Sundays at A Hallows (Sunday, November 12, 2023)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
What is the difference between a Christian and a disciple of Jesus? It is a difference that we may wish to give careful thought. “Christan” is used very loosely in our day and time and may be applied to people or things which have no real connection to Jesus or what he taught or did. On the other hand, a disciple is a devoted follower of Jesus, someone who not only believes in Jesus but also endeavors to put into practice what he or she has learned from Jesus’ teaching and life.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
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 in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s setting of Psalm 100, “O Be Joyful.”
O be joyful in God, all you people
O be joyful in God all you lands
Serve God with gladness
and enter in with the song
O be joyful in God.
Make a joyful noise to God.
Sing out, O people
Enter in rejoicing
O be joyful in God
Praise the One who made us all
Sing out, O people
Praise the One who named all
O be joyful in God
O be joyful in God, all you people
O be joyful in God all you lands
Serve God with gladness
and enter in with the song
O be joyful in God
Loving Shepherd of us all
Sing out, O people
Tending and protecting
O be joyful in God
Praise the God of steadfast love
Sing out, O people
Merciful forever
O be joyful in God
O be joyful in God, all you people
O be joyful in God all you lands
Serve God with gladness
and enter in with the song
O be joyful in God
O be joyful in God all you lands
Serve God with gladness
and enter in with the song
O be joyful in God
Let us confess our sins in penitence and faith, confident in
God’s forgiveness.
Silence
Merciful God,
we have sinned
in what we have thought and said,
in the wrong we have done
and in the good we have not done.
We have sinned in ignorance:
we have sinned in weakness:
we have sinned through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry.
We repent and turn to you.
Forgive us, for our Saviour Christ’s sake,
and renew our lives to the glory of your name. Amen.
God of mercy, grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that they may be cleansed from all their sins, and serve you with
a quiet mind; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Dan Schutte’s setting of Psalm 63, “My Soul Thirsts.”
My soul thirsts for you, Lord,
like a desert thirsts for rain.
It is your face I long for,
you alone are life to me.
1 I have walked in your temple,
and seen your mighty deeds.
Your love, O Lord means more to me,
than all my days of life.
My soul thirsts for you, Lord,
like the desert thirsts for rain.
It is your face I long for,
you alone are life to me.
2 I can count on your mercy
to feed my hungry heart,
for when I lift my hands in need,
a banquet you provide.
My soul thirsts for you, Lord,
like the desert thirsts for rain.
It is your face I long for,
you alone are life to me.
3 I will make my dwelling
in the shelter of your wings.
Your hand, O Lord will keep me safe
through darkest night and day.
My soul thirsts for you, Lord,
like the desert thirsts for rain.
It is your face I long for,
you alone are life to me.
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 Young Wimberley’s paraphrase of Psalm 104, “Praise the Lord, All the Earth.”
You, O Lord, are clothed in glory
Praise the Lord, all the earth
You have spread the heavens above me
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Wings of wind and cloud of chariot
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Flashes of lightning, servants of majesty
Praise the Lord, all the earth
You have set the earth’s foundations
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Rushing waters hear your commanding
Praise the Lord, all the earth
You make springs flow into valleys
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Birds in their nests, singing your glory
Praise the Lord, all the earth
[Instrumental interlude]
Rain on the hills, earth filled with blessing
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Food for our strength, health and happiness
Praise the Lord, all the earth
All of these good things you have created
Praise the Lord, all the earth
You give us breath, new life to all
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Glory to God forever and ever
Praise the Lord, all the earth
I’ll sing to God, all of my living
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Silence
Creator God,
send your Holy Spirit to renew this living world,
that the whole creation,
in its groaning and striving,
may know your loving purpose
and come to reflect your glory;
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear John L. Bell’s “I Owe My God a Morning Song.”
1 I owe my Lord a morning song
for God has meant this day.
Through fears of night and hidden light
God moves and wills my way.
2 I owe my Lord a morning song
for Jesus rose at dawn;
he made death die and would not lie
that others might live on.
3 I owe my Lord a morning song;
the Spirit gave me voice,
nor did she force my soul to praise
but honored me with choice.
4 I owe my Lord a morning song.
How can I help but sing
when God is all in all and I
am one with everything.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Heavenly Father,
give us faith to receive your word,
understanding to know what it means,
and the will to put it into practice,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A reading from the Old Testament (Amos 5:18-24)
How terrible it will be for you who long for the day of the Lord! What good will that day do you? For you it will be a day of darkness and not of light. It will be like someone who runs from a lion and meets a bear! Or like someone who comes home and puts his hand on the wall—only to be bitten by a snake! The day of the Lord will bring darkness and not light; it will be a day of gloom, without any brightness.
The Lord says, “I hate your religious festivals; I cannot stand them! When you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; I will not accept the animals you have fattened to bring me as offerings. Stop your noisy songs; I do not want to listen to your harps. Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.
Silence
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
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!
In a recent article, Trevin Wax identified godlessness as the most overlooked temptation today. If you are not familiar with Wax, he is vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board, a visiting professor at Cedarville University, and a former missionary to Romania. Among his numerous accomplishments is that he “has taught courses on mission and ministry at Wheaton College and has lectured on Christianity and culture at Oxford University.” Wax goes on to explain:
I’m not referring to the atheist’s refusal to acknowledge God’s existence. Nor am I referring to spiritual or religious people who deny certain biblical teachings about God. I’m talking about the temptation to elbow God out of daily life, to push him out of the center, to live without reference to our Creator. We may still nod to him, of course, but he’s secondary. We shrink the Author of life to a footnote in a story we write ourselves.
It’s fitting to name this temptation “godlessness” because, even if we don’t deny God, we can live as if he doesn’t exist. He simply isn’t relevant for most of what constitutes daily life.
He emphasizes that this temptation applies to Christians as well as non-Christians. While we might like to focus the spotlight on non-Christians, it belongs on us too.
After reading today’s Old Testament reading, I looked for a situation in our time that is comparable to the situation in Amos’s time. The situation which is described in Wax’s article and the situation that is described in the Book of Amos do have strong resemblance to each other.
Amos was active around 750 BC. He prophesized during the reign of King Jeroboam II in the northern kingdom of Samaria and King Uzziah in the southern kingdom of Judah. The kingdom of Israel had been divided into these two kingdoms after the death of King Solomon. Amos lived in the southern kingdom but preached in the northern kingdom. His book is the first prophetic book of the Bible.
At the time Amos was active, the people of the northern kingdom observed religious festivals honoring God, made offerings to God, and sung hymns in praise of God, but the way that they lived showed that they did not hold God in great respect. They ignored his commandments. They worshiped the planet Saturn, as well as ill-treated the poor, gave and accepted bribes, and did other things which displeased God.
One is left with the distinct impression that like the “Christians” about which Wax writes in his article, they did not give God the right place in their hearts. Indeed, they appeared to have a quid pro quo mindset toward God. God would show them favor in return for their observance of religious festivals, making of offerings, and singing of God’s praise. With that kind of mindset, it is not surprising that they would turn to other gods in hopes of garnering their favor. The way people lived in that time would have reinforced such a mindset: If someone wished to persuade a king or an official to act in their favor, they gave the king or the official a gift of money or some other inducement.
God, speaking through Amos, tells the people of the northern kingdom, the things with which they are seeking to win his favor do not matter to him. Indeed, they are detestable to him. What matters to God is that they act justly and live righteous lives. While it is not specifically mentioned in the reading, doing so would require them to give God’s rightful place in their lives.
God has not changed from the days of Amos. This is evident from the words which he repeatedly spoke through the prophets who followed Amos and what Jesus himself reiterated.
God came to us in the person of Jesus not only to bear our sins upon himself on the cross and to set things right between humanity and himself but also to fulfill a prophesy and a promise: he himself would teach us and make us his disciples.
The only sacrifices that God desires from us are spiritual ones—principally a life in which God is more than a foot note in a story that we write ourselves, a life which is lived in accordance with Jesus’ teaching and example, a life by which we show forth our praise and thanksgiving for all that God has done for us. Going to church, singing hymns and worship songs, listening to Scripture readings and sermons, praying for ourselves and others, and receiving communion are a part of that life but they are not a substitute for it. God must be at the center of our lives not only for an hour or two on Sundays but every waking moment of the day, every day of the week, spring, summer, fall, and winter, every day of our lives.
Among the ways that we can keep God at the center of our lives is to keep in mind that God is with us as we go about our day. Whatever we do, we keep God’s presence in the forefront of our mind. God is present with us even if we are not yet a believer. God is present everywhere; his presence is not dependent upon our recognition of his presence.
To help us be mindful of God’s presence, we can converse with him. sharing with him our thoughts and feelings.
“Isn’t that like talking to an imaginary friend?” You may ask.
The difference is that God is real, not make-believe.
In exploring our world and the universe around us, we keep discovering things that we did not imagine could exist and which we cannot explain. They are a reminder of our limitations.
Rain on the hills, earth filled with blessing
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Food for our strength, health and happiness
Praise the Lord, all the earth
All of these good things you have created
Praise the Lord, all the earth
You give us breath, new life to all
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Glory to God forever and ever
Praise the Lord, all the earth
I’ll sing to God, all of my living
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Silence
Creator God,
send your Holy Spirit to renew this living world,
that the whole creation,
in its groaning and striving,
may know your loving purpose
and come to reflect your glory;
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear John L. Bell’s “I Owe My God a Morning Song.”
1 I owe my Lord a morning song
for God has meant this day.
Through fears of night and hidden light
God moves and wills my way.
2 I owe my Lord a morning song
for Jesus rose at dawn;
he made death die and would not lie
that others might live on.
3 I owe my Lord a morning song;
the Spirit gave me voice,
nor did she force my soul to praise
but honored me with choice.
4 I owe my Lord a morning song.
How can I help but sing
when God is all in all and I
am one with everything.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Heavenly Father,
give us faith to receive your word,
understanding to know what it means,
and the will to put it into practice,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
A reading from the Old Testament (Amos 5:18-24)
How terrible it will be for you who long for the day of the Lord! What good will that day do you? For you it will be a day of darkness and not of light. It will be like someone who runs from a lion and meets a bear! Or like someone who comes home and puts his hand on the wall—only to be bitten by a snake! The day of the Lord will bring darkness and not light; it will be a day of gloom, without any brightness.
The Lord says, “I hate your religious festivals; I cannot stand them! When you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings, I will not accept them; I will not accept the animals you have fattened to bring me as offerings. Stop your noisy songs; I do not want to listen to your harps. Instead, let justice flow like a stream, and righteousness like a river that never goes dry.
Silence
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
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!
The Most Overlooked Temptation
In a recent article, Trevin Wax identified godlessness as the most overlooked temptation today. If you are not familiar with Wax, he is vice president of research and resource development at the North American Mission Board, a visiting professor at Cedarville University, and a former missionary to Romania. Among his numerous accomplishments is that he “has taught courses on mission and ministry at Wheaton College and has lectured on Christianity and culture at Oxford University.” Wax goes on to explain:
I’m not referring to the atheist’s refusal to acknowledge God’s existence. Nor am I referring to spiritual or religious people who deny certain biblical teachings about God. I’m talking about the temptation to elbow God out of daily life, to push him out of the center, to live without reference to our Creator. We may still nod to him, of course, but he’s secondary. We shrink the Author of life to a footnote in a story we write ourselves.
It’s fitting to name this temptation “godlessness” because, even if we don’t deny God, we can live as if he doesn’t exist. He simply isn’t relevant for most of what constitutes daily life.
He emphasizes that this temptation applies to Christians as well as non-Christians. While we might like to focus the spotlight on non-Christians, it belongs on us too.
After reading today’s Old Testament reading, I looked for a situation in our time that is comparable to the situation in Amos’s time. The situation which is described in Wax’s article and the situation that is described in the Book of Amos do have strong resemblance to each other.
Amos was active around 750 BC. He prophesized during the reign of King Jeroboam II in the northern kingdom of Samaria and King Uzziah in the southern kingdom of Judah. The kingdom of Israel had been divided into these two kingdoms after the death of King Solomon. Amos lived in the southern kingdom but preached in the northern kingdom. His book is the first prophetic book of the Bible.
At the time Amos was active, the people of the northern kingdom observed religious festivals honoring God, made offerings to God, and sung hymns in praise of God, but the way that they lived showed that they did not hold God in great respect. They ignored his commandments. They worshiped the planet Saturn, as well as ill-treated the poor, gave and accepted bribes, and did other things which displeased God.
One is left with the distinct impression that like the “Christians” about which Wax writes in his article, they did not give God the right place in their hearts. Indeed, they appeared to have a quid pro quo mindset toward God. God would show them favor in return for their observance of religious festivals, making of offerings, and singing of God’s praise. With that kind of mindset, it is not surprising that they would turn to other gods in hopes of garnering their favor. The way people lived in that time would have reinforced such a mindset: If someone wished to persuade a king or an official to act in their favor, they gave the king or the official a gift of money or some other inducement.
God, speaking through Amos, tells the people of the northern kingdom, the things with which they are seeking to win his favor do not matter to him. Indeed, they are detestable to him. What matters to God is that they act justly and live righteous lives. While it is not specifically mentioned in the reading, doing so would require them to give God’s rightful place in their lives.
God has not changed from the days of Amos. This is evident from the words which he repeatedly spoke through the prophets who followed Amos and what Jesus himself reiterated.
God came to us in the person of Jesus not only to bear our sins upon himself on the cross and to set things right between humanity and himself but also to fulfill a prophesy and a promise: he himself would teach us and make us his disciples.
The only sacrifices that God desires from us are spiritual ones—principally a life in which God is more than a foot note in a story that we write ourselves, a life which is lived in accordance with Jesus’ teaching and example, a life by which we show forth our praise and thanksgiving for all that God has done for us. Going to church, singing hymns and worship songs, listening to Scripture readings and sermons, praying for ourselves and others, and receiving communion are a part of that life but they are not a substitute for it. God must be at the center of our lives not only for an hour or two on Sundays but every waking moment of the day, every day of the week, spring, summer, fall, and winter, every day of our lives.
Among the ways that we can keep God at the center of our lives is to keep in mind that God is with us as we go about our day. Whatever we do, we keep God’s presence in the forefront of our mind. God is present with us even if we are not yet a believer. God is present everywhere; his presence is not dependent upon our recognition of his presence.
To help us be mindful of God’s presence, we can converse with him. sharing with him our thoughts and feelings.
“Isn’t that like talking to an imaginary friend?” You may ask.
The difference is that God is real, not make-believe.
In exploring our world and the universe around us, we keep discovering things that we did not imagine could exist and which we cannot explain. They are a reminder of our limitations.
We cannot see everything under a microscope or through telescope nor can we touch, smell, or taste it. The existence of something does not depend upon our ability to recognize its existence. Microbes were making generations of human beings sick long before Leeuwenhoek opened what had been a previously unimagined world of “animalcules,” protozoans and bacteria, to the human eye.
Let’s give God the benefit of the doubt and believe in God’s existence even if we are not certain that he exists. Let’s give God his rightful place in our lives. I do not believe that we will regret it.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Perry’s “I Believe in God the Father.”
I believe in God the Father
who created heaven and earth,
holding all things in his power,
bringing light and life to birth.
I believe in God the Savior,
Son of Man and Lord most high,
crucified to be redeemer,
raised to life that death may die.
I believe in God the Spirit,
wind of heaven and flame of fire,
pledge of all that we inherit,
sent to comfort and inspire.
Honor, glory, might and merit
be to God, and God alone!
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
One-in-Three and Three-in-One.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
Let us pray for all people and for the Church throughout the world.
Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church;
that we all may be one in Christ.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
Let’s give God the benefit of the doubt and believe in God’s existence even if we are not certain that he exists. Let’s give God his rightful place in our lives. I do not believe that we will regret it.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Perry’s “I Believe in God the Father.”
I believe in God the Father
who created heaven and earth,
holding all things in his power,
bringing light and life to birth.
I believe in God the Savior,
Son of Man and Lord most high,
crucified to be redeemer,
raised to life that death may die.
I believe in God the Spirit,
wind of heaven and flame of fire,
pledge of all that we inherit,
sent to comfort and inspire.
Honor, glory, might and merit
be to God, and God alone!
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
One-in-Three and Three-in-One.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
Let us pray for all people and for the Church throughout the world.
Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church;
that we all may be one in Christ.
Grant that every member of the Church may truly and humbly serve you;
that your Name may be glorified by everyone.
We pray for our pastor, for all pastors, and for all who serve in your Church;
that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and exercise authority in the nations of the world;
that there may be peace and justice among all.
Give us strength to do your will in all that we undertake;
that we may be blessed in all our works.
Have compassion on those who suffer or are in grief or trouble;
that they may he delivered from their distress.
We praise you for all your saints who have entered into joy;
may we also share in your heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Faithful God,
you have promised to hear the prayers
of all who ask in Jesus’ name.
In your mercy, accept, our prayers.
give us what we have asked in faith ,
according to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and merciful God,
of your bountiful goodness keep us
from everything that may hurt us,
that we may be ready in body
and soul cheerfully to accomplish
whatever you want us to do;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Let us join together in the prayer which 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 FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. 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.
Those present may share a sign of peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
We pray for our pastor, for all pastors, and for all who serve in your Church;
that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and exercise authority in the nations of the world;
that there may be peace and justice among all.
Give us strength to do your will in all that we undertake;
that we may be blessed in all our works.
Have compassion on those who suffer or are in grief or trouble;
that they may he delivered from their distress.
We praise you for all your saints who have entered into joy;
may we also share in your heavenly kingdom.
Let us pray for our own needs and those of others.
Faithful God,
you have promised to hear the prayers
of all who ask in Jesus’ name.
In your mercy, accept, our prayers.
give us what we have asked in faith ,
according to your will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Almighty and merciful God,
of your bountiful goodness keep us
from everything that may hurt us,
that we may be ready in body
and soul cheerfully to accomplish
whatever you want us to do;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
Let us join together in the prayer which 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 FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. 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.
Those present may share a sign of peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Comments
Post a Comment