Candlemas

2nd February 2025

The Parish Eucharist with Holy Baptism

Welcome to Liverpool Parish Church. There has been Christian worship on this site since the 13th century and today we are still proclaiming the Good News of Jesus Christ in the centre of Liverpool.

All people are welcome in this place. At the Eucharist if you normally receive Holy Communion in your own church, you are welcome to do so here.

Babies and children are welcome in this church. If you feel they are unsettled, there is a small play area for them at the back of the north aisle. You would still be able to see, hear and participate in the service, but please rejoin the rest of the congregation when you are ready.

Sunday School Parents are welcome to stay with their children or to reclaim them at the end of the service.

Donations and Giving. We rely on generous individual giving for much of our income. If you are a UK taxpayer donations can be Gift Aided to provide additional benefit to the Church. If you worship here regularly then please consider joining the Planned Giving Scheme. There is also a contactless donation point in the Narthex.

Go to Facebook Go to our website Go to Twitter

Calendar for the Week

Monday 03 February
09.00 Morning Prayer

Tuesday 04 February
09.00 Morning Prayer

Wednesday 05 February
09.00 Morning Prayer
12.15 Eucharist

Thursday 06 February
09.00 Morning Prayer

Friday 07 February
09.00 Morning Prayer
12.15 Eucharist
13.05 RC Mass
19.30 Bells

Saturday 08 February

Sunday 09 February
09.00 Morning Prayer
10.00 Parish Eucharist
11.45 Fire alarm test

Before the service

Organ: Arabesque (24 Pièces en style libre) – Lousic Vierne (1870 -1937)

Greeting

The bell rings and we stand, as we are able:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

The Candlemas liturgy is introduced

Blessing of the candles

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God
It is right to give thanks and praise

Blessed are you, Lord our God, … and in your light shall we see light Blessed be God for ever.

The candles are blessed, and we all respond Amen.

Processional Hymn

Please follow in procession if you are able.

When candles are lighted on Candlemas Day
the dark is behind us, and spring’s on the way.

Refrain: A glory dawns in every dark place,
the light of Christ, the fullness of grace.

The kings have departed, the shepherds have gone,
the child and his parents are left on their own. Refrain

They go to the temple, obeying the law,
and offer two pigeons, the gift of the poor. Refrain

But Anna and Simeon recognize there
the Christ-child who came at the turn of the year. Refrain

The old who have suffered and waited so long
see hope for the world as they welcome the young. Refrain

They gaze at God’s wonderful answer to prayer,
the joy of the Jews and the Gentiles’ desire. Refrain

The light is increasing and spring’s in the air.
Look back with thanksgiving! Look forward with awe! Refrain

Like Anna, like Simeon, may they have trust,
The eyes to see Jesus, and peace at the last. Refrain

The candles invite us to praise and to pray
when Christmas greets Easter on Candlemas Day. Refrain

Words: Elizabeth Cosnett (1936-2024)
Music: ‘Lourdes’ French Traditional Melody

When Sunday School is meeting, a prayer is said with our young people at this point before they leave for their session.

The Gloria and Collect

Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his 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.

(Music: Dom Gregory Murray (1905-92))

Lord Jesus Christ, light of the nations and glory of Israel: make your home among us, and present us pure and holy to your heavenly Father, your God, and our God

Amen.

Candles are extinguished at this point

Readings

(We sit)

First Reading (Malachi 3:1-5)

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

The cantors sing Psalm 24:1-10:

Please repeat the response after the Cantors and after each section:

7 Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors * and the King of glory shall come in.
8 ‘Who is the King of glory?’ * ‘The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord who is mighty in battle.’
9 Lift up your heads, O gates; be lifted up, you everlasting doors * and the King of glory shall come in.
10 ‘Who is this King of glory?’ * ‘The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory.’

Second reading (Hebrews 2:14-18)

This is the word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.

(We stand)

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The child is the light to enlighten the nations, and the glory of your people Israel.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Please turn to face the Gospel reading (Luke 2:22-40)

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Hear the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Luke. Glory to you, O Lord

This is the Gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.

Sermon

Fr Steven Shakespeare

The Liturgy of Baptism

The whole congregation is asked:

Faith is the gift of God to his people. In baptism the Lord is adding to our number those whom he is calling. People of God, will you welcome Finn Hendrix and uphold him in his new life in Christ?
With the help of God, we will.

The parents and godparents then stand, and are asked:

Parents and godparents, the Church receives Finn with joy. Today we are trusting God for his growth in faith. Will you pray for him, guide him by your example into the community of faith and walk with him in the way of Christ?
With the help of God, we will.

In baptism Finn begins his journey in faith. You speak for him today. Will you care for him, and help him to take his place within the life and worship of Christ’s Church?
With the help of God, we will.

In baptism, God calls us out of darkness into 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 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 priest makes the sign of the cross on the child’s forehead, saying:
Christ claims you for his own. Receive the sign of his cross

Do not be ashamed to confess the faith of Christ crucified.
Fight valiantly as a disciple of Christ against sin, the world and the devil, and remain faithful to Christ to the end of your life.

May almighty God deliver you from the powers of darkness, restore in you the image of his glory, and lead you in the light and obedience of Christ. Amen.

The prayer over the water begins with these responses:

Praise God who made heaven and earth,
who keeps his promise for ever.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
…be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.

Brothers and sisters, I ask you to profess together 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 his Son Jesus Christ?
I believe in Jesus Christ, his 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 to judge the living and the dead.

Do you believe and trust in 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.

Finn Hendrix, I baptize you in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

May God, who has received you by baptism into his Church, pour upon you the riches of his grace, that within the company of Christ’s pilgrim people you may daily be renewed by his anointing Spirit, and come to the inheritance of the saints in glory. Amen.

We are all then sprinkled with the water of baptism.

The Peace

(We stand)

There is one Lord, one faith, one baptism: Finn, by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body. We welcome you in the fellowship of faith; we are children of the same heavenly Father; we welcome you.

The peace of the Lord be always with you. And also with you.

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Offertory Hymn

Love Divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heaven, to earth come down,
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
All thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesu, thou art all compassion,
Pure unbounded love thou art;
Visit us with thy salvation,
Enter every trembling heart.

Come, almighty to deliver,
Let us all thy life receive;
Suddenly return, and never,
Never more thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
Serve thee as thy hosts above,
Pray, and praise thee, without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.

Finish then thy new creation,
Pure and spotless let us be;
Let us see thy great salvation,
Perfectly restored in thee,
Changed from glory into glory,
Till in heaven we take our place,
Till we cast our crowns before thee,
Lost in wonder, love, and praise!

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-88)
Music: ‘Blaenwern’ William Penfro Rowlands (1860-1937)

The Eucharistic Prayer

A prayer is said over the gifts on the altar, to which we respond Amen.

The Lord be with you
and also with you.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.

The seasonal part of the prayer follows and at the end the Cantors 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.

(Communion Service – John Rutter (born 1945))

We pray for the Holy Spirit to transform us and the gifts, and then the words of Jesus at the Last Supper are recalled:

The following acclamation is then used:

Great is the mystery of faith:
Christ has died:
Christ is risen:
Christ will come again.

The prayer continues with oblation and intercession, ending:

…all honour and glory are yours, O loving Father, for ever and ever. Amen.

Believing the promises of God, let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught us:

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.

Every time we eat this bread and drink this cup,
we proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.

The cantors sing:

Jesus, Lamb of God: have mercy on us.
Jesus, bearer of our sins: have mercy on us.
Jesus, redeemer of the world: give us your peace.

Come to this sacred table, not because you must, but because you may; come, not to declare that you are righteous, but that you desire to be true disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ; come, not because you are strong, but because you are weak; not because you have any claim on heaven’s rewards, but because in your frailty and sin you stand in constant need of heaven’s grace.

If you normally receive Communion in your own church then you are welcome to do so here, or you may prefer the priest to pray for God’s blessing on you. There are two standing stations for Communion in the centre but if you would prefer to kneel to receive Communion then please use the rail in the south aisle on the congregation’s left side.

Please indicate if you would rather receive a blessing. Gluten-free hosts are available.

During Communion

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word.
For mine eyes have seen : thy salvation;
Which thou hast prepared : before the face of all people;
To be a light to lighten the Gentiles : and to be the glory of thy people Israel.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost;
As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

Words: Luke 2.29-32 Music: John Henry Arnold (1887-1956)

Post-Communion Prayers

(We stand at ‘Let us pray’)

After the post-communion prayer we say together

We thank you, Lord, that you have fed us in this sacrament, united us with Christ, and given us a foretaste of the heavenly banquet prepared for all peoples. Amen.

Notices (please sit)

Please join us for refreshments after the service.

A collection is taken during the final hymn. Those preferring to donate online are invited to use the Donate button above, or our contactless donation point.

Final Hymn

Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
O’er the world’s tempestuous sea;
Guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
For we have no help but thee;
Yet possessing every blessing,
If our God our Father be.

Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us;
All our weakness thou dost know;
Thou didst tread this earth before us;
Thou didst feel its keenest woe;
Lone and dreary, faint and weary,
Through the desert thou didst go.

Spirit of our God, descending,
Fill our hearts with heavenly joy;
Love with every passion blending
Pleasure that can never cloy;
Thus provided, pardoned, guided,
Nothing can our peace destroy.

Words: James Edmeston (1791-1867)
Music: ‘ Mannheim’ Melody from Freidrich Filitz Choralbuch, 1847 harm Lowell Mason (1792-1872)

Blessing

(please stand)

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Christ, whose glory fills the skies, fill you with radiance and scatter the darkness from your path. Amen.
Christ, the Sun of Righteousness, gladden your eyes and warm your heart. Amen.
Christ, the Dayspring from on high, draw near to guide your feet into the way of peace. Amen.

…and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Giving of a lighted candle

God has delivered us from the dominion of darkness and has given us a place with the saints in light. Finn you have received the light of Christ; walk in this light all the days of your life.
Shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father.

Dismissal

Go in the light and peace of Christ.
Thanks be to God.

Organ: Processional – William Mathias (1934-92).

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops’ Council 2000. Hymns and other texts are reproduced under CCL licence number 556443 or One License licence number A-632593.