Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, August 4, 2024)

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

Aside from Jesus’ resurrection, his feeding of the 5000 is the only miracle recorded in all four gospels. In John’s Gospel it is followed by what is known as “the Bread of Life discourse,” one of seven major discourses into which John’s Gospel can be divided.

In this Sunday’s message we take a look at what Jesus is saying in that discourse.

GATHER 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 Andy Clark’s “We Lift Our Voices” (For the Lord is Good).

Verse 1
We lift our voices to the Lord most high,
with joyful singing we will glorify
the great creator, the author of all life.
We are his people and he is our God,
he always guides us in his ways with love:
let joyful praises come fill this place, in song.

Chorus 1
For the Lord is good!
We shout for joy because
the Lord is good!
He rules the earth with everlasting love:
how good is our God!

Verse 2
Enter His presence with a thankful heart,
enter his courts and let the praises start,
give God the glory, for he deserves it all.
All of creation lives to worship God,
we were created as an act of love:
let adoration flow from this place, in song.

Chorus 2
For the Lord is good!
We shout for joy because
the Lord is good!
He rules the earth with everlasting love:
how good is our God!
For the Lord is good!
We shout for joy because
the Lord is good!
He rules the earth with everlasting love:
how good is our God!

Bridge
Faithful God, never ending goodness,
ever flowing kindness.
You are faithful, God, you are good.
Faithful God, never ending goodness,
ever flowing kindness.
You are faithful, God, you are good.

Chorus 3
For the Lord is good!
We shout for joy because
the Lord is good!
He rules the earth with everlasting love:
how good is our God!
For the Lord is good!
We shout for joy because
the Lord is good!
He rules the earth with everlasting love:
how good is our God!

Outro
How good is our God!
How good is our God!
How good is our God!
How good is our God!

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

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 Laura Story and Jesse Reeves’ “Indescribable.”

From the highest of heights to the depths of the sea
Creation’s revealing Your majesty
From the colours of Fall to the fragrance of Spring
Every creature unique and the song that it sings, all exclaiming:

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing, God
All-powerful, untameable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God

Who has told every lightning bolt where it should go?
Or seen heavenly storehouses laden with snow?
Who imagined the sun and gives source to its light?
Yet conceals it to bring us the coolness of night?
None can fathom

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing, God
All-powerful, untameable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God

You are amazing, God

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing, God
All-powerful, untameable
Awestruck we fall to our knees as we humbly proclaim
You are amazing, God

Indescribable, uncontainable
You placed the stars in the sky and You know them by name
You are amazing, God
Incomparable, unchangeable
You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same
You are amazing, God
You are amazing, God

Open this link in a new tab to hear Jessica Greedy’s “Great and Marvelous Are All Your Deeds.” (Magna et Mirabilia).

Great and marvelous are all your deeds
Lord our God Almighty.
Just and true are all your ways and
You are King throughout all ages,
Throughout all ages.

We your people now proclaim You
And sing your glorious praise:

(Women) Blessing and honor,
glory and power

(Men) Blessing, honor, glory, power

(All) Be to our God, forever

(Women) Blessing and honor,
glory and power

(Men) Blessing, honor, glory, power

(All) Be to our God, forever
Amen!

Who will not fear You, O Lord,
and bring glory to your Name?
You are Holy.
All the nations will bow down
and worship at your Throne,
your glorious Throne.

We your people now proclaim You,
And sing your glorious praise:

(Women) Blessing and honor,
glory and power

(Men) Blessing, honor, glory, power

(All) Be to our God, forever

(Women) Blessing and honor,
glory and power

(Men) Blessing, honor, glory, power

(All) Be to our God, forever

(Women) Blessing and honor,
glory and power

(Men) Blessing, honor, glory, power

(All) Be to our God, forever
Amen!

Let us pray

Silence

Let your merciful ears, O Lord,
be open to the prayers of your humble servants;
and that they may obtain their petitions,
make them to ask such things as shall please you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A reading from Exodus Chapter16, Verses 2-15.

In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.”

Then the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions.

On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.”

So Moses and Aaron said to all the Israelites, “In the evening you will know that it was the Lord who brought you out of Egypt, and in the morning you will see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we, that you should grumble against us?” Moses also said, “You will know that it was the Lord when he gives you meat to eat in the evening and all the bread you want in the morning, because he has heard your grumbling against him. Who are we? You are not grumbling against us, but against the Lord.”

Then Moses told Aaron, “Say to the entire Israelite community, ‘Come before the Lord, for he has heard your grumbling.’”

While Aaron was speaking to the whole Israelite community, they looked toward the desert, and there was the glory of the Lord appearing in the cloud.

The Lord said to Moses, “I have heard the grumbling of the Israelites. Tell them, ‘At twilight you will eat meat, and in the morning you will be filled with bread. Then you will know that I am the Lord your God.’”

That evening quail came and covered the camp, and in the morning there was a layer of dew around the camp. When the dew was gone, thin flakes like frost on the ground appeared on the desert floor. When the Israelites saw it, they said to each other, “What is it?” For they did not know what it was. Moses said to them, “It is the bread the Lord has given you to eat.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Lori True’s “In the Morning Let Us Sing” (Psalm 63).

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

1 O God, you are my God, for you I long;
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water.
I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

2 For you love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.
I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

3 On my bed I remember you.
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you;
Your right hand holds me fast.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.

We’ll sing praise to you!

A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians, Chapter 4, Verses 1-16

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. This is why it says:

“When he ascended on high,
he took many captives
and gave gifts to his people.”

(What does “he ascended” mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions? He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Chris Pearse’s “Your Word, O Lord.”

Verse 1
Your word, O Lord, is my delight,
it plants me like a tree
that's rooted by the streams of life:
so, Lord, set your word in me.

Verse 2
Your word, O Lord, it lights my way,
and by this light I see.
It guides me in every step I take:
so Lord, set your word in me.

Chorus 1
Speak, O Lord, speak, O Lord,
we are ready to receive.
Speak, O Lord, through your mighty word,
O set your word in me.

[Instrumental interlude]

Verse 3
Your word, O Lord, renews my mind,
with truth that sets me free,
and in this truth I am sanctified:
so Lord, set your word in me.

Chorus 2
Speak, O Lord, speak, O Lord,
we are ready to receive.
Speak, O Lord, through your mighty word,
O set your word in me.
Speak, O Lord, speak, O Lord,
we are ready to receive.
Speak, O Lord, through your mighty word,
O set your word in me.

[Instrumental interlude]

Verse 4
Your word, O Lord, is my delight,
it plants me like a tree
that's rooted by the streams of life:
so, Lord, set your word in me,
so, Lord, set your word in me.

A reading from the Gospel according to John, Chapter 6, Verses 24-35

Once the crowd realized that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went to Capernaum in search of Jesus.

When they found him on the other side of the lake, they asked him, “Rabbi, when did you get here?”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw the signs I performed but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For on him God the Father has placed his seal of approval.”

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?”

Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”

So they asked him, “What sign then will you give that we may see it and believe you? What will you do? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”

Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”

“Sir,” they said, “always give us this bread.”

Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.

Silence

Jesus Is the Bread of Life

When I was a boy and my family lived in England, in Hertfordshire and then Suffolk, we ate a lot of bread and potatoes. They were the mainstay of our diet. Bread fried in bacon fat. Bread spread with dripping from the occasional roast. Bread and milk. Bread and butter with soft boiled eggs or jam or a potted spread or cheese and pickled onions or sliced cold meat and mustard. Boiled potatoes. Fried potatoes. What the French call “pomme de frites,” the English call “chips,” and the Americans “French fries.” Mashed as “bubble and squeak,” fried mashed potatoes and cabbage, or as the crust of Shepherd’s Pie. The bread was bought at a local bakery. In Suffolk our favorite bakery was in Beecles, five miles from our village, and sold delicious brown bread and rolls. The potatoes came from our own garden.

Every country and region of the world has foods which at one time formed the mainstays of the diet of a large segment of the population and may continue to do so today. Rice and noodles in many Asian countries. Polenta, or cornmeal porridge, in northern Italy. Pasta in southern Italy. Corn tortillas and beans in Mexico. Oatmeal porridge in Scotland. Rye bread and rye porridge in Scandinavian countries. These are just a few examples.

In the ancient Mid-East, in the Kingdom of Judah and adjoining territories, in Jesus’ time, the mainstay of the diet of the common people was barley bread. The wealthier classes ate bread made from wheat. The loaves with which Jesus fed the 5000 were loaves of barley bread.

It is evident from the conversation between the crowd and Jesus in today’s gospel reading that the reason that the crowd went in search of Jesus was a material one. They saw Jesus as source of material blessings. Jesus points to their attention that material blessings will pass away. What they should be seeking is spiritual blessings. He goes on to tell them that if they believe in him, they will receive the greatest spiritual blessing of all—himself.

There are those who seek material blessings from Jesus today and there are those who encouraged them to do so. However, Jesus does not promise material blessings to those who follow him. He does not promise them money and other material possessions. In his teaching Jesus urges his followers and whoever else is listening to him not to accumulate earthly possessions but to build up treasure for themselves in heaven. He points to their attention that they cannot serve two masters, God and money. They will despise one and love the other.

What Jesus does offer us is a relationship with him that begins in this life and will endure through all eternity. It is a relationship which not only unites us to Jesus but also to God with whom Jesus is one. It is a relationship in which we are put right with God and in which we are restored to a proper relationship with God. It is a relationship in which we are living in harmony with God rather than at cross-purposes. It is the only relationship through which we can truly find purpose in life and become the person who we were meant to be.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Bob Gauflin’s “O Great God.”

Verse 1
O great God of highest heaven
Occupy my lowly heart
Own it all and reign supreme
Conquer every rebel power
Let no vice or sin remain
That resists Your holy war
You have loved and purchased me
Make me Yours forevermore

Verse 2
I was blinded by my sin
Had no ears to hear Your voice
Did not know Your love within
Had no taste for heaven’s joys
Then Your Spirit gave me life
Opened up Your Word to me
Through the gospel of Your Son
Gave me endless hope and peace

Verse 3
Help me now to live a life
That’s dependent on Your grace
Keep my heart and guard my soul
From the evils that I face
You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me

Outro

You are worthy to be praised
With my every thought and deed
O great God of highest heaven
Glorify Your Name through me

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

During the course of the silence after reach petition those present may add their ow prayers silently or aloud. 

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 …

Silence

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

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

Silence

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

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

Silence

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 …

Silence

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

For all who live and work in this community …

Silence

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

For families, and for those who live alone …

Silence

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

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

Silence

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

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

Silence

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

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

Silence

Lord, in your mercy:
hear our prayer

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

Silence

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 Bazi Baker, Mary Beattie, Andy Campbell, Chloe Williams, and Jason Henderson’s “To Be Like You (Full of Compassion).”

Verse 1
Jesus you delight in showing mercy
You have shared a table with a thief
You embrace the orphan and you say “now follow me...
I am fighting for the least of these”

Verse 2
You have graced this world with your forgiveness
You have turned the tables with a kiss
You have laid your life down and you say “now follow me...
You will find me with the least of these”

Chorus
To be like You, full of compassion
To be like You, Jesus
To do as You do, to love without measure
To be like You, Jesus

Verse 3
You are moved to heal the brokenhearted
You have laid a table for a feast
You invite the outcast and you say “now come and eat...
There’s enough to fill your every need”
You're enough to fill our every need

Chorus
To be like You, full of compassion
To be like You, Jesus
To do as You do, to love without measure
To be like You, Jesus

Bridge
And let our lives be a pure reflection of You God
The thoughts of our hearts
And the words of our mouths be of You
And let our lives be a pure reflection of You God
The thoughts of our hearts
And the words of our mouths be of You
And let our lives be a pure reflection of You God
The thoughts of our hearts
And the words of our mouths be of You
And let our lives be a pure reflection of You God
The thoughts of our hearts
And the words of our mouths be of You

Chorus
To be like You, full of compassion
To be like You, Jesus
To do as You do, to love without measure
To be like You, Jesus

Outro
To do as You do, to love without measure
To be like You, Jesus

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.