United Benefice of St.Mary, Higham Ferrers, and St. John, Chelveston
The United Benefice of St Mary the Virgin, Higham Ferrers with St John the Baptist, Chelveston-cum-Caldecott

Rogation Sunday
Sunday 10th May 2026
A Harvest fanfare and Father Paul introduce the theme of Rogation-tide
HYMN
Let all the world, in every corner, sing: My God and King!
The heavens are not too high, His praise may thither fly,
The earth is not too low, His praises there may grow,
Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and king!
Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and king!
The church with psalms must shout, no door can keep them out;
But, above all, the heart must bear the longest part.
Let all the world in every corner sing, my God and king!
words: George Herbert (1593-1633)
music: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

A reading with Verses from Psalms 104 and 67
The Lord makes grass grow for the cattle, and plants for people to cultivate, bringing forth food from the earth: - wine that gladdens human hearts, oil to make their faces shine, and bread that sustains their hearts.
The trees of the Lord are well watered, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
There the birds make their nests;
He made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to go down.
You bring darkness, it becomes night, and all the beasts of the forest prowl.
The lions roar for their prey and seek their food from God.
The sun rises, and they steal away; they return and lie down in their dens.
Then people go out to their work, to their labour until evening.
How many are your works, Lord! In wisdom you made them all;
The earth is full of your creatures. All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time.
When you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things.
Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you.
Then shall the earth bring forth her increase, and God, our own God, will bless us.

HYMN
Praise, my soul, the King of heaven,
to his feet thy tribute bring;
ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven,
who like me his praise should sing?
Alleluia, alleluia,
praise the everlasting King.
Praise him for his grace and favour
to our fathers in distress;
praise him still the same for ever,
slow to chide and swift to bless:
Alleluia, alleluia!
Glorious in his faithfulness.
Angels, help us to adore him;
ye behold him face to face;
sun and moon bow down before him,
dwellers all in time and space:
Alleluia, alleluia,
praise with us the God of grace.
words: Henry Francis Lyte (1793-1847) based on Psalm 103
music: John Goss (1800-1880)

Reflection – Christians called to care for creations and show it!

Rogation Prayers and Blessing

HYMN
Oh Lord, my God when I, in awesome wonder
Consider all the worlds Thy hands have made
I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder
Thy power throughout the universe displayed
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing
He bled and died to take away my sin
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
When Christ shall come, with shout of acclamation
And take me home, what joy shall fill my heart
Then shall I bow, in humble adoration
And then proclaim, my God, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee
How great Thou art, how great Thou art
Stuart Hine/ Carl Boberg
HYMN
For the beauty of the earth
For the beauty of the skies
For the love which from our birth
Over and around us lies
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise
For the beauty of each hour
Of the day and of the night
Hill and vale, and tree and flower
Sun and moon and stars of light
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise
For the joy of ear and eye
For the heart and mind's delight
For the mystic harmony
Linking sense to sound and sight
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise
For the joy of human love
Brother, sister, parent, child
Friends on earth and friends above
For all gentle thoughts and mild
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise
For each perfect gift of Thine
To our race so freely given
Graces human and divine
Flowers of earth and buds of heaven
Lord of all, to Thee we raise
This our sacrifice of praise
Words: F.S.Pierpoint (1835-1917
Music: John Milford Rutter


Material used in this service is copyright of its respective rights owners. Music and hymn words are reproduced under ONE LICENSE number A-633137, Church Copyright License 2148907 and Music Reproduction License 2216255. Material in this order of service is taken from Common Worship, copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000-2006 and is used here with permission. www.commonworship.com.
images by permission of www.christart.com