St Macartin’s Cathedral
The Parish of Enniskillen

At the heart of the Community
Strengthening Commitment, Outreach, 
Worship and Christian Love

Service of Confirmation 
and Institution
 of Revd Dr Edwin Aiken 
B.Sc. (Hons.) M.Th. Ph.D. P.G.C.E. F.R.G.S.
as Vicar

Sunday 19 April 11.00 am
The Third Sunday of Easter

Revd Dr Edwin Aiken B.Sc. (Hons.) M.Th. Ph.D. P.G.C.E. F.R.G.S.
The Revd Dr Edwin Aiken, Curate of St Macartin’s Cathedral, Parish of Enniskillen, was appointed by the Bishop of Clogher to serve as Vicar in St Macartin’s Cathedral, Enniskillen, serving under the direction and general supervision of the Dean, The Very Rev Kenneth Hall. Revd Edwin becomes the first Vicar in the 400 year history of Enniskillen Parish. 

The Gathering of God’s People

Hymn 326

1 Blessèd city, heavenly Salem,
vision dear of peace and love,
who, of living stones upbuilded,
are the joy of heaven above:
we, with all thy holy people,
glorious to thy glory move.

2 Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and corner-stone,
chosen of the Lord and precious,
binding all the Church in one;
holy Zion's help for ever,
and her confidence alone.

3 All that dedicated city, 		          
dearly loved of God on high,
in exultant jubilation
pours perpetual melody,
God, the One in Three, adoring
in glad hymns eternally.

4 To this temple, where we call thee,
come, O Lord of hosts, today;
with thy wonted loving-kindness
hear thy servants as they pray,
and thy fullest benediction
shed within these walls alway.

5 Here vouchsafe to all thy servants
what they ask of thee to gain,
what they gain from thee, for ever
with the blessèd to retain,
and hereafter in thy glory
evermore with thee to reign.

6 Praise and honour to the Father,
praise and honour to the Son,
praise and honour to the Spirit,
ever Three and ever One,
one in might and one in glory,
while eternal ages run.

Latin 7th cent.
Tr. John Mason Neale  (1818-66)
based on 1 Peter 2: 4-7;
Ephesians 2: 20-22

The Greeting
The bishop greets the people.
Grace mercy and peace
From God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you all
and also with you.
THE INSTITUTION OF VICAR
The Archdeacon presents the vicar-elect to the bishop and says: Bishop, I present the Reverend Dr Edwin Aiken to be instituted as vicar of this parish.
The bishop says: In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, we welcome the Reverend Dr Edwin Aiken who has been nominated as vicar of this Parish, to serve under the direction and general supervision of the incumbent.

The bishop commends Edwin to the prayers of the congregation and silence is kept.
The bishop asks the registrar to read the certificate of nomination. 

The Declarations
Have the declarations been made, subscribed and taken according to the laws of the Church of Ireland?
The registrar says: They have.
The bishop asks the churchwardens
Churchwardens, as representatives of the people have you witnessed the making if these declarations?
The churchwardens reply: We have.
The bishop reads the act of institution, delivers it to the vicar and says:
Edwin, the care of God’s people in this parish is entrusted to you and to the bishop within the body of Christ. Accept the responsibilities and privileges of this ministry as a priest in this diocese, in communion with the bishop. Remember the solemn promises of your ordination as you encourage all God’s people to be good stewards of their gifts. 
Care alike for young and old, strong and weak, rich and poor. By your words and in your life proclaim the Gospel. May God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit bless you as you minister in word and sacrament to his people. Amen.

Introit 
Lord, make us servants of your peace – The Beeson Family

The bishop introduces the service:
Brothers and sisters, we meet today to support and to pray for those who have been baptized and instructed in the Christian faith and who now intend, in the presence of God and of this congregation, to make the promises of their baptism their own.
At the heart of this Confirmation service are two distinct, yet related, acts of confirming.
First the candidates will profess their faith in Christ, confirming their desire to serve God throughout their lives, to turn to Christ and to renounce all evil. Then, as bishop, I will lay my hand on them, praying that God’s Spirit will confirm, strengthen and guide them as they strive, each day of their lives, to live up to the solemn commitment they will make today.
It is our privilege and joy as the people of God to hear the candidates’ response to God’s call and to renew our own baptismal commitment to our Lord Jesus Christ. It will be our responsibility to encourage the newly confirmed in their discipleship, so that the Christian family may be built up, recognizing the diverse gifts of all its members.
On this their Confirmation day, let us pray in silence for those to be confirmed so that, increasing in the Holy Spirit more and more, they may experience God’s wisdom and love for ever.

Penitence
Let us affirm our trust in God’s mercy, and confess that we need forgiveness.

A pause for reflection.

Lord God, you raised your Son from the dead.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

Lord Jesus, through you we are more than conquerors.
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.

Holy Spirit, you help us in our weakness.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy.

The bishop pronounces the absolution:
Almighty God have mercy on you, 
forgive you your sins, 
and keep you in eternal life. Amen.

Gloria in Excelsis
This hymn of praise is sung.
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people on earth.
Lord God, heavenly king,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.
Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.
For you alone are the Holy One:
you alone are the Lord:
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

The bishop says
Let us pray.
The community prays silently.
The Collect
Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord:
Give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened
and sustained by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Psalm
Psalm 23
1 The Lord is my shepherd : therefore can I lack nothing.

2 He makes me lie down in green pastures : and leads me beside still waters.

3 He shall refresh my soul : and guide me in the paths of righteousness, for his name's sake.

4 Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil : for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

5 You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me : you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life : and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

The Epistle: Colossians 3: 12-17 

As God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience. Bear with one another and, if anyone has a complaint against another, forgive each other; just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

This is the Word of the Lord: Thanks be to God.
Gradual Hymn 529

1. Thy hand, O God, has guided
thy flock, from age to age;
the wondrous tale is written,
full clear, on every page;
thy people owned thy goodness,
and we their deeds record;
and both of this bear witness:
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

2. Thy heralds brought glad tidings
to greatest, as to least;
they summoned all to hasten
and share the great King’s feast;
their gospel of redemption,
sin pardoned, earth restored,
was all in this enfolded:
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

3. And we, shall we be faithless?
Shall hearts fail, hands hang down?
Shall we evade the conflict
and cast away our crown?
Not so:  in God’s deep counsels
some better thing is stored;
we will maintain, unflinching,
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

4. Thy mercy will not fail us,
nor leave thy work undone;
with thy right hand to help us,
the victory shall be won;
and then, by all creation,
thy name shall be adored,
and this shall be our anthem:
one Church, one Faith, one Lord.

Edward H. Plumptre  (1821-91)  altd.
based on  Ephesians 4: 4-5

All remain standing as we sing, ‘Alleluia!’
The Gospel Reading
The reader says
Hear the Gospel of our Saviour Christ, according to St John, chapter 10 beginning at verse 11
All sing, Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

‘I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep. The hired hand, who is not the shepherd and does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and runs away—and the wolf snatches them and scatters them. The hired hand runs away because a hired hand does not care for the sheep. I am the good shepherd. I know my own and my own know me, just as the Father knows me and I know the Father. And I lay down my life for the sheep. I have other sheep that do not belong to this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to my voice. So there will be one flock, one shepherd.

All sing Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

All remain standing as we sing, ‘Alleluia!’
The Sermon

The Presentation
The candidates, their parents, and their godparents are asked to stand.

The bishop asks the parents and godparents:
Who presents these persons for confirmation?
We do.

The parents and godparents may sit.

The bishop asks the candidates:
Have you been baptized in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit?
I have.

Are you ready with your own mouth and from your own heart to affirm your faith in Jesus Christ?
I am.

The bishop asks the clergy who have been responsible for pastoral care of the candidates:
Have these persons been carefully prepared in their understanding of the Christian faith?
I believe they have.

The Decision
The bishop says to the candidates:
In baptism, God calls us from darkness to his marvellous light. 
To follow Christ means dying to sin and rising to new life with him.

Therefore, I ask:
Do you reject the devil and all proud rebellion against God?
I reject them.
Do you renounce the deceit and corruption of evil?
I renounce them.
Do you repent of the sins that separate us from God and neighbour?
I repent of them.
Do you turn to Christ as Saviour?
I turn to Christ.
Do you submit to Christ as Lord?
I submit to Christ.
Do you come to Christ, the Way, the Truth and the Life?
I come to Christ.

The congregation stands and the bishop says:
You have heard these our brothers and sisters respond to Christ.
Will you support them in this calling?
The congregation answers:
We will support them.

The Profession of Faith
The bishop asks each of the candidates in turn:
Do you … believe and accept the Christian faith into which you are baptized?
I do.
The bishop addresses the congregation:
Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess together with these candidates the faith of the Church.

Do you believe and trust in God the Father?
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

Do you believe and trust in God the Son?
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he will come again to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in God the Holy Spirit?
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

Hymn 310
Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me;
Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.
Break me melt me,
mould me, fill me.
Spirit of the living God,
fall afresh on me.
Daniel Iverson (1890-1972)

The bishop and the candidates gather at the place of confirmation.
The Confirmation
The bishop says:
Our help is in the name of the Lord 
who made heaven and earth.
Blessed be the name of the Lord 
now, and for ever. Amen.

Silence

The bishop prays the confirmation prayer:
Almighty and everliving God,
whose Son Jesus Christ was crucified and rose again
to break the power of sin and death:
We give you thanks and praise for the gift of your Holy Spirit
by whom your servants have been born again
and made your children.
Grant that in the power of the same Holy Spirit
they may continue to grow
in the knowledge and likeness of Christ;
increase in them your gracious gifts,
the spirit of wisdom and understanding,
the spirit of right judgment and inward strength,
the spirit of knowledge and godly living;
and fill them, O Lord, with the spirit of reverence for you.
The congregation sits and those who are to be confirmed kneel before the bishop, 
who lays a hand upon each of them saying:
Confirm … O Lord, with your heavenly grace,
that he/she may continue to be yours for ever,
and daily increase in your Holy Spirit more and more
until he/she comes to your eternal kingdom.
And each of them answers: Amen.
The bishop continues:
Heavenly Father,
we pray for your servants
upon whom we have now laid our hands,
after the example of the apostles,
to assure them by this sign
of your favour towards them.
May your fatherly hand ever be over them.
Let your Holy Spirit ever be with them.
Lead them to know and obey your word,
and keep them in eternal life;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
The congregation responds:  Amen.
The Commission
The bishop says:
Those who are baptized are called to worship and serve God.
Will you continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship,
in the breaking of the bread, and in the prayers?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you persevere in resisting evil,
and, whenever you fall into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you proclaim by word and example
the good news of God in Christ?
With the help of God, I will.

Will you seek and serve Christ in all people,
loving your neighbour as yourself?
With the help of God, I will.
The Peace
All stand. The bishop says:
God has made us one in Christ.
He has set his seal upon us and, as a pledge of what is to come,
has given the Spirit to dwell in our hearts.
The peace of the Lord be always with you
and also with you.

Offertory Hymn 421

1. I come with joy, 
a child of God
forgiven, loved, and free,
the life of Jesus to recall
in love laid down for me.

2. I come with Christians far and near
to find, as all are fed,
the new community of love
in Christ’s communion bread.

3. As Christ breaks bread,
and bids us share,
each proud division ends.
The love that made us, makes us one,
and strangers now are friends.

4. The Spirit of the risen Christ,
unseen, but ever near,
is in such friendship better known,
alive among us here.

5. Together met, together bound,
we’ll go our different ways,
and, as his people in the world,
we’ll live and speak his praise.
Brian Wren (b.1936)

Celebrating at the Lord's Table

The Taking of the Bread and Wine
All remain standing.

The bishop takes the bread and wine and says:
Christ our passover has been sacrificed for us
therefore let us celebrate the feast.

The Great Thanksgiving
The Lord is here.
His Spirit is with us.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Father, almighty and everliving God,
at all times and in all places
it is right to give you thanks and praise:
Because by water and the Holy Spirit
you have made us a holy people in Jesus Christ our Lord,
raised to new life in him
and renewed in us the image of your glory.
And so with all your people,
with angels and archangels,
and with all the company of heaven,
we proclaim your great and glorious name,
for ever praising you and singing:

All sing:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed are you, Father,
the creator and sustainer of all things;
you made us in your own image,
male and female you created us;
even when we turned away from you,
you never ceased to care for us,
but in your love and mercy you freed us from the slavery of sin,
giving your only begotten Son to become man
and suffer death on the cross to redeem us:
he made there the one complete and all-sufficient sacrifice
for the sins of the whole world:
he instituted, and in his holy Gospel commanded us to continue,
a perpetual memory of his precious death
until he comes again.
On the night that he was betrayed he took bread;
and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it,
and gave it to his disciples, saying, Take, eat,
this is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me.

In the same way, after supper he took the cup;
and when he had given thanks to you,
he gave it to them, saying, Drink this, all of you,
for this is my blood of the new covenant
which is shed for you and for many
for the forgiveness of sins.
Do this, as often as you drink it,
in remembrance of me.

Therefore, Father, with this bread and this cup
we do as Christ your Son commanded:
we remember his passion and death,
we celebrate his resurrection and ascension,
and we look for the coming of his kingdom.

Accept through him, our great high priest,
this our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving;
and as we eat and drink these holy gifts,
grant by the power of the life-giving Spirit
that we may be made one in your holy Church
and partakers of the body and blood of your Son,
that he may dwell in us and we in him:

Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord,
by whom, and with whom, and in whom,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all honour and glory are yours, Almighty Father,
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Lord’s Prayer
As our Saviour Christ has taught us, we are bold to say
Our Father, who 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 those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory
for ever and ever. Amen.

The Breaking of the Bread
The bishops breaks the consecrated bread in preparation for the Communion.
The bread which we break is a sharing in the body of Christ.
We being many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.

The Communion
The bishop says:
Draw near with faith.
Receive the body of our Lord Jesus Christ which he gave for you,
and his blood which he shed for you.
Remember that he died for you,
and feed on him in your hearts by faith with thanksgiving.

The newly confirmed are the first to receive Holy Communion.
Members of all Christian denominations 
are welcome to receive Holy Communion.

Hymn 568 (sung prayerfully, while kneeling)

1. Father, we adore you,
lay our lives before you:
how we love you.

2. Jesus, we adore you, 
lay our lives before you: 
how we love you.

3. Spirit, we adore you, 
lay our lives before you: 
how we love you.

Terrye Coelho (b.1952)

Communion Hymns: T&P 9 (As we gather); T&P 11 (Before the Throne); 642 (Amazing Grace)

The Great Silence
When all have received the Communion, and the hymn is sung, 
the bishop and people keep silence for reflection.

Going Out as God’s People

Post-Communion Prayers

Living God,
your Son made himself known to his disciples
in the breaking of bread.
Open the eyes of our faith,
that we may see him in all his redeeming work;
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

All say:
Almighty God,
we thank you for feeding us with the spiritual food
of the body and blood of your Son Jesus Christ.
Through him we offer you our souls and bodies
to be a living sacrifice.
Send us out in the power of your Spirit
to live and work to your praise and glory. Amen.

The Blessing
The God of all grace,
who called you to his eternal glory in Christ Jesus,
establish, strengthen and settle you in the faith;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
be upon you and remain with you always. All sing: Amen.
The Dismissal
The Vicar says:
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord:
In the name of Christ. Amen.

Hymn 593

1. O Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end;
be thou for ever near me,
my Master and my Friend;
I shall not fear the battle
if thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if thou wilt be my Guide.

2. O let me feel thee near me:
the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but, Jesus, draw thou nearer,
and shield my soul from sin.

3. O let me hear thee speaking
in accents clear and still,
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will.
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control:
O speak and make me listen,
thou guardian of my soul.

4. O Jesus, thou hast promised
to all who follow thee,
that where thou art in glory,
there shall thy servant be;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end;
O give me grace to follow,
my Master and my Friend.
5. O let me see thy foot-marks,
and in them plant mine own;
my hope to follow duly

is in thy strength alone:
O guide me, call me, draw me,
uphold me to the end,
and then in heaven receive me;
my Saviour and my Friend.

John E. Bode (1816-74)
ANNOUNCEMENTS for Sunday 19th April 2026
Churchwardens
We wish to thank our outgoing Churchwardens, Graham Irvine and Audrey Hopkins for their support and dedication over the past year and welcome our new Churchwardens Kenneth Surphlis and Zelda Palmer. Kenneth and Zelda will take up their roles on Sunday 26th April. 
Lenten Project - Mission Focus - Mothers’ Union Overseas Fund
A reminder to please return your Lenten Box or Gift Aid Envelope, as soon as possible to the Churchwardens or the Cathedral Office.
Adult Confirmation
Any adults, who are not already confirmed, and would like to be confirmed please contact the clergy or the Parish Office and a member of the Clergy will contact you. A service to confirm adults will take place in the St Macartin’s Cathedral on Ascension Thursday (14th May) at 7.30pm. Adults throughout the Diocese are welcome to be confirmed at this service – please contact your Rector for details.
Spirit and Soul
Next meeting is on Tuesday 28th April at 7.30pm in the Cathedral. The subject is ‘Mysticism’.
Parenting Wellness Group
Come join us on Saturday 25th April at 2.00pm in St. Macartin’s Cathedral Hall for a Mini Sound Bath Session led by Sukhada Smith-Repass. Participants will also enjoy a talk on well-being. Yoga mat and blanket needed. To book your space, contact Linda Kingston on 07342045474. 
Thursday 23rd April 
11.00am - Holy Communion
Sunday 26th April - The Fourth Sunday of Easter - Family Service
9.00am - Holy Communion 
11.00am - Morning Prayer - Service for end of Sunday School year