All Hallows Sunday Morning and Evening Worship (January 22, 2023)
This Sunday’s order of worship for the morning and the evening is based upon A Form for Ordering a Service of the Word, suggested in the Appendices of A New Zealand Prayer Book (2020). The four songs used in each service come from the United Methodist Church’s The Faith We Sing (2000) or Worship and Song (2011). The Faith We Sing and Worship and Song are supplements to The United Methodist Hymnal (1989). The hymns and worship songs in these two collections have proven their usefulness in worship. The choral benediction is Carlton R. Young's musical setting of the biblical benediction, "The Lord Bless You and Keep You."
Morning Worship begins at the top of the page. Scroll down the page for the beginning of Evening Worship. MORNING WORSHIP
THE PREPARATION
Through Jesus let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, the fruit of lips that acknowledge God’s name. Hebrews 13: 15
Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Perry’s O God Beyond All Praising.” [TFWS 2009]
1 O God beyond all praising,
we worship you today
and sing the love amazing
that songs cannot repay;
for we can only wonder
at every gift you send,
at blessings without number
and mercies without end:
we lift our hearts before you
and wait upon your word,
we honor and adore you,
our great and mighty Lord.
2 Then hear, O gracious Savior,
accept the love we bring,
that we who know your favor
may serve you as our king;
and whether our tomorrows
be filled with good or ill,
we'll triumph through our sorrows
and rise to bless you still:
to marvel at your beauty
and glory in your ways,
and make a joyful duty
our sacrifice of praise,.
and make a joyful duty
our sacrifice of praise.
Hear God’s word to all who turn to Christ:
If we claim to be sinless,
we are self-deceived and strangers to the truth.
If we confess our sins,
God is just and may be trusted to forgive our sins
and cleanse us from every kind of wrong. 1 John 1:8-9
God has promised forgiveness
to all who truly repent,
turn to Christ in faith
and are themselves forgiving.
In silence we call to mind our sins.
Silence
Let us confess our sins.
Merciful God,
we have sinned
in what we have thought and said,
in the wrong we have done
and in the good we have not done.
We have sinned in ignorance:
we have sinned in weakness:
we have sinned through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry.
We repent and turn to you.
Forgive us, for our Savior Christ’s sake,
and renew our lives to the glory of your name. Amen.
Almighty God, who pardons all who truly repent,
forgive our sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Twila Paris’ “Honor and Praise.” [TFWS #2018]
Righteous and holy in all of your ways,
We come before you with honor and praise;
Here to adore you for all of our days,
We come before you with honor and praise.
Lord of the heavens, how faithful you are!
Shine down upon us, oh Bright Morning Star.
Righteous and holy in all of your ways,
We come before you with honor and praise.
Honor and praise
Filling the temple, the work of your grace,
We come before you with honor and praise;
Here to adore you for all of our days,
We come before you with honor and praise.
Lord of the heavens, how faithful you are!
Rise in our spirits, oh Bright Morning Star.
Righteous and holy in all of your ways,
We come before you with honor and praise.
Here to adore you for all of our days,
We come before you with honor and praise.
Honor and praise
Honor and praise
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us pray.
Silence is kept, followed by this opening prayer.
Loving God,
the light of the minds that know you,
the life of the souls that love you,
and the strength of the hearts that serve you:
help us to so know you
that we truly love you,
and so to love you
that we may faithfully serve you,
whose service is perfect freedom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A Reading from the New Testament (1 John 1: 1-4)
We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us. We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy.
Silence follows the reading.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
More than a Great Teacher
In addition to a gospel, an account of the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, three letters contained in the New Testament, the second half of the Bible, are attributed to John the Apostle, son of Zebedee and disciple of Jesus. These three letters form with the Letter of James, the two Letters of Peter, and the Letter of Jude what are called the Catholic Letters. The word “Catholic” is used in the sense of “general” in designating these letters. They were given this designation because they are addressed to the whole universal church and not to a particular faith community or individual like the Letters of Paul.
Although their order in older Greek manuscripts of the Bible has varied, the three Letters of John typically are the 23rd, 24th, and 25th books of English translations of the New Testament. They follow the Letters of James and Peter.
The First Letter of John was written to a group of churches that had experienced a split over the belief that God had become a human being in the person of Jesus Christ. Those who rejected this belief claimed not only to have all kinds of mystical experiences but also to be perfect and sinless and exempt from the morality and rules of behavior that applied to everyone else. They were attracting a sizeable following among the pagans.
In the passage from the First Letter of John in this morning's New Testament reading, the author of the letter reassures those who believed that God did become a human being in Jesus Christ that they are not wrong in what they believe. He could personally attest that Jesus Christ was who they believed that he was. He had touched Jesus and he had heard Jesus. He was making this clear to them so that they could have a close relationship with him and the faith community of which he is part. He goes on to point to their attention that such a relationship is also a close relationship with God. He is bringing this to their attention so that they can fully share the joy that is his and his faith community’s. They do not need to feel discouraged because those who broke away from their churches do not believe that God had become a human being in Jesus Christ and Jesus Christ was the human form of God.
The late Billy Graham wrote in an article for the Chicago Tribune:
Jesus wasn't just a godly person with great spiritual insights, nor was He only a great moral and spiritual teacher. He was more than these, because He was both fully human and fully divine (which is why He was called the Son of God). Think of it: God became a man, and that Man was Jesus Christ. As the Bible says, "God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him" (Colossians 1:19).
Jesus Christ was both a human being and God is a core belief of the Christian faith. God did not just take on the appearance of a human being like the gods of the Greek and Roman myths. God actually became a human being. God experienced what it was like to be born as a human and to die as a human.
Jesus Christ was not a man who proclaimed himself a god like the Roman emperors did. Nor was he someone whom people have come to treat as god and to whom they make offerings and prayers like a kami in Shinto, an indigenous religion practiced in Japan. Rather God was present in Jesus Christ, reconciling the world to himself.
How is this possible you may ask? Didn’t Jesus pray to God? Was he praying to himself?
It is possible because God, while one Being with one Substance has three Persons—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. These three Persons, while they are distinct from each other form one God.
It was God in the Person of the Son who was born a human infant and lived among us. It was God in the Person of the Son who died on the cross for our salvation. He suffered on the cross the consequences of our sins, those things that keep us from enjoying the right kind of relationship with God. After three days he would rise from the dead and would appear to Mary Magdalene, then to his other disciples, and then to large number of witnesses. He would spend time with his disciples before ascending into heaven.
While Jesus was on the earth, he promised to send his disciples a Helper to take his place. This Helper is God himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit who comes to us and dwells within our innermost being. The Holy Spirit unites us to other believers, as well as to God and to Jesus.
How is this possible you may ask again? Jesus himself has the answer to your question. As he told his disciples, “What is impossible for people is possible with God.” What appears to be humanly impossible is more than possible with God. God does not experience the limitations that we experience. God can do what we cannot do. We have Jesus’ word for that. We can trust what he says.
A time of silence is kept, followed by this affirmation of faith.
We believe in one God,
who made us and loves all that is.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was born, lived, died and rose again,
and is coming to call all to account.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
who calls, equips and sends out God’s people,
and brings all things to their true end.
This is our faith, the faith of the Church:
We believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Open this link in a new tab to hear Elizabeth Goodine’s “Praise You.” [TFWS #2003]
Praise you, (praise you) praise you;
Let my life praise you.
Praise you, (praise you) praise you;
Let my life, O Lord, praise you.
Praise you, (praise you) praise you;
Let my life praise you.
Praise you, (praise you) praise you;
Let my life, O Lord, praise you.
Lord, I come to you today
With a simple prayer to pray.
In everything I do,
Let my life, O Lord, praise you.
Praise you, (praise you) praise you;
Let my life praise you.
Praise you, (praise you) praise you;
Let my life, O Lord, praise you.
Lord, you formed me out of clay.
For your glory I was made.
Use this vessel as you choose.
Let my life, O Lord, praise you.
Praise you, (praise you) praise you;
Let my life praise you.
Praise you, (praise you) praise you;
Let my life, O Lord, praise you.
Praise you, (praise you) praise you;
Let my life praise you.
Praise you, (praise you) praise you;
Let my life, O Lord, praise you.
Let my life, O Lord, praise you.
THE PRAYERS
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ has promised that you will hear us when we ask in faith: receive the prayers we offer.
The leader and the other participants pray responsively.
Particular intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered before any section.
Periods of silence may be kept.
Blessed are you eternal God,
to be praised and glorified for ever.
Heavenly Father, hear us as we pray for the unity of the Church.
May we all be one that the world may believe.
Grant that every member of the Church
may truly and humbly serve you,
that the life of Christ may be revealed in us.
We remember those who have died.
Father, into your hands we commend them.
(Remembering N)
We praise you for all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May we also come to share your heavenly kingdom.
Have compassion on those who suffer from sickness,
grief or trouble.
In your presence may they find strength and healing.
Look with your kindness on our homes and families.
Grant that your love may grow in our hearts.
Make us alive to the needs of our community.
Help us to share one another’s joys and burdens.
Inspire and lead those who hold authority
in the nations of the world.
Guide us and all people in the way of justice and peace.
Strengthen all who minister in Christ’s name.
Give us courage to proclaim your Gospel.
We pray in silence for our own needs and the needs of others...
The Prayers conclude with the following collect and the Lord’s Prayer.
Praise to you, abundant God,
for when we ask, you give;
when we seek, you show the way.
When we knock, you answer.
Praise to you for your unfailing grace.
Make us now your faithful people.
Amen.
Accept our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught
us to 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.
THE CONCLUSION
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Delores Dufner’s “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve.” [TFWS #2241]
The Spirit sends us forth to serve;
We go in Jesus’ name
To bring glad tidings to the poor,
God’s favor to proclaim.
We go to comfort those who mourn
And set the burdened free;
Where hope is dim, to share a dream
And help the blind to see.
We go to be the hands of Christ,
To scatter joy like seed
And, all our days, to cherish life,
To do the loving deed.
Then let us go to serve in peace,
The gospel to proclaim.
God’s Spirit has empowered us;
We go in Jesus’ name.
May the God of peace equip us with everything good for
doing his will, working in us what is pleasing to him,
through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The leader and the other participants pray responsively.
Particular intercessions and thanksgivings may be offered before any section.
Periods of silence may be kept.
Blessed are you eternal God,
to be praised and glorified for ever.
Heavenly Father, hear us as we pray for the unity of the Church.
May we all be one that the world may believe.
Grant that every member of the Church
may truly and humbly serve you,
that the life of Christ may be revealed in us.
We remember those who have died.
Father, into your hands we commend them.
(Remembering N)
We praise you for all your saints
who have entered your eternal glory.
May we also come to share your heavenly kingdom.
Have compassion on those who suffer from sickness,
grief or trouble.
In your presence may they find strength and healing.
Look with your kindness on our homes and families.
Grant that your love may grow in our hearts.
Make us alive to the needs of our community.
Help us to share one another’s joys and burdens.
Inspire and lead those who hold authority
in the nations of the world.
Guide us and all people in the way of justice and peace.
Strengthen all who minister in Christ’s name.
Give us courage to proclaim your Gospel.
We pray in silence for our own needs and the needs of others...
The Prayers conclude with the following collect and the Lord’s Prayer.
Praise to you, abundant God,
for when we ask, you give;
when we seek, you show the way.
When we knock, you answer.
Praise to you for your unfailing grace.
Make us now your faithful people.
Amen.
Accept our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught
us to 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.
THE CONCLUSION
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Delores Dufner’s “The Spirit Sends Us Forth to Serve.” [TFWS #2241]
The Spirit sends us forth to serve;
We go in Jesus’ name
To bring glad tidings to the poor,
God’s favor to proclaim.
We go to comfort those who mourn
And set the burdened free;
Where hope is dim, to share a dream
And help the blind to see.
We go to be the hands of Christ,
To scatter joy like seed
And, all our days, to cherish life,
To do the loving deed.
Then let us go to serve in peace,
The gospel to proclaim.
God’s Spirit has empowered us;
We go in Jesus’ name.
May the God of peace equip us with everything good for
doing his will, working in us what is pleasing to him,
through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
And give you peace.
And give you peace.
Amen.
Amen.
EVENING WORSHIP
THE PREPARATION
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
Lift up your hands to the holy place,
and bless the Lord. Psalm 134: 1-2
Open this link in a new tab to hear Natalie Sleeth’s “God of Great and God of Small.” [WAS #3033]
1 God of great and God of small,
God of one and God of all,
God of weak and God of strong,
God to whom all things belong,
alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.
2 God of land and sea and sky,
God of life and destiny,
God of never-ending power,
yet beside me every hour,
alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.
3 God of silence, God of sound,
God by whom the lost are found,
God of day and darkest night,
God whose love turns wrong to right,
alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.
4 God heaven and God earth,
God death and God of birth,
God of now and days before,
God who reigns forevermore,
alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.
Coda:
Praise be to your name.
If we claim to be sinless,
we are self-deceived and strangers to the truth.
If we confess our sins,
God is just and may be trusted to forgive our sins
and cleanse us from every kind of wrong.
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.
God of mercy,
we have sinned against you and against others.
We have sinned in what we have done,
and in what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for our sins,
forgive us all that is past
and raise us to newness of life. Amen.
Almighty God, who pardons all who truly repent,
forgive our sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves and Ed Cash’s “How Great Is Our God (The Splendor of the King).”
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
He is the name above all names
He is worthy of our praise
And my heart will sing
How great is our God
He is the name above all names
He is worthy of our praise
And my heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us pray.
Silence is kept, followed by this opening prayer.
Loving God,
the light of the minds that know you,
the life of the souls that love you,
and the strength of the hearts that serve you:
help us to so know you
that we truly love you,
and so to love you
that we may faithfully serve you,
whose service is perfect freedom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A Reading from the New Testament (1 Peter 1:3-12)
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.
They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
Silence follows the reading.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
And give you peace.
And give you peace.
Amen.
Amen.
EVENING WORSHIP
THE PREPARATION
Come, bless the Lord, all you servants of the Lord,
who stand by night in the house of the Lord!
Lift up your hands to the holy place,
and bless the Lord. Psalm 134: 1-2
Open this link in a new tab to hear Natalie Sleeth’s “God of Great and God of Small.” [WAS #3033]
1 God of great and God of small,
God of one and God of all,
God of weak and God of strong,
God to whom all things belong,
alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.
2 God of land and sea and sky,
God of life and destiny,
God of never-ending power,
yet beside me every hour,
alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.
3 God of silence, God of sound,
God by whom the lost are found,
God of day and darkest night,
God whose love turns wrong to right,
alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.
4 God heaven and God earth,
God death and God of birth,
God of now and days before,
God who reigns forevermore,
alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.
Coda:
Praise be to your name.
If we claim to be sinless,
we are self-deceived and strangers to the truth.
If we confess our sins,
God is just and may be trusted to forgive our sins
and cleanse us from every kind of wrong.
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.
God of mercy,
we have sinned against you and against others.
We have sinned in what we have done,
and in what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
who died for our sins,
forgive us all that is past
and raise us to newness of life. Amen.
Almighty God, who pardons all who truly repent,
forgive our sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chris Tomlin, Jesse Reeves and Ed Cash’s “How Great Is Our God (The Splendor of the King).”
The splendor of a King, clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father Spirit Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
He is the name above all names
He is worthy of our praise
And my heart will sing
How great is our God
He is the name above all names
He is worthy of our praise
And my heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us pray.
Silence is kept, followed by this opening prayer.
Loving God,
the light of the minds that know you,
the life of the souls that love you,
and the strength of the hearts that serve you:
help us to so know you
that we truly love you,
and so to love you
that we may faithfully serve you,
whose service is perfect freedom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A Reading from the New Testament (1 Peter 1:3-12)
All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay. And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.
So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you must endure many trials for a little while. These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.
You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls.
This salvation was something even the prophets wanted to know more about when they prophesied about this gracious salvation prepared for you. They wondered what time or situation the Spirit of Christ within them was talking about when he told them in advance about Christ’s suffering and his great glory afterward.
They were told that their messages were not for themselves, but for you. And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. It is all so wonderful that even the angels are eagerly watching these things happen.
Silence follows the reading.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
A Prayer and a Thought
As I was reading this passage from the Second Letter of Peter, the words of a prayer began to form in my mind, not just a prayer for myself but also for my brothers and sisters in Christ and for those who do not yet know Jesus Christ.
Thank you, heavenly Father, for the great mercy you have shown us in raising Jesus Christ from the dead and making it possible for us to be born anew, to have new life in him. Grant us a faith that is genuine, a faith that is strong and vigorous, a faith that will endure. Enable us to truly love Jesus and wholeheartedly trust him even though we have never seen him. May we show in every word we speak and in every action we take our gratitude for the Good News by which you awaken and arouse faith in us. May our hearts, minds, and lives be always open to your grace, to the power of your Holy Spirit working in us, that one day we may receive with joy the gracious salvation that you have prepared for us. This we ask through your dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Let it be so. Amen.
One further thought. One of the best ways that we can we express our gratitude to God is to share the Good News with others, to tell them about Jesus and what he has done for us, The Good News that was announced to us is not something that we keep to ourselves as a closely guarded secret. It is something to give away to all and sundry so that they too may experience the joy of the salvation that is the reward for trusting in Jesus Christ. If we love our neighbors in truth, we will desire what is good for their psychological and spiritual wellbeing as well as their physical wellbeing. We will not be satisfied with anything less.
A time of silence is kept, followed by this affirmation of faith.
We believe in one God,
who made us and loves all that is.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was born, lived, died and rose again,
and is coming to call all to account.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
who calls, equips and sends out God’s people,
and brings all things to their true end.
This is our faith, the faith of the Church:
We believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Open this link in a new tab to hear Trevor Hodge’s musical setting of Bessy Porter Ann Head’s “O Breath of Life, Come Sweeping through Us.” [WAS #3146]*
1 O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and power.
O Breath of life, come, cleanse, renew us,
and fit your church to meet this hour.
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
2 O Wind of God, come bend us, break us,
till humbly we confess our need.
Then in your tenderness remake us;
revive, restore, for this we plead.
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abating
while harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive us, Lord, the world is waiting,
equip your church to spread the light.
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
Coda:
O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and power.
*This is a different musical setting from Carlton R. Young's setting in Worship and Song.
THE PRAYERS
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.
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice;
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name;
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory.
Amen.
Accept our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught
us to 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.
THE CONCLUSION
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Sylvia Dunstan’s “Go to the World! Go into All the Earth.” [WAS #3158]
Go to the world! Go into all the earth;
Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth,
Baptizing as the sign of our rebirth.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Go to the world! Go into every place;
Go live the word of God’s redeeming grace;
Go seek God’s presence in each time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Go to the world! Go struggle, bless, and pray;
The nights of tears give way to joyful day.
As servant Church, you follow Christ’s own way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thank you, heavenly Father, for the great mercy you have shown us in raising Jesus Christ from the dead and making it possible for us to be born anew, to have new life in him. Grant us a faith that is genuine, a faith that is strong and vigorous, a faith that will endure. Enable us to truly love Jesus and wholeheartedly trust him even though we have never seen him. May we show in every word we speak and in every action we take our gratitude for the Good News by which you awaken and arouse faith in us. May our hearts, minds, and lives be always open to your grace, to the power of your Holy Spirit working in us, that one day we may receive with joy the gracious salvation that you have prepared for us. This we ask through your dear Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord. Let it be so. Amen.
One further thought. One of the best ways that we can we express our gratitude to God is to share the Good News with others, to tell them about Jesus and what he has done for us, The Good News that was announced to us is not something that we keep to ourselves as a closely guarded secret. It is something to give away to all and sundry so that they too may experience the joy of the salvation that is the reward for trusting in Jesus Christ. If we love our neighbors in truth, we will desire what is good for their psychological and spiritual wellbeing as well as their physical wellbeing. We will not be satisfied with anything less.
A time of silence is kept, followed by this affirmation of faith.
We believe in one God,
who made us and loves all that is.
We believe in Jesus Christ,
God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was born, lived, died and rose again,
and is coming to call all to account.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
who calls, equips and sends out God’s people,
and brings all things to their true end.
This is our faith, the faith of the Church:
We believe in one God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Amen
Open this link in a new tab to hear Trevor Hodge’s musical setting of Bessy Porter Ann Head’s “O Breath of Life, Come Sweeping through Us.” [WAS #3146]*
1 O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and power.
O Breath of life, come, cleanse, renew us,
and fit your church to meet this hour.
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
2 O Wind of God, come bend us, break us,
till humbly we confess our need.
Then in your tenderness remake us;
revive, restore, for this we plead.
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abating
while harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive us, Lord, the world is waiting,
equip your church to spread the light.
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
Coda:
O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and power.
*This is a different musical setting from Carlton R. Young's setting in Worship and Song.
THE PRAYERS
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.
God of mercy,
you have given us grace to pray with one heart and one voice;
and have promised to hear the prayers
of two or three who agree in your name;
fulfil now, we pray,
the prayers and longings of your people
as may be best for us and for your kingdom.
Grant us in this world to know your truth,
and in the world to come to see your glory.
Amen.
Accept our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught
us to 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.
THE CONCLUSION
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Sylvia Dunstan’s “Go to the World! Go into All the Earth.” [WAS #3158]
Go to the world! Go into all the earth;
Go preach the cross where Christ renews life’s worth,
Baptizing as the sign of our rebirth.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Go to the world! Go into every place;
Go live the word of God’s redeeming grace;
Go seek God’s presence in each time and space.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Go to the world! Go struggle, bless, and pray;
The nights of tears give way to joyful day.
As servant Church, you follow Christ’s own way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
[Organ interlude]
Go to the World! Go as the ones I send,
For I am with you till the age shall end,
When all the host of glory cry, “Amen.”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
May the God of peace equip us with everything good for
doing his will, working in us what is pleasing to him,
through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Go to the World! Go as the ones I send,
For I am with you till the age shall end,
When all the host of glory cry, “Amen.”
Alleluia! Alleluia!
May the God of peace equip us with everything good for
doing his will, working in us what is pleasing to him,
through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
And give you peace.
And give you peace.
Amen.
Amen.
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
The Lord bless you and keep you,
the Lord make his face shine upon you
and be gracious to you.
And give you peace.
And give you peace.
Amen.
Amen.
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