SERVICE OF PRAISE 2011

Service of Praise

at the Abbey Church of Holy Cross and St Lawrence , Waltham Abbey

Exactly sixty one years to the day and hour that victory in Europe was declared, another joyous celebration took place, a Service of Praise for the Knights Templar Province of Hertfordshire.

With the Provincial Prior, R.E.Kt. Brian Blanchard and the Provincial Sub-Prior, E.Kt. Tony Lapsley in attendance this service took place with the support, not only of the Officers and Knights of Hertfordshire, but their families and guests, together with distinguished guests, including the Provincial Prior of Kent, R.E. Kt. Kessick John Jones, and the Provincial Grand Master for the Craft Province of Hertfordshire, Colin Harris and the Provincial Grand Secretary, Keith Gilbert.

After a Procession of the Provincial Prior and Knights of the Temple and Malta into the Church under the direction of the Provincial Marshal, E.Kt. Michael Stanforth, the opening hymn, "For All the Saints" was sung and the Bible was opened by the Provincial Prior. Prayers were led by the Rev. Peter Smith, the Team Rector of the Abbey Church, and a reading from 1st Corinthians Chapter 13 was given by the Provincial Sub Prior, Tony Lapsley.

The congregation were then enthralled by two renditions, "Iche Folge dir Gleichfalls" and " Bist du Bei Mir" from Emma Lincoln, with purity of voice and breath taking technical expertise. These were given either side of a reading by the Provincial Prior, Brian Blanchard, of the Precepts of the Order. Always poignant, but even more so in the setting they were given.

The Provincial Priory and Preceptory Banners were then presented for blessing.

The remainder of the service consisted of a thought provoking and and amusing Address by the Rev. Peter Smith, together with prayers and the singing of the rousing hymns, "I Vow to Thee my Country", "Praise my Soul the King of Heaven", and " Jerusalem". A collection was taken with the proceeds shared between the Opthalmic Hospital at Jerusalem and the Waltham Abbey Heritage Organ Appeal.

Following the recession out into the sunshine (arranged once again, with his usual knack, by our Provincial Prior ?) tea and refreshments were taken in the Abbey Gardens Centre.

A change of venue, but still an important and impressive occasion. Those Knights who missed it should really try and make it next time for it is a key event in our calendar.


	Service of Praise at the Abbey Church of Holy Cross and St Lawrence , Waltham Abbey Exactly sixty one years to the day and hour that victory in Europe was declared, another joyous celebration took place, a Service of Praise for the Knights Templar Province of Hertfordshire. With the Provincial Prior, R.E.Kt. Brian Blanchard and the Provincial Sub-Prior, E.Kt. Tony Lapsley in attendance this service took place with the support, not only of the Officers and Knights of Hertfordshire, but their families and guests, together with distinguished guests, including the Provincial Prior of Kent, R.E. Kt. Kessick John Jones, and the Provincial Grand Master for the Craft Province of Hertfordshire, Colin Harris and the Provincial Grand Secretary, Keith Gilbert. After a Procession of the Provincial Prior and Knights of the Temple and Malta into the Church under the direction of the Provincial Marshal, E.Kt. Michael Stanforth, the opening hymn, "For All the Saints" was sung and the Bible was opened by the Provincial Prior. Prayers were led by the Rev. Peter Smith, the Team Rector of the Abbey Church, and a reading from 1st Corinthians Chapter 13 was given by the Provincial Sub Prior, Tony Lapsley. The congregation were then enthralled by two renditions, "Iche Folge dir Gleichfalls" and " Bist du Bei Mir" from Emma Lincoln, with purity of voice and breath taking technical expertise. These were given either side of a reading by the Provincial Prior, Brian Blanchard, of the Precepts of the Order. Always poignant, but even more so in the setting they were given. The Provincial Priory and Preceptory Banners were then presented for blessing. The remainder of the service consisted of a thought provoking and and amusing Address by the Rev. Peter Smith, together with prayers and the singing of the rousing hymns, "I Vow to Thee my Country", "Praise my Soul the King of Heaven", and " Jerusalem". A collection was taken with the proceeds shared between the Opthalmic Hospital at Jerusalem and the Waltham Abbey Heritage Organ Appeal. Following the recession out into the sunshine (arranged once again, with his usual knack, by our Provincial Prior ?) tea and refreshments were taken in the Abbey Gardens Centre. A change of venue, but still an important and impressive occasion. Those Knights who missed it should really try and make it next time for it is a key event in our calendar.