Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, July 14, 2024)

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

The four Gospels provide us with a window through which we can see Jesus and hear his words. It may not be as large a window as we would like, and we may not see everything that we would like to see or hear everything that we would like to hear. However, we are able to see and hear what we need to see and hear. The early Celtic monks recognized this truth, and they devoted much time to making copies of the Gospels and memorizing what was written in them.

In this Sunday’s message we take a look at what Jesus said about showing mercy and how it applies to us.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.

We thank you, O God, that you have again brought
us together on the Lord’s Day, if not in person, then in spirit,
to praise you for your goodness and to ask your blessing.
Give us grace to see your hand in the week that is past, and
your purpose in the week to come; through Christ our
Lord. Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Natalie Sleeth's "God of Great and God of Small."

1 God of great and God of small,
God of one and God of all,
God of weak and God of strong,
God to whom all things belong,
Alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.

2 God of land and sky and sea,
God of life and destiny,
God of never ending power,
yet beside me every hour,
Alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.

3 God of silence, God of sound,
God in whom the lost are found,
God of day and darkest night,
God whose love turns wrong to right.
Alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.

4 God of heaven and God of earth,
God of death and God of birth,
God of now and days before,
God who reigns forevermore,
Alleluia, alleluia, praise be to your name.

Praise be to your name.

Let us confess our sins to God our Father

Silence

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.

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 “Lord, Have Mercy” (Kyrie) from Marty Haugen’s Mass of Creation.

Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy,
Lord, have mercy.

God of all creation, earth and sea and sky,
God of all eternity: hear us, hear us.

Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy,
(Kyrie, eleison, Christe, eleison,
Lord, have mercy.
Kyrie, eleison, Kyrie, Christe.)

[Instrumental interlude]

Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy,
(Kyrie, eleison, Christe, eleison,
Lord, have mercy.
Kyrie, eleison, Kyrie, Christe.)

God of our salvation, God of grace and peace,
God of wisdom and of love: hear us, hear us.

Lord, have mercy, Christ have mercy,
(Kyrie, eleison, Christe, eleison,
Lord, have mercy.
Kyrie, eleison, Kyrie, Christe.)

Open this link in a new tab to hear “Glory to God” from Marty Haugen’s Mass of Creation.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father,
Amen. Amen.

Glory to God in the highest,
and peace to his people on earth.

Let us pray

Silence

Lord of all power and might,
the author and giver of all good things:
Graft in our hearts the love of your name,
increase in us true religion,
nourish us with all goodness,
and of your great mercy keep us in the same;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A reading from the Book of Sirach, Chapter 4, Verses 11-31.

Wisdom teaches her children
and gives help to those who seek her.
Whoever loves her loves life,
and those who seek her from early morning are filled with joy.
Whoever holds her fast inherits glory,
and the Lord blesses the place she* enters.
Those who serve her minister to the Holy One;
the Lord loves those who love her.
Those who obey her will judge the nations,
and all who listen to her will live secure.
If they remain faithful, they will inherit her;
their descendants will also obtain her.
For at first she will walk with them on tortuous paths;
she will bring fear and dread upon them,
and will torment them by her discipline
until she trusts them,*
and she will test them with her ordinances.
Then she will come straight back to them again and gladden them,
and will reveal her secrets to them.
If they go astray she will forsake them,
and hand them over to their ruin.

Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil,
and do not be ashamed to be yourself.
For there is a shame that leads to sin,
and there is a shame that is glory and favour.
Do not show partiality, to your own harm,
or deference, to your downfall.
Do not refrain from speaking at the proper moment,
and do not hide your wisdom.*
For wisdom becomes known through speech,
and education through the words of the tongue.
Never speak against the truth,
but be ashamed of your ignorance.
Do not be ashamed to confess your sins,
and do not try to stop the current of a river.
Do not subject yourself to a fool,
or show partiality to a ruler.
Fight to the death for truth,
and the Lord God will fight for you.

Do not be reckless in your speech,
or sluggish and remiss in your deeds.
Do not be like a lion in your home,
or suspicious of your servants.
Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive
and closed when it is time to give.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “Let All the Earth (Psalm 66).”

Intro
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.

Chorus
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.

1 Cry out in joy to the Lord all peoples on earth,
Sing to the praise of God’s name forever.
“Tremendous your deeds for us.” Oh

Chorus
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.
(Alleluia)
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.

2 Leading your people safe through fire and water,
bring their souls to life, we sing of your glory,
your love is eternal. Oh

Chorus
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.
(Alleluia)
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.

3 Harken to me as I sing my love of the Lord,
who answers the prayer of my heart.
God leads us in safety from death unto life. Oh

Chorus
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.
(Alleluia)
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.

Outro
To the Lord, alleluia!
To the Lord, alleluia!
To the Lord, alleluia.

A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans Chapter 15, Verses 14-29.

I myself feel confident about you, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, and able to instruct one another. Nevertheless, on some points I have written to you rather boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given me by God to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to boast of my work for God. For I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me to win obedience from the Gentiles, by word and deed, by the power of signs and wonders, by the power of the Spirit of God, so that from Jerusalem and as far around as Illyricum I have fully proclaimed the good news of Christ. Thus I make it my ambition to proclaim the good news,* not where Christ has already been named, so that I do not build on someone else’s foundation, but as it is written,

‘Those who have never been told of him shall see,
and those who have never heard of him shall understand.’

This is the reason that I have so often been hindered from coming to you. But now, with no further place for me in these regions, I desire, as I have for many years, to come to you when I go to Spain. For I do hope to see you on my journey and to be sent on by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a little while. At present, however, I am going to Jerusalem in a ministry to the saints; for Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to share their resources with the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. They were pleased to do this, and indeed they owe it to them; for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, they ought also to be of service to them in material things. So, when I have completed this, and have delivered to them what has been collected, I will set out by way of you to Spain; and I know that when I come to you, I will come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Ruth Duck’s paraphrase of Luke 1: 68-79, “Now Bless the God of Israel.”

1 Now bless the God of Israel,
Who comes in love and pow'r,
Who raises from the royal house
Deliv'rance in this hour.
Through holy prophets God has sworn
To free us from alarm,
To save us from the heavy hand
Of all who wish us harm.

2 Remembering the covenant,
God rescues us from fear,
That we might serve in holiness
And peace from year to year;
And you, my child, shall go before
To preach, to prophesy,
That all may know the tender love,
The grace of God most high.

3 In tender mercy God will send
The dayspring from on high,
Our rising sun, the light of life
For those who sit and sigh.
God comes to guide our way to peace,
That death shall reign no more.
Sing praises to the Holy One!
O worship and adore!

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke, Chapter 10, Verses 25-37.

Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. ‘Teacher,’ he said, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ He said to him, ‘What is written in the law? What do you read there?’ He answered, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbour as yourself.’ And he said to him, ‘You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live.’

But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’ Jesus replied, ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while travelling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, “Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.”

Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?’ He said, ‘The one who showed him mercy.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Go and do likewise.’

Silence

Called to Show Mercy

Those whom Jesus calls to be his disciples are called to live their lives differently from those around them, even from family, friends, and others who are close to them. They are called to live lives like their Lord’s, lives that are characterized by compassion, love and mercy.

As we see from this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Jesus’ teaching in regard to living a life of compassion, love, and mercy is not just directed to his disciples but to all people. To the lawyer who wanted to justify himself, he gave the instruction to go and show mercy like the Samaritan in the parable. However, his teaching is especially true for those whom he has called to follow him. In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus draws to the attention of his disciples and whoever else was listening to him that he would not acknowledge everyone who says “Lord, Lord” to him but only those who do the will of God (Matthew 7: 21-23).

In John 12: 44-50 Jesus equates his words, his teaching, with God’s. He also equates his character and his actions with God’s.

Then Jesus cried aloud: ‘Whoever believes in me believes not in me but in him who sent me. And whoever sees me sees him who sent me. I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me should not remain in the darkness. I do not judge anyone who hears my words and does not keep them, for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. The one who rejects me and does not receive my word has a judge; on the last day the word that I have spoken will serve as judge, for I have not spoken on my own, but the Father who sent me has himself given me a commandment about what to say and what to speak. And I know that his commandment is eternal life. What I speak, therefore, I speak just as the Father has told me.’

I believe that we can safely assume that when Jesus speaks about doing God’s will, he is speaking about following his teaching and example.

This Sunday’s Gospel reading is not the only passage in the New Testament in which Jesus speaks about showing mercy. In Matthew 5:7, in the opening of the Sermon of the Mount, in what has become to be known as the Beatitudes, or Blessings, Jesus says:

‘Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.

In Luke 6: 35-36, in the Sermon on the Plain, Jesus gives these instructions to a great crowd of his disciples and a great crowd of people who had come hear him:

But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Matthew 9: 12-13 tell us that when the Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with tax collectors and sinners, he responded to their criticism with a verse from the Book of Hosea (Hosea 6:6).

But when he heard this, he said, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have come to call not the righteous but sinners.’

The full verse is “For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” It can also be rendered “I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.”

We gather from Matthew 12:7 that Jesus would respond to the Pharisees’ criticism with this verse on at least one other occasion. Matthew 23:23 provides us with insight into how Jesus understood this verse and was using it.

‘Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint, dill, and cummin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. It is these you ought to have practised without neglecting the others.

While they were scrupulous in their observance of the religious law as they interpreted it, they were ignoring what really mattered to God.

In the Parable of the Unforgiving Servant (Matthew 18: 23-35) Jesus stresses the importance of showing mercy to others in the form of forgiveness. It is one of the aspects of mercy which can be defined as kindness that causes you to forgive someone.

Mercy can also be defined as kindness that we show to someone to whom we are in a position, if we chose, not to show kindness. We choose to be generous, helpful, and considerate of their feelings. We choose to show understanding and caring for them.

The Gospels are filled with accounts of how Jesus showed mercy to people. He gave sight to the blind, cleansed lepers, healed the lame, raised the dead, expelled demons, fed the hungry, forgave a woman caught in adultery.

Rather than give the Scripture references, I am going to suggest that a word search of the passages containing the word “mercy” in the Gospels in the New Revised Standard Bible or another translation of the Bible, using a Bible search tool like the one at biblegateway.com, would be more profitable. From these accounts it is quite clear that Jesus exemplified what he taught.

If you have experienced Jesus’ call to become his disciple, I am also going to suggest that you examine your life and identify those areas of your life where you might show greater kindness and greater forgiveness. Ask the Holy Spirit to show where in your life you need to make changes and ask God to provide you with the grace to enable you to make these changes.

If you are exploring the Christian faith and way of life, I am going to suggest that you reflect upon this Sunday’s Gospel reading and the other passages of Scripture mentioned in this Sunday’s message and do the suggested word search and reflect upon the passages that it produces. Ask God to speak to you through all these passages. The Bible is more than a collection of books written by human authors at different times in history, it is a meeting place with God. If one particular Scripture passage or verse captures your attention, talk to God about it. It may feel strange at first. God, however, will be listening. You can count on that.

Silence

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
When 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.

Let us confess our faith, as we say:

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.

I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
and born of the virgin Mary.
He suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended to heaven
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father almighty.
From there he will come to judge the living and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the holy catholic church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and the life everlasting. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER

Almighty and everliving God,
hear the prayers which we offer in faith and love:

For peace, and for your salvation to be known throughout the world …

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

For the one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church
and for the unity of all Christian people …

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

For all who serve and lead in your Church,
for our bishops, elders,deacons, licensed local pastors, and other ministers …

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

For all your people, growing in the faith of Christ,
and passing it on to generations yet to come …

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

For all who live and work in this community …

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

For families, and for those who live alone …

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

For all who are sick in body or in mind,
and for those who care for them …

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

For all in authority,
and especially for [Canada: Charles our King] [United States: our President] …

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

For all who have been entrusted with the responsibility of government …

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

For those who work for peace, justice and righteousness throughout the
world …

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

Rejoicing in the fellowship of your holy apostles and martyrs, and of all your servants departed this life in your faith and fear, we commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to you, Lord God; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Accept our prayers through Jesus Christ our Lord, who taught us to 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, and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Carey Landry’s “Abba Father.”

1 Abba, Abba Father
You are the potter,
we are the clay the work of Your hands.

2 Mold us, mold us and fashion us
Into the image of Jesus Your Son,
of Jesus your Son.

3 Father, may we be one in You,
May we be one in You,
as He is in You and You are in Him.

4 Glory, glory and praise to You,
Glory and praise to You,
forever, amen, forever, amen.

Abba…

THE SENDING OUT OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live each day in love to one another and to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The 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 Jesus Christ be with you always.
And also with you.

Those present may exchange a gesture of peace with these or similar words:
Peace be with you.