Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, October 24, 2024)

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

Among the spiritual disciplines and means of grace is what John Wesley described as “searching the Scriptures. This involves not only reading and studying the Bible but meditating upon its passages. We do so with the intention of getting to know God better and to discern God’s will—what is good and pleasing and perfect.

In this Thursday evening’s message, we examine the biblical view of lying and slander and its implications for us, taking a cue from Paul’s Letter to the Colossians.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

Seek the one who made the Pleiades and Orion,
and turns deep darkness into the morning,
and darkens the day into night,
who calls for the waters of the sea,
and pours them out on the surface of the earth,
the Lord is his name. Amos 5:8

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves,
and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and just,
and will forgive our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-9

Let us now confess our sins to almighty God.

Silence

God of all mercy,
we humbly admit that we need your help.
We have wandered from your ways.
We have sinned in thought, word, and deed,
and have failed to do what is right.
You alone can save us.
Have mercy on us,
wipe out our sins and teach us to forgive others.
Bring forth in us the fruit of your Spirit that
we may live the new life to your glory.
This we ask in the name of 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.

Jesus Christ is the light of the world.
A light no darkness can extinguish.

One or more candles may be lit.

Open this link in a new tab to hear y Sharon Dennis and Doris Au MacDonald’s setting 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.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Sharon Dennis and Doris Au MacDonald’s setting of Psalm 141 “Let My Prayer Rise Before You as Incense.”

Let my prayer rise before you as incense
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice

Let my prayer rise before you as incense
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice

1 O Lord I call to you come to me quickly; hear my voice when I cry to you

Let my prayer rise before you as incense
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice

2 Set a watch before my mouth O Lord and guard the door of my lips
Let not my heart incline to any evil thing
Let me not be occupied in wickedness with evil doers

Let my prayer rise before you as incense
The lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice

3 But my eyes are turned to you
Yes, my eyes are turned to you,
O my eyes are turned to you, Lord God
in you I take refuge strip me not of my life

Let my prayer rise before you as incense

Open this link in a new tab to Bernadette Farrell’s “O God, You Search Me (Psalm 139).”


1 O God, you search me and you know me
All my thoughts lie open to your gaze
When I walk or lie down you are before me
Ever the maker and keeper of my days

2 You know my resting and my rising
You discern my purpose from afar
And with love everlasting you besiege me
In every moment of life or death, you are

3 Before a word is on my tongue, Lord
You have known its meaning through and through
You are with me beyond my understanding
God of my present, my past, and future, too

4 Although your Spirit is upon me
Still I search for shelter from your light
There is nowhere on earth I can escape you
Even the darkness is radiant in your sight

5 For you created me and shaped me
Gave me life within my mother’s womb
For the wonder of who I am, I praise you
Safe in your hands, all creation is made new

Open this link in a new tab to hear Chris de Silva’s “Love, Burn Bright.”

Christ our Light, illuminate every path that leads to you.
Give us grace, Lord, guide our way: Love, burn bright.
In your light, Lord, every day, every way, we follow you.
Grant us peace to journey through: Love, burn bright.

1 From the shadows of the night, to your holiness and light:
May your love burn bright within our heart.
From the hatred born of fear, to your love that holds us near:
May your love burn bright within our heart.

Christ our Light, illuminate every path that leads to you.
Give us grace, Lord, guide our way: Love, burn bright.
In your light, Lord, every day, every way, we follow you.
Grant us peace to journey through: Love, burn bright.

2 In our words that tear apart, place a reconciling heart:
May your love burn bright within our heart.
In our wounds of war and strife, place your promise of new life:
May your love burn bright within our heart.

Christ our Light, illuminate every path that leads to you.
Give us grace, Lord, guide our way: Love, burn bright.
In your light, Lord, every day, every way, we follow you.
Grant us peace to journey through: Love, burn bright.

3 Where there’s doubt, uncertainty, let us witness faithfully:
May your love burn bright within our heart.
Where there’s sadness, poverty, let us reach out willingly:
May your love burn bright within our heart.

Christ our Light, illuminate every path that leads to you.
Give us grace, Lord, guide our way: Love, burn bright.
In your light, Lord, every day, every way, we follow you.
Grant us peace to journey through: Love, burn bright.
Love, burn bright. Love, burn bright.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A reading from the New Testament: Colossians 3: 1-17

Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth. For you died to this life, and your real life is hidden with Christ in God. And when Christ, who is your life, is revealed to the whole world, you will share in all his glory.

So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.

Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one body you are called to live in peace. And always be thankful.

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. And whatever you do or say, do it as a representative of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through him to God the Father.

Silence

May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Sharon Dennis and Doris Au MacDonald’s setting of the Magnificat, “My Soul Proclaims the Greatness of the Lord.”

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

1 He has looked with favor on his lowly servant.
From this day all generations will call me blessed:
the Almighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his Name.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

2 God has mercy on those who fear him
from generation to generation.
The Lord has shown strength with his arm,
And scattered the proud in their conceit,
casting down the mighty from their thrones,
and lifting up the lowly.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

[Instrumental interlude]

3 God has filled the hungry with good things,
and sent the rich away empty.
He has come to the aid of his servant Israel,
to remember the promise of mercy,
the promise he made to our fathers,
to Abraham and his children for ever.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord,
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior
my spirit rejoices in God my Savior

Lying and Slander: The Biblical View

What does the Bible teach us about lying, saying and writing things that are not true to deceive people, and slander, making false spoken statements about people that damage their reputation?

In Exodus 20:16 we are commanded not to bear false witness against our neighbor. Christians of all traditions understand this commandment, the Ninth Commandment, as apply not just to testifying falsely against someone else in a court of law but also telling lies about that person in other circumstances. In Exodus 23: 1-2 we are commanded not to pass along false rumors or to help a guilty person by giving false testimony. We are commanded not to follow the crowd when they do wrong or tell lies in order to harm someone. In Leviticus 19:11 we are instructed not to steal, cheat, or lie and in Leviticus 19: 16 not to spread lies about anyone.

Psalm 101: 5 warns that God will get rid of anyone who says evil things about someone else. God does not tolerate anyone who is full of themselves.

Proverbs 6:12 asks the question, “What are worthless and wicked people like?” It gives this answer, “They are constant liars,”

Proverbs 6: 16-19 tells us that God hates and cannot tolerate seven things—“a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that kill innocent people, a mind that thinks up wicked plans, feet that hurry off to do evil, a witness who tells one lie after another, and someone who stirs up trouble among friends.”

Proverbs 17:3-5 draws to our attention: “Fire tests the purity of silver and gold, but the Lord tests the heart. Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip; liars pay close attention to slander. Those who mock the poor insult their Maker; those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.”

Proverbs 19:5; 9 warn that those who tell lies or give false testimony will not go unpunished.

In Matthew 15: 18-20 Jesus points to the attention of his disciples:

"But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. These are what defile you."

In Mark 7: 20-23 Jesus makes a similar observation:

"And then he added, 'It is what comes from inside that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.'”

In John 8:44 what Jesus told those who were spreading lies about him and who were seeking to take his life is particularly noteworthy:

"For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies."

Jesus describes them as children of the devil as they imitate the devil in doing the evil things that the devil does, including hating the truth and telling lies.

In Ephesians 4:24-26 the apostle Paul writes:

"Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

So stop telling lies. Let us tell our neighbors the truth, for we are all parts of the same body. And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry,"

In this evening’s reading, Paul writes:

"So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him."

In 1 Peter 3: 10 the apostle Peter informs us, “For the Scriptures say, ‘If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies.’” In 2 Peter 2: 3 he warns us against individuals who make up clever lies to get hold of our money.

Revelation 21:8 contains this warning:

“But cowards, unbelievers, the corrupt, murderers, the immoral, those who practice witchcraft, idol worshipers, and all liars—their fate is in the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.”

As can be seen from these passages the biblical view of lying and slander is not one of approval or praise. Far from it.

When we tell lies; when we spread lies, even lies that we may believe; when we double down on a lie after being confronted with lying; when we object to other people checking the truth of what we say; when we take the cynical attitude that it does not matter what we say as people will believe anything that we say, even though it is a lie; when we countenance someone else’s lying and slandering of other people, we are from the perspective of the Bible showing enmity toward God. We need to repent, change our attitude, way of thinking, and behavior.

If we are truly believers, we need to do what Paul urges the Colossians to do in this evening’s reading. We need to put on the new nature and to learn to know Jesus and to become like him. We need to put to death our old self with its evil ways. As Jesus told his disciples, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me" (Matthew 16: 24).

Silence

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

Let us pray for the world and for the Church and give thanks to God for his goodness.

We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world
that there may be justice and peace on the earth.

Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church
that we all may be one.

Grant that every member of your Church may truly and humbly serve you:
that your name may be glorified by all people.

We pray for all bishops, elders, deacons, and licensed local pastors
that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.

Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake
that your glory may be proclaimed through our lives.

Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble
that they may be delivered from their distress.

We praise you for your saints who have entered their eternal joy
may we also come to share in the fulness of your kingdom.

We pray for our own needs and for those of others:

Silence.

The people may add their own petitions silently or aloud.

Gracious God, grant that the desires of your people’s hearts
may find favour in your sight,
through the intercession of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Gracious God, we humbly thank you
for all your gifts so freely bestowed on us.
For life and health and safety,
for power to work and leisure to rest,
and for all that is beautiful in creation and in human life.
But, above all, we thank you for our Saviour Jesus Christ,
for his death and resurrection,
for the gift of your Holy Spirit,
and for the hope of glory
Fill our hearts with all joy and peace in believing;
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,
the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Open this link to hear Margaret Becker’s “Hear All Creation.”

1 Hear all creation lift its voice
Hear mountains sing and the rivers rejoice
For the name of Jesus
For His name

2 And we His people saved by grace
We bow our hearts and we bring our praise
To the sweet redeemer
For His name

So with everything we are
And everything we have
We pour out our offerings
And if ever we should fail
The rocks will rise up
And crown Him the King of kings

3 He mends our hearts, He keeps our ways
He lights our nights and He leads our days
All for His glory
For His name

4 There's nothing greater than to be His
To bring Him glory and to fully live
For the name of Jesus
For His name

So with everything we are
And everything we have
We pour out our offerings
And if ever we should fail
The rocks will rise up
And crown Him the King of kings

[Instrumental interlude]

So with everything we are
And everything we have
We pour out our offerings
And if ever we should fail
The rocks will rise up
And crown Him the King of kings

So with everything we are
And everything we have
We pour out our offerings
And if ever we should fail
The rocks will rise up
And crown Him the King of kings

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.

Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Keep us always in your care and protection,
and when we take our rest,
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
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 the God and Father of our Lord Jus Crist fill you with every spiritual blessing. 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.