Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, August 25, 2024)

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

Our Old Testament reading is an account of the dedication of the first Temple at Jerusalem. In the reading King Solomon anticipates a day when the Temple would not only be the focus of prayer for the people of Israel but also for foreigners who do not belong to the people of Israel. King Solomon’s words were prophetic. That day would come.

But God had more in store, more than King Solomon could imagine. God would send his Son to be Saviour not only of the remnant of the people of Israel but also of all humankind.

In the message we take a look at how the spiritual forces opposed to God are waging a spiritual war against both believers and those who do not yet believe and the place of prayer in that struggle.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “Sing Out, Earth and Sky.”

1 Come, O God of all the earth;
come to us, O Righteous One.
Come and bring our love to birth;
in the glory of your Son.

Sing out, earth and skies!
Sing of the God who loves you.
Raise your joyful cries,
Dance to the life around you.

2 Come, O God of wind and flame;
fill the earth with righteousness.
Teach us all to sing your name;
may our lives your love confess.

Sing out, earth and skies!
Sing of the God who loves you.
Raise your joyful cries,
Dance to the life around you.

3 Come, O God of flashing light;
twinkling star and burning sun.
God of day and God of night;
in your light we all are one.

Sing out, earth and skies!
Sing of the God who loves you.
Raise your joyful cries,
Dance to the life around you.

4 Come, O God of snow and rain;
shower down upon the earth.
Come, O God of joy and pain;
God of sorrow, God of mirth.

Sing out, earth and skies!
Sing of the God who loves you.
Raise your joyful cries,
Dance to the life around you.

5 Come, O Justice, come, O Peace;
come and shape our hearts anew.
Come and make oppression cease;
bring us all to life in you.

Sing out, earth and skies!
Sing of the God who loves you.
Raise your joyful cries,
Dance to the life around you.

The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.

Hear God’s word to all who turn to Christ:

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son,
that whoever believes in him should not perish
but have eternal life.

God has promised forgiveness
to all who truly repent,
turn to Christ in faith
and are themselves forgiving.

In silence we call to mind our sins.

Silence

Let us confess our sins.

Merciful God,
we have sinned
in what we have thought and said,
in the wrong we have done
and in the good we have not done.
We have sinned in ignorance:
we have sinned in weakness:
we have sinned through our own deliberate fault.
We are truly sorry.
We repent and turn to you.
Forgive us, for our Saviour Christ’s sake,
and renew our lives to the glory of your name. Amen.

Almighty God, who pardons all who truly repent,
forgive our sins, strengthen us by the Holy Spirit,
and keep us in life eternal;
through Jesus Christ our Redeemer.
Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “You Are God, We Praise You” (Te Deum).

You are God, we praise you.
You are Lord, we acclaim you.
To you, Creator holy,
all creation offers praise.
You are God, we praise you.
You are Lord, we acclaim you.
To you, Creator holy,
all creation offers praise.

1 With the angels in heaven:
We praise you, we praise you!
With the cherubim and seraphim:
We praise you, we praise you!
With apostles and prophets:
We praise you, we praise you!
With martyrs and your holy Church:
We sing in endless praise!

You are God, we praise you.
You are Lord, we acclaim you.
To you, Creator holy,
all creation offers praise.
You are God, we praise you.
You are Lord, we acclaim you.
To you, Creator holy,
all creation offers praise.

2 Creator of all things:
We praise you, we praise you!
O Jesus Christ, Redeemer:
We praise you, we praise you!
O Spirit most holy:
We praise you, we praise you!
To the Trinity most blessed:
We sing in endless praise!

You are God, we praise you.
You are Lord, we acclaim you.
To you, Creator holy,
all creation offers praise.
You are God, we praise you.
You are Lord, we acclaim you.
To you, Creator holy,
all creation offers praise.

3 O Christ, King of glory:
We praise you, we praise you!
You became like us to set u free:
We praise you, we praise you!
You have risen to free us:
We praise you, we praise you!
You have hallowed our humanity:
We sing in endless praise!

You are God, we praise you.
You are Lord, we acclaim you.
To you, Creator holy,
all creation offers praise.
You are God, we praise you.
You are Lord, we acclaim you.
To you, Creator holy,
all creation offers praise.

Coda
all creation offers praise,
all creation offers praise.

Jesus said, ‘It is the spirit that gives life; the flesh is useless. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.’John 6:63

Let us pray

Silence

God of Israel old and new,
write in our hearts the lessons of your law;
prepare our minds to receive the gospel
made visible in your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A reading from the First Book of Kings (chapter 8, beginning at verse 1)

Solomon then summoned to Jerusalem the elders of Israel and all the heads of the tribes—the leaders of the ancestral families of the Israelites. They were to bring the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant to the Temple from its location in the City of David, also known as Zion.

Then the priests carried the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant into the inner sanctuary of the Temple—the Most Holy Place—and placed it beneath the wings of the cherubim.

When the priests came out of the Holy Place, a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of the Lord.

Then Solomon stood before the altar of the Lord in front of the entire community of Israel. He lifted his hands towards heaven, and he prayed,

“O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven above or on the earth below. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion. You have kept your promise to your servant David, my father. You made that promise with your own mouth, and with your own hands you have fulfilled it today.

“And now, O Lord, God of Israel, carry out the additional promise you made to your servant David, my father. For you said to him, ‘If your descendants guard their behaviour and faithfully follow me as you have done, one of them will always sit on the throne of Israel.’ Now, O God of Israel, fulfil this promise to your servant David, my father.

“But will God really live on earth? Why, even the highest heavens cannot contain you. How much less this Temple I have built! Nevertheless, listen to my prayer and my plea, O Lord my God. Hear the cry and the prayer that your servant is making to you today. May you watch over this Temple night and day, this place where you have said, ‘My name will be there.’ May you always hear the prayers I make towards this place. May you hear the humble and earnest requests from me and your people Israel when we pray towards this place. Yes, hear us from heaven where you live, and when you hear, forgive.

“In the future, foreigners who do not belong to your people Israel will hear of you. They will come from distant lands because of your name, for they will hear of your great name and your strong hand and your powerful arm. And when they pray towards this Temple, then hear from heaven where you live, and grant what they ask of you. In this way, all the people of the earth will come to know and fear you, just as your own people Israel do. They, too, will know that this Temple I have built honours your name.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Liam Lawson’s adaptation of Psalm 84, “How Lovely Is Your Dwelling Place.”

How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!

1 My soul is thirsting for the Lord,
how it yearns for the courts of the Lord.
My heart and soul ring out for joy
to God, the living God.

How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!

2 The sparrow finds herself a home
and the swallow a nest for her brood.
She lays her young by your altars,
Lord of hosts, my King and my God.

How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!

3 One day, O Lord, within your courts
is better than a thousand elsewhere.
The threshold of the house of God
I prefer to the house of the wicked.

How lovely is your dwelling, O Lord, my God.
How lovely is your dwelling place, is your dwelling place, O God!

A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians (chapter 6, beginning at verse 10)

A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

And pray for me, too. Ask God to give me the right words so I can boldly explain God’s mysterious plan that the Good News is for Jews and Gentiles alike. I am in chains now, still preaching this message as God’s ambassador. So pray that I will keep on speaking boldly for him, as I should.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “Word of Truth and Life.”

1 Praise the God of all creation, God of mercy and compassion.
Alleluia, alleluia, praise the word of truth and life!

2 Tree of Life and endless wisdom, be our root, our growth and glory:
Alleluia, alleluia, praise the word of truth and life!

3 Living Water, we are thirsting for the Life that you have promised:
Alleluia, alleluia, praise the word of truth and life!

4 Come, O Spirit, kindle fire in the hearts of all your people:
Alleluia, alleluia, praise the word of truth and life!

5 Praise the God of all creation, God of mercy and compassion.
Alleluia, alleluia, praise the word of truth and life!

The Holy Gospel according to John (chapter 6 beginning at verse 56.)
Praise and glory to God.

Anyone who eats my flesh and drinks my blood remains in me, and I in him. I live because of the living Father who sent me; in the same way, anyone who feeds on me will live because of me. I am the true bread that came down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will not die as your ancestors did (even though they ate the manna) but will live for ever.”

He said these things while he was teaching in the synagogue in Capernaum.

Many of his disciples said, “This is very hard to understand. How can anyone accept it?”

Jesus was aware that his disciples were complaining, so he said to them, “Does this offend you? Then what will you think if you see the Son of Man ascend to heaven again? The Spirit alone gives eternal life. Human effort accomplishes nothing. And the very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life. But some of you do not believe me.” (For Jesus knew from the beginning which ones didn’t believe, and he knew who would betray him.) Then he said, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me.”

At this point many of his disciples turned away and deserted him. Then Jesus turned to the Twelve and asked, “Are you also going to leave?”

Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words that give eternal life. We believe, and we know you are the Holy One of God.”

Silence

This is the Gospel of Christ.
Praise to Christ, the Word.

The Place of Prayer in Spiritual Warfare

As Paul points to the attention of the Christian community at Ephesus, Christians are combatants in a spiritual war with the spiritual forces opposed to God. Among the objectives of these spiritual forces is to prevent those who do not yet believe from recognizing as the twelve disciples did that Jesus has the words that give eternal life, from believing and knowing that Jesus is the Holy One of God. They also seek to undermine the faith of believers and keep them from growing in their love of God and in maturity of character. They exploit human weaknesses to serve their ends. They not only employ lies and deceit for these purposes but also stir up hatred, ill-will, and distrust. They will encourage an individual to sin and when that individual does sin, they will encourage the individual to believe that God will not forgive the sin if the individual seeks God’s forgiveness. Or they will persuade an individual that what that individual is doing does not grieve God so that the individual will not turn away from doing wrong and ask God’s forgiveness.

While the spiritual force opposed to God cannot read the mind of a human being, they are keen observers of human attitudes, ways of thinking, and behavior and can deduce from our words and actions what we may be thinking. While they cannot thwart God’s sovereign will, they can harass believers, wearing down their will to persevere, making it more difficult for believers to live a life of faith and obedience, and otherwise doing what they can to damage a believer’s relationship with God.

The spiritual forces opposed to God will take Jesus’ own words, “That is why I said that people can’t come to me unless the Father gives them to me,” and use them to discourage a believer, fostering any seed of doubt that they detect in the believer so that the believer questions his or her standing with God. These spiritual forces will also foster in believers the belief that they know who God has given to Jesus so that they do need to share the good news with a particular individual or group, much less invite that individual or group to turn in repentance from sin and in faith to Jesus. If a believer harbors a prejudice against a particular individual or group, they will encourage the believer to act out that prejudice, to behave badly toward that individual or group, and to urge others to do likewise. They will encourage in those who do not yet believe the belief that God’s grace, God’s merciful kindness, does not extend to them. They are only too glad to foster the perception in an individual that “God could not love me, not me!”

As well as putting on the armour of God as Paul told the Christian community at Ephesus, believers also need to be determined in praying for each other, taking every opportunity to intercede on the behalf of their fellow believers. Among the things that we need to ask God for each other is the ability to see through the lies and deceit of the spiritual forces opposed to God, to keep from harboring hatred, ill-will, and distrust in our hearts, to recognize our prejudices for what they are and not to give rein to them, and to see in every person someone for whom Jesus suffered and died on the cross, someone whom God loves, someone who God has given to Jesus.

Like Paul, all believers are called to be God’s representatives, God’s ambassadors to the world. We also need to ask God to give us and our fellow believers the right words to share God’s plan of salvation with those who do not yet believe and to enable us and our fellow believers to speak boldly for God. This includes praying for those who do not yet believe, asking God to protect them from the spiritual forces opposed to God and to plant in them the seed of faith.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear John Chisum’s “Christ Above Me.”

Christ above me
Christ beside me
Christ within me ever guiding
Christ behind me
Christ before
Christ my love my life my lord

Christ above me
Christ beside me
Christ within me ever guiding
Christ behind me
Christ before
Christ my love my life my lord

1 Bread of life from heaven
Lover of my soul
Peace of God so ever present
I surrender my control to

Christ above me
Christ beside me
Christ within me ever guiding
Christ behind me
Christ before
Christ my love my life my lord

2 Mercy everlasting
Tenderness divine
Word of God so ever healing
I surrender heart and mind to

Christ above me
Christ beside me
Christ within me ever guiding
Christ behind me
Christ before
Christ my love my life my lord
Christ my love my life my lord

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, God’s only Son, our Lord,
who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, died, and was buried;
he descended to the dead.
On the third day he rose again;
he ascended into heaven,
is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and will come again 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

Let us pray for the Church and for the world, giving thanks for
God’s goodness.

God of heaven and earth, through Jesus Christ you promise to hear
us when we pray to you in faith with thanksgiving.

We pray for one another, for our families and friends, through
whom we learn to love and to be loved. Thank you for all who care
for us. Give us grace to serve Christ by serving our neighbours and
our community, loving others as he loves us.

Silence

God of love
grant our prayer.

We thank you for the unfailing love you hold out to everyone in
Jesus Christ. Comfort and heal those in sorrow, need, sickness or
any other trouble. Give them courage and hope in their distress,
and bless those who minister to them.

Silence

God of love
grant our prayer.

We remember with gratitude your many gifts to us in creation and
the rich heritage of this land. Help us and people everywhere
to share with justice and peace the resources of the earth. Give
wisdom to those in authority among us and to all leaders of the
nations.

Silence

God of love
grant our prayer.

We pray for your Church throughout the world, thanking you for
all who serve Christ and his kingdom. By your Spirit strengthen
your people for their work and witness in the world. Unite us in
your truth and love, that we who confess your name may also
reflect your glory.

Silence

God of love
grant our prayer.

We remember with thanksgiving all who have died in Christ, and
we rejoice at the faithful witness of your saints in every age,
praying that we may enter with them into the unending joy of your
heavenly kingdom.

Silence

God of love
grant our prayer.

Merciful God, you look with compassion on all who turn to you.
Hear the prayers of your people.
Grant that what we have asked in faith
we may by your grace receive;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Now to God who is able to do immeasurably more
than all we can ask or conceive,
by the power which is at work among us,
be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus
throughout all ages.
Amen.

As our Saviour Christ has taught us, 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.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s adaptation of the Prayer of St. Francis, “Make Me an Instrument of Your Peace.”

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is hatred, let me bring love;
where there is injury, let me bring pardon;
where there is doubting, let me bring faith.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

Where there is despairing, let me bring hope;
where there is darkness, let me bring light;
where there is sadness, let me bring joy.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

O Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled as to console
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

For it is giving that we receive;
and it is pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is dying that we are born.

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.

The Sending Forth 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.

Those present may extend their palms toward each other in a gesture of blessing.

May God, Creator, bless us and keep us,
may Christ be ever light for our lives,
may the Spirit of Love be our guide and path,
for all our days. 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.