Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, January 4, 2024)
Tonight's service is All Hallow's first service in the New Year. May your New Year be a most blessed one.
GATHERING GOD’S PEOPLE
God is Spirit, so those who worship him
must worship in spirit and truth.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chris Tomlin’s arrangement of Robert Grant’s “O Worship the King.”
1 O worship the King, all glorious above
O gratefully sing His wonderful love
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise
2 O tell of His might, O sing of His grace
Whose robe is the light and canopy space
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm
You alone are the matchless King
To You alone be all majesty
Your glories and wonders, what tongue can recite?
You breathe in the air, You shine in the light
3 O measureless might, ineffable love
While angels delight to worship above
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend
You alone are the matchless King
To You alone be all majesty
Your glories and wonders, what tongue can recite?
You breathe in the air, You shine in the light
You alone are the matchless King
To You alone be all majesty
Your glories and wonders, what tongue can recite?
You breathe in the air, You shine in the light
You shine in the light
You shine in the light
4 O worship the King, all glorious above
O gratefully sing His wonderful love
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise
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.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. Joel 2:13
Let us draw near to God with sincerity and confidence and confess our sins.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Tim Chester, Liv Chapman and Alanna Glover’s “Lord Have Mercy.”
1 Almighty God of mercy, we’ve strayed like wayward sheep
Our hearts inclined to wander, your laws we’ve failed to keep
We’ve chosen sin and darkness, left acts of love undone
There is no health within us: have mercy through your Son
2 O good and gracious Father, we ask to be made new
Obedient and righteous, to live afresh for you
As we confess our failings, restore our broken lives
According to your promise, in our Lord Jesus Christ
Lord, have mercy and forgive us
Christ, have mercy and deliver us
Lord, have mercy and renew us
We ask with full assurance because of your great love
According to your promise have mercy through your Son
3 Almighty God and Father, you promise to forgive
We turn to you for pardon, we come that we might live
O grant your Holy Spirit to purify our souls
And bring us home to Jesus, our glory and our goal
Lord, have mercy and forgive us
Christ, have mercy and deliver us
Lord, have mercy and renew us
We ask with full assurance because of your great love
According to your promise have mercy through your Son
Lord, have mercy and forgive us
Christ, have mercy and deliver us
Lord, have mercy and renew us
We ask with full assurance because of your great love
According to your promise have mercy through your Son
Almighty and most merciful God, forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and in your loving kindness direct what we shall be, so that the love of goodness may ever be first in our hearts, and we may follow to our life’s end in the steps of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God.”
The splendor of a king
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps Himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father, Spirit and Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
Name above all names
You are worthy of all praise
And my heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
[Let us pray]
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 (Exodus 20: 1-17)
Then God gave the people all these instructions:
“I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
“You must not have any other god but me.
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
“You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
“You must not murder.
“You must not commit adultery.
“You must not steal.
“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”
Silence
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Shane Heilman’s “Psalm 29 (The Voice of the Lord).”
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
Give to the Lord, all you mighty ones
Give to the Lord glory and strength
Give the Lord glory due His name
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
The voice of the Lord is over the waters
The God of glory thunders down
The Lord is over many waters
The voice of the Lord is majestic and powerful
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
The voice of the Lord is over the waters
The God of glory thunders
The Lord Most High over mighty waters
The voice of the Lord is powerful
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
The voice of the Lord shatters the cedars
He breaks the cedars of Lebanon
He makes Lebanon dance like a wild calf
He makes Mount Hermon to thrash like a wild bull
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
The voice of the Lord is like a lightning bolt
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness
The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh
The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth, strips the forests bare
In His temple everyone cries...
Glory, glory, glory, glory
Glory, glory, glory, glory
[Instrumental interlude]
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
Glory, glory, glory, glory
Glory, glory, glory, glory
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
The Lord will give strength to His people
The Lord will give strength to His people
The Lord will give strength to His people
Yahweh will bless his inheritance with Shalom
A reading from the New Testament (John 4: 19-26)
“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”
Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”
Silence
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
GATHERING GOD’S PEOPLE
God is Spirit, so those who worship him
must worship in spirit and truth.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chris Tomlin’s arrangement of Robert Grant’s “O Worship the King.”
1 O worship the King, all glorious above
O gratefully sing His wonderful love
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise
2 O tell of His might, O sing of His grace
Whose robe is the light and canopy space
His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form
And dark is His path on the wings of the storm
You alone are the matchless King
To You alone be all majesty
Your glories and wonders, what tongue can recite?
You breathe in the air, You shine in the light
3 O measureless might, ineffable love
While angels delight to worship above
Thy mercies how tender, how firm to the end
Our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend
You alone are the matchless King
To You alone be all majesty
Your glories and wonders, what tongue can recite?
You breathe in the air, You shine in the light
You alone are the matchless King
To You alone be all majesty
Your glories and wonders, what tongue can recite?
You breathe in the air, You shine in the light
You shine in the light
You shine in the light
4 O worship the King, all glorious above
O gratefully sing His wonderful love
Our Shield and Defender, the Ancient of Days
Pavilioned in splendor, and girded with praise
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.
Return to the Lord your God,
for he is merciful and compassionate,
slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. Joel 2:13
Let us draw near to God with sincerity and confidence and confess our sins.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Tim Chester, Liv Chapman and Alanna Glover’s “Lord Have Mercy.”
1 Almighty God of mercy, we’ve strayed like wayward sheep
Our hearts inclined to wander, your laws we’ve failed to keep
We’ve chosen sin and darkness, left acts of love undone
There is no health within us: have mercy through your Son
2 O good and gracious Father, we ask to be made new
Obedient and righteous, to live afresh for you
As we confess our failings, restore our broken lives
According to your promise, in our Lord Jesus Christ
Lord, have mercy and forgive us
Christ, have mercy and deliver us
Lord, have mercy and renew us
We ask with full assurance because of your great love
According to your promise have mercy through your Son
3 Almighty God and Father, you promise to forgive
We turn to you for pardon, we come that we might live
O grant your Holy Spirit to purify our souls
And bring us home to Jesus, our glory and our goal
Lord, have mercy and forgive us
Christ, have mercy and deliver us
Lord, have mercy and renew us
We ask with full assurance because of your great love
According to your promise have mercy through your Son
Lord, have mercy and forgive us
Christ, have mercy and deliver us
Lord, have mercy and renew us
We ask with full assurance because of your great love
According to your promise have mercy through your Son
Almighty and most merciful God, forgive what we have been, help us to amend what we are, and in your loving kindness direct what we shall be, so that the love of goodness may ever be first in our hearts, and we may follow to our life’s end in the steps of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chris Tomlin’s “How Great Is Our God.”
The splendor of a king
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice
All the earth rejoice
He wraps Himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at His voice
Trembles at His voice
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
Age to age He stands
And time is in His hands
Beginning and the end
Beginning and the end
The Godhead Three in One
Father, Spirit and Son
The Lion and the Lamb
The Lion and the Lamb
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
Name above all names
Worthy of all praise
My heart will sing
How great is our God
Name above all names
You are worthy of all praise
And my heart will sing
How great is our God
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
How great is our God
Sing with me
How great is our God
And all will see
How great, how great is our God
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
[Let us pray]
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 (Exodus 20: 1-17)
Then God gave the people all these instructions:
“I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery.
“You must not have any other god but me.
“You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
“You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
“Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy.
“Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
“You must not murder.
“You must not commit adultery.
“You must not steal.
“You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
“You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”
Silence
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Shane Heilman’s “Psalm 29 (The Voice of the Lord).”
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
Give to the Lord, all you mighty ones
Give to the Lord glory and strength
Give the Lord glory due His name
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
The voice of the Lord is over the waters
The God of glory thunders down
The Lord is over many waters
The voice of the Lord is majestic and powerful
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
The voice of the Lord is over the waters
The God of glory thunders
The Lord Most High over mighty waters
The voice of the Lord is powerful
The voice of the Lord is full of majesty
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
The voice of the Lord shatters the cedars
He breaks the cedars of Lebanon
He makes Lebanon dance like a wild calf
He makes Mount Hermon to thrash like a wild bull
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
The voice of the Lord is like a lightning bolt
The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness
The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh
The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth, strips the forests bare
In His temple everyone cries...
Glory, glory, glory, glory
Glory, glory, glory, glory
[Instrumental interlude]
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
Glory, glory, glory, glory
Glory, glory, glory, glory
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
The Lord sits enthroned over the flood,
Yahweh is King forever
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
O-o-o, o-o-o-o
O-o-o
The Lord will give strength to His people
The Lord will give strength to His people
The Lord will give strength to His people
Yahweh will bless his inheritance with Shalom
A reading from the New Testament (John 4: 19-26)
“Sir,” the woman said, “you must be a prophet. So tell me, why is it that you Jews insist that Jerusalem is the only place of worship, while we Samaritans claim it is here at Mount Gerizim, where our ancestors worshiped?”
Jesus replied, “Believe me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the one you worship, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming—indeed it’s here now—when true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. The Father is looking for those who will worship him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship him must worship in spirit and in truth.”
The woman said, “I know the Messiah is coming—the one who is called Christ. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.”
Then Jesus told her, “I am the Messiah!”
Silence
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Where and How of Worshipping God
The Jews and the Samaritans had a longstanding dispute over where God had ordained that a temple be built for him. The Jews maintained that it was on Mount Zion, in Jerusalem, in Judea, the former southern kingdom. The Samaritans, however, insisted that God had chosen Mount Gerizim, in Samaria, in the former northern kingdom. This accounted at least in part for the enmity between the Jews and the Samaritans.
The Jews regarded the Samaritans as a mongrel race, the product of intermarriage between the people of Israel who were not deported by the Assyrians after they conquered the northern kingdom and foreigners from various parts of their empire whom the Assyrians had relocated to the conquered territory. DNA tests conducted in modern times, however, show that the Jews and the Samaritans are genetically the same people.
Both the Jews and the Samaritans worshiped God. The Samaritans on their part believed that the religion of the Jews had become corrupted during their captivity in Babylon. They had preserved the true religion of the people of Israel.
What Jesus told the Samaritan woman would come to pass, seventy years after his death and resurrection. The Romans would destroy most of Jerusalem and the Temple. The Jews would subsequently be banned from living in Jerusalem or its vicinity.
What the apostles Peter and Paul tell us in their writings is God does not need a temple. The people of God, those whom God has called out of the world and filled with the Holy Spirit, are God’s temple.
It does not matter where God’s people worship since God’s presence is always with them. They can worship in a building constructed as a meeting place for a particular community of faith. They can worship in someone’s living room, in the common room of an apartment building, in a cafeteria or auditorium of a school, in a conference room of a hotel, or under the open sky. Since Jesus founded his Church, Christians have worshiped in barns, in catacombs, in caves, in fields, in Quonset huts, under boab trees, and in all sorts of places.
The second thing is that those who truly worship God will worship God in spirit and in truth. Their worship will not be pretended, nor will it be half-hearted. Worshiping God is not just singing and praying. They are a part of worship, but they are far from its entirety. True worship goes well beyond praising and thanking God with our lips. We honor God with everything we think and everything we do as well as everything we say.
As well as praying every day for God to increase the Holy Spirit in you, ask God to transform you into a true worshipper, enabling you to honor him with every thought, word, and deed. I don’t believe that you will be disappointed.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Love M. Whitcomb Willis’ “Father, Hear the Prayer We Offer.”
Father, hear the prayer we offer:
not for ease that prayer shall be,
but for strength that we may ever
live our lives courageously.
Not for ever in green pastures
do we ask our way to be;
but the steep and rugged pathway
may we tread rejoicingly.
Not for ever by still waters
would we idly rest and stay;
but would smite the living fountains
from the rocks along our way.
Be our strength in hours of weakness,
in our wanderings be our guide;
through endeavor, failure, danger,
Father, be thou at our side.
Father, hear the prayer we offer:
not for ease that prayer shall be,
but for strength that we may ever
live our lives courageously.
Not for ever in green pastures
do we ask our way to be;
but the steep and rugged pathway
may we tread rejoicingly.
We believe in God the Father,
maker of all things.
We believe in his Son Jesus Christ,
Lord and Savior of the world.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
giver of life and truth.
We belong to the Church,
God’s family everywhere. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
Let us pray for all people everywhere according to their need.
Let us pray
for the Church of Christ throughout the world for its unity in Christ
for the fulfilment of its mission for all ministers of the gospel for all Christians here in . . .
Silence
Strengthen your Church in the service of Christ;
that we and all who confess your name may be united in your truth,
live together in your love,
and reveal your glory in the world.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Let us pray
for all the nations and peoples of the world for all who serve the common good
for our own country and government for all in authority
for all those involved in . . .
Silence
Give wisdom to all in authority; direct this and every nation
in the ways of justice and of peace; that we may honour one another, and seek the common good.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Let us pray
for those we know and love for the local community for our families and friends for. . .
Silence
Give grace to us,
to our families and friends, and to all our neighbours,
that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
that we and all who confess your name may be united in your truth,
live together in your love,
and reveal your glory in the world.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Let us pray
for all the nations and peoples of the world for all who serve the common good
for our own country and government for all in authority
for all those involved in . . .
Silence
Give wisdom to all in authority; direct this and every nation
in the ways of justice and of peace; that we may honour one another, and seek the common good.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Let us pray
for those we know and love for the local community for our families and friends for. . .
Silence
Give grace to us,
to our families and friends, and to all our neighbours,
that we may serve Christ in one another, and love as he loves us.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Let us pray
for all who suffer for the sick
for those who mourn for those without faith
for those who serve the needy for . . .
Silence
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit;
give them courage and hope in their troubles; and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Let us remember all who have died, giving thanks especially for those who have died in the faith of Christ.
Silence
We commend all people to your unfailing love,
that in them your will may be fulfilled; and we rejoice at the faithful witness of your saints in every age, praying that we may share with them in your eternal kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. 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
Open this link in a new tab to hear Alanna Glover and Niki Shepherd’s “We Give You Thanks.”
1 Almighty creator, we give you thanks and praise
For the goodness and kindness that you freely gave
We praise you for your blessings, for mercy and for peace
The love that you have lavished on us; we give you thanks
2 O merciful Savior, we give you thanks and praise
For welcome and forgiveness and for the means of grace
We praise you for redemption, through Jesus on the cross
All glory everlasting in Christ; we give you thanks
We lift our hearts in thanks and praise for all your gifts to us this day
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
All the glory, all the fame are yours forever, we proclaim
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
3 O faithful companion, we give you thanks and praise
For you know us and lead us by your word each day
O may we truly love you and serve you with our lives
Empowered by your Spirit in us; we give you thanks
We lift our hearts in thanks and praise for all your gifts to us this day
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
All the glory, all the fame are yours forever, we proclaim
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
4 O God everlasting, we give you thanks and praise
For the tears sown in sorrow, you will wipe away
We’ll sing your endless praises while gathered ’round the throne
The joy of all creation restored; we give you thanks
We give you thanks.
Gracious God, we dedicate ourselves to you;
strengthen us by your Spirit to do your will,
and bring us with all your saints
to the glory of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The love of the Father enfold us,
the wisdom of the Son enlighten us,
the fire of the Spirit enflame us;
and the blessing of God, the Three in One,
be upon us and abide with us now and for ever. Amen.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Those present may exchange a sign of peace.
hear our prayer.
Let us pray
for all who suffer for the sick
for those who mourn for those without faith
for those who serve the needy for . . .
Silence
Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind or spirit;
give them courage and hope in their troubles; and bring them the joy of your salvation.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Let us remember all who have died, giving thanks especially for those who have died in the faith of Christ.
Silence
We commend all people to your unfailing love,
that in them your will may be fulfilled; and we rejoice at the faithful witness of your saints in every age, praying that we may share with them in your eternal kingdom.
Lord, in your mercy,
hear our prayer.
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers for the sake of your Son, our Savior Jesus Christ. 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
Open this link in a new tab to hear Alanna Glover and Niki Shepherd’s “We Give You Thanks.”
1 Almighty creator, we give you thanks and praise
For the goodness and kindness that you freely gave
We praise you for your blessings, for mercy and for peace
The love that you have lavished on us; we give you thanks
2 O merciful Savior, we give you thanks and praise
For welcome and forgiveness and for the means of grace
We praise you for redemption, through Jesus on the cross
All glory everlasting in Christ; we give you thanks
We lift our hearts in thanks and praise for all your gifts to us this day
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
All the glory, all the fame are yours forever, we proclaim
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
3 O faithful companion, we give you thanks and praise
For you know us and lead us by your word each day
O may we truly love you and serve you with our lives
Empowered by your Spirit in us; we give you thanks
We lift our hearts in thanks and praise for all your gifts to us this day
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
All the glory, all the fame are yours forever, we proclaim
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
4 O God everlasting, we give you thanks and praise
For the tears sown in sorrow, you will wipe away
We’ll sing your endless praises while gathered ’round the throne
The joy of all creation restored; we give you thanks
We give you thanks.
Gracious God, we dedicate ourselves to you;
strengthen us by your Spirit to do your will,
and bring us with all your saints
to the glory of your kingdom;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
The love of the Father enfold us,
the wisdom of the Son enlighten us,
the fire of the Spirit enflame us;
and the blessing of God, the Three in One,
be upon us and abide with us now and for ever. Amen.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
Those present may exchange a sign of peace.
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