Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, July 11, 2024)
God does not call everyone in the same way. For some people, the call may be dramatic and sudden. For others, it may occur over a long period of time. Regardless of how God calls each individual, he calls everyone for the same purpose.
In this evening’s message we consider what it means to be called out of darkness into God’s marvelous light.
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
O Lord, accept my prayer as incense offered to you,
and my upraised hands as an evening offering.
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 The Braeded Cord’s arrangement of the Lutheran Service Book’s translation of the Phos Hilaron. “Joyous Light of Glory of the Immortal Father.”
Joyous light of glory of the immortal Father.
Heavenly, holy, blessed Jesus Christ.
You are worth of being praised with pure voices
forever.
You are worth of being praised with pure voices
forever.
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
The universe declares your glory.
We have come to the setting of the sun
And we look to the evening light.
We sing to God, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
You are worth of being praised with pure voices
forever.
You are worth of being praised with pure voices
forever.
O Son of God, O Giver of life,
The universe declares your glory.
The universe declares your glory.
Let us pray
Silence
Merciful God,
you have prepared for those who love you
such good things as pass our understanding:
Pour into our hearts such love toward you
that we, loving you above all things,
may obtain your promises,
which exceed all that we can desire;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
Open this link in a new tab to Kiran Wimberley Young’s paraphrase of Psalm 104, “Praise the Lord All the Earth.”
You, O Lord, are clothed in glory
Praise the Lord, all the earth
You have spread the heavens above me
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Wings of wind and cloud of chariot
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Flashes of lightning, servants of majesty
Praise the Lord, all the earth
You have set the earth’s foundations
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Rushing waters hear your commanding
Praise the Lord, all the earth
You make springs flow into valleys
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Birds in their nests, singing your glory
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Rain on the hills, earth filled with blessing
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Food for our strength, health and happiness
Praise the Lord, all the earth
All of these good things you have created
Praise the Lord, all the earth
You give us breath, new life to all
Praise the Lord, all the earth
Glory to God forever and ever
Praise the Lord, all the earth
I’ll sing to God, all of my living
Praise the Lord, all the earth
A reading from the First Letter of Peter, Chapter 2, Verses 1-12
So get rid of all evil behavior. Be done with all deceit, hypocrisy, jealousy, and all unkind speech. Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment, now that you have had a taste of the Lord’s kindness.
You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor.
And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. As the Scriptures say,
“I am placing a cornerstone in Jerusalem,
chosen for great honor,
and anyone who trusts in him
will never be disgraced.”
Yes, you who trust him recognize the honor God has given him. But for those who reject him,
“The stone that the builders rejected
has now become the cornerstone.”
And,
“He is the stone that makes people stumble,
the rock that makes them fall.”
They stumble because they do not obey God’s word, and so they meet the fate that was planned for them.
But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light.
“Once you had no identity as a people;
now you are God’s people.
Once you received no mercy;
now you have received God’s mercy.”
Dear friends, I warn you as “temporary residents and foreigners” to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world.
Silence
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Rory Cooney’s “The Canticle of the Turning.”
1 My soul cries out with a joyful shout
that the God of my heart is great,
and my spirit sings of the wondrous things
that you bring to the ones who wait.
You fixed your sight on your servant’s plight,
and my weakness you did not spurn,
so from east to west shall my name be blest.
Could the world be about to turn?
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.
2 Though I am small, my God, my all,
you work great things in me,
and your mercy will last from the depths of the past
to the end of the age to be.
Your very name puts the proud to shame,
and to those who would for you yearn,
you will show your might, put the strong to flight,
for the world is about to turn.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.
3 From the halls of pow’r to the fortress tow’r,
not a stone will be left on stone.
Let the king beware for your justice tears
ev’ry tyrant from his throne.
The hungry poor shall weep no more,
for the food they can never earn;
there are tables spread, ev’ry mouth be fed,
for the world is about to turn.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.
4 Though the nations rage from age to age,
we remember who holds us fast:
God’s mercy must deliver us
from the conqueror’s crushing grasp.
This saving word that our forebears heard
is the promise which holds us bound,
till the spear and rod can be crushed by God,
who is turning the world around.
My heart shall sing of the day you bring.
Let the fires of your justice burn.
Wipe away all tears, for the dawn draws near,
and the world is about to turn.
Called to Share the Goodness of God
In his translation of the New Testament J. B. Phillips puts verses 9 and 10 of this evening’s reading this way:
But you are God’s “chosen generation”, his “royal priesthood”, his “holy nation”, his “peculiar people”—all the old titles of God’s people now belong to you. It is for you now to demonstrate the goodness of him who has called you out of darkness into his amazing light. In the past you were not “a people” at all: now you are the people of God. In the past you had no experience of his mercy, but now it is intimately yours.
It is a reminder that the apostle Peter was addressing Gentiles, non-Jews, in his letter, individuals who were not the descendants of the people of Israel whom God had delivered from slavery from Egypt and with whom he had made a covenant in which he would be their God and they would be his people. They were God’s people too. The people to whom he was writing had come to believe in Jesus as their Savior and had accepted him as their Lord. From what Peter says in the opening passage of this evening’ reading I believe that we can safely assume that they were new believers.
What then does it mean to share or demonstrate the goodness of God.
It means to declare God’s praises; to proclaim his excellencies, his outstanding qualities and virtues; to tell people all the wonderful things he has done and how great he is. It also means to live a transformed life and to do good to others. The two go hand in hand. The witness of a Christian’s life supports the witness of a Christian’s lips.
We can talk all that we want about a loving God, a merciful God, but unless our lives embody God’s love, embody God’s mercy, we are speaking empty words. We show how much we esteem God by fully embracing Jesus’ teaching and imitating his character. Jesus said that he did not speak on is own authority. The Father who sent him had commanded him what to say and how to say it. (John 12:49). Jesus embodied God’s character, showing God’s character to us. When we live what Jesus taught and follow the example he set for us, we glorify God.
The words we speak and the way we live are the spiritual sacrifices that we offer God. They are the spiritual sacrifices which please God. Having experienced God’s mercy, we are not only to make his mercy known but also to imitate God and show mercy to all, thereby showing that we are truly God’s children.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Karen Schneider Kirner and Steven C. Warner’s "Come to the Living Stone."
Come to the living stone,
Christ our Lord, who is our strength.
Rejected by others but chosen by God!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
1 Built up as living stones
into a holy house,
a holy house,
we are a priesthood
created for praise
of our God above.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Come to the living stone,
Come to the living stone,
Christ our Lord, who is our strength.
The Lord is our strength, he lives!
Rejected by others but chosen by God!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
2 We are a nation made
to glorify the Lord,
the living God;
ours is the joy to
resound and proclaim
the glorious works of God.
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Come to the living stone,
Come to the living stone,
Christ our Lord, who is our strength.
The Lord is our strength, he lives!
Rejected by others but chosen by God!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
3 Out of the darkness God
has called us into light,
a glorious light;
once we were lost and
alone in this world,
now we belong to God!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Come to the living!
Sing alleluia!
Come to the living!
Sing alleluia!
Come to the living stone,
Come to the living stone,
Christ our Lord, who is our strength.
The Lord is our strength, he lives!
Rejected by others but chosen by God!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
*4 Once we were not within
the mercy of our God,
the loving God,
now is the gift of
a promise unfurled;
God’s mercy for the world!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Come to the living stone,
Come to the living stone,
Christ our Lord, who is our strength.
The Lord is our strength, he lives!
Rejected by others but chosen by God!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
*5 Give praise to God above,
and Jesus Christ the Lord,
Redeemer Lord,
and to the Spirit
who dwells in our hearts,
now and forever more:
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Come to the living stone,
Come to the living stone,
Christ our Lord, who is our strength.
The Lord is our strength, he lives!
Rejected by others but chosen by God!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
*Omitted on the video.
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
Almighty God, our heavenly Father,
you promised through your Son Jesus Christ
to hear the prayers of those who ask in faith.
Lord of your people:
strengthen your Church in all the world …
renew the life of this diocese …
bless .... our bishop, and build us up in faith and love.
Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord of creation:
look with favour on the world you have made,
guide the nations in the ways of justice and of peace,
and bless [Canada: Charles our King and all in authority]
[United States: our President, .... .... and all in authority].
Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord of our relationships:
comfort and sustain the communities in which we live and work …
help us to love our neighbours as ourselves,
Enable us to serve our families and friends
and to love one another as you love us.
Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord of all healing:
relieve and protect those who are sick or suffering,
be with those who have any special need …
and deliver all who know danger, violence or oppression.
Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord of eternity:
bind us together by your Holy Spirit,
in communion with .... and all who, having confessed the Faith,
have died in the peace of Christ, that we may entrust ourselves,
and one another, and our whole life to you, Lord God,
and come with all your saints to the joys of your eternal kingdom.
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,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Richard Bruxvoort Colligan’s “O Christ, Surround Me.”
1 God be the love to search and keep me
God be the prayer to move my voice
God be the strength to now uphold me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
2 Bind to myself the name of Holy
Great cloud of witnesses enfold
Prophets, apostles, angels witness
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
3 Brightness of sun and glow of moonlight
Flashing of lightning, strength of wind
Depth of the sea to soil of planet
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
4 Walking behind to hem my journey
Going ahead to light my way
And from beneath, above, and all ways
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
[Instrumental interlude]
5 Christ in the eyes of all who see me
Christ in the ears who hear my voice
Christ in the hearts of all who know me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
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 Lord bless us and keep us,
May the Lord make his face to shine on us and be gracious to us,
May the Lord look on us with kindness and give us peace. 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.
you promised through your Son Jesus Christ
to hear the prayers of those who ask in faith.
Lord of your people:
strengthen your Church in all the world …
renew the life of this diocese …
bless .... our bishop, and build us up in faith and love.
Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord of creation:
look with favour on the world you have made,
guide the nations in the ways of justice and of peace,
and bless [Canada: Charles our King and all in authority]
[United States: our President, .... .... and all in authority].
Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord of our relationships:
comfort and sustain the communities in which we live and work …
help us to love our neighbours as ourselves,
Enable us to serve our families and friends
and to love one another as you love us.
Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord of all healing:
relieve and protect those who are sick or suffering,
be with those who have any special need …
and deliver all who know danger, violence or oppression.
Lord, hear us:
Lord, graciously hear us.
Lord of eternity:
bind us together by your Holy Spirit,
in communion with .... and all who, having confessed the Faith,
have died in the peace of Christ, that we may entrust ourselves,
and one another, and our whole life to you, Lord God,
and come with all your saints to the joys of your eternal kingdom.
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,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Richard Bruxvoort Colligan’s “O Christ, Surround Me.”
1 God be the love to search and keep me
God be the prayer to move my voice
God be the strength to now uphold me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
2 Bind to myself the name of Holy
Great cloud of witnesses enfold
Prophets, apostles, angels witness
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
3 Brightness of sun and glow of moonlight
Flashing of lightning, strength of wind
Depth of the sea to soil of planet
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
4 Walking behind to hem my journey
Going ahead to light my way
And from beneath, above, and all ways
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
[Instrumental interlude]
5 Christ in the eyes of all who see me
Christ in the ears who hear my voice
Christ in the hearts of all who know me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
O Christ, surround me
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 Lord bless us and keep us,
May the Lord make his face to shine on us and be gracious to us,
May the Lord look on us with kindness and give us peace. 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.
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