The Third Sunday in Advent

14th December 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 meets each week. 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 15 December
09.00 Morning Prayer
18.00 Legal Community Carol Services

Tuesday 16 December
09.00 Morning Prayer
19.00 Merseyside Fire and Rescue Carol Service

Wednesday 17 December
09.00 Morning Prayer
12.15 Eucharist

Thursday 18 December
09.00 Morning Prayer
18.30 St John Ambulance Carols

Friday 19 December
09.00 Morning Prayer
12.15 Eucharist
13.05 RC Mass
19.30 Bells

Saturday 20 December

Sunday 21 December
09.00 Morning Prayer
10.00 Parish Eucharist
11.45 Fire alarm test
18.00 Nine Lessons & Carols

Before the service

Organ: Es ist ein Ros entsprungen – Johannes Brahms (1833-97)

Opening Hymn

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

Hark! a thrilling voice is calling:
’Christ is nigh,’ it seems to say;
’Cast away the dreams of darkness,
O ye children of the day!’

Wakened by the solemn warning,
Let the earth-bound soul arise;
Christ, her Sun, all ill dispelling,
Shines upon the morning skies.

Lo! the Lamb, so long expected,
Comes with pardon down from heaven;
Let us haste, with tears of sorrow,
One and all to be forgiven;

That when next he comes with glory,
And the world is wrapped in fear,
With his mercy he may shield us,
And with words of love draw near.

Honour, glory, might and blessing
To the Father and the Son,
With the everlasting Spirit,
While eternal ages run.

Words: From the Latin Translated Edward Caswell (1814-78)
Music: ‘Merton’ William Henry Monk (1823-89)

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 third candle is lit on the Advent wreath.

People of God: return! You are called to be God’s own. From the mountains announce the good news. God comes in justice and peace, to all who follow his ways. You are God’s children.

Lord, make us one in the peace of Christ today and for ever. Amen.

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

Confession

When the Lord comes, he will bring to light the things now hidden in darkness, and will disclose the purposes of the heart. Therefore in the light of Christ let us confess our sins.

Turn to us again, O God our Saviour, and let your anger cease from us:
Kyrie, kyrie eleison. Kyrie, kyrie eleison.

Show us your compassion, O Lord, and grant us your salvation:
Christe, Christe eleison. Christe, christe eleison.

Your salvation is near for those that fear you, that glory may dwell in our land:
Kyrie, kyrie eleison. Kyrie, kyrie eleison.

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

God for whom we watch and wait, you sent John the Baptist to prepare the way of your Son: give us courage to speak the truth, to hunger for justice, and to suffer for the cause of right, with Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Readings

(We sit)

First Reading (Isaiah 35:1-10)

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

The Saint Nicholas’ Singers sing the Magnificat (Luke 1:47-55):

My soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.
For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his hand-maiden.
For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed.
For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name.
And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.
He hath showed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts.
He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek.
He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he hath sent empty away.
He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed, for ever.

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.

Music: From the Evening Service in C —Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924)

Second reading (James 5:7-10)

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

(We stand)

Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
The Spirit of the Lord is upon me. He has sent me to bring good news to the poor.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Please turn to face the Gospel reading (Matthew 11:2-11)

The Lord be with you. And also with you.

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

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

Sermon

Fr Philip Anderson

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:

Maranatha: Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
Lord hear us Lord graciously hear us
Lord in your mercy hear our prayer.

At the end:
Merciful Father, accept these prayers, for the sake of your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. 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

Longing for light, we wait in darkness.
Longing for truth, we turn to you.
Make us your own, your holy people,
Light for the world to see.

Refrain: Christ, be our light! Shine in our hearts.
Shine through the darkness.
Christ, be our light!
Shine in your church gathered today.

Longing for peace, our world is troubled.
Longing for hope, many despair.
Your word alone has power to save us.
Make us your living voice.
Refrain:

Longing for food, many are hungry.
Longing for water, many still thirst.
Make us your bread, broken for others,
Shared until all are fed.
Refrain:

Longing for shelter, many are homeless.
Longing for warmth, many are cold.
Make us your building, sheltering other,
Walls made of living stone.
Refrain:

Many the gifts, many the people,
Many the hearts that yearn to belong.
Let us be servants to one another,
Making your kingdom come.
Refrain:

Words: Bernadette Farrell (Born 1957)
Music: ‘Christ be our Light’ Bernadette Farrell (Born 1957)

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:

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus, Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis.
Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.
[Holy, holy, holy Lord God of Hosts. 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.]

(Mass for Four Voices – William Byrd (1540-1623))

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:

Jesus Christ is Lord:
Lord, by your cross and resurrection you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the world.

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.

Awaiting his coming in glory, 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:

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. (x2)
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem.
[Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. (x2)
Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, grant us 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

Be still my soul for God is near, he great high priest is with thee now. The Lord of life himself is here before whose face the angels bow. To make his heart thy lowly throne my Saviour God in love draws nigh. He gives himself unto his own, for whom he once came down to die. I come O Lord for thou dost call to blend thy pleading prayer to mine, to thee I give myself, my all and feed on thee and make thee mine Amen

Words: William Dalrymple Maclagan Music: Percy Whitlock (1903-46)

Post-Communion Prayers

(We stand at ‘Let us pray’)

After the post-communion prayer we say together

Almighty God, we thank you for feeding us with 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.

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

Hills of the North, rejoice,
Echoing songs arise,
Hail with united voice
Him who made earth and skies:
He comes in righteousness and love,
He brings salvation from above.

Isles of the Southern seas,
Sing to the listening earth,
Carry on the breeze
Hope of a world’s new birth:
In Christ shall all be made anew,
His word is sure, his promise true.

Land of the East, arise,
His is your brightest morn,
Great him with joyous eyes,
Praise shall his path adorn:
The God whom you have longed to know
In Christ draws near, and calls you now.

Shores of the utmost West,
Lands of the setting sun,
Welcome the heavenly guest
In whom the dawn has come:
He brings a never-ending light
Who triumphed o’er our darkest night.

Shout, as you journey on,
Songs be in every mouth,
Lo from the North they come,
From Easy and West and South:
In Jesus all shall find their rest,
In Him the sons of earth are blest.

Words: based on C. E. Oakley (1832-65)
Music: ‘Little Conrad’ Martin Shaw (1875-1958)

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 peace to love and serve the Lord.
In the name of Christ. Amen.

Organ: ‘Nun komm’ der Heiden Heiland’ BWV599 – Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750).

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.