Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, January 18, 2024)

 

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

A cold, dark winter’s night is a good time for reflection and prayer.

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

For God, who said, “Let there be light in the darkness,” has made this light shine in our hearts so we could know the glory of God that is seen in the face of Jesus Christ 2 Corinthians 4:6

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “Let Us Build a House (All Are Welcome).”

1 Let us build a house where love can dwell
and all can safely live.
A place where saints and children
tell how hearts learn to forgive.
Built of hopes and dreams and visions,
rock of faith and vault of grace.
Here the love of Christ shall end divisions:

All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

2 Let us build a house where prophets speak,
and words are strong and true.
Where all God’s children dare to seek
to dream God’s reign anew.
Here the cross shall stand as witness
and as symbol of God’s grace.
Here as one we claim the faith of Jesus:

All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

3 Let us build a house where love is found,
in water, wine and wheat.
A banquet hall on holy ground,
where peace and justice meet.
Here the love of God, through Jesus,
is revealed in time and space,
as we share in Christ the feast that frees us;

All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

4 Let us build a house where hands will reach
beyond the wood and stone.
To heal and strengthen, serve and teach,
and live the Word they’ve known.
Here the outcast and the stranger bear
the image of God’s face.
Let us bring an end to fear and danger;

All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place.

5 Let us build a house where all are named,
their songs and visions heard.
And loved and treasured, taught and
claimed as words within the Word.
Built of tears and cries and laughter,
prayers of faith and songs of grace.
Let this house proclaim from floor to rafter;

All are welcome, all are welcome,
all are welcome in this place

Trusting God’s forgiveness and kindness,
let us confess our sins in penitence and faith.

Silence

Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you,
through our own fault,
in thought word, and deed,
and in what we have left undo.
For your Son our Lord Jesus Christ’s sake,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness
of life
to the glory of your name. Amen.

If we confess our sins, God is faithful and just,
and will forgive us our sins, and cleanse us
from all unrighteousness.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Ruck Duck’s “When the Wind of Winter Blows (Warm the Time of Winter).”

1 When the wind of winter blows, bringing times of solitude,
Fill the silent icy night; be our hearts’ compassion.
Holy Light, warm our night; warm the time of winter.
Holy Light, warm our night; warm the time of winter.

2 When we shiver in despair, when the chill of death comes near,
Hold us, Spirit, calm our fear, while the evening deepens.
Holy Light, warm our night; warm the time of winter.
Holy Light, warm our night; warm the time of winter.

3 When in days of fallen snow, change confounds or love burns low,
From the ashes may there rise phoenix of our growing.
Holy Light, warm our night; warm the time of winter.
Holy Light, warm our night; warm the time of winter.

The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.

Let us pray.

Silence

Almighty God,
by whose grace alone we are accepted
and called to your service:
strengthen us by your Holy Spirit
and make us worthy of our calling;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A reading from the New Testament (2 Timothy 4: 1-8)

I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching.

For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.

But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.

As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing.

Silence

May your word live in us
And bear much fruit to your glory

People of Light

When I read this evening’s reading, my thoughts turn to our own time. We live in a time when people prefer to hear lies rather than the truth. They reject the truth because it does not square with the way that want to see things. They not only eagerly look for those who will tell them what they want to hear but also there are those who are eager to do just that for their own advantage. Modern technology, the internet, and social media have made that far more possible than in the past.

Paul warns Timothy about people abandoning the truth for myths. In our time, they abandon the truth for conspiracy theories.

Christians who are faithful to Jesus’ message and teaching face a tremendous challenge. Whether the time is favorable or not, as Paul advised Timothy, they need to stick to good teaching. They need to work at telling the Good News and carrying out the mission that Jesus entrusted to his disciples, all his disciples in every succeeding generation until he returns.

Jesus warned his disciples against fake prophets and fake messiahs. Paul warned against fake teachers and John against anti-Christs. They are the kind of people who will make all kinds of claims in Jesus’ name but who are seeking to elevate themselves or someone else in Jesus’ place. The path on which they are urging people to set their feet leads away from the light into darkness.

In a time like ours we need to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, the real Messiah. In him and in him alone is there salvation. We need to give heed to the words of Psalm 146 and not forget them.

Don’t put your confidence in powerful people;
there is no help for you there.
When they breathe their last, they return to the earth,
and all their plans die with them.
But joyful are those who have the God of Israel as their helper,
whose hope is in the Lord their God.
He made heaven and earth,
the sea, and everything in them.
He keeps every promise forever.
He gives justice to the oppressed
and food to the hungry.
The Lord frees the prisoners.
The Lord opens the eyes of the blind.
The Lord lifts up those who are weighed down.
The Lord loves the godly.
The Lord protects the foreigners among us.
He cares for the orphans and widows,
but he frustrates the plans of the wicked.

God has called us out of darkness into his marvelous light. Let us continue to live as people of light!

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Frye’s “Be the Centre.”

Jesus, be the centre,
Be my source, be my light, Jesus.

Jesus, be the centre,
Be my hope, be my song, Jesus.

Be the fire in my heart,
Be the wind in these sails,
Be the reason that I live, Jesus, Jesus.

Jesus, be my vision,
Be my path, be my guide, Jesus.

Be the fire in my heart,
Be the wind in these sails,
Be the reason that I live, Jesus, Jesus.

Be the fire in my heart,
Be the wind in these sails,
Be the reason that I live, Jesus, Jesus,
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus.

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 to the Lord with all our heart and with all our soul.
Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for all Christian people, that they may live in love and truth.
Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for all ministers of the Church, and for our brothers and
sisters in Christ.
Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for peace throughout the world, and for all governments.
Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for our neighbours and for all our friends.
Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for those who hate us as we pray for those who love us.
Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for refugees and prisoners, and for all who are exposed to the
dangers of travel.
Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for all sick people, for the sorrowful and the dying.
Lord, have mercy.

Let us pray for the abundance of the fruits of the earth, and that the
poor and hungry may receive a just share.
Lord, have mercy.

Let us remember our brothers and sisters who have entered into eternal
rest.
Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

Let us continue praying in a time of open prayer.

A period of open prayer follows.

The leader brings the period of open prayer to an end saying

Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.

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

In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
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 Mark Patterson‘s setting of the Prayer of St. Richard of Chichester, “Guide Us, Lord.”

1 Guide us through these days. O Lord;
help us seek your way,
trusting you as you lead us with love,
teach us again to pray.

Help us to know you more clearly,
help us to love you more dearly,
help us to follow you more nearly, day by day, day by day.
Guide us, Lord, we pray.

2 Guide us through these days. O Lord;
help us seek your way,
seeking wisdom from your word,
strengthen our tender faith.

Help us to know you more clearly,
help us to love you more dearly,
help us to follow you more nearly, day by day, day by day.
Guide us, Lord, we pray.

Bridge
Whe we stray and fall to sin
help us find your path again;
draw us closer in your fellowship of love.

Help us to know you more clearly,
help us to love you more dearly,
help us to follow you more nearly, day by day, day by day.
Guide us, Lord, we pray.

Ending
Lead us, teach us.
Guide us, Lord, we pray.

Those present may exchange a sign of peace.

The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.