Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, September 29, 2024)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
The Holy Scriptures, the writings of the Old Testament and the New Testament, contain everything that we need to know for our salvation and to live a godly and holy life pleasing to God. In this Sunday’s message we take a look at what we can learn from the Letter of James to improve our prayer life. GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Dustin Kensrue and Stuart Townend’s “Rejoice.”
1 Come and stand before your Maker
Full of wonder, full of fear;
Come behold his power and glory
Yet with confidence draw near,
For the one who holds the heavens
And commands the stars above
Is the God who bends to bless us
With an unrelenting love.
Rejoice!
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice;
He is worthy of all praise,
Rejoice!
Sing the mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice.
2 We are children of the promise,
The beloved of the Lord.
Won with everlasting kindness,
Bought with sacrificial blood.
Bringing reconciliation
To a world that longs to know
The affections of a father
Who will never let them go.
Rejoice!
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice;
He is worthy of all praise,
Rejoice!
Sing the mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice.
3 All our sickness, all our sorrows
Jesus carried up the hill.
He has walked this path before us,
He is walking with us still;
Turning tragedy to triumph,
Turning agony to praise,
There is blessing in the battle
So take heart and stand amazed.
Rejoice!
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice;
He is worthy of all praise,
Rejoice!
Sing the mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice.
Rejoice!
Come and lift your hands and raise your voice;
He is worthy of all praise,
Rejoice!
Sing the mercies of your King
And with trembling, rejoice.
Blessed be God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Blessed be God’s Kingdom now and forever. Amen.
Our Lord Jesus Christ said:
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and
with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your
strength. This is the great and first commandment. And
a second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself.
On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Matthew 23: 37-40; Mark 12: 30-31
Knowing the goodness of God and our failure to respond
with love and obedience, let us confess our sins.
Silence
Heavenly Father,
you have loved us with an everlasting love,
but we have broken your holy laws
and have left undone what we ought to have done.
We are sorry for our sins and tur away from them.
For the sake of your Son who died for us,
forgive us, cleanse us, and change us.
By your Holy Spirit,
enable us to live for you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 Leann Albrecht’s “Song of the Lamb.”
Great and miraculous are Your deeds
And righteousness is Your way, Lord
You are the almighty King of kings And Lord of all the age
O who will not fear You O Lord
And glorify Your holy name
When Your righteousness is revealed
Every knee shall bow, every tongue confess
That You alone are holy
You alone are holy
All nations come and worship You
We'll sing praise with the song of the Lamb
All glory be to You God and King
The heavens declare all Your greatness
So bright and beautiful in the skies
Their message rings to the earth
One day we'll all sing around Your throne
Praising Your holy name, Lord
Like the waves of a hundred oceans
Thundering on the shore
Open this link in a new tab to hear Elizabeth Christopher’s “Worthy Is the Lamb.”
You are holy,
You are worthy,
Holy Lamb of God
You are righteous,
You are precious,
Holy Lamb of God
You are Lord,
You are Lord,
Worthy is the Lamb,
Worthy is the Lamb,
Worthy is the Lamb of God
Worthy is the Lamb,
Worthy is the Lamb,
Worthy is the Lamb of God
[Instrumental interlude]
You are Lord,
You are Lord,
Worthy is the Lamb,
Worthy is the Lamb,
Worthy is the Lamb of God
Worthy is the Lamb,
Worthy is the Lamb,
Worthy is the Lamb of God
The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.
Let us pray.
Silence
Lord God, you declare your almighty power chiefly in showing
mercy and pity: grant us such a measure of your grace that, running
in the way of your commandments, we may obtain your promises,
and share in the joy of your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ
our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Book of Numbers (chapter 11, beginning at verse 16).
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather before me seventy men who are recognized as elders and leaders of Israel. Bring them to the Tabernacle to stand there with you. I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.
So Moses went out and reported the Lord’s words to the people. He gathered the seventy elders and stationed them around the Tabernacle. And the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Then he gave the seventy elders the same Spirit that was upon Moses. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But this never happened again.
Two men, Eldad and Medad, had stayed behind in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but they had not gone out to the Tabernacle. Yet the Spirit rested upon them as well, so they prophesied there in the camp. A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!”
Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ assistant since his youth, protested, “Moses, my master, make them stop!”
But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them all!” Then Moses returned to the camp with the elders of Israel.
Silence
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley Smith’s “Te Stars Declare His Glory” (Psalm 19)
1 The stars declare His glory;
the vault of heaven springs
mute witness of the Master's hand
in all created things,
and through the silences of space
their soundless music sings.
2 The dawn returns in splendor,
the heavens burn and blaze,
the rising sun renews the race
that measures all our days,
and writes in fire across the skies
God's majesty and praise.
3 So shine the Lord's commandments
to make the simple wise;
more sweet than honey to the taste,
more rich than any prize,
a law of love within our hearts,
a light before our eyes.
4 So order too this life of mine,
direct it all my days;
the meditations of my heart
be innocence and praise,
my Rock, and my redeeming Lord,
in all my words and ways.
Silence
A reading from the Letter of James (chapter 5, beginning at verse 12)
But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
Silence
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear James McDonald, Philip Percival and Alanna Glover’s “Lead Us in Your Truth.”
Verse 1
God of earth and heaven, maker of mankind
You spoke creation into life
Your word at the beginning, breaking through the dark
You wrote your law upon our hearts
Chorus
Lead us in your truth, God, teach us of your grace
Change us by your Spirit to live for you
Fill us with your love, Lord, guide us in your ways
The words you speak are faithful and ever true, help us live for you
Verse 2
Came to dwell among us, from the Father’s side
The glory of our saviour Christ
Author of salvation, full of truth and grace
You speak the words of lasting life
Chorus
Lead us in your truth, God, teach us of your grace
Change us by your Spirit to live for you
Fill us with your love, Lord, guide us in your ways
The words you speak are faithful and ever true, help us live for you
Verse 3
The grass will fade and wither, flowers wilt and fall
Your word endures forevermore
Your promises unchanging, your wisdom never fails
Calling us to stand by faith
Final Chorus
Lead us in your truth, God, teach us of your grace
Change us by your Spirit to live for you
Lead us in your truth, God, teach us of your grace
Change us by your Spirit to live for you
Fill us with your love, Lord, guide us in your ways
The words you speak are faithful and ever true, help us live for you
Help us live for you
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (chapter 9, beginning at verse 38).
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”
“Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.
“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’
“For everyone will be tested with fire. Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”
Silence
This is the Gospel of the Lord,
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results,” claims James, the brother of Jesus, in this Sunday’s reading from the letters and other writings of the apostles found in the New Testament.
Earlier on in his letter James points out that the sinful do not receive anything from God because they do not ask and when they do ask, they ask for the wrong things. They seek to gratify their own sinful desires.
What James is saying in this passage is that how we pray, what we believe, and the way in which we live can affect the outcome of our prayers. While we have no control over how God chooses to answer our prayers, our prayers are likely to be more effective when these elements are present. They do not, however, form a quid pro quo arrangement with God, in which something is given to us in return for something we have done.
A righteous person’s prayers are not more effective because the righteous person through their way of life, their acts of piety, and their acts of mercy has earned greater merit with God than the unrighteous person and the favorable outcome of their prayers is a reward for their efforts.
The first key element is earnest prayer, prayer that is serious and determined. Jesus taught his disciples to persevere in praying, assuring them if they who were evil did good things for their children, God who was good could be expected to good things for them. He also taught them to pray in his name, adopting the same attitude toward God as he exhibited, one of complete humility and reliance. In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, he commended the words and actions of the tax collector who acknowledged his sinfulness and threw himself on God’s mercy as opposed to the Pharisee who boasted how more righteous he was in his own eyes than the tax collector
The second key element is our faith. We believe in Jesus, his message, and his teaching. We put our trust and confidence in him and what he did for us on the cross. As Jesus pointed to his disciples’ attention, a little faith can accomplish much. It was her belief that even touching the hem of is robe could heal her that brought the woman with a chronic hemorrhage of blood to the One who could heal her. It was in this sense that her faith healed her. It moved her to seek Jesus.
It is through faith in Jesus that we are put right with God. It is Jesus’s perfect righteousness that is imputed to us. In other words, his righteousness is ascribed to us. God does not see us but his Son. Having been put right with God, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and are born again. The Holy Spirit works in us, transforming us into Jesus’ likeness. We become more just, more honest, and live more closely according to Jesus’ teaching and example. We acquire a degree of righteousness of our own.
Faith is a gift from God. It is God’s grace that enables us to believe in Jesus. It frees our will to believe and arouses and awakens faith.
You may have been told that God didn’t answer your prayers because you lacked faith. How God answers our prayers, however, does not depend upon how much faith we possess. God does not measure our faith as we might weigh produce on a scale and then give a favorable answer to our prayers once the needle moves past a particular number on the scale’s dial.
The third key element is our way of life. The more our lives are aligned with God’s will, the more our prayers will be aligned with God’s will. We will be asking God to do what God wills. Among the things Scripture tell us that God wills is that we listen to his Son and obey him. Scripture also tells us that God works in us, giving us the will and power to accomplish his good purposes.
James is right in claiming the earnest prayers of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. The outcome of their prayers is not, however, their doing. It is the doing of a gracious God.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Philip Percival, Alanna Glover, and Liv Chapman’s “Your Word.”
Verse 1
Your word is good, it’s ever faithful
Worth more than gold, the heart’s delight
Your word gives life to all who hear and obey
Your word endures forever
Verse 2
Your word is true, it never changes
It formed the earth; sustains it still
Your word defends; providing refuge and strength
Your word endures forever
Chorus
Your word is a lamp unto my feet
Your word is a light unto my path
For your word is my hope, it’s my joy and my song
Your word endures forever
Verse 3
Your word transforms, it lifts the humble
Rebukes the proud, protects the poor
Your word discerns the mind and spirit of all
Your word endures forever
Your word endures forever
Chorus
Your word is a lamp unto my feet
Your word is a light unto my path
For your word is my hope, it’s my joy and my song
Your word endures forever
Bridge
Your word is more than just letters on pages
It’s life and it's love and it's freedom for us
Your word is more than just wisdom of ages
Its treasures are endless, it's always enough
Your word is more than just stories of old
It's the truth and the way and the story of love
Your word is more than just breath into dust
It’s your Son, as a man, come to dwell here with us
Chorus
Your word is a lamp unto my feet
Your word is a light unto my path
For your word is my hope, it’s my joy and my song
Your word endures forever
Outro
Your word endures forever
Your word endures forever
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 God, your Son Jesus Christ has promised that you
will hear us when we ask in faith: receive the prayers we offer.
For the nation
We give thanks for…. We pray for….
Guide with your wisdom and power the leaders of the
nations, so that everyone may live in peace and mutual trust,
sharing with justice the resources of the earth. Give the people
in this land a spirit of unselfishness, compassion, and fairness
in public and private life.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
For the Church
We give thanks for…. We pray for.…
Send out the light and truth of your gospel and bring people
everywhere to know and love you. Enable those who minister
among us to commend your truth by their example and
teaching. May we gladly receive and obey your word.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
For those in need
We give thanks for…. We pray for….
We commend to your fatherly care, merciful God, all who are
in sorrow, sickness, discouragement or any other trouble.
Deliver them from their distress and succor them in their need.
Give them patience in the face of adversity and a firm trust in your goodness.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Book of Numbers (chapter 11, beginning at verse 16).
Then the Lord said to Moses, “Gather before me seventy men who are recognized as elders and leaders of Israel. Bring them to the Tabernacle to stand there with you. I will come down and talk to you there. I will take some of the Spirit that is upon you, and I will put the Spirit upon them also. They will bear the burden of the people along with you, so you will not have to carry it alone.
So Moses went out and reported the Lord’s words to the people. He gathered the seventy elders and stationed them around the Tabernacle. And the Lord came down in the cloud and spoke to Moses. Then he gave the seventy elders the same Spirit that was upon Moses. And when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied. But this never happened again.
Two men, Eldad and Medad, had stayed behind in the camp. They were listed among the elders, but they had not gone out to the Tabernacle. Yet the Spirit rested upon them as well, so they prophesied there in the camp. A young man ran and reported to Moses, “Eldad and Medad are prophesying in the camp!”
Joshua son of Nun, who had been Moses’ assistant since his youth, protested, “Moses, my master, make them stop!”
But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit upon them all!” Then Moses returned to the camp with the elders of Israel.
Silence
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley Smith’s “Te Stars Declare His Glory” (Psalm 19)
1 The stars declare His glory;
the vault of heaven springs
mute witness of the Master's hand
in all created things,
and through the silences of space
their soundless music sings.
2 The dawn returns in splendor,
the heavens burn and blaze,
the rising sun renews the race
that measures all our days,
and writes in fire across the skies
God's majesty and praise.
3 So shine the Lord's commandments
to make the simple wise;
more sweet than honey to the taste,
more rich than any prize,
a law of love within our hearts,
a light before our eyes.
4 So order too this life of mine,
direct it all my days;
the meditations of my heart
be innocence and praise,
my Rock, and my redeeming Lord,
in all my words and ways.
Silence
A reading from the Letter of James (chapter 5, beginning at verse 12)
But most of all, my brothers and sisters, never take an oath, by heaven or earth or anything else. Just say a simple yes or no, so that you will not sin and be condemned.
Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.
Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. Elijah was as human as we are, and yet when he prayed earnestly that no rain would fall, none fell for three and a half years! Then, when he prayed again, the sky sent down rain and the earth began to yield its crops.
My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
Silence
Hear what the Spirit is saying to God’s people.
Thanks be to God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear James McDonald, Philip Percival and Alanna Glover’s “Lead Us in Your Truth.”
Verse 1
God of earth and heaven, maker of mankind
You spoke creation into life
Your word at the beginning, breaking through the dark
You wrote your law upon our hearts
Chorus
Lead us in your truth, God, teach us of your grace
Change us by your Spirit to live for you
Fill us with your love, Lord, guide us in your ways
The words you speak are faithful and ever true, help us live for you
Verse 2
Came to dwell among us, from the Father’s side
The glory of our saviour Christ
Author of salvation, full of truth and grace
You speak the words of lasting life
Chorus
Lead us in your truth, God, teach us of your grace
Change us by your Spirit to live for you
Fill us with your love, Lord, guide us in your ways
The words you speak are faithful and ever true, help us live for you
Verse 3
The grass will fade and wither, flowers wilt and fall
Your word endures forevermore
Your promises unchanging, your wisdom never fails
Calling us to stand by faith
Final Chorus
Lead us in your truth, God, teach us of your grace
Change us by your Spirit to live for you
Lead us in your truth, God, teach us of your grace
Change us by your Spirit to live for you
Fill us with your love, Lord, guide us in your ways
The words you speak are faithful and ever true, help us live for you
Help us live for you
The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to Mark (chapter 9, beginning at verse 38).
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
John said to Jesus, “Teacher, we saw someone using your name to cast out demons, but we told him to stop because he wasn’t in our group.”
“Don’t stop him!” Jesus said. “No one who performs a miracle in my name will soon be able to speak evil of me. Anyone who is not against us is for us. If anyone gives you even a cup of water because you belong to the Messiah, I tell you the truth, that person will surely be rewarded.
“But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck. If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one hand than to go into the unquenchable fires of hell with two hands. If your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It’s better to enter eternal life with only one foot than to be thrown into hell with two feet. And if your eye causes you to sin, gouge it out. It’s better to enter the Kingdom of God with only one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell, ‘where the maggots never die and the fire never goes out.’
“For everyone will be tested with fire. Salt is good for seasoning. But if it loses its flavor, how do you make it salty again? You must have the qualities of salt among yourselves and live in peace with each other.”
Silence
This is the Gospel of the Lord,
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
The Way to a Better Prayer Life
“The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results,” claims James, the brother of Jesus, in this Sunday’s reading from the letters and other writings of the apostles found in the New Testament.
Earlier on in his letter James points out that the sinful do not receive anything from God because they do not ask and when they do ask, they ask for the wrong things. They seek to gratify their own sinful desires.
What James is saying in this passage is that how we pray, what we believe, and the way in which we live can affect the outcome of our prayers. While we have no control over how God chooses to answer our prayers, our prayers are likely to be more effective when these elements are present. They do not, however, form a quid pro quo arrangement with God, in which something is given to us in return for something we have done.
A righteous person’s prayers are not more effective because the righteous person through their way of life, their acts of piety, and their acts of mercy has earned greater merit with God than the unrighteous person and the favorable outcome of their prayers is a reward for their efforts.
The first key element is earnest prayer, prayer that is serious and determined. Jesus taught his disciples to persevere in praying, assuring them if they who were evil did good things for their children, God who was good could be expected to good things for them. He also taught them to pray in his name, adopting the same attitude toward God as he exhibited, one of complete humility and reliance. In the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector, he commended the words and actions of the tax collector who acknowledged his sinfulness and threw himself on God’s mercy as opposed to the Pharisee who boasted how more righteous he was in his own eyes than the tax collector
The second key element is our faith. We believe in Jesus, his message, and his teaching. We put our trust and confidence in him and what he did for us on the cross. As Jesus pointed to his disciples’ attention, a little faith can accomplish much. It was her belief that even touching the hem of is robe could heal her that brought the woman with a chronic hemorrhage of blood to the One who could heal her. It was in this sense that her faith healed her. It moved her to seek Jesus.
It is through faith in Jesus that we are put right with God. It is Jesus’s perfect righteousness that is imputed to us. In other words, his righteousness is ascribed to us. God does not see us but his Son. Having been put right with God, we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit and are born again. The Holy Spirit works in us, transforming us into Jesus’ likeness. We become more just, more honest, and live more closely according to Jesus’ teaching and example. We acquire a degree of righteousness of our own.
Faith is a gift from God. It is God’s grace that enables us to believe in Jesus. It frees our will to believe and arouses and awakens faith.
You may have been told that God didn’t answer your prayers because you lacked faith. How God answers our prayers, however, does not depend upon how much faith we possess. God does not measure our faith as we might weigh produce on a scale and then give a favorable answer to our prayers once the needle moves past a particular number on the scale’s dial.
The third key element is our way of life. The more our lives are aligned with God’s will, the more our prayers will be aligned with God’s will. We will be asking God to do what God wills. Among the things Scripture tell us that God wills is that we listen to his Son and obey him. Scripture also tells us that God works in us, giving us the will and power to accomplish his good purposes.
James is right in claiming the earnest prayers of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. The outcome of their prayers is not, however, their doing. It is the doing of a gracious God.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Philip Percival, Alanna Glover, and Liv Chapman’s “Your Word.”
Verse 1
Your word is good, it’s ever faithful
Worth more than gold, the heart’s delight
Your word gives life to all who hear and obey
Your word endures forever
Verse 2
Your word is true, it never changes
It formed the earth; sustains it still
Your word defends; providing refuge and strength
Your word endures forever
Chorus
Your word is a lamp unto my feet
Your word is a light unto my path
For your word is my hope, it’s my joy and my song
Your word endures forever
Verse 3
Your word transforms, it lifts the humble
Rebukes the proud, protects the poor
Your word discerns the mind and spirit of all
Your word endures forever
Your word endures forever
Chorus
Your word is a lamp unto my feet
Your word is a light unto my path
For your word is my hope, it’s my joy and my song
Your word endures forever
Bridge
Your word is more than just letters on pages
It’s life and it's love and it's freedom for us
Your word is more than just wisdom of ages
Its treasures are endless, it's always enough
Your word is more than just stories of old
It's the truth and the way and the story of love
Your word is more than just breath into dust
It’s your Son, as a man, come to dwell here with us
Chorus
Your word is a lamp unto my feet
Your word is a light unto my path
For your word is my hope, it’s my joy and my song
Your word endures forever
Outro
Your word endures forever
Your word endures forever
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 God, your Son Jesus Christ has promised that you
will hear us when we ask in faith: receive the prayers we offer.
For the nation
We give thanks for…. We pray for….
Guide with your wisdom and power the leaders of the
nations, so that everyone may live in peace and mutual trust,
sharing with justice the resources of the earth. Give the people
in this land a spirit of unselfishness, compassion, and fairness
in public and private life.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
For the Church
We give thanks for…. We pray for.…
Send out the light and truth of your gospel and bring people
everywhere to know and love you. Enable those who minister
among us to commend your truth by their example and
teaching. May we gladly receive and obey your word.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
For those in need
We give thanks for…. We pray for….
We commend to your fatherly care, merciful God, all who are
in sorrow, sickness, discouragement or any other trouble.
Deliver them from their distress and succor them in their need.
Give them patience in the face of adversity and a firm trust in your goodness.
Help those who care for them, and bring us all into the joy of your salvation.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
For our own needs and the needs of others
We give thanks for…. We pray for….
We entrust to your safekeeping, Father, ourselves and each other, our families, our neighbours, and our friends. Enable us by your Spirit to live in love for you and for one another.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Thanksgiving for the faithfully departed
We give thanks for the life and work of ….
We praise you for all your servants whose lives have
honoured Christ. Encourage us by their example, so that we
run with perseverance the race that lies before us, and
share with them the fullness of joy in your kingdom.
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 Alanna Glover and Niki Shepherd’ “We Give You Thanks.”
Verse 1
Almighty Creator, we give you thanks and praise
For the goodness and kindness that you freely gave
We praise you for your blessings, for mercy and for peace
The love that you have lavished on us; we give you thanks
Verse 2
O merciful Saviour, we give you thanks and praise
For welcome and forgiveness and for the means of grace
We praise you for redemption, through Jesus on the cross
All glory everlasting in Christ; we give you thanks
Chorus
We lift our hearts in thanks and praise for all your gifts to us this day
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
All the glory, all the fame are yours forever, we proclaim
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
Verse 3
O faithful companion, we give you thanks and praise
For you know us and lead us by your word each day
O may we truly love you and serve you with our lives
Empowered by your Spirit in us; we give you thanks
Chorus
We lift our hearts in thanks and praise for all your gifts to us this day
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
All the glory, all the fame are yours forever, we proclaim
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
Verse 4
O God everlasting, we give you thanks and praise
For the tears sown in sorrow, you will wipe away
We’ll sing your endless praises while gathered 'round the throne
The joy of all creation restored; we give you thanks
We give you thanks
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jack Copley Winslow’s “Lord of Creation, to You Be All Praise.”
1 Lord of creation, to you be all praise!
Most mighty your working,
most wondrous your ways!
Your glory and might are beyond us to tell,
and yet in the heart of the humble you dwell.
2 Lord of all power, I give you my will,
in joyful obedience your tasks to fulfil.
Your bondage is freedom, your service is song;
and, held in your keeping, my weakness is strong.
3 Lord of all wisdom, I give you my mind;
rich truth that surpasses our knowledge to find,
what eye has not seen and what ear has not heard
is taught by your Spirit and shines from your word.
4 Lord of all bounty, I give you my heart;
I praise and adore you for all you impart,
your love to inspire me, your counsel to guide,
your presence to shield me, whatever betide.
5 Lord of all being, I give you my all;
if ever I leave you, I stumble and fall;
but lead in your service your word to obey,
I’ll walk in your freedom to the end of the way.
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.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
For our own needs and the needs of others
We give thanks for…. We pray for….
We entrust to your safekeeping, Father, ourselves and each other, our families, our neighbours, and our friends. Enable us by your Spirit to live in love for you and for one another.
Lord, in your mercy
Hear our prayer.
Thanksgiving for the faithfully departed
We give thanks for the life and work of ….
We praise you for all your servants whose lives have
honoured Christ. Encourage us by their example, so that we
run with perseverance the race that lies before us, and
share with them the fullness of joy in your kingdom.
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 Alanna Glover and Niki Shepherd’ “We Give You Thanks.”
Verse 1
Almighty Creator, we give you thanks and praise
For the goodness and kindness that you freely gave
We praise you for your blessings, for mercy and for peace
The love that you have lavished on us; we give you thanks
Verse 2
O merciful Saviour, we give you thanks and praise
For welcome and forgiveness and for the means of grace
We praise you for redemption, through Jesus on the cross
All glory everlasting in Christ; we give you thanks
Chorus
We lift our hearts in thanks and praise for all your gifts to us this day
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
All the glory, all the fame are yours forever, we proclaim
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
Verse 3
O faithful companion, we give you thanks and praise
For you know us and lead us by your word each day
O may we truly love you and serve you with our lives
Empowered by your Spirit in us; we give you thanks
Chorus
We lift our hearts in thanks and praise for all your gifts to us this day
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
All the glory, all the fame are yours forever, we proclaim
Hallelujah, Father, Spirit, Son
Verse 4
O God everlasting, we give you thanks and praise
For the tears sown in sorrow, you will wipe away
We’ll sing your endless praises while gathered 'round the throne
The joy of all creation restored; we give you thanks
We give you thanks
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jack Copley Winslow’s “Lord of Creation, to You Be All Praise.”
1 Lord of creation, to you be all praise!
Most mighty your working,
most wondrous your ways!
Your glory and might are beyond us to tell,
and yet in the heart of the humble you dwell.
2 Lord of all power, I give you my will,
in joyful obedience your tasks to fulfil.
Your bondage is freedom, your service is song;
and, held in your keeping, my weakness is strong.
3 Lord of all wisdom, I give you my mind;
rich truth that surpasses our knowledge to find,
what eye has not seen and what ear has not heard
is taught by your Spirit and shines from your word.
4 Lord of all bounty, I give you my heart;
I praise and adore you for all you impart,
your love to inspire me, your counsel to guide,
your presence to shield me, whatever betide.
5 Lord of all being, I give you my all;
if ever I leave you, I stumble and fall;
but lead in your service your word to obey,
I’ll walk in your freedom to the end of the way.
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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