Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, August 20, 2023)

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows. You are invited to take advantage of the silence after each reading to reflect upon what you heard and read and to take advantage of the silence after today's message to do the same. When you read a Scripture reading or the message, read them aloud  so you hear the words as well as read them. Read the prayers aloud too and join in the songs whenever and wherever you can. 

WE GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness:
let the whole earth stand in awe. Psalm 96:9

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “Canticle of the Sun.”

The heavens are telling the glory of God,
And all creation is shouting for joy!
Come, dance in the forest, come, play in the field,
And sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!

1 Praise for the sun, the bringer of day,
he carried the light of the Lord in his rays;
the moon and the stars who light up the way
unto your throne.

The heavens are telling the glory of God,
And all creation is shouting for joy!
Come, dance in the forest, come, play in the field,
And sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!

2 Praise for the wind that blows through the trees,
the seas' mighty storms, the gentlest breeze;
they blow where they will, they blow where they please
to please the Lord.

The heavens are telling the glory of God,
And all creation is shouting for joy!
Come, dance in the forest, come, play in the field,
And sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!

3 Praise for the rain that waters our fields,
and blesses our crops so all the earth yields;
from death until life her mystery revealed
springs forth in joy!

The heavens are telling the glory of God,
And all creation is shouting for joy!
Come, dance in the forest, come, play in the field,
And sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!

*4 Praise for the fire who gives us his light,
the warmth of the sun to brighten our night;
he dances with joy, his spirit so bright,
he sings of you!

The heavens are telling the glory of God,
And all creation is shouting for joy!
Come, dance in the forest, come, play in the field,
And sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!

5 Praise for the earth who makes life to grow,
the creatures you made to let your life show;
the flowers and trees that help us to know
the heart of your love.

The heavens are telling the glory of God,
And all creation is shouting for joy!
Come, dance in the forest, come, play in the field,
And sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!

*6 Praise for our death that makes our life real,
the knowledge of loss that helps us to feel;
the gift of yourself, your presence revealed
to bring us home.

The heavens are telling the glory of God,
And all creation is shouting for joy!
Come, dance in the forest, come, play in the field,
And sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!
Sing, sing to the glory of the Lord!

*Omitted in the video.

Almighty God, to you all hearts are open, all desires known, and from you no secrets are hid: Cleanse the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily magnify your holy Name; through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear “Glory to God” from Marty Haugen’s Mass of Creation.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father,
Amen. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.

Let us pray.

Silence

Come Holy Spirit with new fire;
when our prayers seem to fail,
when we hear no voice nor any answer,
rouse us and light our way.
This we ask through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.

WE HEAR GOD’S WORD

A reading from the Old Testament (Isaiah 56:1, 6–8).

This is what the Lord says:
“Be just and fair to all.
Do what is right and good,
for I am coming soon to rescue you
and to display my righteousness among you.
“I will also bless the foreigners who commit themselves to the Lord,
who serve him and love his name,
who worship him and do not desecrate the Sabbath day of rest,
and who hold fast to my covenant.
I will bring them to my holy mountain of Jerusalem
and will fill them with joy in my house of prayer.
I will accept their burnt offerings and sacrifices,
because my Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations.
For the Sovereign Lord,
who brings back the outcasts of Israel, says:
I will bring others, too,
besides my people Israel.”

Silence

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Kiran Young Wimberley’s “May God Be Gracious (Psalm 67).”

May God be gracious unto us
Make God’s face shine on to us
That your way be known on earth
And your power among all nations

Let the peoples praise you, God
All the peoples praise you, God
And be glad and sing for joy
Guide the peoples of all nations

[Instrumental interlude]

God, our God, has blessed us kindly
Blessed us and sustained us kindly
God be gracious unto us
And God’s face shine on all nations

May God be gracious unto us
May God’s face shine on to us
God be gracious unto us
And God’s face shine on all nations

A reading from the New Testament (Matthew 15: 21–28)

Then Jesus left Galilee and went north to the region of Tyre and Sidon. 22A Gentile woman who lived there came to him, pleading, “Have mercy on me, O Lord, Son of David! For my daughter is possessed by a demon that torments her severely.”

But Jesus gave her no reply, not even a word. Then his disciples urged him to send her away. “Tell her to go away,” they said. “She is bothering us with all her begging.”

Then Jesus said to the woman, “I was sent only to help God’s lost sheep—the people of Israel.”

But she came and worshipped him, pleading again, “Lord, help me!”

Jesus responded, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dogs.”

She replied, “That’s true, Lord, but even dogs are allowed to eat the scraps that fall beneath their masters’ table.”

“Dear woman,” Jesus said to her, “your faith is great. Your request is granted.” And her daughter was instantly healed.

Silence

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Jesus, Saviour of the World

A theme that is common to today’s readings is that God extends his mercy, not just to the people of Israel but to all the people groups of the world. God’s grace, his goodwill and favor, is not confined to one people.

It is clear from the disciples’ reaction to the Gentle woman in today’s New Testament reading that the disciples did not understand that God would show his loving kindness to people other than Jews like themselves. While Jesus identifies his mission as primarily to the people of Israel in this reading, he does not exclude both in his words and his action other people groups elsewhere in the Gospels.

For example, in announcing to the people of Bethlehem the arrival of the year of jubilee, the year of God’s favor, he told them that God would be showing his favor to Gentiles and not to them. This so enraged them that they tried to throw him off the hill on which Bethlehem was built.

What Jesus first says to the Gentile woman in this reading may initially seem mystifying. Bear in mind, however, Jesus knows the inner thoughts and desires of those to whom he is talking. When he says to the woman, “It isn’t right to take food from the children and throw it to the dog,” he appears to be using a colloquial expression, and not making a derogatory remark about the woman. The woman’s determination and her response appear to be what Jesus is looking for—faith in him. Note when he grants her request, he addresses her as “dear woman.”

While the Old Testament makes no reference to faith, for anyone to commit themselves to God and to love, obey, serve, and worship God requires faith. They must not only believe in God’s existence but also in God’s goodwill and favor toward them. To do that, they would need God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit, working in them, giving them the will and power to do what pleases God. Indeed, the Gentile woman would not have ben able to place her faith in Jesus had not the God’s grace been working in her!

In his gospel John writes—

“For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3: 16-17 NLT

God loves more than the people of Israel. God loves all the world’s peoples. Gentiles. Samaritans. Jews. Black. Brown. White. Poor. Rich. Those who are university graduates. Those who cannot read or write. God loves everybody and God offers his salvation to everybody. 

Those who accept God’s offer of salvation and put their faith in Jesus will embark on a new life. They will come to know the Father and the Son whom he sent. They will be transformed into the image of Jesus himself. They will become salt, light, and yeast in the world, transforming the world.

Silence

WE RESPOND

Open this link in a new tab to hear Alanna Glover, Liv Chapman, and Philip Percival’s arrangement of John Newton’ “How Sweet the Name.”

1 How sweet the name of Jesus sounds
In the believer’s ear
It soothes our sorrows heals our wounds
And drives away our fear

2 So weak the effort of my heart
And cold my warmest thought
But when I see you as you are
I’ll praise you as I ought

The rock on which I build
My shield and hiding place with treasure filled
The endless source of grace
My shepherd and my king be ever praised

3 Till then I would your love proclaim
With every fleeting breath
And may the music of your name
Refresh my soul in death

The rock on which I build
My shield and hiding place with treasure filled
The endless source of grace
My shepherd and my king be ever praised

Bridge
My prophet my priest my brother and friend
My Lord my life my way and my end

My prophet my priest my brother and friend
My Lord my life my way and my end

The rock on which I build
My shield and hiding place with treasure filled
The endless source of grace
My shepherd and my king be ever praised

The rock on which I build
My shield and hiding place with treasure filled
The endless source of grace
My shepherd and my king be ever praised

WE PRAY FOR GOD’S WORLD

A short pause for silent prayer may be made after each response. The biddings in brackets [ ] may be omitted.

Let us implore the all-holy and ever-blessed Trinity to show mercy and grace to us and to all people.

O God the Father, have mercy upon us:
O God the Father, have mercy upon us.
O God the Son, have mercy upon us:
O God the Son, have mercy upon us.
O God the Holy Spirit, have mercy upon us:
O God the Holy Spirit, have mercy upon us.

Stretch forth your hand upon us, O Lord, and save us; raise us up and defend us.

Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for the peace that comes from above, and for the salvation of our souls.

Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for the peace of the whole world, and for the welfare and unity of the Church of God.

Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for the conversion of those who do not yet believe or have fallen into error.

Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for our country, for this place [or city], for this district, and for all that live in it.

Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for all Christian people throughout the world.

Lord, have mercy.

[Let us pray for all Christian princes and governors, especially our Sovereign Lord, King Charles.]

Lord, have mercy.

[Let us pray for our President.]

Lord hav mercy.

Let us pray for all in authority in this land, especially those in this county [or city or place].

Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for all who minister in Christ's Church, especially for N. our pastor.

Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for all who are traveling by land, sea, or air.

Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for steadfastness in the faith for our brothers and sisters in other lands.

Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for all who are sick or suffering, in mind, body, or state of life.

Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for quiet, peaceful lives, free from temptation and sin, and for a joyful reunion with all our loved ones in heaven at life’s end.

Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray that we may faithfully represent Christ in the world and to the world.

Lord, have mercy.

(Other biddings may be added here.)

Lord, you have give us grace to agree in these prayers, and you have promised that when two or three ask together in your name you will grant their requests. Fulfil now, Lord, our desires and prayers as may be best for us. Grant us in this life, knowledge of your truth and in the age to come, life eternal. Amen.

And now as our Savior Christ taught us, we are bold 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.

We Go Forth to Serve

May almighty God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us now and forever. Amen.


Open this link in a new tab to hear James Seddon’s “Tell All the World of Jesus.”

1 Tell all the world of Jesus,
our Saviour, Lord and King;
and let the whole creation
of his salvation sing:
proclaim his glorious greatness,
in nature and in grace,
creator and redeemer,
the Lord of time and space.

2 Tell all the world of Jesus,
that everyone may find
the joy of his forgiveness
true peace of heart and mind.
Proclaim his perfect goodness,
his deep, unfailing care,
his love so rich in mercy,
a love beyond compare.

3 Tell all the world of Jesus,
that everyone may know
of his almighty triumph
defeating every foe.
Proclaim his coming glory,
when sin is overthrown,
and he shall reign in splendour
the King upon his throne!

Those present may exchange a sign of peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.