I the Lord of sea and sky. I have heard my people's cry,
all who dwell in dark and sin my hand will save.
I who made the stars of night, I will make their darkness bright,
who will bear my light to them, whom shall I send?
Here I am Lord, is it I Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go Lord if you need me
I will hold your people in my heart.
I the Lord of snow and rain. I have borne my people's pain.
I have wept for love of them, they turn away,
I will break their hearts of stone,
give them hearts for love alone.
I will speak my word to them whom shall I send?
I the Lord of wind and flame. I will tend the poor and lame.
I will set a feast for them, my hand will save.
Finest bread I will provide till their hearts be satisfied.
I will give my life to them, whom shall I send ?
Offertory
Blessed are you Lord, God of all creation,
thanks to your goodness
this bread we offer.
Fruit of the earth, work of your hands,
it will become the bread of life.
Blessed be God, forever, Amen.
Blessed are you Lord God of all creation
thanks to your goodness
this wine we offer.
Fruit of the earth, work of your hands
it will become the cup of life.
Entrance Mass Sunday 10th January
Songs of thankfulness and praise,
Jesus, Lord, to you we raise,
manifested by the star
to the sages from afar;
branch of royal David’s stem
in your birth at Bethlehem;
anthems be to you addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.
Manifest at Jordan’s stream,
prophet, Priest, and King supreme;
and at Cana, wedding guest,
in your Godhead manifest;
manifest in power divine,
changing water into wine;
anthems be to you addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.
Manifest in making whole
palsied limbs and fainting soul;
manifest in valiant fight,
quelling all the devil’s might;
manifest in gracious will,
ever bringing good from ill;
anthems be to you addressed,
God in flesh made manifest.
Sun and moon shall darkened be,
stars shall fall, the heavens shall flee,
Christ will then like lightning shine,
all will see His glorious sign:
all will then the trumpet hear;
all will see the judge appear;
you by all will be confessed,
God in flesh made manifest.
Grant us grace to see you, Lord,
mirrored in your holy Word;
may we imitate you now,
and on us your grace endow;
that we like to you may be
at your great Epiphany;
and may praise you, ever blest,
God in flesh made manifest.
Recessional
We praise you O God; acclaim you as Lord.
All of creation resounds to the voice
of the heavenly host, united in song,
praising your majesty, praising your glory.
Alleluia alleluia, Holy is God, holy and strong.
Alleluia, alleluia. Holy Immortal One.
Apostles and prophets, the martyrs for Christ,
sing of your goodness while bathed
in the beams of your infinite love, your splendour and light,
praising your majesty, praising your glory.
Alleluia alleluia, Holy is God, holy and strong.
Alleluia, alleluia. Holy Immortal One.
Lord Jesus the Christ, your death brings us life.
Come with your judgement and grant us a
place in the Kingdom of God, at one with your saints.
praising your majesty, praising your glory.
Alleluia alleluia, Holy is God, holy and strong.
Alleluia, alleluia. Holy Immortal One.
Lord, grant us salvation, protect us from harm.
Free us from evil and bless us with mercy
as daily in you we trust and we hope.
praising your majesty, praising your glory.
Alleluia alleluia, Holy is God, holy and strong.
Alleluia, alleluia. Holy Immortal One.
St Joseph’s Church is CLOSED until further notice!
This decision has not been taken lightly. Please read the New Year Message from the Archbishop page 4.
Holy Communion outside Church
10 am Saturday
Sunday at 10.30am
To follow daily Mass on www.churchservices.tv/birkdale
If you scroll down the page you will find the latest recording of Mass.
The angel Gabriel from heaven came,
his wings as drifted snow, his eyes as flame.
“All hail,” said he, “thou lowly maiden Mary,
most highly favoured lady.” Gloria!
“For know a blessed Mother thou shalt be,
all generations laud and honour thee,
thy Son shall be Emmanuel, by seers foretold;
most highly favoured lady.” Gloria!
Then gentle Mary meekly bowed her head,
“to me be as it pleaseth God,” she said.
“My soul shall laud and magnify his holy name,
most highly favoured lady.” Gloria!
Of her, Emanuel, the Christ was born
How lovely on the mountains
are the feet of him
who brings good news, good news,
announcing peace,
proclaiming news of happiness:
Our God reigns. (6)
You watchmen, lift your voices
joyfully as one,
shout for your king, your king!
See eye to eye,
the Lord restoring Sion:
Our God reigns. (6)
Wasteplaces of Jerusalem,
break forth with joy!
We are redeemed, redeemed.
The Lord has saved
and comforted his people.
Our Gods reigns. (6)
Ends of the earth,
see the salvation of our God!
Jesus is Lord, is Lord!
Before the nations,
he has bared his holy arm.
Our God reigns. (6)
22nd November
Hail Redeemer, King divine!
Priest and Lamb, the throne is thine;
King, whose reign shall never cease,
prince of everlasting peace.
Refrain
Angels, saints and nations sing:
"Praised be Jesus Christ our King;
Lord of life, earth, sky and sea,
King of love on Calvary!"
King, whose name creation thrills,
rule our minds, our hearts, our wills;
till in peace, each nation rings
with thy praises, King of kings.
King most holy, King of truth,
guide the lowly, guide the youth;
Christ thou King of glory bright,
be to us eternal light.
Shepherd-king, o'er mountains steep
homeward bring the wandering sheep;
shelter in one royal fold
states and kingdoms, new and old.
1. Crown him with many crowns,
the Lamb upon his throne;
hark, how the heav'nly anthem drowns
all music but its own:
awake, my soul, and sing
of him who died for thee,
and hail him as thy matchless King
through all eternity.
2. Crown him the virgin's Son,
the God incarnate born,
whose arm those crimson trophies won
which now his brow adorn;
fruit of the mystic rose,
as of that rose the stem,
the root, whence mercy ever flows,
the babe of Bethlehem.
3. Crown him the Lord of love;
behold his hands and side,
rich wounds, yet visible above,
in beauty glorified: no angel in the sky
can fully bear that sight,
but downward bends his burning eye
at mysteries so bright.
4. Crown him the Lord of peace,
whose pow'r a sceptre sways
from pole to pole,
that wars may cease,
absorbed in prayer and praise:
his reign shall know no end,
and round his pierced feet
fair flowers of paradise extend
their fragrance ever sweet.
5. Crown him the Lord of heaven,
one with the Father known,
and the blest Spirit through him given
from yonder triune throne:
all hail, Redeemer, hail,
for thou hast died for me;
thy praise shall never, never fail
throughout eternity.
Entrance Hymn: Mass 8th November
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
Oh Saviour, whose almighty word
the winds and waves submissive heard.
Who walked'st on the foaming deep,
and calm amidst its rage didst sleep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O sacred Spirit! Who didst brood
Upon the waters dark and rude,
and bid its angry tumult cease,
and give, for wild confusion, peace;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea!
O Trinity of love and power!
Our brethren shield in danger's hour;
From rock and tempest, fire and foe,
Protect them wheresoe'er they go;
and evermore shall rise to Thee
Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.
May the choirs of angels come to greet you.
May they speed you to paradise.
May the Lord enfold you in his mercy.
May you find eternal life.
Recessional Hymn:
1. I vow to thee, my country,
all earthly things above,
entire and whole and perfect,
the service of my love;
the love that asks no question,
the love that stands the test,
that lays upon the altar,
the dearest and the best;
the love that never falters,
the love that pays the price,
the love that makes undaunted
the final sacrifice.
2. And there’s another country,
I’ve heard of long ago,
most dear to them that love her,
most great to them that know;
we may not count her armies,
we may not see her King;
her fortress is a faithful heart,
her pride is suffering;
and soul by soul and silently
her shining bounds increase,
and her ways are ways of gentleness
and all her paths are peace.
1. By all your saints still striving,
for all your saints at rest,
your holy Name, O Jesus,
for evermore be blessed.
You rose, our King victorious,
that they might wear the crown
and ever shine in splendour
reflected from your throne.
2. Apostles, prophets, martyrs,
and all the noble throng
who wear the spotless raiment
and raise the ceaseless song:
for them and those who witness
is only known to you.
By walking in their footsteps
we give you praise anew.
3. Then let us praise the Father
and worship God the Son
and sing to God the Spirit,
eternal Three in One,
till all the ransomed number
who stand before the throne
ascribe all pow’r and glory
and praise to God alone.
1. For all the saints who from their labours rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus be for ever bless.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
2. Thou wast their rock, their fortress & their might;
thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
thou in the darkness drear their one true light.
3. O blest communion! Fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
4. From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Oh, the love of my Lord is the essence
Of all that I love here on earth.
All the beauty I see, He has given to me,
And his giving is gentle as silence.
Every day, every hour, every moment,
Have been blessed by the strength of His love.
At the turn of each tide, He is there at my side,
And his touch is as gentle as silence.
There've been times when I've turned from his presence,
And I've walked other paths, other ways,
But I've called on his name, in the dark of my shame
And his mercy was gentle as silence.
This is my body, broken for you,
bringing you wholeness, making you free.
Take it and eat it, and when you do,
do it in love for me.
This is my blood, poured out for you,
bringing forgiveness, making you free.
Take it and drink it, and when you do,
do it in love for me.
Back to my Father, soon I shall go.
Do not forget me; then you will see.
I am still with you, and you will know
you’re very close to me.
Filled with my Spirit, how you will grow!
You are my branches; I am the tree.
If you are faithful, others will know
you are alive in me.
Love one another – I have loved you,
and I have shown you how to be free;
serve one another, and when you do,
do it in love for me.
God, whose almighty word,
chaos and darkness heard,
and took their flight:
hear us, we humbly pray,
and where the gospel-day
sheds not its glorious ray,
let there be light!
Saviour, who came to bring
on your redeeming wing
healing and sight,
health to the sick in mind,
sight to the inly blind:
O now to all mankind
let there be light!
Spirit of truth and love,
life-giving, holy dove,
speed forth your flight!
move on the water's face
bearing the lamp of grace
and, in earth's darkest place
let there be light!
Blessed and holy Three,
glorious Trinity,
wisdom, love, might:
boundless as ocean's tide
rolling in fullest pride
through the world far and wide,
let there be light!
In Christ there is no East or West,
in Him no South or North.
But one great fellowship of love
throughout the whole wide earth.
In Him shall true hearts everywhere
their high communion find.
His service is the golden cord
close-binding all mankind.
Join hands, then, brothers of the faith,
what’er your race may be;
who serves my Father as a son
is surely kin to me.
In Christ now meet both East and West
in Him meet South and North.
All Christly souls are one in Him,
throughout the whole wide earth.
Hymn Sunday 4th October
Come, ye thankful people, come,
raise the song of harvest-home!
All be safely gathered in,
ere the winter storms begin;
God, our maker, doth provide
for our wants to be supplied;
come to God’s own temple come;
raise the song of harvest-home!
We ourselves are God’s own field,
fruit unto his praise to yield:
wheat and tares together sown,
unto joy or sorrow grown;
first the blade and then the ear,
then the full corn shall appear:
grant, O harvest Lord, that we
wholesome grain and pure may be.
For the Lord our God shall come
and shall take his harvest home;
from his field shall purge away
all that doth offend, that day,
dive his angels charge at last
in the fire the tares to cast,
but the fruitful ears to store
in his garner evermore.
Then, thou Church triumphant, come,
raise the song of harvest-home
all be safely gathered in,
free from sorrow, free from sin,
there for ever purified
in God’s garner to abide;
come, then thousand angels, come,
raise the glorious harvest-home!
All creatures of our God and King,
lift up your voice and with us sing
alleluia, alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam,
thou silver moon with softer gleam:
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Thou rushing wind that art so strong,
ye clouds that sail in heaven along,
O praise him, alleluia!
Thou rising morn, in praise rejoice,
ye lights of evening, find a voice:
O praise him, O praise him,
alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Hymn this weekend
Praise to the holiest in the height
and in the depths be praise,
in all his words most wonderful
most sure in all His ways.
O loving wisdom of our God!
When all was sin and shame,
a second Adam to the fight,
and to the rescue came.
O wisest love! That flesh and blood
which did in Adam fail,
should strive afresh against the foe,
should strive and should prevail.
And that a higher gift than grace
should flesh and blood refine.
God’s presence and his very self,
and Essence all divine.
O generous love! That he who smote
in man for man the foe,
the double agony in man
for man should undergo.
And in the garden secretly
and on the Cross on high,
should teach his brethren, and inspire
to suffer and to die.
Praise to the Holiest in the height,
and in the depth be praise,
in all his words most wonderful
most sure in all his ways.
We plough the fields and scatter
the good seed on the land,
but it is fed and watered
by God's almighty hand:
He sends the snow in winter,
the warmth to swell the grain,
the breezes and the sunshine,
and soft, refreshing rain.
All good gifts around us
are sent from heaven above;
Then thank the Lord,
O thank the Lord,
for all his love.
He only is the maker
of all things near and far;
He paints the wayside flower,
He lights the evening star;
the winds and waves obey him,
by him the birds are fed;
much more to us, his children,
He gives our daily bread.
We thank thee then, O Father,
for all things bright and good,
the seed time and the harvest,
our life, our health, our food.
Accept the gifts we offer
for all thy love imparts,
and that which thou desirest,
our humble, thankful hearts.
Friday 15 May Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
The Sorrowful Mysteries
“My heart is ready, O God” Psalm 56(57)
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thine intercession was left unaided.
Inspired by this confidence, I fly unto thee, O Virgin of virgins, my mother; to thee do I come, before thee I stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me.
Amen.
Monday 11 May
The Joyful Mysteries
“Not to us Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory.” Psalm 113B (115)
Sunday 10 May
The Glorious Mysteries
“May your love be upon us O Lord, as we place all our hope in you.” Psalm 32(33)
Saturday 10 May
The Glorious Mysteries
“Sing a new song to the Lord for he has worked wonders.” Psalm 97(98)
The Archbishop has produced a video message for Easter.
Please follow the link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwviBcoYXVY
Good Friday reflection
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBHjJiW2YH0&t=12s
The Archbishop has recorded a video message to mark the re-dedication of England as the Dowry of Mary.
St Joseph’s Church will be closed from tomorrow 24 March.
Archbishop Malcolm has asked that all churches be closed with immediate effect until further notice.
United in prayer.
God bless you all
Fr Atli and Deacon Bill