Abbey celebrates Olympic Games

The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, who said in his Bidding:

Confident in God’s goodness and love, we assemble today to give thanks to almighty God for the Olympic movement and to look forward with trust and hope to the forthcoming London Olympic and Paralympic Games. We shall pray for all who have prepared for these events and for those who will be participating in the Games, supporting or broadcasting them.

Sir Craig Reedie CBE, LOCOG Board member and IOC Executive Board member, read Isaiah 40: 27 - 41: 1a. Hugh Bonneville, actor, read Romans 15: 1-13.

The Address was given by the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford.

Prayers were led by the Reverend Michael Macey, Minor Canon and Precentor of Westminster, and said by Andrew Hunt, Chief Executive, British Olympic Association; the Reverend Canon Duncan Green, Church of England Olympic and Paralympic Co-ordinator; Sarah Winckless, Chair, British Olympic Association Athlete Commission; Natasha Peters, St Peter’s CE Primary School Eaton Square; Mary Down, Olympic Torchbearer, and her granddaughter Megan Morgan; and the Venerable Dr Jane Hedges, Canon Steward and Archdeacon of Westminster.

The City of Bath Rhythmic Gymnastics Club gave a Performance to Compte d’une autre été, l’après midi (Yann Tiersen).

The service was sung by the Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir conducted by James O’Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Martin Ford, Assistant Organist, and before the service by Andrej Kouznetsov, Organ Scholar.

See also:

The Order of Service (PDF, 254 KB)

The Address given by the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford