Reflection in words & music - Sunday 17th May 2026

Join The Revd Canon Dr Alison Joyce, Rector of St Bride's, and St Bride's Choir for this week's reflection in words and music. This Sunday is the Sunday after Ascension when Jesus rose bodily into heaven. St Bride's Choir opens our reflection with the Gloria from the Ascension Mass by the finest of the Spanish Renaissance composers, Tomás Luis de Victoria. In our reading from Acts, Jesus tells the disciples of the power of the Holy Spirit which they will receive and that they must spread his word across the earth. "And when he had said this, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight." Alison reflects on the strange theological limbo of the Sunday after Ascension, when Christ has departed – having set the disciples their mighty task – but before they receive the empowering Holy Spirit which will enable them to carry out that task. We conclude with the Ascension hymn "The head that once was crowned with thorns" by the Irish priest, Thomas Kelly, sung to the tune St Magnus by Jeremiah Clarke (he of the famous trumpet tune). The hymn's opening lines owe much to John Bunyan's poem "One thing is needful". Information about our weekly Sunday services in St Bride's of Choral Eucharist at 11am (www.stbrides.com/worship-music/wo…horal-eucharist/) and Choral Evensong at 5:30pm (www.stbrides.com/worship-music/wo…choral-evensong/) can be found on the website. Find out what's happening at St Bride's at www.stbrides.com/whats-on If you enjoy listening, please leave a comment below or subscribe to our channel. It is great to get your feedback. SUPPORT ST BRIDE'S ================== We are hugely grateful for people's generosity which we wholly rely on to continue our work, maintain our wonderful architectural heritage and support world-class music-making. People are often surprised to learn that St Bride's receives no external funding. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet

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