Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, January 7, 2024)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
This Sunday is the Feast of the Baptism of our Lord, the first Sunday of Epiphanytide, the season after the Feast of the Epiphany, in the Church Calendar. It is one of four occasions on which the sacrament of Baptism traditionally has been celebrated. The other three are the Easter Vigil or Easter Sunday, the feast of Whitsun, or Pentecost, 30 days after Easter, and the feast of Hallowmas, also known as the feast of All Hallows, or All Saints. In some church traditions on these feast days and other occasions the members of the congregation may be sprinkled with water as a reminder of their baptism.
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear an instrumental arrangement of Marty Haugen’s “Spirit of God.”
God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power; and he went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with him. Acts 10:38
Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “All You Works of God,” adapted from the Benedicite.
All you works of God,
Every mountain, star and tree,
Bless the One who shapes your beauty,
Who has caused you all to be
One great song of love and grace,
Ever ancient, ever new.
Raise your voices, all you works of God.
1 Sun and moon: Bless your Maker!
Stars of heaven: Chant your praise!
Showers and dew: Raise up your joyful song!
All you works of God,
Every mountain, star and tree,
Bless the One who shapes your beauty,
Who has caused you all to be
One great song of love and grace,
Ever ancient, ever new.
Raise your voices, all you works of Love.
2 Winds of God: Bless your Maker!
Cold and winter: Chant your praise!
Snowstorms and ice: Raise up your joyful song!
All you works of God,
Every mountain, star and tree,
Bless the One who shapes your beauty,
Who has caused you all to be
One great song of love and grace,
Ever ancient, ever new.
Raise your voices, all you works of Love.
4 All the earth: Bless your Maker!
Hills and mountains: Chant your praise!
Green things that grow: Raise up your joyful song!
All you works of God,
Every mountain, star and tree,
Bless the One who shapes your beauty,
Who has caused you all to be
One great song of love and grace,
Ever ancient, ever new.
Raise your voices, all you works of Love.
5 Wells and springs: Bless your Maker!
Seas and rivers: Chant your praise!
Whales in the deep: Raise up your joyful song!
All you works of God,
Every mountain, star and tree,
Bless the One who shapes your beauty,
Who has caused you all to be
One great song of love and grace,
Ever ancient, ever new.
Raise your voices, all you works of Love.
6 Flying birds: Bless your Maker!
Beasts and cattle: Chant your praise!
Children at play: Raise up your joyful song!
All you works of God,
Every mountain, star and tree,
Bless the One who shapes your beauty,
Who has caused you all to be
One great song of love and grace,
Ever ancient, ever new.
Raise your voices, all you works of God.
Raise your voices, all you works of God.
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us pray.
Eternal God, source of all blessing,
help us to worship you
with all our heart and mind and strength;
for you alone are God,
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Shirley Erena Murray’s “As the Wind Song through the Trees.”
As the wind song through the trees,
as the stirring of the breeze,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
as the heart made strangely warm,
as the voice within the storm,
so it is with the Spirit of God.
Never seen, ever known
where this wind has blown
bringing life, bringing power to the world,
as the dancing tongues of fire,
as the soul's most deep desire,
so it is with the Spirit of God.
As the rainbow after rain,
as the hope that's born again,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
as the green in the spring,
as a kite on a string,
so it is with the Spirit of God,
making worlds that are new,
making peace come true,
bringing gifts, bringing love to the world,
as the rising of the yeast,
as the wine at the feast,
so it is with the Spirit of God.
Open this link a new tab to hear Michael Saward’s “Baptized in Water.”
1 Baptized in water,
sealed by the Spirit
cleansed by the blood of Christ our king;
heirs of salvation,
trusting his promise -
faithfully now God's praise we sing.
2 Baptized in water,
sealed by the Spirit,
dead in the tomb with Christ our king;
one with his rising,
freed and forgiven
thankfully now God's praise we sing.
3 Baptized in water,
sealed by the Spirit,
marked with the sign of Christ our king;
born of one Father,
we are his children -
joyfully now God's praise we sing.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
[Let us pray.]
Thank you, Father, for making yourself known to us
and showing the way of salvation
through faith in your Son.
We ask now to teach and encourage us
through your word,
so that we may be ready to serve you;
for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
A reading from the New Testament (Mark 1:4–11)
This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the River Jordan. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the River Jordan. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
Silence
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
“…but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” A lot can be said about Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan, his anointing with the Holy Spiri, and the voice from heaven. However, these words in today's reading deserve comment more than anything else.
“…but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” They are prophetic words. In both Luke’s Gospel and John’s Gospel it is recorded that Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples and in Luke’s Acts of the Apostles it is recorded how he kept his promise.
In Paul’s epistles and the other writings of the apostles we learn about the important role the Holy Spirit plays in the lives of Jesus’ disciples, not just the eleven and Matthius but all disciples, including us.
The apostle Paul sums it up pretty tidily in his letter to the Philippians, in Philippians 2:13, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Without the Holy Spirit, we are like a flashlight, or electric torch, with a dead battery.
The Holy Spirit, however, does more than energize us, quicken us and make us spiritually alive. The Holy Spirit convicts us, draws to our attention our sinful condition and our need of a Savior. The Holy Spirit guides us and helps us grow in personal holiness. The Holy Spirit produces in us what Paul called the fruit of the Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” (Galatians 5: 22-23). They are important qualities of character in our transformation into the likeness of Jesus, in the restoration of God’s image in us. The Holy Spirit manifests himself in us in a variety of ways for the purpose of building up a particular community of faith. These things are just for starters. The Holy Spirit applies the benefits of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross to us, provides us with words when we need them, prays for us, unites us to God and to our fellow believers, enables us to discern good from evil, and does much, much more.
The Holy Spirit is not a force or energy. The Holy Spirit is a Person. One of three discrete Persons who together are God. While they are distinct and separate from each other, they share the same substance. There is only one God, not three. When we become a believer, God himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. It’s God’s way of showing his acceptance of us.
Theologians have used reams of paper in writing about when and how we receive the Holy Spirit. However, since the Holy Spirit is a gift from God, it is solely up to God when and how he gives the gift. What is most important is the role that the Holy Spirit plays in the life of the individua believer and the life of the Church.
Some believers question whether they have received the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit does not act in their lives the ways they have come to expect the Holy Spirit to act. They expect to see dramatic evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence. They may need to ask God to open their eyes to what the Holy Spirit is doing in their lives.
and showing the way of salvation
through faith in your Son.
We ask now to teach and encourage us
through your word,
so that we may be ready to serve you;
for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
A reading from the New Testament (Mark 1:4–11)
This messenger was John the Baptist. He was in the wilderness and preached that people should be baptized to show that they had repented of their sins and turned to God to be forgiven. All of Judea, including all the people of Jerusalem, went out to see and hear John. And when they confessed their sins, he baptized them in the River Jordan. His clothes were woven from coarse camel hair, and he wore a leather belt around his waist. For food he ate locusts and wild honey.
John announced: “Someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I’m not even worthy to stoop down like a slave and untie the straps of his sandals. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit!”
One day Jesus came from Nazareth in Galilee, and John baptized him in the River Jordan. As Jesus came up out of the water, he saw the heavens splitting apart and the Holy Spirit descending on him like a dove. And a voice from heaven said, “You are my dearly loved Son, and you bring me great joy.”
Silence
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
"...but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
“…but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” A lot can be said about Jesus’ baptism in the River Jordan, his anointing with the Holy Spiri, and the voice from heaven. However, these words in today's reading deserve comment more than anything else.
“…but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.” They are prophetic words. In both Luke’s Gospel and John’s Gospel it is recorded that Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to his disciples and in Luke’s Acts of the Apostles it is recorded how he kept his promise.
In Paul’s epistles and the other writings of the apostles we learn about the important role the Holy Spirit plays in the lives of Jesus’ disciples, not just the eleven and Matthius but all disciples, including us.
The apostle Paul sums it up pretty tidily in his letter to the Philippians, in Philippians 2:13, “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” Without the Holy Spirit, we are like a flashlight, or electric torch, with a dead battery.
The Holy Spirit, however, does more than energize us, quicken us and make us spiritually alive. The Holy Spirit convicts us, draws to our attention our sinful condition and our need of a Savior. The Holy Spirit guides us and helps us grow in personal holiness. The Holy Spirit produces in us what Paul called the fruit of the Spirit, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…” (Galatians 5: 22-23). They are important qualities of character in our transformation into the likeness of Jesus, in the restoration of God’s image in us. The Holy Spirit manifests himself in us in a variety of ways for the purpose of building up a particular community of faith. These things are just for starters. The Holy Spirit applies the benefits of Jesus’ suffering and death on the cross to us, provides us with words when we need them, prays for us, unites us to God and to our fellow believers, enables us to discern good from evil, and does much, much more.
The Holy Spirit is not a force or energy. The Holy Spirit is a Person. One of three discrete Persons who together are God. While they are distinct and separate from each other, they share the same substance. There is only one God, not three. When we become a believer, God himself in the Person of the Holy Spirit comes to live in us. It’s God’s way of showing his acceptance of us.
Theologians have used reams of paper in writing about when and how we receive the Holy Spirit. However, since the Holy Spirit is a gift from God, it is solely up to God when and how he gives the gift. What is most important is the role that the Holy Spirit plays in the life of the individua believer and the life of the Church.
Some believers question whether they have received the Holy Spirit because the Holy Spirit does not act in their lives the ways they have come to expect the Holy Spirit to act. They expect to see dramatic evidence of the Holy Spirit’s presence. They may need to ask God to open their eyes to what the Holy Spirit is doing in their lives.
Other believers may not fully experience the Holy Spirit's power because they have unrepented sin in their lives, a longstanding grudge against someone, or some other obstacle that needs their attention before the Holy Spirit will manifest the fulness of his power in them. They need to ask God to show them what that obstacle is and what they need to do about it.
Freeing ourselves from such obstacles with God’s help will not only have a positive effect on our prayer life and our worship life, but most importantly it will make a significant difference to our effectiveness as Jesus’ representatives and ambassadors in the world. The more effective we are as his representatives and ambassadors in the world, the more effective will be our church in reaching and engaging those who do not yet believe or who have strayed into unbelief.
It is quite clear from Scripture that God gives us the Holy Spirit not just to help us in our personal spiritual journey but to enable us together with our fellow Christians to carry out the Great Commission. In the words of Kevin de Young, “Our task as the gathered body of Christ is to make disciples, by bearing witness to Jesus Christ the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit to glory of God the Father.” This includes leaving our comfort zones, sharing the gospel with people who are not like us, forming them into disciples if they respond to Jesus’ call to discipleship, and gathering these disciples into churches, that they may worship and obey God in this life and in the life to come.
John baptized with water. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. He gives us the Holy Spirit so that we not only may have eternal life ourselves, but others may have eternal life too. When he calls us, he calls each of us to do our part whatever our circumstances may be. If we cannot leave our home to meet new people and share with them the gospel, we can pray for those who can. We can pray for those to whom they will be sharing the gospel.
Freeing ourselves from such obstacles with God’s help will not only have a positive effect on our prayer life and our worship life, but most importantly it will make a significant difference to our effectiveness as Jesus’ representatives and ambassadors in the world. The more effective we are as his representatives and ambassadors in the world, the more effective will be our church in reaching and engaging those who do not yet believe or who have strayed into unbelief.
It is quite clear from Scripture that God gives us the Holy Spirit not just to help us in our personal spiritual journey but to enable us together with our fellow Christians to carry out the Great Commission. In the words of Kevin de Young, “Our task as the gathered body of Christ is to make disciples, by bearing witness to Jesus Christ the Son in the power of the Holy Spirit to glory of God the Father.” This includes leaving our comfort zones, sharing the gospel with people who are not like us, forming them into disciples if they respond to Jesus’ call to discipleship, and gathering these disciples into churches, that they may worship and obey God in this life and in the life to come.
John baptized with water. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit. He gives us the Holy Spirit so that we not only may have eternal life ourselves, but others may have eternal life too. When he calls us, he calls each of us to do our part whatever our circumstances may be. If we cannot leave our home to meet new people and share with them the gospel, we can pray for those who can. We can pray for those to whom they will be sharing the gospel.
Praying for others is a way of expressing our love for them. It is also a way of showing that we have their backs. It is not the only thing that we can do but it is one of the most important things.
As Paul wrote the church at Corinth, every member of the body of Christ, the body into which we are knit by the Holy Spirit, has a purpose. Each member of that body needs the other members of the body. We all have a part to play in the life of the body. Every one of us.
Silence
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “Wind upon the Waters.”
1 Wind upon the waters,
voice upon the deep;
rouse your sons and daughters,
wake us from our sleep.
Breathing life into all flesh,
breathing love into all hearts,
Living wind upon the waters of my soul.
2 Showers from the heaven,
water from the earth;
Gift so wholly given,
source of every birth.
Joy of every living thing,
making all creation sing,
Shower down upon the dry earth of my soul.
3 Rock and hill and garden,
wood and desert sand;
Prairie, field and meadow,
shaped by Love's own hand.
Love that fills the world around,
springing up from barren ground,
Grow your love within the garden of my soul.
4 Blazing light of wonder,
flame that pierces night;
Burst the dark asunder,
fill our souls with light.
Lord of glory, fill the skies,
make an end to hatred's cries,
Be the blazing Sun of justice in our lives.
5 Wind upon the waters,
rains upon the sand,
Grace your sons and daughters,
newborn by your hand.
Come, O Spirit and renew
all the life that comes from you,
Send your winds upon the waters of my soul.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
Although we are the people of God,
Scripture reminds us that we still sin.
We need to confess our failures,
knowing that the Lord Jesus died for us
and intercedes for us with the Father.
Let us draw near to God who freely forgives
through his infinite goodness and mercy
and pray to him with sincerity and confidence.
Heavenly Father,
you have loved us with an everlasting love,
but we have often gone our own way,
and rejected your will for our lives.
We are sorry for our sins
and turn away from them.
For the sake of your Son who died for us,
forgive us, cleanse us, and change us.
By your Holy Spirit, enable us to live for you,
and to please you in every way,
for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Open this link in a new tab to hear Elise Massa’s “Pardon and Peace (The Assurance).”
Grant your faithful people pardon and peace,
Grant your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sin
and serve you with a quiet mind,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grant your faithful people pardon and peace,
Grant your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sin
and serve you with a quiet mind,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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;
As Paul wrote the church at Corinth, every member of the body of Christ, the body into which we are knit by the Holy Spirit, has a purpose. Each member of that body needs the other members of the body. We all have a part to play in the life of the body. Every one of us.
Silence
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “Wind upon the Waters.”
1 Wind upon the waters,
voice upon the deep;
rouse your sons and daughters,
wake us from our sleep.
Breathing life into all flesh,
breathing love into all hearts,
Living wind upon the waters of my soul.
2 Showers from the heaven,
water from the earth;
Gift so wholly given,
source of every birth.
Joy of every living thing,
making all creation sing,
Shower down upon the dry earth of my soul.
3 Rock and hill and garden,
wood and desert sand;
Prairie, field and meadow,
shaped by Love's own hand.
Love that fills the world around,
springing up from barren ground,
Grow your love within the garden of my soul.
4 Blazing light of wonder,
flame that pierces night;
Burst the dark asunder,
fill our souls with light.
Lord of glory, fill the skies,
make an end to hatred's cries,
Be the blazing Sun of justice in our lives.
5 Wind upon the waters,
rains upon the sand,
Grace your sons and daughters,
newborn by your hand.
Come, O Spirit and renew
all the life that comes from you,
Send your winds upon the waters of my soul.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
Although we are the people of God,
Scripture reminds us that we still sin.
We need to confess our failures,
knowing that the Lord Jesus died for us
and intercedes for us with the Father.
Let us draw near to God who freely forgives
through his infinite goodness and mercy
and pray to him with sincerity and confidence.
Heavenly Father,
you have loved us with an everlasting love,
but we have often gone our own way,
and rejected your will for our lives.
We are sorry for our sins
and turn away from them.
For the sake of your Son who died for us,
forgive us, cleanse us, and change us.
By your Holy Spirit, enable us to live for you,
and to please you in every way,
for the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen
Open this link in a new tab to hear Elise Massa’s “Pardon and Peace (The Assurance).”
Grant your faithful people pardon and peace,
Grant your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sin
and serve you with a quiet mind,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Grant your faithful people pardon and peace,
Grant your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sin
and serve you with a quiet mind,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
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 all ordained elders and licensed local pastors;
that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.
Renew your Church by the power of the Holy Spirit;
Embolden us to proclaim the Gospel and make new disciples.
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.
Make us alive to the needs of our community:
help us to share each other’s joys and burdens.
Look with kindness on our homes and families:
grant that your love may grow in our hearts.
Have compassion on those who suffer or are in grief or trouble;
that they may be delivered from their distress.
We remember those who have died:
Father, into your hands we commend them.
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 the needs of others.
Silence
Heavenly Father,
you have promised to hear
what we ask in the name of your Son:
we pray you to accept and answer our prayers,
not as we ask in our ignorance,
nor as we deserve in our sinfulness,
but as you know and love us in your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
As our Savior taught his disciples, we pray
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,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your 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 bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and forever. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Richard Bruxvoort Colligan’ “O Christ, Surround Me.”
1 God be the love to search and keep me
God be the prayer to move my voice
God be the strength to now uphold me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
2 Bind to myself the name of Holy
Great cloud of witnesses enfold
Prophets, apostles, angels witness
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
3 Brightness of sun and glow of moonlight
Flashing of lightning, strength of wind
Depth of the sea to soil of planet
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
4 Walking behind to hem my journey
Going ahead to light my way
And from beneath, above, and all ways
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
[Instrumental interlude]
5 Christ in the eyes of all who see me
Christ in the ears that hear my voice
Christ in the hearts of all who know me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
Those present may exchange a sign of peace
with these words.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also you.
We pray for all ordained elders and licensed local pastors;
that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.
Renew your Church by the power of the Holy Spirit;
Embolden us to proclaim the Gospel and make new disciples.
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.
Make us alive to the needs of our community:
help us to share each other’s joys and burdens.
Look with kindness on our homes and families:
grant that your love may grow in our hearts.
Have compassion on those who suffer or are in grief or trouble;
that they may be delivered from their distress.
We remember those who have died:
Father, into your hands we commend them.
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 the needs of others.
Silence
Heavenly Father,
you have promised to hear
what we ask in the name of your Son:
we pray you to accept and answer our prayers,
not as we ask in our ignorance,
nor as we deserve in our sinfulness,
but as you know and love us in your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
As our Savior taught his disciples, we pray
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,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your 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 bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The almighty and merciful God bless us
and keep us now and forever. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Richard Bruxvoort Colligan’ “O Christ, Surround Me.”
1 God be the love to search and keep me
God be the prayer to move my voice
God be the strength to now uphold me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
2 Bind to myself the name of Holy
Great cloud of witnesses enfold
Prophets, apostles, angels witness
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
3 Brightness of sun and glow of moonlight
Flashing of lightning, strength of wind
Depth of the sea to soil of planet
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
4 Walking behind to hem my journey
Going ahead to light my way
And from beneath, above, and all ways
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
[Instrumental interlude]
5 Christ in the eyes of all who see me
Christ in the ears that hear my voice
Christ in the hearts of all who know me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
Those present may exchange a sign of peace
with these words.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also you.
Comments
Post a Comment