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LIVERPOOL ANGLICAN CATHEDRAL CENTENARY SERVICE

DEAN SUE:

Good morning and welcome to the great city of Liverpool.听 I am the Very Reverend Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool.听

2024 is a time for Liverpool Cathedral to celebrate. To give thanks to God for all the people who have contributed to the story of this great building over the last century and beyond.

The vast space behind me is the largest cathedral in Britain.听 Inside, the cathedral houses the world鈥檚 heaviest peel of bells and the largest pipe organ in the UK.

Let's head inside, where our worship this morning is led by the Cathedral choir,听 as they sing an anthem Cantate Domino 鈥� Sing a new song to the Lord

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MUSIC: CANTATE DOMINO听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 CHOIR

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You don鈥檛 have to go far in the city of Liverpool without meeting somebody with a personal connection with this building.听 91热爆 Radio Merseyside sought out memories from local people鈥�

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DEAN SUE:

Lord Jesus Christ, who has the Key of David, who opens and no one shuts, give your power, we pray, to us your servants, and grant that this house, now opened for your service, may always be filled with your presence, and may ever remain a refuge for your faithful people; for you live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen.

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That prayer was used at the consecration service of this building. For over a century, this cathedral has welcomed people of all faiths and none, both to worship and as tourists.听

Our head guide is Brian Dowling鈥�

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BRIAN DOWLING CONTRIBUTION

The building of Liverpool cathedral was first mooted as far back as the 19th century, following Liverpool being granted city status in 1880.听

On Tuesday 19th July 1904, around eight thousand of the rich and famous and a choir of one thousand, witnessed King Edward the seventh lay the foundation stone and building work finally started.

20 years later, in 1924, again the great and the good gathered to witness King George and Queen Mary signing the deed of Consecration....we have a cathedral.

We finally saw the building finished in 1978. 74 long, challenging and eventful years...but goodness me was it worth it, standing majestically above the city and The Mersey.听

More than 600,000 visitors come through our doors each year and we still hear "I'm from Liverpool, but we've never been to the cathedral before"听

I get asked about my favourite part. I suppose I shouldn't have favourites, but I absolutely adore the Lady Chapel. The western wall is decorated with picture windows celebrating famous local women, such as Kitty Wilkinson - an Irish migrant who became known as the 'Saint of the Slums' due to her pioneering the public wash house movement - and Agnes Jones, the first trained听Nursing听Superintendent of听Liverpool听Workhouse听Infirmary. She gave all her time and energy to her patients and died at the age of 35 from听typhus听fever.听Florence Nightingale听said of Agnes, 鈥楽he overworked as others underwork. I looked upon hers as one of the most valuable lives in听England.鈥�

The cathedral to me a place of hope, a place of faith, a meeting place for friends and family, a place to chat, seek help or guidance, a place to enjoy and a place not to be a stranger.听

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MUSIC: ALL MY HOPE听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 CHOIR & CONGREGATNT

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BIBLE READING听听听 Lucy McCullough

The first lesson is taken from Ephesians 鈥�

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19You are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are citizens with the saints and also members of the household of God,听built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the cornerstone.听In him the whole structure is joined together and grows into a holy temple in the Lord;听in whom you also are built together spiritually听into a dwelling-place for God.

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In 2018, Liverpool lost one of its best known citizens, Sir Ken Dodd.听 His funeral was here in the cathedral.听 Before today鈥檚 service, I spoke with Sir Ken鈥檚 widow, Lady Anne Dodd:

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LADY ANN DODD CONTRIBUTION

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MUSIC: PRAISE TO THE LORD听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 CHOIR & CONGREGATION

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DEAN SUE:

Liverpool is a much changed city from back in 1924 but the Cathedral has been a constant reminder of God鈥檚 hope for humanity.听 Canon Myles Davies was Canon Precentor here for 12 years and was ordained in this place 50 years ago鈥�.

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CANON MYLES CONTRIBUTION

In 1924, worship first took place in the main Cathedral. Bishop Chavasse, the then Bishop of Liverpool, wanted somewhere large enough for over three thousand people to see the pulpit and hear the gospel. He insisted that the cathedral must be built by all and for all.

All the seats are easily moved. There were never any pews. The space is breath-taking when it鈥檚 clear of furniture. Sometimes we expect every seat to be needed. One such time was in 1989, immediately after the Hillsborough disaster which caused the deaths of 97 Liverpool supporters in Sheffield, a memorial service took place for our grieving city. Alongside hymns and prayers, books of remembrance were carried through the cathedral by two supporters, one from Liverpool and one from Everton, and placed on the altar. Those books are still treasured here.

The cathedral has played host to the funerals of those loved by this city, such as Howard Kendall, Brian Labone, Roger Hunt, Bill Kenwright, Carla Lane and Sir Ken Dodd.

Each day people find their way here because they know that our doors are open. They may want to say a prayer or to light a candle. Sometimes they want to talk, and during most days we have chaplains who are here just to listen. Every person is important. They鈥檙e made in God鈥檚 image so they matter to us.

After 100 years I want to thank to God for Liverpool Cathedral.

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DEAN SUE:

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We are delighted that composer Will Todd has composed an anthem to mark the centenary, and in memory of Thomas Adams. The piece is a setting of words drawn from Colossians chapter one, 鈥� Immortal Love, Immortal Love called God鈥�.

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MUSIC: IMMORTAL LOVE, IMMORTAL LOVE CALLED GOD听听听听听听听听 CHOIR

Reading: Jeremiah 29: 5 鈥� 7, 11 - 14听听听听听听听听听听听听听 Josie Baker

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DEAN SUE: Our sermon has been delivered by the Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend Dr John Perumbalath鈥�

Today we mark and celebrate the centenary of the consecration of Liverpool Cathedral.

So what is a cathedral for? The biblical book of Jeremiah chapter 29, verse 7 gives a command: 鈥�seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you鈥� and Liverpool Cathedral fulfils that exhortation in so many ways. We talk about a cathedral built by the people for the people. That is a strong statement and encapsulation of the Jeremiah verse, and our desire and reality that we are rooted deeply here in this great city.

So how does Liverpool Cathedral seek the welfare of the city?听 First and foremost, as a place of worship. A community steeped in the rhythm and patterns of daily services.

Liverpool Cathedral seeks the welfare of the city when Liverpool is in pain. And it was entirely right that in 2012 my predecessor, Bishop James Jones, chose to reveal the truth about the Hillsborough tragedy in a place which could absorb the pain and support those affected.

Liverpool Cathedral seeks the welfare of the city when Liverpool has joy. Cathedral worship and events have been implanted in so many families鈥� Christmas traditions with the building packed out for so much of the time.

Liverpool Cathedral seeks the welfare of the city through seeking out the least and the lost. Working with our sisters and brothers at the Metropolitan Cathedral and other local churches we established Micah Liverpool, a charity providing emergency food provision and employability programmes as we work to help people鈥檚 lives improve. Mindful of the city鈥檚 migrant population the Farsi speaking service brings a disparate community together.

Liverpool Cathedral does not do this in isolation. It is striking that the inscription on the memorial for one of my predecessors, Bishop David Shepherd carries that very verse from Jeremiah. Along with the then Roman Catholic Archbishop Derek Worlock, Bishop David sought the welfare of the city through healing division, forging unity and focusing on the poor and needy.听听听 In 1982, this partnership culminated when Bishop Sheppard welcomed Pope John Paul into this building.听 The pair were awarded the freedom of the city in 1994.听 Their inspiration lives on through the work, mission and ministry of a cathedral that stands for the welfare of the city, and paints a picture of hope for anyone who sees a need to bring communities together in this country and around the world.

As we celebrate the centenary of its consecration and reflect on what a cathedral is for, we can see that over the last hundred years the activities of the cathedral have grown and changed.听 However its purpose and values remain constant, to be here for the people, to seek the welfare of the city. We pray that this cathedral that serves God and the people will continue to thrive to celebrate future centenaries, and remain a blessing to our city and our communities.

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MUSIC: O TASTE AND SEE听 听听听听听听听听听听听听听 CHOIR

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Bishop John explained, the relationship with our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters in Liverpool is one we treasure.听 It is appropriate that our prayers this morning are first led by the Metropolitan Cathedral鈥檚 Dean, Father Tony O鈥橞rien鈥� As we pray, we remember in repentance, that much of Liverpool鈥檚 wealth is founded on the legacy of the transatlantic slave trade.

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Father Tony O鈥橞rien

Almighty God, we thank you for sending us your Holy Spirit.听 May the Spirit unite the races and nations on earth to proclaim your glory. Unite us in love for you and for each other.听 Renew in us the desire to witness to your truth, that with renewed faith we may use our gifts to work for your kingdom of justice, truth and love.听 We make this prayer through Jesus Christ our Lord who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God forever and ever.听 Amen.

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Canon Philip Anderson

Almighty God, you laid a foundation for our faith in the death and resurrection of your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank you for all who built this Cathedral Church. We acknowledge too the wealth this city acquired by the slave trade, and ask that you would help us to speak and listen to the truth of our history, with confidence in your power to save. Bless us today with the gifts we need to sustain this place, sharing its meaning, and reveal your majesty, with the people to whom it belongs, for Jesus鈥� sake. Amen.

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Canon Val Jackson

Sovereign Lord of peoples and nations, we pray for all who are called to leadership among their fellows; give them vision to see far into the issues of their time, courage to uphold what they believe to be right and integrity in their words and motives; and may their service to their peoples promote the welfare and peace of the whole human race; through Jesus Christ out Lord. Amen

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Albert Osei

Loving and generous God, help us to open the doors of this Cathedral wide enough for us to entertain angels unawares. May all who enter this holy place catch a glimpse of your glory, encounter your love and leave with your blessing; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

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DEAN SUE to lead the Lord鈥檚 Prayer:

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.

Thank you for joining us in worship this morning. Our final hymn is one of celebration 鈥� Lord for the Years your love has kept and guided.

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LORD FOR THE YEARS听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听听 CHOIR & CONGREGATION

Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.

All: In the name of Christ. Amen.

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VOLUNTARY: Prelude on "Nun Danket Alle Gott" - J.S.Bach/Tracey

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