All Hallows Morning and Evening Worship for Sunday (December 18, 2022)

FOURTH SUNDAY OF ADVENT

This Sunday's Morning and Evening Worship is adapted from the service provided in A New Zealand Prayer Book (2020) for those occasions of public worship for which there is a need for a Service of the Word. The service is loosely modeled on Morning and Evening Prayer from The Book of Common Prayer.

Morning Worship begins at the top of the page. Scroll down the page for the beginning of Evening Worship.

MORNING WORSHIP

THE PREPARATION

The leader may greet the other participants.

THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

Jesus said, ‘Anyone who does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother or sister or mother.’
I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to his word.

The fourth candle is lit and this response is used

Jesus is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can ever put out.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Mark Earey’s “Advent Candles Tell Their Story.”

Advent candles tell their story
as we watch and pray,
longing for the Day of Glory,
‘Come, Lord, soon,’ we say.
Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness,
changed for gladness
on that Day.

Prophet voices loudly crying,
making pathways clear;
glimpsing glory, self-denying,
calling all to hear.
Through their message - challenged, shaken –
hearts awaken: God is near!

John the Baptist, by his preaching
and by water poured,
brought to those who heard his teaching
news of hope restored:
‘Keep your vision strong and steady,
and be ready
for the Lord.’

Mary’s gift, beyond all telling,
was to give Christ room.
She gave God a human
dwelling in a mother’s womb.
Who could guess the final story?
- cross and glory;
empty tomb!

Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise.
Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honor, power and might,
be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Janet Whitaker’s “Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.”

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Amen!

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Amen!

O come, Wisdom from on high,
who orders all things with might.
Maranatha!

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Amen!

O Key of David, come!
O Scepter of the house of Israel:
Maranatha!

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Amen!

O Dawn of the East,
O Brightness of Light Eternal:
Maranatha!

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Amen!

O King of Nations, Desired One,
O come to make us one. 

Maranatha!

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Amen!

Emmanuel, Emmanuel,
Come, O King, and save us.
Maranatha!

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus.
Alleluia! Amen!

Hear these words of scripture.

Love one another,
for love is of God,
and whoever loves is born of God and knows God.
Spirit of God, search our hearts.

Let us bow our heads and, in silence,
remember our need for God’s forgiveness.

Silence

Let us confess our sins to God.

Almighty and merciful God,
we have sinned against you,
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with all our heart.
We have not loved others
as our Savior Christ loves us.
We are truly sorry.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Almighty God, you pardon all who truly repent,
forgive us sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

Open this link in a new tab to hear Lori True’s responsorial setting of Psalm 63, “In the Morning Let Us Sing.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

1 O God, you are my God, for you I long;
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water.
I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

2 For you love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.
I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

3 On my bed I remember you.
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you;
Your right hand holds me fast.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

We’ll sing praise to you!

Open this link to hear Marty Haugen’s responsorial setting of Psalm 80, “Lord, Make Us Turn to You.”

Lord, make us turn to you,
show us your face,
and we shall be saved.

Lord, make us turn to you,
show us your face,
and we shall be saved.

1 Shepherd of Israel, hearken from your throne,
and shine forth.
O rouse your power, and come to save us.

Lord, make us turn to you,
show us your face,
and we shall be saved.

2 We are your chosen vine, only by your care
do we live,
reach out your hand, O Lord, unto your people.

Lord, make us turn to you,
show us your face,
and we shall be saved.

3 If you will dwell with us, we shall live anew
in your love.
O shine upon us, great Lord of life.

Lord, make us turn to you,
show us your face,
and we shall be saved.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Francesca LaRosa’s responsorial setting of Palm 148, “Let All Praise the Name of the Lord.”

Let all praise the name of the Lord.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.

Praise the Lord from the heavens,
praise him in the heights;
Praise him, all you his angels,
praise him, all you his hosts.

Let all praise the name of the Lord.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.

Praise him, sun and moon;
praise him, all you shining stars.
Praise him, you highest heavens,
and you waters above the heavens.

Let all praise the name of the Lord.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.

Mountains and all hills,
fruit trees and all cedars;
beasts, both wild and tame,
creeping things and birds on the wing.

Let all praise the name of the Lord.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.

Kings of the earth and all peoples,
princes and all judges of the earth,
young men and maidens
as well, the old and the young together.
Let them praise the name of the Lord,
for his name alone is exalted.

Let all praise the name of the Lord.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.

His splendor above earth and heaven.
He exalts the strength of his people.

Let all praise the name of the Lord.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.
Let all praise the name of the Lord.

Silence

The Reading from the Old Testament: Isaiah 7:10-16

Later, the Lord sent this message to King Ahaz: “Ask the Lord your God for a sign of confirmation, Ahaz. Make it as difficult as you want—as high as heaven or as deep as the place of the dead.”

But the king refused. “No,” he said, “I will not test the Lord like that.”

Then Isaiah said, “Listen well, you royal family of David! Isn’t it enough to exhaust human patience? Must you exhaust the patience of my God as well? All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’). By the time this child is old enough to choose what is right and reject what is wrong, he will be eating yogurt and honey. For before the child is that old, the lands of the two kings you fear so much will both be deserted.

Silence follows the reading.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Carl P. Daw Jr.’s paraphrase of the Benedictus Dominus Deus, “Blessed Be the God of Israel.”

Blessed be the God of Israel
who comes to set us free
and raises up new hope for us:
a Branch from David's tree.
So have the prophets long declared
that with a mighty arm
God would turn back our enemies
and all who wish us harm.

With promised mercy will God still
the covenant recall,
the oath once sworn to Abraham,
from foes to save us all;
that we might worship without fear
and offer lives of praise,
in holiness and righteousness
to serve God all our days.

My child, as prophet of the Lord,
you will prepare the way,
to tell God's people they are saved
from sin's eternal sway.
Then shall God's mercy from on high
shine forth and never cease
to drive away the gloom of death
and lead us into peace.

The Reading from the New Testament: Matthew 1:18-25

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit. Joseph, to whom she was engaged, was a righteous man and did not want to disgrace her publicly, so he decided to break the engagement quietly.

As he considered this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream. “Joseph, son of David,” the angel said, “do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife. For the child within her was conceived by the Holy Spirit. And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.”

All of this occurred to fulfil the Lord’s message through his prophet:

“Look! The virgin will conceive a child!
She will give birth to a son,
and they will call him Immanuel,
which means ‘God is with us.’”

When Joseph woke up, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded and took Mary as his wife. But he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born. And Joseph named him Jesus.

Silence follows the reading.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle’s paraphrase of the Te Deum laudamus, “God, We Praise You! God, We Bless You!”

1 God, we praise you! God, we bless you!
God, we name you sovereign Lord!
Mighty King whom angels worship,
Father, by your church adored:
all creation shows your glory,
heaven and earth draw near your throne
singing 'Holy, holy, holy,
Lord of hosts, and God alone!'

2 True apostles, faithful prophets,
saints who set their world ablaze,
martyrs, once unknown, unheeded,
join one growing song of praise,
while your church on earth confesses
one majestic Trinity:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
God, our hope eternally.

3 Jesus Christ, the King of glory,
everlasting Son of God,
humble was your virgin mother,
hard the lonely path you trod:
by your cross is sin defeated,
hell confronted face to face,
heaven opened to believers,
sinners justified by grace.

4 Christ, at God's right hand victorious,
you will judge the world you made;
Lord, in mercy help your servants
for whose freedom you have paid:
raise us up from dust to glory,
guard us from all sin today;
King enthroned above all praises,
save your people, God, we pray.

King enthroned above all praises,
save your people, God, we pray.

Joseph, Descendant of Kings, Surrogate Father to Jesus

This morning’s New Testament reading,, Matthew 1:18-25 gives us a brief glimpse into the character of Joseph, the man to whom Mary, Jesus’ mother, was betrothed. From the New Testament narrative, we can glean that he was an older man, had been married, and one or more children from this marriage, and presumably was a widower. James the Elder, an early leader of the Christian Church, who presided over the Council of Jerusalem, is identified in the New Testament narrative as Jesus’ older brother. 

Joseph was a carpenter, a woodworker. While he lived in Nazareth, his ancestors originally came from Bethlehem and he had relatives in Bethlehem. He was the son of Jacob whose lineage went back to King David who was a descendant of Abraham. The angel in the reading addresses him as the “Son of David” in the dream. Jesus’ claim to be the “Son of David” is derived from the ancestry of Joseph, Mary’s husband and Jesus’ surrogate father, the man who acted as a father figure to Jesus in his childhood.

Mary, of the other hand, had a relative, Elizabeth, who was married to Zechariah, a priest of the Temple. The priests only married the daughters of priests, members of their own tribe, so Mary presumably was also a member of that tribe.

What does the reading tell us about Joseph’s character? He appears to have been a kind man. When he learned that Mary was pregnant, he considered quietly breaking their engagement rather than causing Mary disgrace. In Old Testament times Mary would have been stoned to death. When a couple was betrothed, they were as good as married. Sexual relations between a woman who was betrothed and someone other than the man to whom she was betrothed was regarded as adultery and the penalty for adultery was death by stoning.

Joseph also appears to have been a man of faith. He believed the angel who appeared to him in a dream and paid heed to what angel said. He married Mary and when she gave birth to the child with whom she was pregnant, named the child “Jesus,” a variation of Joshua. Both mean “God saves.” Later on, Joseph would flee with Mary and Jesus into Egypt when warned by an angel that Herod the Great was seeking to kill Jesus. He would return mother and child to Nazareth when told by an angel in a dream that Herod was dead.

Joseph’s faith appears to have been what James the Elder, Jesus’ older brother, describes in his letter as a living faith, a faith that is evidenced by deeds. Once Joseph formed a conviction, he translates that conviction into action.

Joseph appears to have been a man who was gifted with spiritual discernment. He was able to recognize the angels of his dreams as messengers of God.

Interestingly one of his ancestors was Jacob who had a dream of a ladder reaching to heaven on which angels were ascending and descending and whose youngest son, Joseph, who, while he was a slave in Egypt and falsely imprisoned for alleged sexual assault on the Egyptian noble Potipher’s wife, interpreted his fellow prisoners and the Pharaoh’s dreams.

The Joseph of the New Testament was not a descendant of the Joseph of the Old Testament . His ancestor was Judah, the fourth son of Jacob and his first wife, Leah. Like the Joseph of the Old Testament, however, his father was named Jacob. Random chance?. A common practice of the time? God's doing? One of those details in the Bible, which intrigue us but about which the narrative is silent.   

The last we hear anything about Joseph is when Jesus stays in Jerusalem after going with his parents to Jerusalem for the Passover festival. Joseph is not mentioned in the narrative by name.

In kindness, faith, and spiritual discernment Joseph prefigures several qualities that are desirable in a disciple of Jesus. They are qualities that Jesus encouraged in his followers—being generous, helpful, caring toward others and considerate of their feelings; being willing to forgive and to let bygones be bygones; believing Jesus and trusting him; and possessing the ability to distinguish that which is of God from that which is not of God. 

They are also qualities that we develop as the result of God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit, working in us. Meeting in small groups for mutual accountability, encouragement, reproof if and when needed, and prayer; employing the means of grace, and spiritual conversations with our fellow disciples are ways that God has given us through which God accomplishes the transformation of our character. Through them and in other ways God restores his image in us and makes us more and more like his beloved Son, Jesus, to whom Joseph gave not only a place in his home and in his life but also, I suspect, a place in his heart. 

May our Father in heaven grant that we do likewise.

Silence

Let us affirm our faith in the words 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,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to 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.

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.

Make your ways known upon earth, O God,
your saving power among all peoples.

Renew your Church in holiness,
and help us to serve you with joy.

Guide the leaders of this and every nation,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.

Let not the needy, O God, be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Make us instruments of your peace,
and let your glory be over all the earth.

Heavenly Father,
you have promised to hear when we pray
in the name of your Son.
Therefore in confidence and trust
we pray for the Church:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)

Father, enliven the Church for its mission
that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.

Breathe fresh life into your people.
Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action.

We pray for the world:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)

Creator of all,
lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace.
That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.

Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.
Teach us to care creatively for its resources.

We pray for the community:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)

God of truth, inspire with your wisdom
those whose decisions affect the lives of others
that all may act with integrity and courage.

Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours.
May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.

We pray for those in need:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)

God of hope, comfort and restore
all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.
May they know the power of your healing love.

Make us willing agents of your compassion.
Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.

We remember those who have died and those who mourn:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)

We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in the faith
of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone.
Father, into your hands we commend them.

Give comfort to those who mourn.
Bring them peace in their time of loss.

We praise you for (N and) all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May their example inspire and encourage us.

We pray for ourselves and our ministries:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered and the prayers
conclude with the following.)

Lord, you have called us to serve you.
Grant that we may walk in your presence:
your love in our hearts,
your truth in our minds,
your strength in our wills;
until, at the end of our journey,
we know the joy of our homecoming
and the welcome of your embrace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Living God, you called your people out of Egypt
and gave them the covenant;
prepare our hearts to hear your call,
so that we may receive with joy the gospel of your Son
and be your faithful people, now and for ever.
Amen.

Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live each day in love to one another and to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, 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.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen's choral arrangement of Eleanor Farjeon's "People, Look East."

1 People, look east. The time is near
Of the crowning of the year.
Make your house fair as you are able,
Trim the hearth and set the table.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the guest, is on the way.

2 Furrows, be glad. Though earth is bare,
One more seed is planted there:
Give up your strength the seed to nourish,
That in time the flower may flourish.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the rose, is on the way.

3 Birds, though you long have ceased to build,
Guard the nest that must be filled.
Even the hour when wings are frozen
He for fledging time has chosen.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the bird, is on the way.

4 Stars, keep the watch. When night is dim
One more light the bowl shall brim,
Shining beyond the frosty weather,
Bright as sun and moon together.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the star, is on the way.

5 Angels, announce with shouts of mirth
He who brings new life to earth.
Set every peak and valley humming
With the word, the Lord is coming.
People, look east and sing today:
Love, the Lord, is on the way.

THE DISMISSAL

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.

Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace.
Amen. We go in the name of Christ.

EVENING WORSHIP

THE PREPARATION

The leader may greet the other participants.

THE LIGHTING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

Jesus said, ‘Anyone who does what my Father in heaven wants is my brother or sister or mother.’
I am the servant of the Lord. Let it be to me according to his word.

The fourth candle is lit and this response is used

Jesus is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can ever put out.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Mark Earey’s “Advent Candles Tell Their Story.”

Advent candles tell their story
as we watch and pray,
longing for the Day of Glory,
‘Come, Lord, soon,’ we say.
Pain and sorrow, tears and sadness,
changed for gladness
on that Day.

Prophet voices loudly crying,
making pathways clear;
glimpsing glory, self-denying,
calling all to hear.
Through their message - challenged, shaken –
hearts awaken: God is near!

John the Baptist, by his preaching
and by water poured,
brought to those who heard his teaching
news of hope restored:
‘Keep your vision strong and steady,
and be ready
for the Lord.’

Mary’s gift, beyond all telling,
was to give Christ room.
She gave God a human
dwelling in a mother’s womb.
Who could guess the final story?
- cross and glory;
empty tomb!

Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise.
Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honor, power and might,
be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Sandra McCracken’s “Come Light Our Hearts.”

For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in You
Truly our hope is in You

For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in You
Truly our hope is in You

O Lord of life, our only hope
Your radiance shines
On all who look to You in the dark
Emmanuel come, come light our hearts

O Lord of life, our only hope
Your radiance shines
On all who look to You in the dark
Emmanuel come, come light our hearts

For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in You
Truly our hope is in You

Oh Joy above, all other loves
In You we find, more than enough
We come as we are, O heal and restore
Come light our hearts

Oh Joy above, all other loves
In You we find, more than enough
We come as we are, O heal and restore
Come light our hearts

For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
For You, O Lord our souls in stillness wait
Truly our hope is in You
Truly our hope is in You
Truly our hope is in You

Hear these words of scripture.

Love one another,
for love is of God,
and whoever loves is born of God and knows God.
Spirit of God, search our hearts.

Let us bow our heads and, in silence,
remember our need for God’s forgiveness.

Silence

Let us confess our sins to God.

Almighty and merciful God,
we have sinned against you,
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with all our heart.
We have not loved others
as our Savior Christ loves us.
We are truly sorry.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.

Almighty God, you pardon all who truly repent,
forgive us sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

Open this link in a new tab to hear Andrea Sandefur’s setting of Psalm 134, “Come, All Your Servants of the Lord.”

Come all you servants of the Lord (bless the Lord)
Who stand by night in the house of the Lord
Come all you servants of the Lord (bless the Lord)
Who stand by night in the house of the Lord

Lift up your hands to the Holy Place
Lift up your hands, and bless the Lord
Lift up your hands to the Holy Place
Lift up your hands, and bless the Lord, bless the Lord

May the Lord bless you from Zion
He who made heaven and earth (heaven and earth)
May the Lord bless you from Zion
He who made heaven and earth (heaven and earth)

Lift up your hands to the Holy Place
Lift up your hands, and bless the Lord
Lift up your hands to the Holy Place
Lift up your hands, and bless the Lord

Lift up your hands to the Holy Place
Lift up your hands, and bless the Lord
Lift up your hands to the Holy Place
Lift up your hands, and bless the Lord, bless the Lord

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s responsorial setting of Psalm 113, “Blessed Be the Name.”

Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name of the LORD
for ever!

Praise, O servants of the LORD,
praise the name of the LORD!
May the name of the LORD be blest
both now and forevermore!

Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name of the LORD
for ever!

From the rising of the sun to its setting,
praised be the name of the LORD!
High above all nations is the LORD,
above the heavens his glory.

Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name of the LORD
for ever!

Who is like the LORD, our God,
who dwells on high,
who lowers himself to look down
upon heaven and earth?

Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name of the LORD
for ever!

From the dust he lifts up the lowly,
from the ash heap he raises the poor,
to set them in the company of princes,
yes, with the princes of his people.

Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name,
Blessed be the name of the LORD
for ever!

Silence

The Reading from the New Testament: Romans 1: 1-7

This letter is from Paul, a slave of Christ Jesus, chosen by God to be an apostle and sent out to preach his Good News. God promised this Good News long ago through his prophets in the holy Scriptures. The Good News is about his Son. In his earthly life he was born into King David’s family line, and he was shown to be the Son of God when he was raised from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit. He is Jesus Christ our Lord. Through Christ, God has given us the privilege and authority as apostles to tell Gentiles everywhere what God has done for them, so that they will believe and obey him, bringing glory to his name.

And you are included among those Gentiles who have been called to belong to Jesus Christ. I am writing to all of you in Rome who are loved by God and are called to be his own holy people.

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Silence follows the reading.

Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Sarah Hart’s “My Soul Rejoices.”

1 My God is mighty;
He has done great things for me.
Holy is his name.
My God is mercy;
hope to set the nations free.
Holy is his name
for he has remembered.

My soul rejoices, my soul rejoices
and my spirit glorifies my savior.
My soul rejoices, my soul rejoices
and my spirit glorifies my savior.

2 My God is mighty;
He will lift the humble up.
Holy is his name.
My God is mercy;
hope to fill the hungry ones.
Holy is his name
for he has remembered.

My soul rejoices, my soul rejoices
and my spirit glorifies my savior.
My soul rejoices, my soul rejoices
and my spirit glorifies my savior.
My spirit glorifies my savior.

Bridge
Just as he promised,
Our God is with us;
just as he promised,
love has come.
Just as he promised,
Our God is with us;
just as he promised,
love has come.

My soul rejoices, my soul rejoices
My soul rejoices, my soul rejoices
and my spirit glorifies my savior.
My soul rejoices, my soul rejoices
and my spirit glorifies my savior.
My spirit glorifies my savior.
My spirit glorifies my savior.

Messengers of Salvation

When we read the books of the Old Testament, we find a trail of clues that God had something far bigger in mind when he called Abram out of Ur of the Chaldees, made a covenant with him, and made him the father of the people of Israel. The clues may seem coincidental until you see them all together. 

Ruth, a Moabite woman, a Gentile, or non-Jew, becomes the grandmother of the famous King David. The mother of Boaz who married Ruth was Rahab, a prostitute who lived in the city of Jericho. She was also a Gentile. 

During a severe drought God would miraculously feed the prophet Elijah and the widow of Zeraphath, a Gentile with “a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug” until he sends rain on the land. God would also raise the widow’s son from the dead through Elijah’s ministrations. 

God would use the prophet Elisha during the reign of King Joram of Israel as the instrument through which he healed Naaman who was commander of the armies of the king of Aram, a Gentile nation. Naaman had a skin disease. After he was healed Naaman would renounce his former god Rimmon and acknowledge only the one true God.

During the days of Jesus’ earthly ministry, while visiting his hometown of Nazareth, Jesus declares in the town’s synagogue the year of jubilee, the year of God’s favor and then angers those present by intimating God will not be showing his favor to them but to the Gentiles. They turn into a lynch mob and try to throw him off the top of the hill on which the town is built but he walks through the mob unharmed. 

In the gospels are accounts of how Jesus expels a demon from the daughter of Syrophoenician woman, a Gentile, and heals the servant of a Roman officer, a Gentile.

After the disciples receive the Holy Spirit in the upper room on the Feast of Pentecost, they gradual comes to the realization that the good news about Jesus, about his resurrection from the dead, his divinity, and his lordship are not just for the Jews, it is for the Gentiles too. It is for all people. 

Jesus had instructed them to make disciples of all people groups, but they do not grasp the meaning of what he said right away. God makes it clear to them. They are to be messengers of salvation to all the peoples on the earth. Paul who had been persecuting the early Christians experiences a dramatic conversion and becomes the apostle to the Gentiles.

Like the first disciples we are slow to catch on. Jesus did not entrust the mission of spreading the good news about himself and making more disciples just to the first disciples. He has entrusted that task to every succeeding generation of his disciples until he comes again in glory. We are now the messengers of salvation.

We do not get to choose to whom we proclaim that message nor do we get to choose who we make disciples. We are to proclaim the message to everybody, and we are to endeavor to make everybody a disciple. In this sense, God extends his grace to everybody. God has clearly mandated that we share the love of Jesus with everyone and that we show the love of Jesus to everyone.

An individual’s salvation is ultimately in God’s hands. It is not our place to try to second guess God. It is not our role to be the final arbiters of who will be saved.

The task we have been given is to represent our Lord to the world and to tell people about him. If they show an interest in becoming his disciple, our task is to encourage them and help them. 

In practice it means ministering beyond the confines of our church building and the parking lot, making friends with people of all kinds from all walks of life and welcoming them to our larger gatherings and our small gatherings, and enabling them to become a part of our community of faith and not only to learn what we believe but also to witness us live our beliefs before we challenge them to make a commitment to our Lord. It also means seeing in everyone whom we meet no matter the circumstances someone for whom our Lord suffered and died on the cross, someone for whom he gave up his life. 

Silence

Let us affirm our faith in the words 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,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to 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.

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.

Make your ways known upon earth, O God,
your saving power among all peoples.

Renew your Church in holiness,
and help us to serve you with joy.

Guide the leaders of this and every nation,
that justice may prevail throughout the world.

Let not the needy, O God, be forgotten,
nor the hope of the poor be taken away.

Make us instruments of your peace,
and let your glory be over all the earth.

Heavenly Father,
you have promised to hear when we pray
in the name of your Son.
Therefore in confidence and trust
we pray for the Church:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)

Father, enliven the Church for its mission
that we may be salt of the earth and light to the world.

Breathe fresh life into your people.
Give us power to reveal Christ in word and action.

We pray for the world:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)

Creator of all,
lead us and every people into ways of justice and peace.
That we may respect one another in freedom and truth.

Awaken in us a sense of wonder for the earth and all that is in it.
Teach us to care creatively for its resources.

We pray for the community:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)

God of truth, inspire with your wisdom
those whose decisions affect the lives of others
that all may act with integrity and courage.

Give grace to all whose lives are linked with ours.
May we serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.

We pray for those in need:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)

God of hope, comfort and restore
all who suffer in body, mind or spirit.
May they know the power of your healing love.

Make us willing agents of your compassion.
Strengthen us as we share in making people whole.

We remember those who have died and those who mourn:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered.)

We remember with thanksgiving those who have died in the faith
of Christ, and those whose faith is known to you alone.
Father, into your hands we commend them.

Give comfort to those who mourn.
Bring them peace in their time of loss.

We praise you for (N and) all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May their example inspire and encourage us.

We pray for ourselves and our ministries:

(Particular intercessions/thanksgivings may be offered and the prayers
conclude with the following.)

Lord, you have called us to serve you.
Grant that we may walk in your presence:
your love in our hearts,
your truth in our minds,
your strength in our wills;
until, at the end of our journey,
we know the joy of our homecoming
and the welcome of your embrace,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Living God, you called your people out of Egypt
and gave them the covenant;
prepare our hearts to hear your call,
so that we may receive with joy the gospel of your Son
and be your faithful people, now and for ever.
Amen.

Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.

In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.

As our Savior Christ has taught us, 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.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Catherine Winkworth's translation of Heinrich Held's "Let the Earth Now Praise the Lord." 

1 Let the earth now praise the Lord,
Who has truly kept His word
And at last to us did send
Christ, the sinner's help and friend.

2 What the fathers most desired,
What the prophets' heart inspired,
What they longed for many a year,
Stands fulfilled in glory here.

3 Abram's promised great reward,
Zion's helper, Jacob's Lord--
Him of twofold race behold--
Truly came, as long foretold.

4 As Your coming was in peace,
Quiet, full of gentleness,
Let the same mind dwell in me
Which is Yours eternally.

5 Bruise for me the serpent's head
That, set free from doubt and dread,
I may cling to You in faith,
Safely kept through life and death.

6 Then when You will come again
As the glorious king to reign,
I with joy will see Your face,
Freely ransomed by Your grace.

THE DISMISSAL

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and for ever. Amen.

Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace.
Amen. We go in the name of Christ.