Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, June 25, 2023)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows. The Northern Hemisphere’s summer solstice fell on Wednesday of this week, and summer officially began on that day. This Sunday is the first Sunday of the summer. If you are homebound or on the road or you cannot attend a local church for any other reason during the summer, All Hallows will be offering a service on Sundays throughout the summer.
1. INVOCATION
Give thanks to the Lord for God is good
and God’s steadfast love endures for ever
Almighty and most gracious God,
Maker of the heavens and the earth,
We give thanks and praise that
you have made yourself known to us
and have given us the way to salvation
through faith in your Son.
Teach us through your Word
and equip us for every good work,
for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen.
All glory be to the Father,
all glory be to the Son.
all glory be to the Holy Spirit,
one God for ever. Amen.
2. PSALMS
Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley Smith’s paraphrase of the Venite (Psalm 95), “Come, Let Us Praise the Lord.”
1 Come, let us praise the Lord,
with joy our God acclaim,
his greatness tell abroad
and bless his saving Name.
Lift high your songs
before his throne
to whom alone
all praise belongs.
2 Our God of matchless worth,
our King beyond compare,
the deepest bounds of earth,
the hills, are in his care.
He all decrees,
who by his hand
prepared the land
and formed the seas.
3 In worship bow the knee,
our glorious God confess;
the great Creator, he,
the Lord our Righteousness.
He reigns unseen:
his flock he feeds
and gently leads
in pastures green.
4 Come, hear his voice today,
receive what love imparts;
his holy will obey
and harden not your hearts.
His ways are best;
and lead at last,
all troubles past,
to perfect rest.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kiran Young Wimberly’s paraphrase of Psalm 147, “Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow”
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise the healer of our souls
Earth and moon and stars above sing
Praise to you, O God of love
How good it is to sing our praise
God’s grace extends through all our days
God brings the outcasts home to rest
And builds a new Jerusalem
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise the healer of our souls
Earth and moon and stars above sing
Praise to you, O God of love
God will heal the brokenhearted ones
Bind up and heal their every wound
God counts the number of the stars
And gives a name to one and all
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise the healer of our souls
Earth and moon and stars above sing
Praise to you, O God of love
[Instrumental interlude]
We will sing to God with joy and praise
With melody and thankfulness,
The clouds may pass before the sky
But rain will make the flowers thrive
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise the healer of our souls
Earth and moon and stars above sing
Praise to you, O God of love
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise God, all creatures here below
Grant us your peace in home and hearth
And send your love through all the earth
Praise God from whom all blessings flow
Praise the healer of our souls
Earth and moon and stars above sing
Praise to you, O God of love
Praise to you, O God of love
Praise to you, O God of love
3. OLD TESTAMENT CANTICLE
Open this link in a new tab to hear Carl P. Daw Jr.’s paraphrase of the Benedicite Omnia Opera (Song of Creation), “Let All Creation Bless the Lord.”
1 Let all creation bless the Lord,
till heav'n with praise is ringing.
Sun, moon, and stars, peal out a chord,
stir up the angels' singing.
Sing, wind and rain! Sing snow and sleet!
Make music, day, night, cold, and heat:
exalt the God who made you,
exalt the God who made you!
2 All living things upon the earth,
green fertile hills and mountains,
sing to the God who gave you birth;
be joyful, springs and fountains.
Lithe waterlife, bright airborne birds,
wild roving beasts, tame flocks and herds;
exalt the God who made you,
exalt the God who made you!.
3 O men and women ev'rywhere,
lift up a hymn of glory:
all you who know God's steadfast care,
tell out salvation's story.
No tongue be mute; all sing your part,
you humble souls and meek of heart:
exalt the God who made you,
exalt the God who made you!
4. HYMN
Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley-Smith’s “So the Day Dawn for Me.”
1 So the day dawn for me,
so the day break,
Christ watching over me,
Christ as I wake.
2 Be the day shine to me,
be the day bright,
Christ my companion be,
Christ be my light.
3 Be the day dark to me,
be the day drear,
Christ shall my comfort be,
Christ be my cheer.
4 Be the day swift to me,
be the day long,
Christ my contentment be,
Christ be my song.
5 So the day close for me,
so the night fall,
Christ watching over me,
Christ be my all.
5. READING
A reading from the New Testament (Matthew 10:24–39)
“Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names!
“But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear!
“Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
“Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.
“Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.
‘I have come to set a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Your enemies will be right in your own household!’*
“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.
Silence
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory
6. HOMILY
A Lesson in Discipleship
What Jesus is telling his disciples in today’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew is that they can expect to encounter hostility and opposition just as he encountered hostility and opposition. They cannot be expected to be treated any better than he was treated. He urges them to be bold in their witness to him and to fear no one except God. While there is the possibility that they might be killed, their souls are in God’s keeping. God highly values them.
Jesus stresses the importance of publicly acknowledging him. Those who do not publicly acknowledge him cannot expect him to acknowledge them as his disciples. Elsewhere Jesus tells his disciples that he will not acknowledge those who call him Lord but do not do what he tells them.
Jesus is also acknowledging that following him as a disciple may cause division in families and members of their families may turn against them. He goes on to stress that his disciples’ devotion to him must exceed their devotion to anyone else such as members of their family. It must be more than their devotion to life itself.
Criminals who were condemned to death by crucifixion were forced to carry their cross or the cross bar of their cross to the place of execution. Anyone seen carrying a cross or the cross bar of a cross was considered a dead person. By figuratively taking up a cross a disciple of Jesus expresses their willingness to die for Jesus.
What Jesus is not telling his disciples is that everyone who is not one of his disciples is hostile or opposed to them. What he is not encouraging them to take is an “us against them” attitude. As disciples of Jesus, we can expect to encounter hostility and opposition but not from everybody. God is invisibly at work in the lives of the people around us.
What Jesus is not telling his disciples is that everyone who is not one of his disciples is hostile or opposed to them. What he is not encouraging them to take is an “us against them” attitude. As disciples of Jesus, we can expect to encounter hostility and opposition but not from everybody. God is invisibly at work in the lives of the people around us.
A growing body of research shows that a significant portion of the US population has a positive view of Jesus and his teachings while having a negative view of modern-day Christians. These research findings indicate their negative view of modern-day Christians is tied largely to the words and actions of these Christians. The latter are not representing Jesus and his teachings very well.
What Jesus is not telling his disciples to take is a belligerent or combative attitude toward other people, particularly those who are non-Christians and do not share their beliefs and values. Nor is Jesus encouraging his disciples to play the role of victim and not take any responsibility for their own words and actions and to blame others for negative situations to which they have contributed.
I have run across articles on the internet and comments on social media in which this passage from Matthew’s Gospel is used to rationalize such an attitude or playing such a role. It is not a good practice, however, to seek to understand and apply a teaching or example of Jesus in isolation from what else he taught and practiced. Each teaching or example must be considered in the light of the larger context of what he said and did.
While we may encounter hostility and opposition, we are expected to live our lives as disciples of Jesus in accordance with all of his teachings he gave and all of the examples he set. As well as telling people about Jesus, this is one of the ways that we are witnesses to Jesus, one of the ways that we act as his representatives and ambassadors.
One thing of the things that can influence how we relate to other people is the phenomenon known as “self-fulfilling prophecy.” “Self-fulfilling prophecy, also known as interpersonal expectancy effect, refers to the phenomenon whereby a person's or a group's expectation for the behavior of another person or group serves actually to bring about the prophesied or expected behavior.” If we show and share the love of Jesus with someone with the expectation that they will reject what we are saying and doing we increase the likelihood they will reject us.
What Jesus is not telling his disciples to take is a belligerent or combative attitude toward other people, particularly those who are non-Christians and do not share their beliefs and values. Nor is Jesus encouraging his disciples to play the role of victim and not take any responsibility for their own words and actions and to blame others for negative situations to which they have contributed.
I have run across articles on the internet and comments on social media in which this passage from Matthew’s Gospel is used to rationalize such an attitude or playing such a role. It is not a good practice, however, to seek to understand and apply a teaching or example of Jesus in isolation from what else he taught and practiced. Each teaching or example must be considered in the light of the larger context of what he said and did.
While we may encounter hostility and opposition, we are expected to live our lives as disciples of Jesus in accordance with all of his teachings he gave and all of the examples he set. As well as telling people about Jesus, this is one of the ways that we are witnesses to Jesus, one of the ways that we act as his representatives and ambassadors.
One thing of the things that can influence how we relate to other people is the phenomenon known as “self-fulfilling prophecy.” “Self-fulfilling prophecy, also known as interpersonal expectancy effect, refers to the phenomenon whereby a person's or a group's expectation for the behavior of another person or group serves actually to bring about the prophesied or expected behavior.” If we show and share the love of Jesus with someone with the expectation that they will reject what we are saying and doing we increase the likelihood they will reject us.
However, if we approach them with the expectation that God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit, is working In their lives, and what we are saying and doing will, if not immediately, at some point in the future, have positive results, we increase the likelihood that they will be responsive. Our attitude, our words, and body language will be different from what it might have been if we approached them with the expectation that they would reject us.
For this reason, I believe that it is important not to misconstrue what Jesus is saying in this passage and use it to adopt a negative attitude toward the people around us or adopt a negative role in the way that we relate to them. Jesus himself taught and modeled how we should conduct ourselves. He was compassionate, empathetic, forgiving, generous, kind, and patient. He had his eyes open for people in need and did what he could to help them. He did not shun the company of sinners but ministered to them. Nor did he avoid those who thought themselves to be righteous.
A disciple of Jesus is more than someone who goes to church on Sundays. As Jesus tells his disciples in today’s reading, a disciple is a student—a student of Jesus. Jesus is the disciple’s teacher and exemplar. He is our mentor and guide, the friend and shepherd of our souls. Ideally and with the help of God’s grace, we will be such close students of Jesus that others will not hear or see us. They will hear and see Jesus.
7. GOSPEL CANTICLE
Open this link in a new tab to hear Ruth Duck’s paraphrase of the Benedictus Dominus Deus (Song of Zechariah), “Now Bless the God of Israel.”
1 Now bless the God of Israel who comes in love and power,
who raises from the royal house deliv’rance in this hour.
Through holy prophets God has sworn to free us from alarm,
to save us from the heavy hand of all who wish us harm.
2 Remembering the covenant, God rescues us from fear,
that we might serve in holiness and peace from year to year.
And you, my child, shall go before, to preach, to prophesy,
that all may know the tender love, the grace of God most high.
[Instrumental interlude]
3 In tender mercy, God will send the dayspring from on high,
our rising sun, the light of life for those who sit and sigh.
God comes to guide our way to peace, that death shall reign no more.
Sing praises to the Holy One, O worship and adore.
8. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
For this reason, I believe that it is important not to misconstrue what Jesus is saying in this passage and use it to adopt a negative attitude toward the people around us or adopt a negative role in the way that we relate to them. Jesus himself taught and modeled how we should conduct ourselves. He was compassionate, empathetic, forgiving, generous, kind, and patient. He had his eyes open for people in need and did what he could to help them. He did not shun the company of sinners but ministered to them. Nor did he avoid those who thought themselves to be righteous.
A disciple of Jesus is more than someone who goes to church on Sundays. As Jesus tells his disciples in today’s reading, a disciple is a student—a student of Jesus. Jesus is the disciple’s teacher and exemplar. He is our mentor and guide, the friend and shepherd of our souls. Ideally and with the help of God’s grace, we will be such close students of Jesus that others will not hear or see us. They will hear and see Jesus.
7. GOSPEL CANTICLE
Open this link in a new tab to hear Ruth Duck’s paraphrase of the Benedictus Dominus Deus (Song of Zechariah), “Now Bless the God of Israel.”
1 Now bless the God of Israel who comes in love and power,
who raises from the royal house deliv’rance in this hour.
Through holy prophets God has sworn to free us from alarm,
to save us from the heavy hand of all who wish us harm.
2 Remembering the covenant, God rescues us from fear,
that we might serve in holiness and peace from year to year.
And you, my child, shall go before, to preach, to prophesy,
that all may know the tender love, the grace of God most high.
[Instrumental interlude]
3 In tender mercy, God will send the dayspring from on high,
our rising sun, the light of life for those who sit and sigh.
God comes to guide our way to peace, that death shall reign no more.
Sing praises to the Holy One, O worship and adore.
8. PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
Let us pray for all people and for the Church throughout the world.
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ has promised that you will hear us when we ask in faith: receive the prayers we offer
We give thanks for... We pray for...
Christians in other countries, especially where there is suffering, danger and persecution; those sent out as missionaries (especially...); Christians in your country; the United Methodist Church (or your own denomination); your annual conference (or your diocese, synod, etc.); your church; N your minister(s)…
Strengthen your people for their witness and work in the world. Fill your ministers with your Spirit, that they may faithfully preach the gospel and administer your holy sacraments. Unite in the truth all who confess your name, that we may live together in love and proclaim your glory in all the world.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We give thanks for... We pray for...
the peoples of the world and their leaders; countries in crisis; leaders of Federal and State government; and those who administer the laws; all who have responsibility; all men and women in their daily work.
Give wisdom to those in authority in every land, and give to all peoples a desire for righteousness and peace, with the will to work together in trust, to seek the common good and to share with justice the resources of the earth.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We give thanks for... We pray for...
one another; your community; your local government, the police; those caring for people in need; those who teach in your schools; people known to you (especially...)...
We commend to your keeping, Father, ourselves and each other, our families, our neighbors, and our friends. Enable us by your Spirit to live in love for you and for one another.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We give thanks for... We pray for... those in need:
those who suffer; the sick in body or mind; the poor; the distressed; the lonely; the unloved; the persecuted; the unemployed; those who grieve; and those who care for them...
Comfort and heal, merciful Lord, all who are in sorrow, need, sickness, or any other trouble. Give them a firm trust in your goodness; help those who minister to them; and bring us all into the joy of your salvation.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We give thanks for the life and witness of…
We praise you, Lord God, for your faithful servants in every age, and ask that we may share with them Christ's resurrection glory, through his death and rising again for our salvation.
9. THE LORD’S PRAYER
All these mercies we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who taught us to pray with the confidence of children.
We therefore dare to say:
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, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
10. BENEDICTION
May God bless and keep us. Amen
May God’s face ever shine upon us. Amen.
May God grant us peace for all our days. Amen.
11. HYMN
Open this link to hear John L. Bell and Graham Maule’s “The Summons.”
1 Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
2 Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
3 Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?
4 Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
5 Lord, your summons echoes true when I but call your name!
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
12. PEACE
Those present may exchange a sign of peace with these words.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Almighty God, your Son Jesus Christ has promised that you will hear us when we ask in faith: receive the prayers we offer
We give thanks for... We pray for...
Christians in other countries, especially where there is suffering, danger and persecution; those sent out as missionaries (especially...); Christians in your country; the United Methodist Church (or your own denomination); your annual conference (or your diocese, synod, etc.); your church; N your minister(s)…
Strengthen your people for their witness and work in the world. Fill your ministers with your Spirit, that they may faithfully preach the gospel and administer your holy sacraments. Unite in the truth all who confess your name, that we may live together in love and proclaim your glory in all the world.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We give thanks for... We pray for...
the peoples of the world and their leaders; countries in crisis; leaders of Federal and State government; and those who administer the laws; all who have responsibility; all men and women in their daily work.
Give wisdom to those in authority in every land, and give to all peoples a desire for righteousness and peace, with the will to work together in trust, to seek the common good and to share with justice the resources of the earth.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We give thanks for... We pray for...
one another; your community; your local government, the police; those caring for people in need; those who teach in your schools; people known to you (especially...)...
We commend to your keeping, Father, ourselves and each other, our families, our neighbors, and our friends. Enable us by your Spirit to live in love for you and for one another.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We give thanks for... We pray for... those in need:
those who suffer; the sick in body or mind; the poor; the distressed; the lonely; the unloved; the persecuted; the unemployed; those who grieve; and those who care for them...
Comfort and heal, merciful Lord, all who are in sorrow, need, sickness, or any other trouble. Give them a firm trust in your goodness; help those who minister to them; and bring us all into the joy of your salvation.
God of grace,
hear our prayer.
We give thanks for the life and witness of…
We praise you, Lord God, for your faithful servants in every age, and ask that we may share with them Christ's resurrection glory, through his death and rising again for our salvation.
9. THE LORD’S PRAYER
All these mercies we ask in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
who taught us to pray with the confidence of children.
We therefore dare to say:
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, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
10. BENEDICTION
May God bless and keep us. Amen
May God’s face ever shine upon us. Amen.
May God grant us peace for all our days. Amen.
11. HYMN
Open this link to hear John L. Bell and Graham Maule’s “The Summons.”
1 Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
2 Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
3 Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?
4 Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
5 Lord, your summons echoes true when I but call your name!
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
12. PEACE
Those present may exchange a sign of peace with these words.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
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