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MORNING MASS

on the Third Sunday of Easter

Sunday 14th April 2024 at 8.10am

Radio 4 Opening Announcement:

³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Radio 4. It’s ten past eight and time now for Sunday Worship, which comes from Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral.

SPEECH: WELCOME (CANON O’BRIEN)

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Good morning and Welcome to our morning service from the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool as we celebrate the Holy Eucharist for the Third Sunday of Easter. I am Canon Anthony O’Brien, the Dean of the Cathedral and our guest preacher this morning is Bishop Thomas Neylon, Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese.

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The music for this mass will be sung by our Cathedral Youth Choir which is Ìýmade up of teenagers and young adults who were all former boy and girl choristers here who wished to continue their singing and love of choral music.

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We begin our Mass this morning with the hymn ‘My song is love unknown’ – no story so divine - calling to mind the promise of hope the crucifixion brings.

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MUSIC 1: HYMN ‘MY SONG IS LOVE UNKNOWN’

SPEECH: GREETING (CANON O’BRIEN)

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In the name of the Father,

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Amen.

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The Lord be with you

And with your spirit.

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The reality of war and suffering has sadly been a regular feature in the news over recent times. Many of you listening will have been deeply affected by images and stories of the conflict in the Holy Land, the Ukraine and other parts of the world. At this time of Easter we have recalled the Passion and death of Christ and we celebrate with renewed hope the new life of the Resurrection. In todays Gospel Jesus shows his disciples his wounds and reminds them that He is their Lord who faced death on a cross. But he does so wishing them to be at peace. He wants us as his followers to recognise that through the witness of his life we are called to be reconciled to one another and realise the peace that he brings us as our Risen Lord. We are entrusted with a mission to be witnesses of Peace and Reconciliation.

So as we begin our celebration of mass let us call to mind our sins and ask the Lord to heal us of our divisions.

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SPEECH: PENITENTIAL RITE (CANON O’BRIEN)

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Lord Jesus, you were lifted up to draw all people to yourself: Lord, have mercy.

Lord, have mercy.

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You shouldered the cross, to bear our suffering and sinfulness: Christ, have mercy.Ìý

Christ, have mercy.

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You open for your people the way from death into life: Lord, have mercy. Lord, have mercy

May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins and bring us to everlasting life. Amen

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MUSIC 2: GLORIA

The choir sings the Gloria from Gregorian chant Mass VIII

Intonation: Canon O‘Brien

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SPEECH: COLLECT (CANON O’BRIEN)

May your people exult for ever, O God,

in renewed youthfulness of spirit,

so that, rejoicing now in the restored glory of our adoption,

we may look forward in confident hope

to the rejoicing of the day of resurrection.

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Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,

who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

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SPEECH: Reading – 1 John 2: 1-5a (FEMALE READER)

A reading from the from the first letter of St John (Chapter 2, beginning at verse 1)

I am writing this, my children,

to stop you sinning;

but if anyone should sin,

we have our advocate with the Father,

Jesus Christ, who is just;

he is the sacrifice that takes our sins away,

and not only ours,

but the whole world’s.

We can be sure that we know God

only by keeping his commandments.

Anyone who says, ‘I know him’,

and does not keep his commandments,

is a liar,

refusing to admit the truth.

But when anyone does obey what he has said,

God’s love comes to perfection in him.

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The Word of the Lord.

Thanks be to God.

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MUSIC 3: GOSPEL ACCLAMATION

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Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

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SPEECH: GOSPEL (DEACON – REV MANNINGS)

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The Lord be with you.

And with your Spirit.

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A reading from the Holy Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 24, beginning at verse 35.

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Glory to you, O Lord.

The disciples told their story of what had happened on the road and how they had recognised Jesus at the breaking of bread.

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They were still talking about this when Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, ‘Peace be with you!’Ìý In a state of alarm and fright, they thought they were seeing a ghost.Ìý But he said, ‘Why are you so agitated, and why are these doubts rising in your hearts?Ìý Look at my hands and feet; yes, it is I indeed.Ìý Touch me and see for yourselves; a ghost has no flesh and bones as you can see I have.’Ìý And as he said this he showed them his hands and feet.Ìý Their joy was so great that they could not believe it, and they stood dumbfounded; so he said to them, ‘Have you anything here to eat?’Ìý And they offered him a piece of grilled fish, which he took and ate before their eyes.

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Then he told them, ‘This is what I meant when I said, while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses, in the Prophets and in the Psalms, has to be fulfilled.’Ìý He then opened their minds to understand the scriptures, and he said to them, ‘So you see how it is written that the Christ would suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, and that, in his name, repentance for the forgiveness of sins would be preached to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.Ìý You are witnesses to this.’

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The Gospel of the Lord.

Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

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Ìý ÌýÌýÌý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý Ìý

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SPEECH: SERMON (BISHOP NEYLON)

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‘Peace be with you.’

These are the first words in the gospels that the disciples hear spoken by Jesus, the newly Risen Lord.

Our experience of life teaches us that peace is not easy to achieve unless there is willingness on all sides to work for justice. Working for justice lays the foundation for peace.

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Those listening to this Mass which is celebrated in one of the two cathedrals in the city of Liverpool will know that both the Anglican and Roman Catholic cathedrals are at either end of Hope Street. Halfway along Hope Street are two bronze figures depicting two bishops, David Shepherd and Derek Worlock. They were leaders of their respective Churches who worked together for economic and social justice in the latter quarter of the 20th century. They came from different Christian Traditions, and they enabled the members of both churches to see one another as sisters and brothers in Christ. Working together, they began to heal the wounds of religious division. They shared the journey they had made in a book with the title: ‘Better Together.’

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The 21st century has presented us with global challenges that are economic, environmental and social. There are over 30 wars across the world which are bringing death and injury, destruction of homes and communities and displacement of many millions of children, women and men.

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It is ten years since Russia annexed Crimea which is part of Ukraine. In 2012 the prominent Ukrainian artist Dmytro Iv sculpted a piece of work called ‘The Need for Freedom.’ The sculpture is exhibited in the Unity Chapel of this cathedral.

This striking artwork, seven foot tall, which depicts the figure of a chained but rising woman, represents Ukraine’s struggle for peace and freedom.

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It contains several chains welded together at over four thousand points. It was loaned to the cathedral in recognition of the city’s links with Ukraine. As I spent time looking at this magnificent piece of art it struck me as a powerful reminder of the struggle and hopes of all peoples for freedom, justice and peace.

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In the gospel we heard proclaimed a few minutes ago the disciples are gathered behind locked doors in the Upper Room where they had celebrated the Last Supper with Jesus on the night before his brutal death on the cross at the hands of the Roman forces who occupied the Holy Land 2,000 years ago. The words of the risen Lord: ‘Peace be with you’ are a word of encouragement to these frightened people. Jesus risen from the dead is not a ghost, he now lives with them to strengthen their faith and to give them the courage to go and proclaim that new life is possible because he has overcome the forces that destroy humanity. The chains of enslavement and injustice are broken by his resurrection from the dead.

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May we be set free from all that enslaves us. May all who hunger and thirst for justice find peace.

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MUSIC - A Gaelic blessing - RutterÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý Choir

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PROFESSION OF FAITHÌý all join in saying

I believe in God,

the Father almighty,

Creator of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,

who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,

born of the Virgin Mary,

suffered under Pontius Pilate,

was crucified, died and was buried;

he descended into hell;

on the third day he rose again from the dead;

he ascended into heaven,

and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty;

from there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

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I believe in the Holy Spirit,

the holy catholic Church,

the communion of saints,

the forgiveness of sins,

the resurrection of the body,

and life everlasting.Ìý Amen.

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INTERCESSIONS

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[CANON O’BRIEN] As we continue to celebrate the Resurrection,

confident that Christ intercedes for us at the right hand

of the Father, we make our prayers in his name:

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[FEMALE READER] For the Church, that the Blood of Christ poured out for the world may be the cleansing grace which unites all God's people in his kingdom.

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Lord in your mercy

Here our prayer

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For the leaders of nations, that they may work for the good of all

and strive for peace, justice and the flourishing of all humanity.

Lord, in your mercy

Hear our prayer

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For all in need. May we willingly share of our plenty and be generous in our support, compassion and understanding.

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Lord in your mercy

Here our prayer

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(CANON O’BRIEN)

AlmightyÌýGod,ÌýhearÌýourÌýprayersÌýthatÌýweÌýhumblyÌýplaceÌýbeforeÌýyouÌýandÌýifÌýitÌýisÌýyourÌýwill,ÌýweÌýaskÌýyouÌýtoÌýgrantÌýthemÌýthroughÌýChrist,ÌýourÌýLord.ÌýAmen

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MUSIC 4: CHOIR ‘O FILII ET FILIAE’ (O Sons and Daughters)

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SPEECH (CANON O’BRIEN)

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Pray, my brothers and sisters,

that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God,

the almighty Father.

May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands

for the praise and glory of his name,

for our good and the good of all his holy Church.

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Receive, O Lord, we pray,

these offerings of your exultant Church,

and, as you have given her cause for such great gladness,

grant also that the gifts we bring

may bear fruit in perpetual happiness.

Through Christ our Lord. AMEN

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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER (SUNG BY CANON O’BRIEN)

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The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit. ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them up to the Lord.ÌýÌýÌý

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right and just.

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It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation,

at all times to acclaim you, O Lord,

but in this time above all to laud you yet more gloriously,

when Christ our Passover has been sacrificed.

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He never ceases to offer himself for us

but defends us and ever pleads our cause before you:

he is the sacrificial Victim who dies no more,

the Lamb, once slain, who lives for ever.

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Therefore, overcome with paschal joy,

every land, every people exults in your praise

and even the heavenly Powers, with the angelic hosts,

sing together the unending hymn of your glory,

as they acclaim:

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MUSIC 5: SANCTUS

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.

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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.

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Missa BrevisÌýNicholas Wilton

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EUCHARISTIC PRAYER (SAID BY CANON O’BRIEN)

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You are indeed Holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness.Ìý Make holy, therefore, these gifts, we pray, by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body + and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

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At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:Ìý

Take this, all of you and eat of it: For this is my body which will be given up for you.

In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying:

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Take this, all of you, and drink from it: For this is the chalice of my blood, the blood of the new and eternal convenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me.

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The mystery of faith.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

(SUNG) We proclaim your Death, O Lord,Ìý and profess your Resurrection, until you come again.ÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you.

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Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.

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Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with Francis our Pope and Malcolm our Bishop and all the clergy.

Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face. Have mercy on us all, we pray, that with the blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, Blessed Joseph her spouse, with the blessed Apostles, and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ.

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(SUNG) Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.

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(SUNG) A-men.ÌýÌý A-men.ÌýÌý A-men.

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SPEECH (CANON O’BRIEN)

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At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

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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.

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Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.

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Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will.Ìý Who live and reign for ever and ever.

Amen

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THE PEACE (REV MANNINGS)

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The peace of the Lord be with you always.

And with your spirit.

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MUSIC 6: AGNUS DEI

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi:

miserere nobis.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi:

dona nobis pacem.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins

of the world.Ìý Have mercy on us.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins

of the world.Ìý Grant us peace.

Missa Brevis

Nicholas Wilton

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SPEECH – INVITATION TO COMMUNION (CANON O’BRIEN)

Behold the Lamb of God,

behold him who takes away the sins of the world.

Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

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Lord, I am not worthy

that you should enter under my roof,

but only say the word

and my soul shall be healed.

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ÌýMUSIC 7: COMMUNION HYMN – Love is his word

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SPEECH: COLLECT (CANON O’BRIEN)

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Look with kindness upon your people, O Lord,

and grant, we pray,

that those you were pleased to renew by eternal mysteries

may attain in their flesh

the incorruptible glory of the resurrection.

Through Christ our Lord.

Who live and reign for ever and ever.

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SPEECH: BLESSING (CANON O’BRIEN)

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The Lord be with you

And with your spirit

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May almighty God bless you, the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen

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Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

Thanks be to God.

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MUSIC 8: FINAL HYMN – Thine be the Glory

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ORGAN VOLUNTARY - ÌýPrince of Denmark's March by Clarke arr. Trevor.

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Radio 4 closing announcement

Prince of Denmark's March played by organist Joe Watson. Sunday Worship came from Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral. The preacher was the Auxiliary Bishop of Liverpool, the Right Reverend Thomas Neylon, and the Celebrant was the Cathedral Dean Canon Anthony O’Brien. The Cathedral’s Youth Choir was directed by Anna Callacher. The producer was Miriam Williamson. Next week’s Radio 4’s Sunday Worship comes from HMP Wandsworth.

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And tickets for this year’s Radio 4’s Ascension Day Service, celebrating 100 years of religious broadcasting, are available on the ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ’s Shows and tours website.

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