Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, January 21, 2024)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows
Do you struggle with the question, “Do I have a unique purpose in life?” Christians believe that each of us does have a unique purpose. We all have a role to play in God’s scheme of things.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Christian H. Bateman’s “Come, Children, Join to Sing.”
1 Come, children, join to sing: Alleluia!
Praise to our Servant King: Alleluia!
Let all with heart and voice,
Saved by God’s gracious choice,
Now in this place rejoice: Alleluia!
2 Come, lift your hearts on high: Alleluia!
Let Praises fill the sky: Alleluia!
Christ calls his people friends,
The helpless he defends,
A love that never ends: Alleluia!
3 Praise yet our Christ again: Alleluia!
Raise high the joyous strain: Alleluia!
The whole creation o’er
let all God’s love adore,
Singing forevermore: Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:5
Open this link in a new tab to hear Martin Leckebusch’s “Lord, We Turn to You for Mercy.”
1 Lord, we turn to you for mercy:
may our prayerful words express
something of our heartfelt sorrow
for the sins we now confess.
2 We have trusted far too often
in our human strength and skill;
we have proudly disregarded
what we know to be your will.
3 Yet by your immense compassion
you invite, accept, restore,
leading us to greater wholeness
than we ever knew before.
4 Your forgiveness lifts our burdens,
setting heart and spirit free
to fulfil our true potential,
all that we were meant to be.
5 For you teach a way of wisdom
we may clearly understand:
walking with the God of mercy
step by step, and hand in hand.
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jim and Jean Strathdee’s “In the Highest Glory.”
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
Glory be to the One on high.
Peace to the people of the Earth.
We worship you and give you thanks,
praising your great worth.
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
You alone are the Holy One,
giving life and grace.
In all your great creation, God,
We see your holy face.
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
[Instrumental interlude]
Glory be to the living God,
glory be to the Son,
glory be to the Spirit God
who makes us to be one.
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
Peace to the people of the Earth!
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us pray.
Silence
Eternal God,
your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Grant that we your people may shine with his glorious light
that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed
to the ends of the earth;
for he is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Old Testament (Jonah 3: 1-10)
Once again the Lord spoke to Jonah. He said, “Go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to the people the message I have given you.” So Jonah obeyed the Lord and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to walk through it. Jonah started through the city, and after walking a whole day, he proclaimed, “In forty days Nineveh will be destroyed!”
The people of Nineveh believed God's message. So they decided that everyone should fast, and all the people, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth to show that they had repented.
When the king of Nineveh heard about it, he got up from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat down in ashes. He sent out a proclamation to the people of Nineveh: “This is an order from the king and his officials: No one is to eat anything; all persons, cattle, and sheep are forbidden to eat or drink. All persons and animals must wear sackcloth. Everyone must pray earnestly to God and must give up their wicked behavior and their evil actions. Perhaps God will change his mind; perhaps he will stop being angry, and we will not die!”
God saw what they did; he saw that they had given up their wicked behavior. So he changed his mind and did not punish them as he had said he would.
Silence
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jaroslav J. Vajda’s “God of the Sparrow.”
1 God of the sparrow, God of the whale,
God of the swirling stars
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise
2 God of the earthquake, God of the storm,
God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature cry Woe
How does the creature cry Save
3 God of the rainbow, God of the cross,
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks
4 God of the hungry, God of the sick,
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life
5 God of the neighbor, God of the foe
God of the pruning hook
How does the creature say Love
How does the creature say Peace
6 God of the ages, God near at hand
God of the loving heart
How do your children say Joy
How do your children say Home
A reading from the New Testament (Mark 1: 14- 20)
After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News from God. “The right time has come,” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!”
As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew, catching fish with a net. Jesus said to them, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.” At once they left their nets and went with him.
He went a little farther on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat getting their nets ready. As soon as Jesus saw them, he called them; they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went with Jesus.
Silence
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand;
repent and believe in the gospel. Mark 1:5
Open this link in a new tab to hear Martin Leckebusch’s “Lord, We Turn to You for Mercy.”
1 Lord, we turn to you for mercy:
may our prayerful words express
something of our heartfelt sorrow
for the sins we now confess.
2 We have trusted far too often
in our human strength and skill;
we have proudly disregarded
what we know to be your will.
3 Yet by your immense compassion
you invite, accept, restore,
leading us to greater wholeness
than we ever knew before.
4 Your forgiveness lifts our burdens,
setting heart and spirit free
to fulfil our true potential,
all that we were meant to be.
5 For you teach a way of wisdom
we may clearly understand:
walking with the God of mercy
step by step, and hand in hand.
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jim and Jean Strathdee’s “In the Highest Glory.”
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
Glory be to the One on high.
Peace to the people of the Earth.
We worship you and give you thanks,
praising your great worth.
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
You alone are the Holy One,
giving life and grace.
In all your great creation, God,
We see your holy face.
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
[Instrumental interlude]
Glory be to the living God,
glory be to the Son,
glory be to the Spirit God
who makes us to be one.
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
In the highest glory,
glory be to God,
In the highest glory,
peace to the people of the Earth,
peace to the people of the Earth.
Peace to the people of the Earth!
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us pray.
Silence
Eternal God,
your Son our Saviour Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
Grant that we your people may shine with his glorious light
that he may be known, worshiped, and obeyed
to the ends of the earth;
for he is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and forever. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Old Testament (Jonah 3: 1-10)
Once again the Lord spoke to Jonah. He said, “Go to Nineveh, that great city, and proclaim to the people the message I have given you.” So Jonah obeyed the Lord and went to Nineveh, a city so large that it took three days to walk through it. Jonah started through the city, and after walking a whole day, he proclaimed, “In forty days Nineveh will be destroyed!”
The people of Nineveh believed God's message. So they decided that everyone should fast, and all the people, from the greatest to the least, put on sackcloth to show that they had repented.
When the king of Nineveh heard about it, he got up from his throne, took off his robe, put on sackcloth, and sat down in ashes. He sent out a proclamation to the people of Nineveh: “This is an order from the king and his officials: No one is to eat anything; all persons, cattle, and sheep are forbidden to eat or drink. All persons and animals must wear sackcloth. Everyone must pray earnestly to God and must give up their wicked behavior and their evil actions. Perhaps God will change his mind; perhaps he will stop being angry, and we will not die!”
God saw what they did; he saw that they had given up their wicked behavior. So he changed his mind and did not punish them as he had said he would.
Silence
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jaroslav J. Vajda’s “God of the Sparrow.”
1 God of the sparrow, God of the whale,
God of the swirling stars
How does the creature say Awe
How does the creature say Praise
2 God of the earthquake, God of the storm,
God of the trumpet blast
How does the creature cry Woe
How does the creature cry Save
3 God of the rainbow, God of the cross,
God of the empty grave
How does the creature say Grace
How does the creature say Thanks
4 God of the hungry, God of the sick,
God of the prodigal
How does the creature say Care
How does the creature say Life
5 God of the neighbor, God of the foe
God of the pruning hook
How does the creature say Love
How does the creature say Peace
6 God of the ages, God near at hand
God of the loving heart
How do your children say Joy
How do your children say Home
A reading from the New Testament (Mark 1: 14- 20)
After John had been put in prison, Jesus went to Galilee and preached the Good News from God. “The right time has come,” he said, “and the Kingdom of God is near! Turn away from your sins and believe the Good News!”
As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew, catching fish with a net. Jesus said to them, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.” At once they left their nets and went with him.
He went a little farther on and saw two other brothers, James and John, the sons of Zebedee. They were in their boat getting their nets ready. As soon as Jesus saw them, he called them; they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went with Jesus.
Silence
This is the word of the Lord
Thanks be to God.
Like Jonah and the fishermen Simon, Andrew, James, and John God calls us for a specific purpose. For Jonah it was to deliver to the people Nineveh a message that God had given him, a message in which they were warned that Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days. For Simon, Andrew, James, and John it was to be Jesus’ witnesses and to tell people about him everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. They were to continue his mission after his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven.
How then do we discern the specific purpose for which God has called us to serve him. In this Sunday’s message we will look at one way we can discern the specific purpose for which we have been called.
First, however, I must point out that all who are called by God have a common purpose for which they are called. Just as Simon, Andrew, James, and John were called to go with Jesus and to learn to catch people, we are also called to do the same. The Great Commission that Jesus gave to the disciples before he ascended into heaven was entrusted not just to them but to every generation of Jesus’ disciples until his return. We all are called to serve as ambassadors and representatives for Jesus in the world. This means not only telling people about Jesus but also living our lives according to his teaching and example.
Let’s now look at one of the ways we can discern the unique purpose for which we have been called, how we can discern what the late Aubrey Malphurs called our “divine design.” This way of discerning the unique purpose for which God has designed us comes from Pastor Rick Warren’s A Toolkit for Life Bible Studies.’ He writes--
The way God shaped you reveals how he wants to use you. How do you discover the unique way God made you?
I like to use the acrostic SHAPE—your Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. These are the five things that make you, you. And, by looking as each of these areas, you’ll begin to understand what God wants you to do with your life.
Spiritual gifts are God-empowered abilities for serving him that are given only to believers. For instance, some gifts motivate you for ministry—like serving, teaching, encouraging, leading, giving, showing mercy, or offering biblical insight.
Heart refers to the bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections you have. It’s what you love to do and what you care about most.
Abilities are the natural talents you were born with. God wants you to do what you’re able to do.
Personality affects how and where you use your spiritual gifts and abilities. You’ll use your gifts in different ways from anybody else.
Experiences teach you lessons that help you mature. They also help you minister to others going through similar experiences.
He goes on to write—
Consider what you do well and how God has wired you. What lessons can you draw from that about how God wants to use you for his work?
What things may make it difficult for you to figure out how God has wired you? Ask God to give you discernment. Then ask some friends to share what they see in you—pieces that may reveal how God wired you.
What do you think about the truth that God had a purpose for you before he placed you in your mother’s womb? How might this change the way you live?
Take some time during the coming week to make an inventory of each of the five areas that Pastor Rick mentions--Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences, and then do what he recommends in the three questions that follow his explanation of the five areas that comprise how God has shaped you, your divine design.
It is my prayer that you will gain a better idea of how God wishes you to serve him.
Silence
Open this link to hear John L. Bell and Graham Maule’s “The Summons.”
1 Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
2 Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
3 Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?
4 Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
5 Lord, your summons echoes true when I but call your name!
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
Thanks be to God.
Called to Serve
Like Jonah and the fishermen Simon, Andrew, James, and John God calls us for a specific purpose. For Jonah it was to deliver to the people Nineveh a message that God had given him, a message in which they were warned that Nineveh would be destroyed in forty days. For Simon, Andrew, James, and John it was to be Jesus’ witnesses and to tell people about him everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. They were to continue his mission after his death, resurrection, and ascension into heaven.
How then do we discern the specific purpose for which God has called us to serve him. In this Sunday’s message we will look at one way we can discern the specific purpose for which we have been called.
First, however, I must point out that all who are called by God have a common purpose for which they are called. Just as Simon, Andrew, James, and John were called to go with Jesus and to learn to catch people, we are also called to do the same. The Great Commission that Jesus gave to the disciples before he ascended into heaven was entrusted not just to them but to every generation of Jesus’ disciples until his return. We all are called to serve as ambassadors and representatives for Jesus in the world. This means not only telling people about Jesus but also living our lives according to his teaching and example.
Let’s now look at one of the ways we can discern the unique purpose for which we have been called, how we can discern what the late Aubrey Malphurs called our “divine design.” This way of discerning the unique purpose for which God has designed us comes from Pastor Rick Warren’s A Toolkit for Life Bible Studies.’ He writes--
The way God shaped you reveals how he wants to use you. How do you discover the unique way God made you?
I like to use the acrostic SHAPE—your Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. These are the five things that make you, you. And, by looking as each of these areas, you’ll begin to understand what God wants you to do with your life.
Spiritual gifts are God-empowered abilities for serving him that are given only to believers. For instance, some gifts motivate you for ministry—like serving, teaching, encouraging, leading, giving, showing mercy, or offering biblical insight.
Heart refers to the bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections you have. It’s what you love to do and what you care about most.
Abilities are the natural talents you were born with. God wants you to do what you’re able to do.
Personality affects how and where you use your spiritual gifts and abilities. You’ll use your gifts in different ways from anybody else.
Experiences teach you lessons that help you mature. They also help you minister to others going through similar experiences.
He goes on to write—
Consider what you do well and how God has wired you. What lessons can you draw from that about how God wants to use you for his work?
What things may make it difficult for you to figure out how God has wired you? Ask God to give you discernment. Then ask some friends to share what they see in you—pieces that may reveal how God wired you.
What do you think about the truth that God had a purpose for you before he placed you in your mother’s womb? How might this change the way you live?
Take some time during the coming week to make an inventory of each of the five areas that Pastor Rick mentions--Spiritual gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences, and then do what he recommends in the three questions that follow his explanation of the five areas that comprise how God has shaped you, your divine design.
It is my prayer that you will gain a better idea of how God wishes you to serve him.
Silence
Open this link to hear John L. Bell and Graham Maule’s “The Summons.”
1 Will you come and follow me if I but call your name?
Will you go where you don’t know and never be the same?
Will you let my love be shown, will you let my name be known,
Will you let my life be grown in you and you in me?
2 Will you leave yourself behind if I but call your name?
Will you care for cruel and kind and never be the same?
Will you risk the hostile stare should your life attract or scare?
Will you let me answer prayer in you and you in me?
3 Will you let the blinded see if I but call your name?
Will you set the prisoners free and never be the same?
Will you kiss the leper clean and do such as this unseen,
And admit to what I mean in you and you in me?
4 Will you love the “you” you hide if I but call your name?
Will you quell the fear inside and never be the same?
Will you use the faith you’ve found to reshape the world around
Through my sight and touch and sound in you and you in me?
5 Lord, your summons echoes true when I but call your name!
Let me turn and follow you and never be the same.
In your company I’ll go where your love and footsteps show.
Thus I’ll move and live and grow in you and you in me.
Let us affirm with Christians across the ages what we believe about 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
Let us pray for the Church and the world.
Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church
that we all may be one.
Grant that every member of your Church may truly and humbly serve you:
that your name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all ordained and licensed ministers of the Church
that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world
that there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake
that your glory may be proclaimed through our lives.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble
that they may be delivered from their distress.
We praise you for your saints who have entered their eternal joy
may we also come to share in the fulness of your kingdom.
We pray for our own needs and for those of others:
The people may add their own petitions in silence or aloud.
Gracious God, grant that the desires of your people’s hearts
may find favour in your sight,
through the intercession of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught 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,
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.
May the almighty and merciful God,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us
now and forever. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Martin E. Leckebusch’s "Called by Christ to Be Disciples.”
1 Called by Christ to be disciples
every day in every place,
we are not to hide as hermits
but to spread the way of grace;
citizens of heaven’s kingdom,
though this world is where we live,
as we serve a faithful Master,
faithful service may we give.
2 Richly varied are our pathways,
many callings we pursue:
may we use our gifts and talents
always, Lord, to honor you;
so in government or commerce,
college, hospice, farm, or home,
whether volunteers or earning,
may we see your kingdom come.
3 Hard decisions may confront us,
urging us to compromise;
still obedience is our watchword—
make us strong and make us wise!
Secular is turned to sacred,
made a precious offering,
as our daily lives are fashioned
in submission to our King.
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
Let us pray for the Church and the world.
Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church
that we all may be one.
Grant that every member of your Church may truly and humbly serve you:
that your name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all ordained and licensed ministers of the Church
that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world
that there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake
that your glory may be proclaimed through our lives.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble
that they may be delivered from their distress.
We praise you for your saints who have entered their eternal joy
may we also come to share in the fulness of your kingdom.
We pray for our own needs and for those of others:
The people may add their own petitions in silence or aloud.
Gracious God, grant that the desires of your people’s hearts
may find favour in your sight,
through the intercession of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Let us pray with confidence as our Saviour has taught 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,
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.
May the almighty and merciful God,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
bless us and keep us
now and forever. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Martin E. Leckebusch’s "Called by Christ to Be Disciples.”
1 Called by Christ to be disciples
every day in every place,
we are not to hide as hermits
but to spread the way of grace;
citizens of heaven’s kingdom,
though this world is where we live,
as we serve a faithful Master,
faithful service may we give.
2 Richly varied are our pathways,
many callings we pursue:
may we use our gifts and talents
always, Lord, to honor you;
so in government or commerce,
college, hospice, farm, or home,
whether volunteers or earning,
may we see your kingdom come.
3 Hard decisions may confront us,
urging us to compromise;
still obedience is our watchword—
make us strong and make us wise!
Secular is turned to sacred,
made a precious offering,
as our daily lives are fashioned
in submission to our King.
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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