News

Resources for Worship at Home

Here are a few resources and ideas to support and encourage you in your life of prayer and worship as Church meets in different ways.

St. Andrew’s, St. Chad’s and St. Martin’s have various services and resources online, including via Youtube, Facebook and email. In between, we want to encourage you in your own discipleship. Below are a number of ways that you can resource yourself:

Website and Social Media: Connect with Kirkby Parish on Facebook.  
Dial-a-Sermon! Each week, we will be putting prayers, readings and a reflection on a special phone line that anyone can ring and listen to. Just dial 0151 318 0808 from any phone. Calls are local rate, and usually included in your phone line.
Virtual Broadcasts: Each Sunday, (8am on local BBC radio & available online from 9am), there will be a national virtual church service. 
Child Friendly Virtual Broadcasts: Worship for Everyone is All Age worship led by Nick and Becky Drake. Find Worship for Everyone on Facebook, broadcasting on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 4pm. 
Radio & TV: The BBC offer a range of worship services or input from faith communities throughout the week. You can listen on BBC Radio 2 (88-91FM), BBC Radio 3 (90-93FM) and BBC Radio 4 (92-95FM). There is also a Sunday Service on BBC Radio Merseyside (95.8FM) and Songs of Praise is available to watch on BBC One (and iPlayer). Check local listings for more details.  
C of E Daily Prayer: Available every day – morning, evening and night time, there are prayers and songs and scripture to read through as you begin your day or reflect on what has been. Click here to access (https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer); or you can download the app through the App Store or Google Play. 
Time to Pray: This resource offers everything you need for Prayer during the Day, with variations according to the day of the week and the season of the Church’s year. Download the app through the App Store or Google Play. 
Bible in One Year: Available every day this resource offers audio readings and commentary to walk you through each day’s bible readings. You can receive this as a daily e-mail by subscribing (https://www.bibleinoneyear.org/bioy); or download the app though the App Store or Google Play. 
Lectio365: This is a daily prayer resource that is a really helpful way to start and frame each day as we seek to live as disciples of Jesus. Download the app though the App Store or Google Play. 

There are also a number of books & podcasts available for use. These are both really useful ways to explore your faith, if interested in either of these speak to one of the clergy for recommendations. 

Thanks to St. Gabriel’s Huyton Quarry for coming up with the original version of this list, and for sharing it with us.

Sunday Club at Home

Hi Everyone,

This is our 2nd Activity sheet that you can do at home as a family.
It will like last week include a story, YouTube song, a craft/activity and a Prayer. This activity sheet is aimed at Toddlers and Primary school children
Enjoy and have fun.

You can do the stuff below, or download everything as a pdf here, including a Wordsearch.

Song

STORY

This week’s reading is John 5:2-5. The story is about Jesus healing the man who couldn’t walk and who waited a long time for someone to help.

There is a YouTube video that you may want to watch:

Reflection on the Story

The man at the pool had waited a long time for someone to help him into the water. Other people always seemed to get in first. It must have been very frustrating for him. Sometimes we get frustrated because we want something right now, but it’s not the right time and we have to wait.

We are moving towards Easter and we have to wait because it’s still Lent. We want to be able to do all the things we used to do like playing with friends and going to school or even the Zoo but it is not the right time we have to wait. Waiting can be a bit boring but for the next few weeks we have to stay at home. But it is time to think of lots of other ways we can have fun – how about phoning a friend or one of your family, going to the Zoo or a museum online, drawing a picture of a rainbow and putting it in your window, looking at the wonderful wildlife outside our windows. There is still lots we can say thank you for.

The activities that are for this session are around what it’s like to wait. The activities for this session are as follows –
You can choose to do one or more activities

  1. You can make a den with chairs and sheets and sit inside, think about how lonely it can be to sit on our own, and having to wait for something to happen. Say thank you for our family and friends. Make up some games you play in the den.
  2. Make a biscuit in the shape of a person (gingerbread man) and say thank you for all the people who help us and pray for those are lonely and unable to move around.
  3. Draw a rainbow and on each colour put the name of someone who helps us when we get frustrated.
  4. Write a list of all the exciting things we have to wait to happen.

Prayer – this prayer has actions – praise – lift hands in the air / love – make heart shape / never ends – stretch out the arms

Dear God you love us just the way we are – whatever way we look, talk or walk.

We praise you, Lord, because your love never ends.

You care about what happens to us each day – when we are worried help us to talk to others.
We praise you, Lord, because your love never ends.

Sometimes it is hard to be patient when we are waiting for something we want to happen. Help us God to be patient.
We praise you, Lord, because your love never ends.

We pray for….. (add in own prayer for family, NHS etc)

We praise you, Lord, because your love never ends.

We thank you God that even though we are not in school or church we are still one big family.
We praise you, Lord, because your love never ends.

Song

And a bonus: a Veggie Tales episode about feeling low.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aEzLQTVcXZ0

Here’s the Veggie Tales discussion guide for the episode.

In loving memory of Scott Clarke

In loving memory of Scott Clarke.

Order of Service

Wednesday, 25th March, 2020

This is the service that will take place for Scott at Anfield Cemetery. It should have taken place in St. Chad’s. We are putting the service here in the hope that anyone who can’t attend the service will feel able to join in wherever they are. The music that Scott’s family have chosen for the service is embedded below.

Opening Music: Dignity, Deacon Blue

Welcome and Opening Prayer

Jesus said: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.

We know that today some have gathered in Anfield Cemetery to remember Scott, and others will be remembering Scott wherever they are. We are prevented from being together, but we know that wherever we are, God is with us.

So we remember Scott, celebrate his life, give thanks for all that he meant to us, and to acknowledge the pain that parting brings.

We have a job to do today, and a longer task to get underway. 
First, to acknowledge the shock of Scott’s death.
Then we should take the time and space we need to say goodbye. 
We remember all the good that was present in the years
it was given to Scott to share with us.
And then we seek to find healing and peace
to enable the journey of grief to move on. 

That journey can bring many different emotions.

You may feel numb or angry, helpless and lost.
You need space and time to grieve and to remember. 
At some points, you may need silence, quiet, space to be alone.
At other times, you will need company, story and conversation. 

There is no right or wrong way to feel when someone dies
so in a moment of quiet, let us share our feelings with God.

God, in our vulnerability and loss
help us to hold one another in love.
Strengthen us, and comfort us.
Enable our tears. Hear our sighs.
Help us to live through our doubt.
Teach us the truth that the darkness
has never overcome the light of your love.
Help us to care for each other
and to love each other through this grief. Amen

Reading: Born and Lived a Red

I was born and lived a red,
My passion, my pride, it’s what I bled.
I was a Kopite through and through,
My heart chose red, discarded blue.
I saw the whole of Shankly’s reign,
The Mersey flowed inside my veins.

The light shines bright on Anfield’s crowd,
In wind and rain it’s just as proud.
I’ll be there no matter what,
chanting loud upon the Kop.
When you hear that Anfield roar,
That’s me cheering Liverpool once more.

My echoes whistle through Stanley Park,
With sweet silver songs of larks.
Up above now is where I lie,
Past the storms in golden skies.
On Liver bird wing’s my heart is flown,
For I will never walk alone.

Reading: Death is nothing at all

I have only slipped away into the next room. I am I and you are you. Whatever we were to each other that we are still. Call me by my old familiar name, speak to me in the easy way you always used. Put no difference into your tone, wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow. Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we always enjoyed together. Play, smile, think of me, pray for me. Let my name be ever the household word that it always was. Let it be spoken without effort, without the ghost of a shadow in it. Life means all that it ever meant, it is the same as it ever was. There is absolute unbroken continuity. What is death but a negligible accident? Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight? I am waiting for you for an interval, somewhere very near, just around the corner. All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost, one brief moment and all will be as it was before. How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again!

Eulogy: Memories of Scott

Scott will be remembered as one of the lads – Jack the Lad, always a joker with a sense of humour. But he doted on his boys, Reuben and Lennon, was a passionate Red, and loved his music concerts.

He was from Kirkby originally, the younger brother of Paula and Lee, with his Mum and Dad, Eleanor and Richie. Growing up, he was a bit of a daredevil, always up to some mischief. School was Ravenscroft Nursery, then Eastcroft and Ruffwood, although it’s fair to say that it wasn’t his favourite way of spending his time. When he finished school, he had a few jobs, mainly as a scaffolder and labourer with his Dad. He travelled to the Netherlands and Norway putting up scaffolding for the festivals, and his family have pictures of him with his top off – he was a real sun lover. His love of travel was also present in the trips around Europe following Liverpool Football Club with his friends, and holidays to Ayia Napa, etc. with them. And he liked going up to Southport for the parades on the 12th July, and he loved playing footie – regular games of 5-a-side.

But the most important thing in his life was his two boys, Reuben and Lennon, who he absolutely doted on. He was a brilliant Dad, and they helped look after him as well. He loved taking them out, to the cinema, for meals, the motorbike show.

A couple of stories about Scott. When they were younger, Paula was left in charge while their parents were away. Paula and Lee had an ice fight, and managed to break the window in the front door. They put a brick in the front porch to try and avoid the blame, but Scott grassed them up. And on another occasion when his Mum and Dad were going on holiday, they got to the airport to find that their flight was delayed, so they decided they might as well wait at home. On returning, it’s hard to say who was more horrifed, them or Scott, when they came in and discovered his preparations for a party. But of course, Scott was the baby, so he got away with murder.

Life for him was at its best firstly when he was with his mates, and then with his boys. And when he had to face the challenges that life holds, still had a happy face and got on with life. His strength of character was shown in the way that he managed to rebuild his independence after his accident, and he always had a smile.

Scott could be stubborn, and he was always right, of course, but he was funny and witty, inspirational, and a loving father. To Scott, his family would say:
We hope you’re free, that you’ve found yourself and can do what you want.

And they’d also like to say thank you to everyone who’s been there for him, to his carers from NFC who were brilliant with him, and to his friends, family and the community who have pulled together to support him and them.

Music: In the air tonight, Phil Collins

Bible Reading: Psalm 23

The Lord is my shepherd; therefore can I lack nothing.

He makes me lie down in green pastures and leads me beside still waters.

He shall refresh my soul 
and guide me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; 
for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.

You spread a table before me in the presence of those who trouble me; 
you have anointed my head with oil and my cup shall be full.

Surely goodness and loving mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, 
and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.  Psalm 23

Sermon – Memories & Hope

To look back through someone’s life is to see the memories of the times that we shared with them. For those of you who knew Scott, you will have memories that stand out vividly, and other memories that need teasing out – perhaps being reminded at odd moments of the day, or by something that someone else says.

In those memories, you see the character of the person that Scott was. But you also see the relationship that you shared together. And underlying all of that, you see love. When you look back through Scott’s life, you see his love of life, his love of family and his love of friends. And it’s love that connects us to each other, it’s love that makes someone matter to us. And when that love is broken apart when someone dies, it feels like a part of us has been broken with it. 

But that love that hurts so much now that it has been broken has left its imprint on you. Scott may not be here physically, but the love that you shared lives on in yourselves. The person that you are has been shaped by the love that you shared with Scott.

So how do we respond when someone dies? Firstly, to acknowledge that the hurt that love brings has no quick fix. It takes time to grieve and to cry, and if we don’t take that time, we haven’t done the work that we need to do. Secondly, we have to find ways to remember. A place, a time, an event will be somewhere where Scott still feels close. Stories will be told to each other. And thirdly, the journey of grief should never be undertaken alone – the pain that love causes can only be healed through the love of others looking after us on that journey.

And through all of that, we hold on to the hope that we have that death is not the end of love, that somewhere there is a place of peace, a place of healing, a place of reunion, safe in God’s arms.

Prayers

Let us remember Scott. 

You know Scott.
Picture him in your mind’s eye.
Remember the sunshine and the rain,
the laughter and the tears,
all that made Scott unique and special,
all that continues to keep him special for you now. 

Silence

God our Father, we thank you now for all of Scott’s life,
for his span of years and gifts of character.
for every memory of love and joy.
We thank you for his life and for the rest in Christ he now enjoys,
and we thank you for giving him to us.
Now, confident in your promise of eternal life,
give us strength and courage
to leave him in your care, 
reunited with his Mum and Dad, Eleanor and Richie,
his Grandparents, and his mate, Terry.
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Lord, we pray for those who mourn,
for Reuben and Lennon, for Paula and Lee,
for all of Scott’s nieces and nephews,
the wider family circle, friends and neighbours.
Be gentle with them in their grief.
Show them the depths of your love,
a glimpse of the kingdom of heaven.
Spare them the torment of guilt and despair.
Be with them as they weep. Amen.

Lord, we do not know whether our days will be many or few.
May we put into each day’s living something of worth and kindness, 
integrity, courage and love.
These are the signs of your Spirit at work among us. Amen.

We say the Lord’s Prayer together:

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.

Music: Angel, Sarah McLachlan

Final Prayers

Into the freedom of wind and sunshine we let you go 
Into the dance of the stars and the planets we let you go
Into the wind’s breath and the hands of the Star-maker we let you go 
You are loved, you are missed. Those who love you want you to be happy 
Go safely, go dancing, go running home.

To love someone is to risk the pain of parting. 
Not to love is never to have lived. 
The grief which we now experience is the honouring of our love. 
Let us now in a quiet moment make our farewell to Scott, 
as we commend him to the mercy of God,
our maker and redeemer.

So we send you forth, Scott,
upon your journey from this world:
set free in the love of God the life-giver,
in the compassion of Jesus, who walks with you,
in the power of the Holy Spirit,
who enfolds you and us, here and now.

Committal

The Lord is full of compassion and mercy, 
slow to anger and of great goodness.
As a parent is tender towards their children,
so is the Lord tender to those that love him. 
For he knows of what we are made;
he remembers that we are but dust.
Our days are like the grass; 
we flourish like a flower of the field;
when the wind goes over it, it is gone
and its place will know it no more.
But the merciful goodness of the Lord endures for ever and ever 
toward those that love him
and his righteousness upon their children’s children.

We have entrusted our brother Scott to God’s mercy,
and we now commit his body to the ground: 
earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust: 
in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life 
through our Lord Jesus Christ,
who will transform our frail bodies
that they may be conformed to his glorious body,
who died, was buried, and rose again for us. 
To him be glory for ever. Amen.

May God give you his comfort and his peace,
his light and his joy, in this world and the next;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always. Amen.

Final music: You’ll never walk alone, Gerry and the Pacemakers

Christmas Services 2019

Come and join us for the most magical time of the year in our three beautiful church buildings.

Sunday, 15th December
6.30pm: St. Andrew’s Carol Service

Sunday, 22nd December
6.30pm: St. Chad’s Carols by Candlelight
6.30pm: St. Martin’s Carols by Candlelight

Christmas Eve, Tuesday 24th December
4pm: Crib Services @ St. Andrew’s
4pm: Christingle @ St. Chad’s
4.30pm: Christingle @ St. Martin’s
11.30pm: 1st Communion of Christmas @ St. Andrew’s, St. Chad’s & St. Martin’s

Christmas Day
10am: Christmas Communion @ St. Andrew’s, St. Chad’s & St. Martin’s

All Souls Services of Remembering

Our annual memorial services for those who have died, remembering that love continues strongly, even though we are parted, and that the light of God’s love has overcome the darkness of separation.

These services are for anyone who wants to remember someone, however long ago they died. During these services, we read out the names of all those we gather to remember, and offer you the chance to light a candle in memory of them.

Invitations go out to everyone whose details we have, whose funeral has taken place in the previous two years, but anyone else is welcome to attend as well.

In 2019, our services are as follows:
9.30am St. Martin’s All Souls Eucharist
4pm St. Andrew’s All Souls Service
6.30pm St. Chad’s All Souls Service