Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, February 15, 2024)
Welcome to Thursday evenings at All Hallows.
There are a number of ways to observe a holy Lent, a season of the church calendar in a number of Christian traditions, which last forty days and precedes Easter. In the early Church it was season when the catechumens, those who were new converts to the Christian faith underwent instruction before they were baptized. It was also the season when Christians who had fallen into grievous sin demonstrated their repentance before they were readmitted to the fellowship of the Christian community. One of the ways to observe a holy Lent is to adopt a new spiritual discipline and make it a permanent addition to our rule of life. A rule of life is “is an intentional pattern of spiritual disciplines that provides structure and direction for growth in holiness.” For example, you might adopt the practice of memorizing a short passage of Scripture and meditating upon it throughout the day.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Matt Maher and Kari Jobe's "To You Be Glory Forever."
Verse 1:
Who could hold the wealth of God
Such treasure found in Him
Who could comprehend His heart and mind
His wisdom has no end
Pre-Chorus:
For from Him, through Him, to Him are all things
From Him, through Him, to Him are all things
Chorus:
To you be the glory forever
To you be the glory, Lord, amen
To you be the glory forever
To you be the glory, Lord, amen
Verse 2:
Who has known the mind of God
Who has counseled Him
Who has given gifts to God
That He might be repaid
Pre-Chorus:
For from Him, through Him, to Him are all things
From Him, through Him, to Him are all things
Chorus:
To you be the glory forever
To you be the glory, Lord, amen
To you be the glory forever
To you be the glory, Lord, amen
Bridge:
In dark and light
In death and life
When hard times enter in
In all things, we will worship You
With You there is no end
There is no end
Final Chorus:
To you be the glory forever
To you be the glory, Lord, amen
To you be the glory forever
To you be the glory, Lord, amen
To you be the glory forever
To you be the glory, Lord, amen
To you be the glory forever
To you be the glory, Lord, amen
Ending:
From Him, through Him, to Him are all things
God has promised forgiveness
to all who truly repent,
turn to Christ in faith
and are themselves forgiving.
Let us confess our sins to God our Father.
Silence
Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. Amen.
Merciful Lord,
grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Liv Chapman and Alanna Glover’s Hear Me, Lord.”
Verse 1:
Hear me, Lord, out of the depths I call
Comfort and guard my heart, shelter me in this storm
Turn to me, see my distress and need
Weary and poor I come, calling upon your name
Chorus:
You are forgiving and good
Abounding in love to the faithful who call
No other god can compare to you
Great is your mercy and grace
With all of your heart I will sing of your name
No other power can save, but you
Verse 2:
Teach me, God, show me the righteous path
Lead me to walk with you, trusting you all my days
Hear my cry, with terror on every side
Justice will soon prevail; you are the God who saves
Chorus:
You are forgiving and good
Abounding in love to the faithful who call
No other god can compare to you
Great is your mercy and grace
With all of your heart I will sing of your name
No other power can save, but you
Ending:
Great is your mercy and grace
With all of your heart I will sing of your name
No other power can save, but you
Let us pray.
Silence
Almighty and merciful God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all who are penitent;
create in us new and contrite hearts,
so that when we turn to you and confess our sins
we may receive your full and perfect forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the New Testament (Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21)
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Silence
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Among the practices with which Christian observe the season of Lent are fasting, praying, abstinence, and almsgiving. They are practices that are found in the Bible and which Jesus mentions in his teaching.
In this evening’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew Jesus instructs his disciples in how they should give to those in need, pray, and fast. The instructions that he gives appear designed to correct or counteract the undesirable or harmful example of the Pharisees and teachers of the religious law. Their primary motivation for giving to the poor and the needy, praying, and fasting was to draw attention to themselves, to impress others with their seeming piety, and to win their approval and praise. It would appear that these religious leaders were motivated by a need for constant validation, the feeling that their coreligionists approved of and accepted them. They were more concerned with what those around them thought of their actions than they were with what God thought.
It was not only their ostentatious displays of piety against which Jesus warned his disciples but also their motivation. They did not give to the poor and needy out of concern for their wretched state. They did not pray out of a desire for fellowship with God. They did not fast to show sorrow, to seek God’s forgiveness, or to draw closer to God. It was too obvious that they gave alms, prayed, and fasted in an attempt to make other people notice them and admire them.
When it comes to almsgiving, fasting, and prayer, Jesus tells his disciples to do the exact opposite of those whom he describes as “hypocrites.” If no one sees or knows what they are doing, they are more likely to act from the right motives than from the wrong ones. I do not believe that Jesus was imposing a blanket prohibition against giving money or some other form of assistance to a poor or needy person or praying in public if we do so from the right motives and not with the intention of making people notice and admire us. Jesus openly helped people and prayed aloud in the presence of others.
A good way of determining our motives is to ask ourselves, “Am I about to do this out of love of God and love of my neighbor, putting into practice what Jesus called the Great Commandment? Or am I about to do it to be noticed and to be admired? Put in another way. “Am I seeking to honor God and to draw closer to Him?” “Or am I seeking the approval and acceptance of those around me?”
A word of caution is warranted. We need to be careful not to put too much time into thinking about or analyzing what we are considering doing that we do not get around to doing it. For example, we are about to give a few dollars to someone who needs it but hesitate out of fear that a member of our church or someone else might see us doing it. What Jesus said would be more applicable in our time to wealthy individuals and profitable companies that donate to a charitable organization, not out of a desire to help people, but to claim a charitable-giving deduction on their tax return and to create a public image of themselves as an individual or company that supports charitable organizations. In such instances the individual or company is acting for its own advantage not for the glory of God or the good of others.
The apostle Paul urged the church at Ephesus to live a life of love, following Jesus’ example (Ephesians 5:2). Living such a life involved putting love of God and love of others first. When we do things to make people notice us and admire us, we are putting ourselves first, our need for their approval and acceptance. What is more important, Jesus tells us, is to show our love for God and our love for others even if it goes unnoticed and unappreciated by others. It will be noticed and rewarded by God.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Claire Williams and Alanna Glover’s “We Are One.”
Verse 1:
Sister, let me wipe your tears
Brother, let me bear your fears
Come on, every daughter, every son
Let us walk in love for we are one
Verse 2:
Though we walk a long and broken road
We are here to bear each other’s load
And forgive as you’ve forgiven us
Let us walk in love for we are one
Chorus:
We are one in the Father’s love
We of every tribe and every tongue
We are found in the risen Son
We are bound together by his blood
Let us walk in love for we are one
Verse 3:
There’s a love that conquers all divides
There’s a love that paid the greatest price
For the battle over death is won
Now alive in Christ we live as one
Chorus:
We are one in the Father’s love
We of every tribe and every tongue
We are found in the risen Son
We are bound together by his blood
Let us walk in love for we are one
Verse 4:
On the day you come to call us home
With the multitude before the throne
Now with all the saints who’ve overcome
For eternity we’ll sing as one
Final Chorus:
We are one in the Father’s love
We of every tribe and every tongue
We are found in the risen Son
We are bound together by his blood
Let us walk in love for we are one
We are one in the Father’s love
We of every tribe and every tongue
We are found in the risen Son
We are bound together by his blood
Let us walk in love for we are one
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 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 Trevor Hodge’s musical setting of Bessy Porter Ann Head’s “O Breath of Life, Come Sweeping through Us.”
Verse 1:
O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and power.
O Breath of life, come, cleanse, renew us,
and fit your church to meet this hour.
Chorus:
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
Verse 2:
O Wind of God, come bend us, break us,
till humbly we confess our need.
Then in your tenderness remake us;
revive, restore, for this we plead.
Chorus:
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
Bridge:
Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abating
while harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive us, Lord, the world is waiting,
equip your church to spread the light.
Final Chorus:
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
Ending:
O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and power.
Those present may exchange a sign of peace.
The peace of the Lord be always with you.
And also with you.
to all who truly repent,
turn to Christ in faith
and are themselves forgiving.
Let us confess our sins to God our Father.
Silence
Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. Amen.
Merciful Lord,
grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Liv Chapman and Alanna Glover’s Hear Me, Lord.”
Verse 1:
Hear me, Lord, out of the depths I call
Comfort and guard my heart, shelter me in this storm
Turn to me, see my distress and need
Weary and poor I come, calling upon your name
Chorus:
You are forgiving and good
Abounding in love to the faithful who call
No other god can compare to you
Great is your mercy and grace
With all of your heart I will sing of your name
No other power can save, but you
Verse 2:
Teach me, God, show me the righteous path
Lead me to walk with you, trusting you all my days
Hear my cry, with terror on every side
Justice will soon prevail; you are the God who saves
Chorus:
You are forgiving and good
Abounding in love to the faithful who call
No other god can compare to you
Great is your mercy and grace
With all of your heart I will sing of your name
No other power can save, but you
Ending:
Great is your mercy and grace
With all of your heart I will sing of your name
No other power can save, but you
Let us pray.
Silence
Almighty and merciful God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all who are penitent;
create in us new and contrite hearts,
so that when we turn to you and confess our sins
we may receive your full and perfect forgiveness;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the New Testament (Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21)
“Watch out! Don’t do your good deeds publicly, to be admired by others, for you will lose the reward from your Father in heaven. When you give to someone in need, don’t do as the hypocrites do—blowing trumpets in the synagogues and streets to call attention to their acts of charity! I tell you the truth, they have received all the reward they will ever get. But when you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
“When you pray, don’t be like the hypocrites who love to pray publicly on street corners and in the synagogues where everyone can see them. I tell you the truth, that is all the reward they will ever get. But when you pray, go away by yourself, shut the door behind you, and pray to your Father in private. Then your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
“And when you fast, don’t make it obvious, as the hypocrites do, for they try to look miserable and disheveled so people will admire them for their fasting. I tell you the truth, that is the only reward they will ever get. But when you fast, comb your hair and wash your face. Then no one will notice that you are fasting, except your Father, who knows what you do in private. And your Father, who sees everything, will reward you.
“Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
Silence
Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church.
Thanks be to God.
Our Motives Matter
Among the practices with which Christian observe the season of Lent are fasting, praying, abstinence, and almsgiving. They are practices that are found in the Bible and which Jesus mentions in his teaching.
In this evening’s reading from the Gospel of Matthew Jesus instructs his disciples in how they should give to those in need, pray, and fast. The instructions that he gives appear designed to correct or counteract the undesirable or harmful example of the Pharisees and teachers of the religious law. Their primary motivation for giving to the poor and the needy, praying, and fasting was to draw attention to themselves, to impress others with their seeming piety, and to win their approval and praise. It would appear that these religious leaders were motivated by a need for constant validation, the feeling that their coreligionists approved of and accepted them. They were more concerned with what those around them thought of their actions than they were with what God thought.
It was not only their ostentatious displays of piety against which Jesus warned his disciples but also their motivation. They did not give to the poor and needy out of concern for their wretched state. They did not pray out of a desire for fellowship with God. They did not fast to show sorrow, to seek God’s forgiveness, or to draw closer to God. It was too obvious that they gave alms, prayed, and fasted in an attempt to make other people notice them and admire them.
When it comes to almsgiving, fasting, and prayer, Jesus tells his disciples to do the exact opposite of those whom he describes as “hypocrites.” If no one sees or knows what they are doing, they are more likely to act from the right motives than from the wrong ones. I do not believe that Jesus was imposing a blanket prohibition against giving money or some other form of assistance to a poor or needy person or praying in public if we do so from the right motives and not with the intention of making people notice and admire us. Jesus openly helped people and prayed aloud in the presence of others.
A good way of determining our motives is to ask ourselves, “Am I about to do this out of love of God and love of my neighbor, putting into practice what Jesus called the Great Commandment? Or am I about to do it to be noticed and to be admired? Put in another way. “Am I seeking to honor God and to draw closer to Him?” “Or am I seeking the approval and acceptance of those around me?”
A word of caution is warranted. We need to be careful not to put too much time into thinking about or analyzing what we are considering doing that we do not get around to doing it. For example, we are about to give a few dollars to someone who needs it but hesitate out of fear that a member of our church or someone else might see us doing it. What Jesus said would be more applicable in our time to wealthy individuals and profitable companies that donate to a charitable organization, not out of a desire to help people, but to claim a charitable-giving deduction on their tax return and to create a public image of themselves as an individual or company that supports charitable organizations. In such instances the individual or company is acting for its own advantage not for the glory of God or the good of others.
The apostle Paul urged the church at Ephesus to live a life of love, following Jesus’ example (Ephesians 5:2). Living such a life involved putting love of God and love of others first. When we do things to make people notice us and admire us, we are putting ourselves first, our need for their approval and acceptance. What is more important, Jesus tells us, is to show our love for God and our love for others even if it goes unnoticed and unappreciated by others. It will be noticed and rewarded by God.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Claire Williams and Alanna Glover’s “We Are One.”
Verse 1:
Sister, let me wipe your tears
Brother, let me bear your fears
Come on, every daughter, every son
Let us walk in love for we are one
Verse 2:
Though we walk a long and broken road
We are here to bear each other’s load
And forgive as you’ve forgiven us
Let us walk in love for we are one
Chorus:
We are one in the Father’s love
We of every tribe and every tongue
We are found in the risen Son
We are bound together by his blood
Let us walk in love for we are one
Verse 3:
There’s a love that conquers all divides
There’s a love that paid the greatest price
For the battle over death is won
Now alive in Christ we live as one
Chorus:
We are one in the Father’s love
We of every tribe and every tongue
We are found in the risen Son
We are bound together by his blood
Let us walk in love for we are one
Verse 4:
On the day you come to call us home
With the multitude before the throne
Now with all the saints who’ve overcome
For eternity we’ll sing as one
Final Chorus:
We are one in the Father’s love
We of every tribe and every tongue
We are found in the risen Son
We are bound together by his blood
Let us walk in love for we are one
We are one in the Father’s love
We of every tribe and every tongue
We are found in the risen Son
We are bound together by his blood
Let us walk in love for we are one
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 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 Trevor Hodge’s musical setting of Bessy Porter Ann Head’s “O Breath of Life, Come Sweeping through Us.”
Verse 1:
O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and power.
O Breath of life, come, cleanse, renew us,
and fit your church to meet this hour.
Chorus:
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
Verse 2:
O Wind of God, come bend us, break us,
till humbly we confess our need.
Then in your tenderness remake us;
revive, restore, for this we plead.
Chorus:
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
Bridge:
Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abating
while harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive us, Lord, the world is waiting,
equip your church to spread the light.
Final Chorus:
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.
Ending:
O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and power.
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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