his Name

always, # For why? The Lord our God is good,

# His mercy is for ever sure, # His truth at all times firmly

stood, # To Father, Son and Holy Ghost,

# The God whom earth and heaven adore,

# Be glory, as it was of old, Is now, and shall be evermore. Amen.#

# Amen. For I know the plans that I have

for you, says the Lord and they are Almighty God, you are the glory of

all the nations. By your hand you send the planets coursing on their

way and at your commanding, the stars come out by number. And yet

your eye remains upon each of us, each of us known and loved. We

gather now as a nation in Thanksgiving and joy for the

blessing you have given us in our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth,

and that your goodness has brought her to this present hour. Enable us

to recognise your unfolding plan behind the passage of these special

years, a plan, indeed, for good. Forgive us if we've been heedless

of the guidance and care that comes alone from you, which has never

failed us, nor ever shall. Let these continue to shine and lead us

onward, until, at length, your good plan, for all the nations, comes to

pass. This, we ask, through Jesus Christ

our Lord, who taught us when we pray to say together: Our Father,

which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy

will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily

bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass

against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from

evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory, forever and

ever. Amen. Following the Lord's prayer, the

first lesson will be read by the First Minister of Scotland, Alex

Salmond. He's being escorted to his God is our refuge and present in

ever present help and trouble, therefore we will not fear. Though

the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of

the sea, though its waters roll and foam and the mown tinds quake with

their surging. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of

God, the holy place where the most high dwells. God is within her. She

will not fall. God will help her at the break of day. Nations are in

uproar. Kingdoms fall. He lifts his voice. The earth melts. The Lord

almighty is with us, the God of Jacob is our fortress. Come and see

what the Lord has done, the desolations he has brought on the

earth. He makes wars cease to the ends of the earth. He breaks the

bowl and shatters the spear. He burns the shields of fire. He says,

be still and know that I am God, I will be exalted among the nations.

I will be exalted in the earth. The Lord almighty is with us. The God

of Jacob is our fortress. Then the angel showed me the river of the

water of life as clear as crystal, flowing from the thrown of God and

of the lamb, down the middle of the great street of the city. On each

side of the river stood the Tree of Life, bearing 12 crops of fruit.

Yielding its fruit every month and the leaves of the tree are for the

healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne

of God and of the lamb will be in the city and his servants will

serve him. They will see his face and his name will be on their

foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light

of a lamb or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them

light and they will reign forever # Tell out, my soul, the greatness

of the Lord! # Unnumbered blessings give my

spirit voice. # Tender to me the promise of his

word. # In God my Saviour shall my heart

rejoice. # Tell out, my soul, the greatness

of his name! # Make known his might, the deeds

his arm has done. # His mercy sure, from age to age

to same. # His holy Name the Lord, the

Mighty One. # Tell out, my soul, the greatness

of his might! # Powers and dominions lay their

glory by. # Proud hearts and stubborn wills

are put to flight. # The hungry fed, the humble lifted

high. # Tell out, my soul, the glories of

his word! # Firm is his promise, and his

mercy sure. # Tell out, my soul, the greatness

of the Lord. # To children's children and for

As the sound of the hind fades away, Cardinal Keith O'Brien with a

reading -- the hymn fades away. Then James and John, the sons of

Zebedee, came to him. "Teacher," they said, "We want you o do for us

whatever we ask." "What do you want me to do for you?" he asked. They

replied, "Let one of us sit at your right and the other at your left in

your glory." "You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said. "Can

you drink the cup I drink or be baptized with the baptism I am

baptized with?" "We can," they answered. Jesus said to them, "You

will drink the cup I drink and be baptized with the baptism I am

baptized with, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to

grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared."

When the ten heard about this, they became indignant with James and

John. Jesus called them together and said, "You know that those who

are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and

their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with

you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your

servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. For

even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to

give his life as a ransom for many." The end of the Gospel

reading. And now an anthem, specially composed for this Diamond

# Prayer the Churches banquet, Angels age.

# Gods breath in man returning to his birth.

# The soul in paraphrase, heart in # The Christian plummet sounding

# Engine against th'Almightie, # Reversed thunder, Christ-side-

piercing spear. # The six-daies world-transposing

# A kinde of tune, which all things heare and fear.

# Softnesse, and peace, and joy, # Exalted Manna, gladnesse of the

best. # Heaven in ordinarie, man well

# The milkie way, the bird of # Church-bels beyond the starres

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds

# The land of spices; something Something understood.

Something understood. Something # Something understood.

Lord of all, as our Saviour intercedes for us so we pray for

people the world over, your whole family of nations, races and creeds,

that accepting and rejoicing in diversity, we may find

understanding where there was once suspicion, tolerance where there

has been division, generosity in the face of need, peace for those

living with the scourge of war and violence and the love of the God of

At this time of celebration we pray that your Spirit may guide, your

power protect and your love enfold The Queen as she fulfils her many

duties. Bless Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Charles, Duke

of Rothesay and all Members of the Royal family in their service of

the Nation. May we ever find in them an example of dedication and

selfless service. Lord in your By your Spirit of Truth and Love

lead all those who bear the responsibility of government and

leadership in the Nation, members of the Parliaments of both Scotland

and the United Kingdom, members of local authorities and all who act

on behalf of the people of Scotland. May they serve to enhance the life

of the whole community and never mere selfish or sectarian interest.

Lord of love, touch the hearts of all in this Nation. May the talents

and work of every citizen be valued, encouraged to grow and to develop,

so that freedom, neighbourliness and generosity become its hallmarks

with no one rejected and all held in respect. Lord, in your mercy,

hear our prayer. We pray for all those who in our name are called to

serve The Queen and the Country in the Forces of the Crown and strive

to bring peace and security at home and overseas. May they be

courageous in danger, resolute in adversity and kindly in success.

Especially this day we hold before God, the airmen of Lossiemouth and

their families. And all in need of God's help, healing and hope. Lord,

We pray for the young people of Scotland that they may appreciate

the varieties of culture that form our nation's heritage, find a

harmony that has eluded previous generations and be inspired and

allowed to use the full breadth of their talent to the benefit of

their country and the wider world. Lord, in your mercy, hear our

O God, you seek the good of all your people and call us to share in

that ministry of love and peace. We pray that through us something of

your light will shine on the world, some hope come to those who despair,

some confidence to those who are anxious, some comfort to those who

mourn and new signs of peace and love to all whom we meet. Lord, in

# How glorious Zion's courts appear. # The city of our God!

# His throne he hath established here.

# Here fixed his loved abode. # Its walls, defended by his grace.

# No power shall e'er o'erthrow. # Salvation is its bulwark sure.

# Against the assailing foe. # Lift up the everlasting gates.

# The doors wide open fling! # Enter, ye nations, who obey.

# The statutes of our King! # Here shall ye taste unmingled

joys. # And dwell in perfect peace.

# Ye, who have known Jehovah's name. # And trusted in his grace.

# Trust in the Lord, for ever trust. # And banish all your fears.

# Strength in the Lord Jehovah dwells.

In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. I

would like to invite you to join with me in reflecting upon the

significance of three metaphors found in this reading from

revelation chapter 22, verse one. The first speaks of the lamb upon

the throne, the second is the city and the third is the river. I

believe that we can draw meaning and inspiration for our lives and

our communities from these metaphors in John's vision. You

know, in times of great change and re-ordering of societies, those who

are in leadership require a wisdom that goes beyond their years. They

require knowledge that allows change to be rooted in justice and

integrity. Successful leaders inevitably will have inner

spiritual resources that sustain and strengthen them, giving them

courage to lead. Of all the nations in the world, we in the British

Isles, and the Commonwealth, have been blessed by the instinting

dedication of Her Majesty, the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh.

During these past 60 years of unprecedented change, Her Majesty

has brought the continuity and insight of a wise and gifted

monarch, acting as a counsellor and confidante to many a Prime Minister

and world leader and sometimes, a humble parish minister. At the

coronation, the then moderator of the General Assmebly presented Her

Majesty with a copy of the Bible. While the archbishop of Canterbury

said these words: "We present you with this book, the most valuable

thing that this world affords. He was wisdom. This is the royal law.

These are the lively orkulz of God. "Here then lies the source that has

sustained Her Majesty. To be crowned Queen is to believe that

you have been called of God to this high and noble office. With it

comes a promise of dedication and commitment to God and the people.

It is a covenant for life. You know, the word "covenant" is an ancient

word and its roots are in the old testament. To make a covenant is to

per sue the welfare of the promise that you have made even if it is of

a costly nature to self. It is to dedicate one's self to the promise.

Archbishop Ralph Vaughan Williams last month paraphrasing some of the

vows said, "It was as if she was saying, I have no goals if they are

not the goals of this community. I have no well being, no happiness

that is not the well being of the community. What will make me

content or happy is what makes for the good of this particular part of

human family." In many ways, statements like these

are to speak the language of heaven. It is to hear God say, I am for you.

It is to seek to establish a part of heaven on earth in a way that

the Celtic monks spoke of their monasteries as colonies of heaven

amidst the people. So the throne speaks to us of the power of

service that comes through sacrifice and points the nation to

the joy of living in service to each other. Hanging over the

communion table in this cathedral is a cross. If you look closely at

the heart of this cross, there is a lamb being crucified. The lamb upon

the throne is the great Gospel paradox of power. He would be great

among you must first be the servant of all. The lamb is the one who

gives his life a random for many. Thus he is worthy to receive honour,

power and glory. So what of the second metaphor, the city? The

Bible begins the creativity of God in a garden and it concludes it in

a city. Perhaps we need to pay more attention to the cities. They need

rivers of healing running through their streets. These words from the

Book of Revelation may soundess tairk and far removed from the --

sound esoteric and far removed from contemporary lives, but they speak

it a generation in search of a moment land, a city where the

streets have no names, to paraphrase a quote from U2. For

deep down, in the human heart, there is a yearning for something

we have lost and never had. A feeling of being home sick. The

writer of the Hebrews describes it as looking for the city that is to

come. All over the world, people are migrating to cities looking for

something that will make them better. Our cities, for many people,

are places of violence and inequality. Where the purpose of

economy seems to serve the few at the expense of the many. But here,

in this metaphor is a city where healing and harmony flows through

the streets from the throne. It is on occasions like this, that our

eyes are lifted towards thing that's are beyond the material to

that which is spiritual and enriching. We have come here to

think of the things that in the words of the apostle Paul are noble,

true and praise worthy. Surely, we come here to this magnificent

cathedral to be inspired, to be renewed, to dare to believe in a

vision that our cities themselves can be transformed by the power of

prayer and the example of service into communities of Jubilee hope.

And what of the river? The river that flows from the throne is in

the middle of the great city. Well this reminds us there is a river

that makes glad the city of God. All cities have their rivers. And

there is no city that could be prouder of its river than Glasgow.

This city has the Clyde and it has been the source of wealth and the

life of the inhabitants of the great city from the days of St

Mungo to the present time. In this river some of the first Christians

in Glasgow were baptised. In this river some of the greatest ships

that have touched a thousand ports have been launched. This river has

brought great joy. But here in my text this morning, we are

connecting with the river as the source of joy in the city of God.

It is of the presence of the spirit of God flowing like a river into

the lives of his people. It speaks the justice flowing like a river

and righteousness like a never ending stream. As we celebrate this,

Her Majesty's Diamond Jubilee, perhaps we might let the wisdom

from the most valuable book in the world speak to our hearts, by

allowing the lamb upon the throne to speak of the forgiveness of sins

and the joy of service. The city of God to become the model to build

our cities upon. And the old testament concept of Jubilee, to be

a river making justice for the poor, a hall mark of our nation. In doing

such things, may this become the greatest lasting tribute to a Godly

monarch on her throne. In the name of the Father, the Son

and the Holy Spirit, Amman. -- Amen. Let us pray together.

God of time and eternity, whose son reigns as servant, not master, we

give you thanks and praise that you have blessed this nation, the

realms and territories with Elizabeth, our beloved and glorious

Queen. In this year of Jubilee, grant her your gifts of love and

joy and peace, as she continues in faithful obedience to you, her Lord

and her God, in devoted service to her lands and her people and those

of the Commonwealth, now and all the days of her life. Through Jesus

Christ, our Lord, amen. That specially commissioned prayer

concluding the sermon by the moderator, revelation, the Clyde

and U2 in one package, and a sense of optimism too. If there is

optimism it must lie in the young. Nex five prayers of thanks giving

led by five pupils from five schools in Glasgow.

Let us pray. We give thanks that for 60 years our Sovereign Lady,

Queen Elizabeth, has given instinted and dedicated service to

Scotland, the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. Born witness to

the strengthening power of faith and trust in you, given the benefit

of wisdom and experience to those in whom power resides and to so

many a confidence to meet the challenges of an ever changing

worldment -- world. Lord, we thank you.

We give thanks that this nation has been blessed through the

generations with people of faith, vision, courage, ingenuity and

wisdom, folk with skill, inspiration and talent in writing,

music and all the orts, engineering and science, philosophy and

medicine. Folk who have contributed to learning and given life and work

far beyond our borders and thus enhanced the sum of human knowledge

and experience. ALL: Lord, we thank you.

We give thanks that with the heritage that Cherishs freedom and

defends rights for every person, Scotland seeks to welcome the

oppressed, the refugee and the homeless, the stranger and the

visitor with hospitality and friendliness. We give thanks that

the gifts and insights of many cultures and colour expand our

national life, encouraging us to reach beyond old boundaries and

prejudices and grow to be the people you would have us be.

ALL: Lord, we thank you. We give thanks for all those in

Scotland, who have the courage to bring us new knowledge,

understandings and insights that enable us to cross old and limiting

barriers, to break new ground and lead us to be a country prepared to

meet today's challenges and seizing its opportunities.

ALL: Lord, we thank you. We give thanks for all those whom

we Cherish in the circle of love and care around us, parents and

children, brothers and sisters, friends and neighbours, for all

they bring to our lives and for that which we can bring to theirs.

Through all such, we are reminded that your love is greater than our

love and that you hold us all in that love which stretches even

beyond death itself. So through Christ, our Lord, we may claim to

be part of your praising and loved family, on earth and in heaven.

Thanks be to God, who knows our # Glory be to God the Father.

# Glory be to God the Son. # Glory be to God the Spirit.

# Great Jehovah, Three in One! # Glory, glory, glory, glory.

# While eternal ages run! # Glory be to Him who loved us.

# Washed us from each spot and stain!

# Glory be to Him who bought us. # Made us kings with Him to reign!

# Glory, glory, glory, glory. # To the Lamb that once was slain!

# Glory to the King of angels. # Glory to the church's King.

# Glory to the King of nations! # Heaven and earth, your praises

bring. # Glory, glory, glory, glory.

# To the King of glory bring! # Glory, blessing, praise eternal!

# Thus the choir of angels sings. # Honour, riches, power, dominion!

# Thus its praise creation brings. # Glory, glory, glory, glory.

In this historic Kirk and Cathedral, and in fellowship with all who owe

allegiance to our Sovereign Lady, Queen Elizabeth, we pledge

ourselves today in faithful loyalty, duty and service to our Queen and

to our Country. We pray that the Lord bless and keep The Queen, that

she may put her hand into the hand of God and ever find that which is

better than light and safer than a known way. Her ways thus becoming

ways of gentleness and her paths, paths of peace. Through Jesus

Christ, our Lord. Amen. May the Lord Jesus Christ and God the

Father, by grace, give to all good hope, encouragement of heart and

strength in every good deed and word. The Blessing of God Almighty,

the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit be upon you and remain with

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds

# 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.

Apology for the loss of subtitles for 48 seconds

# To sing with heart and voice. As the members of the clergy bow to

the Queen, we see some of the young pupils who did their readings

splendidly. There we have the interdenominational ecclesiastical

procession. The man on the right conductor the marriage service of

the Queen's granddaughter. Right next to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

And there we have the heralds, very much part of the royal procession.

They are the presence of the Queen, the presence of the sovereign, they

signify the presence of the sovereign. The King of Arms is

responsible for heraldry and ceremonial in Scotland. Prince

Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. Nodding and smiling to members of

the congregation, this very large congregation. Adam Bruce, the

descendant of Robert Bruce. Right at the back, the gentleman with the

beard, the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Prince Philip looking amused by

something as he comes through the screen that separates the choir

from the nave in his 13th century cathedral. Now the High Kirk of

Glasgow, the Paris church of St Roch's as well. -- of St Mungo as

well. We are commemorating 60 years on the throne for the Queen. She is

passing Mary McIlroy. In those 60 years, the first ascent of Everest

-- ascent of Everest, at the end to rationing, Britain joining the EC,

the fall of the Berlin Wall -- Britain joining the EC. The release

of Nelson Mandela and the restoration of a Scottish

Parliament within the United Kingdom. That element represented

today by Alex Salmond, the First Minister of Scotland, delivering

one of the readings at this splendid service. To commemorate

and mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. The Lord Lyon, leading Her

Majesty towards the visitors' book, which she will sign. She is taking

her glove off in preparation. As she has done before, because she

has been many times to this cathedral. In particular for the

Silver Jubilee in 1977, and the Golden Jubilee in 2002. Those of

you who remember those events will reflect that this is, they may not

seem mid, a less formal occasion than those two previous events --

though may not seen it. It is in keeping with the times. The Duke of

Edinburgh is invited to sign the visitors' book by Lawrence Whixley.

Many members of the congregation are there, and outside the heralds

are waiting. Those have been standing so patiently for many

hours to see her mother and majesty -- to see Her Majesty, they are

applauding. The guests are leaving the service with thoughts of their

own, perhaps memories of 60 Royal years. Perhaps reflections upon

Alder, longer Scottish history. Perhaps thoughts as to what might