All Hallows Evening Prayer for Sunday Evening (July 31, 2022)

PROCLAMATION OF THE LIGHT

One or more candles may be lit.

If you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

EVENING HYMN

Open this link in a new tab to hear F. Bland Tucker’s translation of the Phos hilaron, “O Gracious Light.”

O Gracious Light, Lord Jesus Christ,
In you the Father’s glory shone.
Immortal, holy, blest is he,
And blest are you, his holy Son.

Now sunset comes, but light shines forth,
the lamps are lit to pierce the night.
Praise Father, Son, and Spirit: God
Who dwells in the eternal light.

Worthy are you of endless praise,
O Son of God, Life-giving Lord;
Wherefore you are through all the earth
And in the highest heaven adored.

O Gracious Light!

PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.

Blessed are you, O Lord our God, ruler of the universe!
Your word brings on the dusk of evening,
your wisdom creates both night and day.
You determine the cycles of time,
arrange the succession of seasons,
and establish the stars in their heavenly courses.
Lord of the starry hosts is your name.
Living and eternal God, rule over us always.
Blessed be the Lord, whose word makes evening fall.
Amen.

HYMN OF THE DAY

Open this link in a new tab to hear “Be Thou My Vision, “ Mary E. Byrne’s translation of the seventh century Irish hymn, “Bí Thusa 'mo Shúile.”

1 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

2 Be thou my wisdom, be thou my true word;
I ever with thee, thou with me, Lord.
thou my great Father, I thy true son,
thou in me dwelling and I one with thee.

3 Be thou my battle-shield, sword for my fight.
Be thou my dignity, thou my delight,
thou my soul’s shelter, thou my high tower.
Raise thou me heavenward, O Power of my power.

4 Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise;
thou mine inheritance, now and always.
Thou and thou only, first in my heart,
High King of heaven, my treasure thou art.

5 High King of heaven, after victory won,
may I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heaven’s Son!
Heart of my heart, whatever befall,
still be my vision, O Ruler of all.

6 Be thou my vision, O Lord of my heart;
naught be all else to me, save that thou art.
Thou my best thought, by day or by night,
waking or sleeping, thy presence my light.

SCRIPTURE

Luke 12:13-21 Parable of the Rich Fool

Then someone called from the crowd, “Teacher, please tell my brother to divide our father’s estate with me.”

Jesus replied, “Friend, who made me a judge over you to decide such things as that?” Then he said, “Beware! Guard against every kind of greed. Life is not measured by how much you own.”

Then he told them a story: “A rich man had a fertile farm that produced fine crops. He said to himself, ‘What should I do? I don’t have room for all my crops.’ Then he said, ‘I know! I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll have room enough to store all my wheat and other goods. And I’ll sit back and say to myself, “My friend, you have enough stored away for years to come. Now take it easy! Eat, drink, and be merry!”’

“But God said to him, ‘You fool! You will die this very night. Then who will get everything you worked for?’

“Yes, a person is a fool to store up earthly wealth but not have a rich relationship with God.”

Silence

May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory

HOMILY

Our Most Precious Possession

In today’s reading, Luke 12: 13-21, we learn that Jesus did not see himself as a judge in settling family disputes over property. He took a dim view of human greed, the very strong wish to continuously get more of things like money and valuable possessions. Indeed, he warned his followers and would-be followers against wanting more than what they needed. He urged them to guard against all kinds of greed, drawing to their attention that life is not measured by how much we own, the things we possess. Jesus described as a fool anyone who stores up earthly wealth but neglects their relationship with God.

Greed was the downfall of Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus for 30 silver coins. Judas Iscariot kept the common purse of Jesus and his disciples and helped himself to the money in their common purse.

Elsewhere in the Gospels Jesus exhorts his followers and would-be followers to store treasure for themselves in heaven not on earth. He warns them that they cannot serve two masters—God and money. They will neglect one for the other. He shocks his disciples when he tells them that it was impossible for a rich man to enter God’s kingdom due to his great wealth. They believed as did other Jews of the time that only a rich man could meet all the demands of the Law and be acknowledged by God as righteous in his sight. Jesus teaches his followers not to worry about food and clothing but to trust God to provide them with what they need. He also teaches them to pray for their daily food.

Jesus’ teaching stands in sharp contrast to what the world values in our time and throughout much of history. The dominant culture in the United States is obsessed with wealth. The internet, newspapers, magazines, television, and radio cater to this obsession with stories of the doings of the rich. Success in life is measured in terms of amassing wealth and with wealth influence and power. The rich put their wealth on display in the form of mansions; large, expensive cars and yachts; private jet planes; trophy wives; and an extravagant lifestyle.

The Prosperity Gospel, a false gospel whose proponents has gained a following in recent years, teaches that having a lot of money and valuable possessions is one of God’s blessings upon his people. Its proponents ignore what Jesus taught and how he lived, and twist Scripture to support their teaching.

Francis of Assissi who lived a life of voluntary poverty, John Wesley who gave away most of his income to help others, and John Stott who lived very simply while he was rector of All Souls, Langham Place, London, and after his retirement to his death in 2011 exemplify what Jesus taught and practiced. They put their relationship with God first. If we want to be true disciples, walking in the way of Jesus, we will do the same thing. We will put our relationship with God first. This may mean adopting a simpler lifestyle, living more frugally, and generously helping others.

As I have grown older, I have come to realize the truth of what Jesus taught. We reach a stage in our lives when we need to start divesting ourselves of the possessions that we have accumulated over the years. We may hang onto some things like family keepsakes longer than others because they have sentimental value. They have memories associated with them. But sooner or later we must let them go too. God must become our all in all and our relationship with him, our most precious possession.

Silence

AFFIRMATION OF FAITH

Open this link to hear Ryan Flanigan’s setting of the Apostles Creed.

I believe in God, the Father Almighty, creator of heaven and earth
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only son, our Lord
He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit
And born of the virgin Mary

He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried
He descended to the dead, on the third day he rose again
He ascended into heaven, and is seen at the right hand of the father
He will come again to judge the living and the dead

I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church
The communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins
The resurrection of the body and the life everlasting
Amen

SONG OF PRAISE

Open this link in a new tab to hear Stuart Townend’s “My Soul Will Magnify.”

My soul will magnify the Lord
I rejoice in God, my Savior
In the wonder of His favor
For He has done great things for me
He was mindful of His servant
Every age shall call be blessed
The hope of Abraham come
In the giving of the Son
For He who promised is mighty
In remembering His mercy

My soul will magnify the Lord
For His grace to those who fear Him
Through every generation
The proud He scatters to the wind
As the ruler's strength is broken
And the rich are left with nothing
The humble lifted high
And the hungry satisfied
Our portion and our treasure
Our hope and help forever

My soul will magnify the Lord
I rejoice in God, my Savior
In the wonder of His favor

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

During the silence that follows each bidding, the congregation may pray aloud or silently for each concern or need

To our Father in heaven
let us make our requests with thanksgiving,
through our only mediator,
Jesus Christ the Son.

I ask your prayers for peace in the life of the world ...
Pray for God's peace.

Silence

I ask your prayers for all who suffer injury, sickness and loss ...
Pray for all who are afflicted. 

Silence

I ask your prayers for all who wield authority and influence ...
Pray for all who exercise power.

Silence

I ask your prayers for all whom we have wronged ...
Pray for all who hate us.

Silence

I ask your prayers for our bishop(s) ...
and for all whom Christ has appointed to his service ...
Pray for God's people.

Silence

I ask your prayers for ...

During the silence members of the congregation may ask the prayers of the congregation for specific concerns and needs

Silence

Give thanks to God for all
in whom Christ has been honoured,
(especially ... )

Silence

O God, whose will it is
that all should find salvation
and come to know the truth:
receive the prayers and petitions
which we offer in faith and love;
through him who gave proof of your purpose,
and who sacrificed himself
to win freedom for all humankind,
Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Collect

Loving God, you raise us to new life in Jesus Christ
and renew your image in us.
Teach us to love what is worth loving,
to reject what is offensive to you,
and to treasure what is precious in your sight;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

RESPONSE

Open this link in a new tab to hear Steve Angrisano’ s setting of “Lord have mercy.

Lord have mercy
Lord have mercy
Christ have mercy
Christ have mercy
Lord have mercy
Lord have mercy

THE LORD’S PRAYER

The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.

As our Saviour taught his disciples,
we pray:

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.

BLESSING

The blessing of God,
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,
remain with us always. Amen.