Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, October 1, 2023)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
This Sunday is the first Sunday of October. It is also World Communion Sunday, a special Sunday that several Christian denominations observe on this particular Sunday. The purpose of its observance is to promote Christian unity and ecumenical cooperation. At Murray State University the first half of the fall semester ends on October 4 and the students go on fall break on October 5.
Murray’s Dairy Queen will celebrate All Hallows Eve with a costume party on October 31, after which it will close for the winter months to reopen in the spring. It is a local tradition.
Around the town the red, gold, and bronze hues of mums will be brightening steps, porches, and gardens.
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear the piano prelude, "Christ Be with Me."
Silence
Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth shall declare your praise.
Glory to God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
Open this link to James Quinn SJ’s paraphrase of the Jubilate Deo, “Sing All Creation.”
1 Sing, all creation, sing to God in gladness!
Joyously serve him, singing hymns of homage!
Chanting his praises, come before his presence!
Praise the Almighty!
2 Know that our God is Lord of all the ages!
He is our maker; we are all his creatures,
people he fashioned, sheep he leads to pasture!
Praise the Almighty!
3 Enter his temple, ringing out his praises!
Sing in thanksgiving as you come before him!
Blessing his bounty, glorify his greatness!
Praise the Almighty!
[Instrumental interlude]
4 Great in his goodness is the Lord we worship;
steadfast his kindness, love that knows no ending!
Faithful his word is, changeless, everlasting!
Praise the Almighty!
The night has passed and the day lies open before us;
let us pray with one heart and mind.
Silence
Almighty God,
you have been our guard throughout the night,
keep us in your care throughout the day;
walking in the light, bearing witness to your way,
seeking first your kingdom and seeing Christ in everyone;
guide us in the footsteps of your Son,
and lead us on the path to your everlasting day;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear John L. Bell’s paraphrase of Psalm 63, “O God, You Are My God Alone.”
1 O God you are my God alone,
whom eagerly I seek,
though longing fills my soul with thirst
and leaves my body weak.
2 Just as a dry and barren land
awaits a freshening shower,
I long within your house to see
your glory and your power.
3 Your faithful love surpasses life,
evoking all my praise,
through every day to bless your name,
my hands in joy I'll raise.
4 My deepest needs you satisfy
as with a sumptuous feast.
So, on my lips and in my heart,
your praise will never cease.
Rejoice, my soul, praise him,
and again I say, “Rejoice!”
Rejoice, my soul, praise him,
and again I say, “Rejoice!”
5 Throughout the night, I lie in bed,
and call you Lord to mind,
In darkest hours I meditate,
how God my strength is kind.
6 Beneath the shadow of your wing,
I live and feel secure;
and daily, as I follow close,
your right hand keeps me sure.
Rejoice, my soul, praise him,
and again I say, “Rejoice!”
Rejoice, my soul, praise him,
and again I say, “Rejoice!”
Rejoice, my soul, praise him,
and again I say, “Rejoice!”
Rejoice, my soul, praise him,
and again I say, “Rejoice!”
Rejoice, my soul, praise him,
and again I say, “Rejoice!”
Rejoice, my soul, praise him,
and again I say, “Rejoice!”
Beneath the shadow of your wing,
I live and feel secure;
and daily, as I follow close,
your right hand keeps me sure.
Silence
To you we come, radiant Lord,
the goal of all our desiring,
beyond all earthly beauty;
gentle protector, strong deliverer,
in the night you are our confidence;
from first light be our joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kiran Wimberly Young’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
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 God, all creatures here below
Grant us your peace in home and hearth
And send your love through all the earth
Silence
Compassionate God,
as you know each star you have created,
so you know the secrets of every heart;
in your loving mercy bring to your table
all who are fearful and broken,
all who are wounded and needy,
that our hungers may be satisfied
in the city of your peace;
through Christ who is our peace.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jim and Jean Strathdee’s “God, We Praise You for the Morning.”
1 God, we praise you for the morning;
hope springs forth with each new day,
new beginning, prayer and promise,
joy in work and in play.
2 God, we praise you for creation,
mountains, seas and prairie land.
Waking souls find joy and healing
in your bountiful hand.
3 God, we praise you for compassion,
all the loving that you show;
human touching, tears and laughter,
help your children to grow.
4 God, we praise you for your Spirit,
Comforter and daily friend;
restless searcher, gentle teacher,
strength and courage you send.
5 God, we praise you for the Saviour,
come that we may know your ways.
In his loving, dying, rising,
Christ is Lord of our days.
6 Hallelujah, hallelujah,
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Hallelujah, hallelujah!
Christ is Lord of our days!
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Old Testament (Ezekiel 18:1–4, 25–32)
Then another message came to me from the Lord: “Why do you quote this proverb concerning the land of Israel: ‘The parents have eaten sour grapes, but their children’s mouths pucker at the taste’? As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, you will not quote this proverb any more in Israel. For all people are mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins is the one who will die.
“Yet you say, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ Listen to me, O people of Israel. Am I the one not doing what’s right, or is it you? When righteous people turn from their righteous behaviour and start doing sinful things, they will die for it. Yes, they will die because of their sinful deeds. And if wicked people turn from their wickedness, obey the law, and do what is just and right, they will save their lives. They will live because they thought it over and decided to turn from their sins. Such people will not die. And yet the people of Israel keep saying, ‘The Lord isn’t doing what’s right!’ O people of Israel, it is you who are not doing what’s right, not I.
“Therefore, I will judge each of you, O people of Israel, according to your actions, says the Sovereign Lord. Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!
Silence
Hear the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jim Cooper and Brian Wooten’s "Song of Moses, Rev. 15:3-4."
Great and marvelous are Your deeds
Oh, Lord God Almighty
Great and marvelous are Your deeds
Oh, Lord God Almighty
Just and true are Your ways
Oh, King of the Ages
Who shall not fear, oh Lord
And glorify Your name
For You alone
You alone are Holy
All nations will come
And worship before You, Lord
For You alone
You alone are Holy
All nations will come
And worship before You, Lord
(Your righteousness has been revealed)
You alone are Holy
Holy
Great and marvelous are Your deeds
Oh, Lord God Almighty
Great and marvelous are Your deeds
Oh, Lord God Almighty
Just and true are Your ways
Oh, King of the Ages
Who shall not fear, oh Lord
And glorify Your name
For You alone
You alone are Holy
All nations will come
And worship before You, Lord
For You alone
You alone are Holy
All nations will come
And worship before You, Lord
(Your righteousness has been revealed)
You alone are Holy
Holy
A reading from the New Testament (Philippians 2:1–13)
Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.
Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slaveJesus’ willingness to humble himself and
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honour
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
Dear friends, you always followed my instructions when I was with you. And now that I am away, it is even more important. Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.
Silence
Hear the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Silence
God’s Amazing Grace
Today’s Old Testament reading and New Testament reading have something in common. It may not catch our eye at first, but it is in plain view. Each reading in its own way touches upon God’s grace.
What is God’s grace? Strong’s Concordance defines grace as God’s merciful kindness shown to us and as God’s divine influence operative in our lives.
If you are not familiar with Stong’s Concordance, it is an index of every word in the King James authorized version of the Bible edited by James Strong, then a professor of exegetical theology at Drew Theological Seminary and published in 1890. It also defines the meaning of each word. Strong’ Concordance is a useful Bible study tool even when studying a different translation of the Bible. It is one of a number of Bible study tools available online.
In what way then does each reading touch on God’s grace? In the Old Testament reading God, speaking through the prophet Ezekial, warns the people of Israel that if they do sinful things, they must suffer the consequences of what they are doing. They will die. By choosing to disobey God, by choosing to not live by the laws God gave them through Moses, they are breaking the covenant that God made with their ancestors, a covenant which is also binding upon them.
Under the terms of this covenant God will protect and bless the people of Israel as long as they obey God. But should they cease to obey the laws God has given them and to worship other gods, God will withdraw his blessing and protection. They will suffer crop failure, famine, disease, and death. Foreign invaders will defeat them in battle, kill them or enslave them, and occupy their land. Whatever suffering they experience, they will have brought upon themselves through their disobedience.
It would appear that in the time today’s passage from the Book of Ezekiel was written, the people of Israel had forgotten the covenant that God had made with their forebears and what God expected from them. They were complaining that God was not doing right. But it was they, not God, who were not doing right.
If we read the chapters of the Book of Ezekiel preceding the one from which today’s Old Testament reading is taken, beginning at Chapter 12, and if we read the entirety of Chapter 18, we will have a good idea of what the people of Israel were not doing right. They were listening to false prophets who were deceiving them. They preferred lies to the truth. They appeared to have been consulting shamans, women who saw visions, based upon the description. They had set up idols in their hearts and were embracing things that made them fall into sin. They were also making statues of men and worshiping them, anointing them with perfumed oil, burning incense to them, and offering to them as sacrifices flour, olive oil, and honey. They were offering human sacrifices to these idols, their own children. They were building pagan shrines on every street corner and erecting altars to their idols in every town square. They were entering into foreign alliances rather than depending upon God to protect them. When they are compared to the people of Israel, the people of Samaria in the north and the people of Sodom in the south appear to be righteous, virtuous.
We learn from Chapter 17 that the member of the royal household of Israel whom the king of Babylon had made ruler of Israel after conquering the southern kingdom, had rebelled against his overlord to whom he had sworn an oath of loyalty and with whom Israel had made a treaty of peace. He has sought an alliance with the pharaoh of Egypt. His actions not only dishonor God but they deprive Israel of a peaceful existence as a vassal kingdom of the Babylonian empire. They will cause further suffering for the people of Israel.
Chapter 18 identifies a number of deeds that are evil and which individuals do. In addition to worshiping idols, they include committing adultery; deceiving others and not telling the truth; employing dishonest business practices; cheating and exploiting the poor; treating debtors unfairly; robbing people; neglecting to feed the hungry and clothe the needy; lending money at excessive interest; committing murder or encouraging others to commit murder; speaking and acting unkindly or cruelly about others and to them; and otherwise, disobeying God’s decrees.
At lot of what the Book of Ezekiel describes as occurring in Israel at the time of the southern kingdom’s conquest by the Babylonians is happening in North America in our time. Our idols may not be made from precious metal, stone, or wood, but they lead us away from God just the same.
Worshiping idols clearly is a breach of what Jesus identified as the first greatest commandment—to love God with our whole heart. The other evil deeds identified in Chapter 18 are for the most part different ways that we can break the second greatest commandment—to love our neighbors as ourselves. When we break the second greatest commandment, we also break the first greatest commandment because we choose not to honor God and obey him.
Where may we ask then is the grace in today’s Old Testament reading? A central theme of the Old Testament is God’s relationship with the people of Israel. While the people of Israel prove to be faithless and fickle, God, however, is faithful and steadfast. While God might have abandoned the Israelites, he does not.
The grace in today’s Old Testament reading is found in these verses.
“Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!”
God is under no obligation to urge the people of Israel to turn away from the sinful things they are doing. None whatsoever. Nor are the people of Israel entitled to God’s mercy, to God’s kindness and forgiveness. In urging the people of Israel to repent and forgiving them when they do, God is extending grace to them. God is showing them the merciful kindness that is one of God’s chief attributes.
God’s grace may also be found in today’s New Testament reading. It is God’s grace that sent the apostle Paul to Philippi. It is God’s grace that enabled Paul to communicate with the Philippians after leaving them and to continue to instruct and encourage them. God’s grace is clearly shown in Jesus’ willingness to humble himself and to become a human being. As Paul draws to the attention of the church at Philippi, it is God’s grace working in us that gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases God. Indeed, we can do nothing apart from God’s grace. It is God’s grace that arouses and awakens faith in us. It is God’s grace that enables us to love God, to love other people, to treat them as we would wish to be treated by them, to love those who hate us, and to love our fellow believers, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and which produces in us those qualities of character that resemble Jesus’ own so that we grow daily more and more like him.
These are just a few of the things that make God’s grace so amazing.
It would appear that in the time today’s passage from the Book of Ezekiel was written, the people of Israel had forgotten the covenant that God had made with their forebears and what God expected from them. They were complaining that God was not doing right. But it was they, not God, who were not doing right.
If we read the chapters of the Book of Ezekiel preceding the one from which today’s Old Testament reading is taken, beginning at Chapter 12, and if we read the entirety of Chapter 18, we will have a good idea of what the people of Israel were not doing right. They were listening to false prophets who were deceiving them. They preferred lies to the truth. They appeared to have been consulting shamans, women who saw visions, based upon the description. They had set up idols in their hearts and were embracing things that made them fall into sin. They were also making statues of men and worshiping them, anointing them with perfumed oil, burning incense to them, and offering to them as sacrifices flour, olive oil, and honey. They were offering human sacrifices to these idols, their own children. They were building pagan shrines on every street corner and erecting altars to their idols in every town square. They were entering into foreign alliances rather than depending upon God to protect them. When they are compared to the people of Israel, the people of Samaria in the north and the people of Sodom in the south appear to be righteous, virtuous.
We learn from Chapter 17 that the member of the royal household of Israel whom the king of Babylon had made ruler of Israel after conquering the southern kingdom, had rebelled against his overlord to whom he had sworn an oath of loyalty and with whom Israel had made a treaty of peace. He has sought an alliance with the pharaoh of Egypt. His actions not only dishonor God but they deprive Israel of a peaceful existence as a vassal kingdom of the Babylonian empire. They will cause further suffering for the people of Israel.
Chapter 18 identifies a number of deeds that are evil and which individuals do. In addition to worshiping idols, they include committing adultery; deceiving others and not telling the truth; employing dishonest business practices; cheating and exploiting the poor; treating debtors unfairly; robbing people; neglecting to feed the hungry and clothe the needy; lending money at excessive interest; committing murder or encouraging others to commit murder; speaking and acting unkindly or cruelly about others and to them; and otherwise, disobeying God’s decrees.
At lot of what the Book of Ezekiel describes as occurring in Israel at the time of the southern kingdom’s conquest by the Babylonians is happening in North America in our time. Our idols may not be made from precious metal, stone, or wood, but they lead us away from God just the same.
Worshiping idols clearly is a breach of what Jesus identified as the first greatest commandment—to love God with our whole heart. The other evil deeds identified in Chapter 18 are for the most part different ways that we can break the second greatest commandment—to love our neighbors as ourselves. When we break the second greatest commandment, we also break the first greatest commandment because we choose not to honor God and obey him.
Where may we ask then is the grace in today’s Old Testament reading? A central theme of the Old Testament is God’s relationship with the people of Israel. While the people of Israel prove to be faithless and fickle, God, however, is faithful and steadfast. While God might have abandoned the Israelites, he does not.
The grace in today’s Old Testament reading is found in these verses.
“Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit. For why should you die, O people of Israel? I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!”
God is under no obligation to urge the people of Israel to turn away from the sinful things they are doing. None whatsoever. Nor are the people of Israel entitled to God’s mercy, to God’s kindness and forgiveness. In urging the people of Israel to repent and forgiving them when they do, God is extending grace to them. God is showing them the merciful kindness that is one of God’s chief attributes.
God’s grace may also be found in today’s New Testament reading. It is God’s grace that sent the apostle Paul to Philippi. It is God’s grace that enabled Paul to communicate with the Philippians after leaving them and to continue to instruct and encourage them. God’s grace is clearly shown in Jesus’ willingness to humble himself and to become a human being. As Paul draws to the attention of the church at Philippi, it is God’s grace working in us that gives us the desire and the power to do what pleases God. Indeed, we can do nothing apart from God’s grace. It is God’s grace that arouses and awakens faith in us. It is God’s grace that enables us to love God, to love other people, to treat them as we would wish to be treated by them, to love those who hate us, and to love our fellow believers, our brothers and sisters in Christ, and which produces in us those qualities of character that resemble Jesus’ own so that we grow daily more and more like him.
These are just a few of the things that make God’s grace so amazing.
There is even more. In the three General Rules that John Wesley gave the early Methodist Societies, he identifies several means of grace, ways that God extends grace to us. One of them is to hear or read Scripture explained and then applied to our daily lives in the form of sermons and homilies like this one. Another way is to read, study, and mediate upon the Scriptures themselves. The Scriptures are a gift of God’s grace and in hearing or reading their exposition and application and in “searching” them, as Wesley put it, we are recipients of God’s merciful kindness and experience his divine influence.
God does all these things by choice. He has no obligation to do them. God could leave humanity to muddle along the best it can do on its own. But God does not.
Why?
As the author of the First letter of John tells us, “God is love.” It is the nature of true love to want the best for the one who is loved, and God who is omniscient knows what is best for us.
God is not a finite creature like we are. God is eternal. God exists outside of time and space and sees our past, our present, and future in a way that we cannot see them. They are one to God. God sees all we have been, all we are, and all we can be.
Silence
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.
God does all these things by choice. He has no obligation to do them. God could leave humanity to muddle along the best it can do on its own. But God does not.
Why?
As the author of the First letter of John tells us, “God is love.” It is the nature of true love to want the best for the one who is loved, and God who is omniscient knows what is best for us.
God is not a finite creature like we are. God is eternal. God exists outside of time and space and sees our past, our present, and future in a way that we cannot see them. They are one to God. God sees all we have been, all we are, and all we can be.
Silence
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.
Let us affirm with Christians across the ages what we believe
aout God and his love for us.
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.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
One or more people may pray.
Let us pray for all people, and for Christ’s church throughout the world.
Almighty and eternal God you have taught us to offer prayer and thanksgiving for all people.
In your mercy receive our prayers.
Set the nations on the path of righteousness and peace.
Direct all those in authority, especially…, our….., that under them the world may be godly and quietly governed.
Pour out your Spirit on your church, so that all who acknowledge your holy name may agree in the truth of your word and live in unity and godly love. Give grace to all ministers and leaders of the Church (especially …), to set forth your life-giving word by their example and teaching and rightly administer your holy sacraments.
Guide and prosper all those who are laboring for the spread of the gospel among the peoples of the world and enlighten with your Spirit all places of education and learning.
Give grace to your people gathered here, to receive your word with humble and obedient hearts and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.
Save us through your heavenly benediction from drought, scarcity, and famine, and enable us with thankful hearts to enjoy the fruits of the earth in their season.
Comfort and sustain, merciful Lord, everyone in this fleeting life who is in sorrow, need, sickness, or any other distress (especially …).
We praise you for all who have died in the faith of Christ (especially …). Help us to follow their good examples, that with them we may inherit your heavenly kingdom.
Hear us, Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only mediator and advocate. Amen
Merciful God,
you gave your only Son
to be both a sacrifice for sin
and an example for godly life;
help us gladly to receive
all that has been done for us
and follow in his footsteps;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
Eternal God and Father,
by whose power we are created
and by whose love we are redeemed,
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service
and live every day in love
to one another and to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us join together in the prayer Jesus gave us.
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.
THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve us. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Joncas’ sacred song, “All Who Are Led by the Spirit of Jesus.”
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
1 The Spirit of God is no spirit of slav’ry;
the Spirit drives all fear from our hearts;
the Spirit of God shatters all that would bind us.
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
2 The Spirit of God bids us cry, “Abba, Father”;
The Spirit of God makes a home in our hearts;
the Spirit of God helps our spirits bear witness.
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
3 The Spirit of God gives us patience in suff’ring;
the Spirit of God intercedes for our needs;
the Spirit of God is our promise of glory:
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
4 The Spirit of God groans with all creation;
the Spirit of God blesses dreams from the past;
the Spirit of God sets a vision before us:
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
We who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
we who will walk in the footsteps of Christ,
we who will follow where Love may lead us
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God,
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
Those present may exchange a sign of peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
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.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
One or more people may pray.
Let us pray for all people, and for Christ’s church throughout the world.
Almighty and eternal God you have taught us to offer prayer and thanksgiving for all people.
In your mercy receive our prayers.
Set the nations on the path of righteousness and peace.
Direct all those in authority, especially…, our….., that under them the world may be godly and quietly governed.
Pour out your Spirit on your church, so that all who acknowledge your holy name may agree in the truth of your word and live in unity and godly love. Give grace to all ministers and leaders of the Church (especially …), to set forth your life-giving word by their example and teaching and rightly administer your holy sacraments.
Guide and prosper all those who are laboring for the spread of the gospel among the peoples of the world and enlighten with your Spirit all places of education and learning.
Give grace to your people gathered here, to receive your word with humble and obedient hearts and serve you in holiness and righteousness all the days of our lives.
Save us through your heavenly benediction from drought, scarcity, and famine, and enable us with thankful hearts to enjoy the fruits of the earth in their season.
Comfort and sustain, merciful Lord, everyone in this fleeting life who is in sorrow, need, sickness, or any other distress (especially …).
We praise you for all who have died in the faith of Christ (especially …). Help us to follow their good examples, that with them we may inherit your heavenly kingdom.
Hear us, Father, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our only mediator and advocate. Amen
Merciful God,
you gave your only Son
to be both a sacrifice for sin
and an example for godly life;
help us gladly to receive
all that has been done for us
and follow in his footsteps;
through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
Eternal God and Father,
by whose power we are created
and by whose love we are redeemed,
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service
and live every day in love
to one another and to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us join together in the prayer Jesus gave us.
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.
THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Almighty God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, bless and preserve us. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Joncas’ sacred song, “All Who Are Led by the Spirit of Jesus.”
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
1 The Spirit of God is no spirit of slav’ry;
the Spirit drives all fear from our hearts;
the Spirit of God shatters all that would bind us.
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
2 The Spirit of God bids us cry, “Abba, Father”;
The Spirit of God makes a home in our hearts;
the Spirit of God helps our spirits bear witness.
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
3 The Spirit of God gives us patience in suff’ring;
the Spirit of God intercedes for our needs;
the Spirit of God is our promise of glory:
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
All who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
all those who walk in the footsteps of Christ,
all those who follow where Love will lead them
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
4 The Spirit of God groans with all creation;
the Spirit of God blesses dreams from the past;
the Spirit of God sets a vision before us:
The Spirit of God makes us children of God.
We who are led by the Spirit of Jesus,
we who will walk in the footsteps of Christ,
we who will follow where Love may lead us
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God,
are the sons and the daughters, the children of God.
Those present may exchange a sign of peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
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