Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, October 15, 2023)
We are almost halfway through the month of October. Hallowmas, the Feast of All Hallows, also known as All Saints’ Day, falls on a Wednesday this year. It will be the fourth Hallowmas since All Hallows Murray was launched as an online worship and digital church ministry. Hallowmas is a day on which we remember all the faithful departed and give thanks to God for their lives and their witness. It is a day particularly to remember those who played a part in our coming to faith in Jesus Christ and our formation and growth as a disciple of our Lord.
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Worship the Lord in the splendour of holiness;
tremble before him, all the earth!
Great is the Lord and worthy of all praise.
Amen! Praise and glory and wisdom,
thanksgiving and honour, power and might,
be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jessica Greedy’s version of the magna et mirabilia, “Great and Marvelous Are All Your Deeds.”
Great and marvelous are all your deeds
Lord our God Almighty.
Just and true are all your ways and
You are King throughout all ages,
Throughout all ages.
We your people now proclaim You
And sing your glorious praise:
(Women) Blessing and honor,
glory and power
(Men) Blessing, honor, glory, power
(All) Be to our God, forever
(Women) Blessing and honor,
glory and power
(Men) Blessing, honor, glory, power
(All) Be to our God, forever
Amen!
Who will not fear You, O Lord,
and bring glory to your Name?
You are Holy.
All the nations will bow down
and worship at your Throne,
your glorious Throne.
We your people now proclaim You,
And sing your glorious praise:
(Women) Blessing and honor,
glory and power
(Men) Blessing, honor, glory, power
(All) Be to our God, forever
(Women) Blessing and honor,
glory and power
(Men) Blessing, honor, glory, power
(All) Be to our God, forever
(Women) Blessing and honor,
glory and power
(Men) Blessing, honor, glory, power
(All) Be to our God, forever
Amen!
Hear these words of scripture.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to God, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.
Spirit of God, search our hearts.
Let us bow our heads and, in silence,
remember our need for God’s forgiveness.
Silence
Let us confess our sins to God.
Almighty and merciful God,
we have sinned against you,
in thought, word and deed.
We have not loved you with all our heart.
We have not loved others
as our Saviour Christ loves us.
We are truly sorry.
In your mercy forgive what we have been,
help us to amend what we are,
and direct what we shall be;
that we may delight in your will
and walk in your ways,
through Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Almighty God, you pardon 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.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
O come, let us sing to the Lord,
let us rejoice in the rock of our salvation.
We sing to you, O God, and bless your name;
and tell of your salvation from day to day.
We proclaim your glory to the nations,
your praise to the ends of the earth.
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
Open this link a new tab to hear Marty Haughen’s paraphrase of Psalm 23, “Shepherd me, O God.”
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants,
beyond my fears, from death into life.
1 God is my shepherd, so nothing shall I want,
I rest in the meadows of faithfulness and love,
I walk by the quiet waters of peace.
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants,
beyond my fears, from death into life
2 Gently you raise me and heal my weary soul,
you lead me by pathways of righteousness and truth,
my spirit shall sing the music of your name.
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants,
beyond my fears, from death into life
3 Though I should wander the valley of death,
I fear no evil, for you are at my side,
your rod and your staff, my comfort and my hope.
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants,
beyond my fears, from death into life
4 You have set me a banquet of love
in the face of hatred,
crowning me with love beyond my power to hold.
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants,
beyond my fears, from death into life
5 Surely your kindness and mercy
follow me all the days of my life;
I will dwell in the house of my God forevermore.
Shepherd me, O God, beyond my wants,
beyond my fears, from death into life
Silence
A reading from the Old Testament (Isaiah 25: 1-9)
O Lord, I will honour and praise your name,
for you are my God.
You do such wonderful things!
You planned them long ago,
and now you have accomplished them.
You turn mighty cities into heaps of ruins.
Cities with strong walls are turned to rubble.
Beautiful palaces in distant lands disappear
and will never be rebuilt.
Therefore, strong nations will declare your glory;
ruthless nations will fear you.
But you are a tower of refuge to the poor, O Lord,
a tower of refuge to the needy in distress.
You are a refuge from the storm
and a shelter from the heat.
For the oppressive acts of ruthless people
are like a storm beating against a wall,
or like the relentless heat of the desert.
But you silence the roar of foreign nations.
As the shade of a cloud cools relentless heat,
so the boastful songs of ruthless people are stilled.
In Jerusalem, the Lord of Heaven’s Armies
will spread a wonderful feast
for all the people of the world.
It will be a delicious banquet
with clear, well-aged wine and choice meat.
There he will remove the cloud of gloom,
the shadow of death that hangs over the earth.
He will swallow up death for ever!
The Sovereign Lord will wipe away all tears.
He will remove for ever all insults and mockery
against his land and people.
The Lord has spoken!
In that day the people will proclaim,
“This is our God!
We trusted in him, and he saved us!
This is the Lord, in whom we trusted.
Let us rejoice in the salvation he brings!”
Silence
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Perry’s paraphrase of the Benedictus, “Blessed Be the God of Israel.”
1 Blessed be the God of Israel
who comes to set us free;
who visits and redeems us,
who grants us liberty.
The prophets spoke of mercy,
of rescue and release:
God shall fulfill the promise
to bring our people peace.
2 Now from the house of David
a child of grace is given;
a Savior who comes among us
to raise us up to heaven
Before him goes the herald,
forerunner in the way,
the prophet of salvation,
the harbinger of day.
3 On prisoners of darkness
the sun begins to rise,
the dawning of forgiveness
upon the sinner's eyes;
to guide the feet of pilgrims
along the paths of peace:
O bless our God and Savior,
with songs that never cease!
A reading from the New Testament (Philippians 4: 1-9)
Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stay true to the Lord. I love you and long to see you, dear friends, for you are my joy and the crown I receive for my work.
Now I appeal to Euodia and Syntyche. Please, because you belong to the Lord, settle your disagreement. And I ask you, my true partner, to help these two women, for they worked hard with me in telling others the Good News. They worked along with Clement and the rest of my co-workers, whose names are written in the Book of Life.
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honourable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise. Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.
Silence
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church..
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear David Haas’ Mass of Light setting of “Glory to God in the Highest.”
Glory to God in the highest,
Sing glory to God!
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth!
Glory to God in the highest,
Sing glory to God!
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth!
1 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,
Sing glory to God!
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth!
2 Lord Jesus Christ, Only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sins 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,
Sing glory to God!
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth!
3 For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father!
Glory to God in the highest,
Sing glory to God!
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth!
Glory to God in the highest,
Sing glory to God!
Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth!
Salt
The apostle Paul wrote letters to various individuals and groups for a number of reasons. Among those reasons was to thank them for any assistance they may have provided him, to advise them, to teach them, and to encourage them. He recognized the importance of maintaining contact with them even though he could not be with them in person. The only way he could do this was through letters, either written by him or dictated to someone else who wrote the letter for him.
Written letters and personal visits were the only way that the early Christians could communicate with each other. They might also send brief spoken messages through a trusted messenger. That was about it.
We live in an age in which we have many more ways of communicating with each other, in addition to written letters and personal visits. Since the invention of the printing press, we have had books, newspapers, and magazines. While there were books in Paul’s time, they were copied by hand, and were owned and read only by a few. Most people were illiterate, unable to read or write.
Since the eighteenth century we have had semaphore, a system of signaling by flags or lights. The nineteenth century saw the invention of the telegraph, the heliograph, and telephone. The first successful radio broadcast was made in 1901. Television followed on the heels of radio and then the internet, fiber optic cables, smart phones, and microwave towers. People not only can talk to each other by phone, they can also text each other. The portable videophone which was once the stuff of science fiction has become a reality. Zoom and other video conferencing platforms enable groups of people not only to hear each other but also to see each other via the internet.
The best way to help each other and to strengthen each other is to do so in person, by making personal visits to each other’s homes as well as by meeting one to one, in small groups, and in larger gatherings at other locations. The early Methodists would visit people in their homes and at other locations on Sundays after church and during the week. They would also meet together in what were called classes and bands, small groups, in which they “watched over one another in love.” In these small groups inquiry was made into how their souls were prospering and advice, reproof, comfort, or exhortation was given as the occasion required. The success of the early Methodist movement can be attributed not only to the field preaching of John Wesley and his co-workers but also to these practices. The early Methodists followed Jesus’ example and went to where people lived and worked rather than expecting people to come to them as we have come to do in more recent times.
As we have learned in the last three years, there are times when we cannot minister to others in person. On those occasions Paul wrote or dictated letters to those to whom he felt a need to communicate. We can do more than write letters. We can make telephone calls, send text messages, use video conferencing, and take other steps to communicate with those who would benefit from hearing a word of encouragement from us and the assurance that they are not alone or forgotten. We can pray with them as well as pray for them. These are things that those who are housebound can do, not just those who have more freedom of movement.
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused much grief and suffering. Many precious lives have been lost. But in one way it has served a useful purpose. The followers of Jesus are called to be salt and light in the world. The grains of salt in a salt cellar, or shaker, can become stuck together so that the salt no longer pours like it should but stays clumped in the salt cellar. To free the salt, it is sometimes necessary to give the shaker a sharp rap. The pandemic gave the Church such a rap.
If we are to be faithful to our Lord, we clearly need to take a more active role in the lives of others, those who are followers of Jesus and those who have not yet heard or responded to his call to follow him. While our circumstances may limit what we can do, there are still things that we can do. For example, we can telephone elderly neighbors and check on them. If we are unable to reach them after several attempts, we can call the police and ask them to make a welfare check. We can still be the salt and the light that Jesus calls us to be.
Silence
Let us affirm with Christians across the ages what we believe about God and his love for us.
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth;
I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried.
He descended into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father
almighty;
from there he shall come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit;
the holy catholic church;
the communion of saints;
the forgiveness of sins;
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
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.)
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.
Almighty God,
in your wisdom you have so ordered our earthly life
that we must walk by faith and not by sight:
give us such trust in your fatherly care
that in the face of all perplexities
we may give proof of our faith by the courage of our lives;
through Jesus Chris our Lord. 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 each 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 and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and forever. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Dean McIntyre’s “How Shall I Come Before the Lord?”
1 How shall I come before the Lord,
and bow myself with heart outpoured?
And shall I come with offerings?
What shall I give? What shall I bring?
2 Will finest gifts bring God's delight?
Will wealth bring favor in God's sight?
What must we be? What must we do?
What does the Lord require of you?
3 Let justice shine in all your ways.
Let loving-kindness rule your days,
that, as this earthly path you trod,
you shall walk humbly with your God.
Go now to love and serve the Lord. Go in peace
Amen. We go in the name of Christ.
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