Order of Service
Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral
3pm, 9th October 2005.
Procession
Organ
Welcome
Dean of the Cathedral, Mgr Peter Cookson
Hymn
GOD’S LOVE FOR HIS PEOPLE (P Dreamer)
God is love: his the care
Tending each, everywhere
God is love, all is there!
Jesus came to show him,
That mankind might know him!
Sing aloud, loud, loud!
Sing aloud, loud, loud!
God is good!
God is truth! God is beauty! Praise him!
(4 verses)
Scripture Reading
Linda McDermott
A reading from St Paul’s letter to the Romans (8:18-39)
I consider the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God; for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will but by the will of him who subjected it in hope; because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay and obtain the glorious freedom of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as children, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what they see? But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.
Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with sighs too deep for words. And he who searches the hearts of men knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.
We know that in everything God works for good with those who love him, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first born among many brethren. And those whom he predestined, he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified.
What then shall we say to this? If God is for us, who is against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, will he not also give us all things with him? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies; who is to condemn? Is it Christ Jesus, who died, yes, who was raised from the dead, who is at the right hand of God, who indeed intercedes for us? Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
No, in all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Bidding Prayers
Dear Lord
We think of children in hospital for diagnosis, tests and treatment
We think of children who visit the clinics for treatment and assessment
We think of children who have finished treatment and are still ill
We think of children who have finished treatment and are well
We pray for the brothers and sisters of children with cancer
We pray for the parents, relatives and carers of children with cancer
We pray for all the doctors, nurses and other professionals who look after children with cancer
Lord, in your mercy
(Hear our prayer)
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Dear Lord
Be with all those whose lives have been touched by cancer and who need strength to face each new day with hope and courage.
Their hope is for recovery and many times this is granted but sometimes this is not to be and they have to accept whatever the future brings. Please hold them all in your hands, Lord, ease their fear and bring them your healing and wholeness.
Lord, in your mercy
(Hear our prayer)
Hymn
GOD BE IN MY HEAD (Walford Davies)
Choir
Prayer
Major Mary Bullock
Bidding Prayers
Dear Lord
We thank you for doctors and nurses and all who work in hospitals. May they continue to use their knowledge and skills to bring comfort and ease to all those who suffer from cancer.
Lord, be with all carers who spend days and years working to bring relief to those with cancer. at times they see recovery which is wonderful but there are times when the results of treatment are disappointing – please give them strength and hope and the love to carry on
Lord, in your mercy
(Hear our prayer)
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Dear Lord
The loss of a child, parent, partner or friend is very hard to bear.
We feel we cannot cope but know we have to. You only ask us to live one day at a time and sufficient strength will be given us for that day. May we always remember this. May those of us who are able, with your help, to support those who are bereaved, helping them through each day.
Lord, in your mercy
(Hear our prayer)
Hymn
O FOR THE WINGS OF A DOVE (Mendelssohn)
Choir
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Poem (To be confirmed)
Roger Phillips
Hymn
I CANNOT TELL WHY HE WHOM ANGELS WORSHIP
(Words: William John Fullerton Tune: Londonderry Air)
I cannot tell how he whom angels worship
should stoop to love the peoples of the earth,
or why as shepherd he should seek the wanderer
with his mysterious promise of new birth.
But this I know, that he was born of Mary,
when Bethlehem's manger was his only home,
and that he lived at Nazareth and laboured,
and so the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is come.
I cannot tell how silently he suffered,
as with his peace he graced this place of tears,
or how his heart upon the cross was broken,
the crown of pain to three and thirty years.
But this I know, he heals the broken-hearted,
and stays our sin, and calms our lurking fear,
and lifts the burden from the heavy laden,
for yet the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is here.
I cannot tell how he will win the nations,
how he will claim his earthly heritage,
how satisfy the needs and aspirations
of east and west, of sinner and of sage.
But this I know, all flesh shall see his glory,
and he shall reap the harvest he has sown,
and some glad day his sun shall shine in splendour
when he the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is known.
I cannot tell how all the lands shall worship,
when, at his bidding, every storm is stilled,
or who can say how great the jubilation
when every heart with perfect love is filled.
But this I know, the skies will thrill with rapture,
and myriad, myriad human voices sing,
and earth to heaven, and heaven to earth, will answer:
'At last the Saviour, Saviour of the world, is King!'
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Bidding Prayers
Dear Lord
We pray for all those in local and national government and for those who hold positions of authority in providing health care. As they allocate resources and plan services, please grant them the wisdom, strength and compassion to ensure that everyone with cancer has access without delay to the best treatment and care.
Lord, in your mercy
(Hear our prayer)
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Dear Lord
We bring before you today those who devote their lives to research into the causes of cancer trying to find a cure.
Help them to do their work successfully and to share their knowledge to the benefit of all who wish to see the ravages of this terrible disease ended. Be with them at all times to guide and strengthen them in their constant search for the knowledge that will finally see an end to the suffering and heartache caused by cancer.
Lord, in your mercy
(Hear our prayer)
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Reflection
Mgr Peter Cookson
Hymn
THE LORD IS MY SHEPHERD
(John Rutter)
Choir
Prayer
Canon Anthony Hawley
Candle lighting
Organ
The lighting of candles now takes place. If you would like to light a candle and place it on the altar steps for yourself or someone else or in memory of someone dear to you, please follow the guidance of the stewards.
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Closing Words
Canon Cookson
Reading of Memento (all join in)
Rev David Williams, Hospital Chaplain, Alder Hey
Cancer is so limited…
It cannot cripple love
It cannot shatter hope
It cannot corrode faith
It cannot eat away peace
It cannot destroy confidence
It cannot kill friendship
It cannot shut out memories
It cannot silence courage
It cannot invade the soul
It cannot reduce eternal life
It cannot quench the Spirit
It cannot lessen the power of the Resurrection
Final Blessing
Canon Cookson/Major Bullock/Canon Hawley/ Rev David Williams
Final Hymn
HOW GREAT THOU ART
O Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the works Thy hand has made,
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee,
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to Thee:
How great Thou art, How great Thou art!
Then through the woods and forest glades I wander,
and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur,
and hear the brook, and feel the gentle breeze;
Then sings my soul….
And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in
that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin
Then sings my soul….
When Christ shall come with shout of acclamation
and take me home, what joy shall fill my heart;
then I shall bow in humble adoration,
and there proclaim, my God, how great Thou art.
Then sings my soul….
During the final hymn a collection will be taken to defray expenses
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