Seventh Sunday of Easter

1st June 2025

The Parish Eucharist

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.

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Calendar for the Week

Monday 02 June
09.00 Morning Prayer

Tuesday 03 June
09.00 Morning Prayer

Wednesday 04 June
09.00 Morning Prayer
12.15 Eucharist

Thursday 05 June
09.00 Morning Prayer

Friday 06 June
09.00 Morning Prayer
12.15 Eucharist
13.05 RC Mass
19.30 Bells

Saturday 07 June

Sunday 08 June
09.00 Morning Prayer
10.00 Parish Eucharist
11.45 Fire alarm test

Before the service

Organ: Melody – Alfred Hollins (1865-1942)

Opening Hymn

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

Hail the day that sees him rise, Alleluya!
To his throne above the skies; Alleluya!
Christ, the Lamb for sinners given, Alleluya!
Enters now the highest heaven! Alleluya!

There for him high triumph waits; Alleluya!
Lift your heads, eternal gates! Alleluya!
He hath vanquished death and sin; Alleluya!
Take the King of glory in. Alleluya!

Lo. the heaven its Lord receives, Alleluya!
Yet he loves the earth he leaves: Alleluya!
Though returning to his throne, Alleluya!
Still he calls mankind his own. Alleluya!

See! He lifts his hands above; Alleluya!
See! He shows the prints of love: Alleluya!
Hark! His gracious lips bestow Alleluya!
Blessings on his Church below. Alleluya!

Still for us he intercedes; Alleluya!
His prevailing death he pleads; Alleluya!
Near himself prepares our place, Alleluya!
He the first-fruits of our race. Alleluya!

Lord, though parted from our sight, Alleluya!
Far above yon azure height, Alleluya!
Grant our hearts may thither rise, Alleluya!
Seeking thee beyond the skies. Alleluya!

Words: Charles Wesley (1707-88) Thomas Cotterill (1779-1823) and others
Music: ‘Llanfair’ Melody by Robert Williams of Anglesey (1782-1818)

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

Alleluia! Christ is risen! He is risen indeed! Alleluia!

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

Confession

Most merciful God, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, we confess that we have sinned in thought, word and deed. We have not loved you with our whole heart. We have not loved our neighbours as ourselves. In your mercy forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and direct what we shall be; that we may do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with you, our God. Amen.

We receive an absolution, assuring us of God’s forgiveness.

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))

Risen, ascended Lord, as we rejoice at your triumph, fill your Church on earth with power and compassion, that all who are estranged by sin may find forgiveness and know your peace, to the glory of God the Father.

Amen.

Readings

(We sit)

First Reading (Acts 16:16-34)

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

The Saint Nicholas’ Singers sing Psalm 97:

  1. The Lord is King, the earth may be glad thereof * yea, the multitude of the isles may be glad thereof.
  2. Clouds and darkness are round about him * righteousness and judgement are the habitation of his seat.
  3. There shall go a fire before him * and burn up his enemies on every side.
  4. His lightnings gave shine unto the world * the earth saw it, and was afraid.
  5. The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord * at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
  6. The heavens have declared his righteousness * and all the people have seen his glory.
  7. Confounded be all they that worship carved images, and that delight in vain gods * worship him, all ye gods.
  8. Sion heard of it, and rejoiced * and the daughters of Judah were glad, because of thy judgements, O Lord.
  9. For thou, Lord, art higher than all that are in the earth * thou art exalted far above all gods.
  10. O ye that love the Lord, see that ye hate the thing which is evil * the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints; he shall deliver them from the hand of the ungodly.
  11. There is sprung up a light for the righteous * and joyful gladness for such as are true-hearted.
  12. Rejoice in the Lord, ye righteous * and give thanks for a remembrance of his holiness.

Second reading (Revelation 22:12-14, 16-17, 20-21)

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

(We stand)

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
I will not leave you orphaned, says the Lord. Because I live, you also will live.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Please turn to face the Gospel reading (John 17:20-26)

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

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

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

Sermon

Mthr Jennifer Brady

The Creed

(We stand)

We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, maker of heaven and earth, of all that is, seen and unseen.

We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, of one Being with the Father; through him all things were made. For us and for our salvation he came down from heaven, was incarnate from the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and was made man. For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate; he suffered death and was buried. On the third day he rose again in accordance with the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end.

We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son, who with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, who has spoken through the prophets.

We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

The Intercessions

(please kneel or sit)

Any of the following may be used:

Lord hear us Lord graciously hear us
We pray to the Father. Hear our prayer.

At the end:
… One God, now and forever. Amen
… Through Christ our Lord, Amen

The Peace

(We stand)

The Peace is introduced, followed by:

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

Let us offer one another a sign of peace.

Offertory Hymn

Alleluya, sing to Jesus,
His the sceptre, his the throne;
Alleluya, his the triumph,
His the victory alone:
Hark the songs of peaceful Sion
Thunder like a mighty flood;
Jesus, out of every nation,
Hath redeemed us by his blood.

Alleluya, not as orphans
Are we left in sorrow now;
Alleluya, he is near us,
Faith believes, nor questions how;
Though the cloud from sight received him
When the forty days were o’er,
Shall our hearts forget his promise,
‘I am with you evermore’?

Alleluya, Bread of Angels,
Thou on earth our food, our stay;
Alleluya, here the sinful
Flee to thee from day to day;
Intercessor, Friend of sinners,
Earth’s Redeemer, plead for me,
Where the songs of all the sinless
Sweep across the crystal sea.

Alleluya, King eternal,
Thee the Lord of lords we own;
Alleluya, born of Mary,
Earth thy footstool, heaven thy throne:
Thou within the veil hast entered,
Robed in flesh, our great High Priest;
Thou on earth both Priest and Victim
In the Eucharistic Feast.

Words: William Chatterton Dix (1837-98)
Music: ‘Hyfrydol’ Rowland Huw Prichard (1811-87)

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 Saint Nicholas Singers sing:

Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of thy glory.
Glory be to thee, O Lord most high.
Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.

(Short Communion Service – Adrian Batten (1591-1637))

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:

Christ is the bread of life:
When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.

The prayer continues with oblation and intercession, ending:

…we worship you, Father almighty, in songs of everlasting praise:
Blessing and honour and glory and power be yours for ever and ever. Amen.

Being made one by the Spirit, 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 Saint Nicholas’ Singers sing:

O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon us.
O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, grant us thy peace.

Alleluia. Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.
Therefore let us keep the feast. Alleluia.

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

God is gone up with a merry noise * and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.

Words: Psalm 47.5
Music: William Croft (1678-1727)

Post-Communion Prayers

(We stand at ‘Let us pray’)

After the post-communion prayer we say together

Faithful God, in baptism you have adopted us as your children, made us members of the body of Christ and chosen us as inheritors of your kingdom: we thank you that in this Eucharist you renew your promises within us, empower us by your Spirit to witness and to serve, and send us out as disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. 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

Christ triumphant, ever reigning,
Saviour, Master, King,
Lord of heav’n, our lives sustaining,
Hear us as we sing:

Refrain
Yours the glory and the crown,
The high renown, the eternal name.

Word incarnate, truth revealing,
Son of Man on earth!
Pow’r and majesty concealing
By your humble birth:

Refrain

Suff’ring servant, scorned, ill-treated,
Victim crucified!
Death is through the cross defeated,
Sinners justified:

Refrain

Priestly King, enthroned for ever
High in heav’n above!
Sin and death and hell shall never
Stifle hymns of love:

Refrain

So, our hearts and voices raising
Through the ages long,
Ceaselessly upon your gazing,
This shall be our song:

Refrain

Words: Michael Saward (1932-2015)
Music: ‘Guiting Power’ - John Barnard (b.1948)

Blessing and Dismissal

(please stand)

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

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

Go in the peace of Christ. Alleluia, Alleluia.
Thanks be to God. Alleluia, Alleluia.

Organ: Allegro Marziale (Six Pieces for Organ) – Frank Bridge (1879-1941).

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.