Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (Thursday, November 28, 2024)
Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.
This Thursday falls on Thanksgiving Day in the United States. For many Americans Thanksgiving Day centers on gathering with family and friends and sharing a meal. Couples may visit one set of parents on Thanksgiving Day and the other set of parents on Christmas Day.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kiran Young Wimberly’s “May God Be Gracious Unto Us (Psalm 67).”
May God be gracious unto us
May God’s face shine unto us
That your way be known on earth
And your power among all nations
Let the peoples praise you, God
All the peoples praise you, God
And be glad and sing for joy
Guide the peoples of all nations
God, our God, has blessed us kindly
Blessed us and sustained us kindly
God be gracious unto us
And God’s face shine on all nations
May God be gracious unto us
May God’s face shine unto us
God be gracious unto us
And God’s face shine on all nations
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chris Muglia’s responsorial setting of Psalm 145.
Intro
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
He answers all our needs.
Refrain
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
He answers all our needs.
Verse 1
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
Refrain
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
He answers all our needs.
Verse 2
The eyes of all look hopefully to you,
and you give them their food in due season;
you open your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Refrain
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
He answers all our needs.
Verse 3
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
Refrain
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs
He answers all our needs.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jimmy Owen' FAIRFIELD setting of Thomas Ken's "The Doxology (Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow)."
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the Lord bless us
and protect us.
May the Lord smile on us
and be gracious to us.
May the Lord show us his favor
and give us his peace. Amen.
[The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Those present may exchange a gesture of peace with these or similar words:
Peace be with you.]
This Thursday falls on Thanksgiving Day in the United States. For many Americans Thanksgiving Day centers on gathering with family and friends and sharing a meal. Couples may visit one set of parents on Thanksgiving Day and the other set of parents on Christmas Day.
Thanksgiving Day is also a day for being mindful of the many mercies, great and small, that God has shown us in the past year and during our lifetime and to give heart-felt thanks to the One who has shown us such mercies.
In this evening’s message we consider several important biblical truths about thanksgiving in the life of a Christian.
THE GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
O give thanks to the Lord, and call upon his Name; make
known his deeds among the peoples. Psalm 105:1
Open this link in a new tab to hear Albert Frederick Bayly’s “Praise and Thanksgiving.”
1 Praise and thanksgiving,
Father, we offer,
For all things living
You have made good;
Harvest of sown fields,
Fruits of the orchard,
Hay from the mown fields,
blossom and wood.
2 Lord, bless the labour
We bring to serve you,
That with our neighbour
we may be fed.
Sowing or tilling,
We would work with you;
Harvesting, milling,
For daily bread.
3 Father, providing
Food for your children,
Your wisdom guiding
Teaches us share
One with another,
So that, rejoicing
Sister and brother
May know your care.
4 Then will your blessing
Reach every people;
Each one confessing
Your gracious hand.
When you are reigning
No one will hunger:
Your love sustaining
Fruitful the land.
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
In this evening’s message we consider several important biblical truths about thanksgiving in the life of a Christian.
THE GATHERING OF GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
O give thanks to the Lord, and call upon his Name; make
known his deeds among the peoples. Psalm 105:1
Open this link in a new tab to hear Albert Frederick Bayly’s “Praise and Thanksgiving.”
1 Praise and thanksgiving,
Father, we offer,
For all things living
You have made good;
Harvest of sown fields,
Fruits of the orchard,
Hay from the mown fields,
blossom and wood.
2 Lord, bless the labour
We bring to serve you,
That with our neighbour
we may be fed.
Sowing or tilling,
We would work with you;
Harvesting, milling,
For daily bread.
3 Father, providing
Food for your children,
Your wisdom guiding
Teaches us share
One with another,
So that, rejoicing
Sister and brother
May know your care.
4 Then will your blessing
Reach every people;
Each one confessing
Your gracious hand.
When you are reigning
No one will hunger:
Your love sustaining
Fruitful the land.
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 confess our sins to God our Father
Silence
Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. 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.
PROCLAIMING AND RECEIVING THE WORD
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
Silence
Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
through negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your name. 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.
PROCLAIMING AND RECEIVING THE WORD
O Lord, open our lips
and our mouth will proclaim your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and shall be for ever. Amen.
Praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kiran Young Wimberly’s “May God Be Gracious Unto Us (Psalm 67).”
May God be gracious unto us
May God’s face shine unto us
That your way be known on earth
And your power among all nations
Let the peoples praise you, God
All the peoples praise you, God
And be glad and sing for joy
Guide the peoples of all nations
God, our God, has blessed us kindly
Blessed us and sustained us kindly
God be gracious unto us
And God’s face shine on all nations
May God be gracious unto us
May God’s face shine unto us
God be gracious unto us
And God’s face shine on all nations
Open this link in a new tab to hear Chris Muglia’s responsorial setting of Psalm 145.
Intro
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
He answers all our needs.
Refrain
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
He answers all our needs.
Verse 1
Let all your works give you thanks, O LORD,
and let your faithful ones bless you.
Let them discourse of the glory of your kingdom
and speak of your might.
Refrain
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
He answers all our needs.
Verse 2
The eyes of all look hopefully to you,
and you give them their food in due season;
you open your hand
and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Refrain
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs.
He answers all our needs.
Verse 3
The LORD is just in all his ways
and holy in all his works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon him,
to all who call upon him in truth.
Refrain
The hand of the Lord feeds us; he answers all our needs
He answers all our needs.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jimmy Owen' FAIRFIELD setting of Thomas Ken's "The Doxology (Praise God from Whom All Blessings Flow)."
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
A reading from the Old Testament: Joel 2:21-27
Don’t be afraid, O land.
Be glad now and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things.
Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field,
for the wilderness pastures will soon be green.
The trees will again be filled with fruit;
fig trees and grapevines will be loaded down once more.
Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem!
Rejoice in the Lord your God!
For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness.
Once more the autumn rains will come,
as well as the rains of spring.
The threshing floors will again be piled high with grain,
and the presses will overflow with new wine and olive oil.
The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost
to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts,
the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.
It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.
Once again you will have all the food you want,
and you will praise the Lord your God,
who does these miracles for you.
Never again will my people be disgraced.
Then you will know that I am among my people Israel,
that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other.
Never again will my people be disgraced.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Rutter’s setting of the Benedictus Es, “Glory to You, Lord God of Our Fathers.”
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers;
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you in the splendor of your temple;
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you, beholding the depths;
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.
Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you!
A reading from the New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Donald Pearson's setting of the Dignus est, “Splendor and Honor.”
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
For you created everything that is,
and by your will they were created
and have their being;
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain,
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation,
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne,
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor,
for ever more and for evermore.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
For ever more and for evermore.
This week I have read a number of articles on the topic of gratitude and thanksgiving. In this evening’s message I thought that I would share some of the things that I gleaned from reading two of these articles. They have relevance to what the apostle Paul wrote the church at Thessalonica in this evening’s New Testament reading from his first letter to the Thessalonians.
In his article, “On Thanksgiving, Go Beyond Gratitude,” Jared Larson draws our attention to this important biblical truth:
“…Biblical thanksgiving goes beyond gratitude because it goes beyond the gift. It leads us to surrender ourselves to the Giver.”
Larson also draws our attention to the difference between gratitude and thankfulness. He writes:
“Gratitude, in its simplest form, is a feeling that only becomes thanksgiving when expressed. By itself, gratitude remains an internal experience.”
“True thanksgiving is about the Giver,” he goes on to write. It is expressed in “active, grateful worship toward God.”
Larson further draws to our attention this important biblical truth:
“The biblical narrative teaches us to build our thanksgiving on faith in God. This kind of thanksgiving goes beyond personal circumstances (Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:18). It gives thanks in all things.”
In his article, “Give Thanks in the Worst of Times,” Aaron Armstrong draws attention to this related biblical truth:
“The thought of giving thanks in these times is difficult for many. Yet this is exactly what we’re called to do. More than that, it’s what we need to do. Why? Not because of what we’re going through but because God is good, even in the worst of it.”
I hope that these gleanings will give you something to chew on this Thanksgiving Day beside turkey, ham, cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Margaret A. Headlam’s “Holy Is the Seed Time.”
1 Holy is the seed-time, when the buried grain
sinks to sleep in darkness, but to wake again.
Holy is the springtime, when the living corn,
Bursting from its prison, rises like the morn.
2 Holy is the harvest, when each ripened ear,
bend before the blade and crowns the golden year;
Store them in our garners; winnow them with care;
Give to God the glory in our praise and prayer.
3 Holy seed our Master sows throughout his field;
be the harvest holy which our hearts shall yield;
quickened by his Spirit, strengthened by his grace,
till in risen splendour we behold his face.
4 Glory to the Father, who has seen our need;
glory to the Saviour, who has sown the seed;
glory to the Spirit, giving the increase;
glory, as it has been, is, and shall not cease!
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,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he 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 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
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.
Show us your mercy, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
Canada [O Lord, save the King,
and grant his government wisdom.]
USA [O Lord, guide and direct our leaders
and grant our government wisdom.]
Let your ministers be clothed with righteousness
and let your servants shout for joy.
O Lord, save your people
and bless those whom you have chosen.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
O God, make clean our hearts within us
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.
Eternal God,
you crown the year with your goodness
and give us the fruits of the earth in their season:
Grant that we may use them to your glory,
for the relief of those in need
and for our own well-being;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lighten our darkness, O Lord, we pray
and in your great mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Milton, John and Baker, Henry Williams’ “Praise, O Praise Our God and King.”
Praise, O praise our God and King;
hymns of adoration sing:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
Praise him that he made the sun
day by day his course to run:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
And the silver moon by night,
shining with her gentle light:
Praise him that he gave the rain
to mature the swelling grain:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
And hath bid the fruitful field
crops of precious increase yield:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
Praise him for our harvest-store;
he hath filled the garner-floor:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
And for richer food than this,
pledge of everlasting bliss:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
Glory to our bounteous King;
glory let creation sing:
Glory to the Father, Son,
and blest Spirit, Three in One.
[Let us pray for all people according to their needs.]
O God, the creator and preserver of all humankind, we pray for people of every race, and in every kind of need: make your ways known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
(Especially we pray for…)
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We pray for your Church throughout the world: guide and
govern by your Holy Spirit, that all who profess and call
themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and
hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in
righteousness of life.
(Especially we pray for…)
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are anxious or distressed in mind or body; comfort and relieve them In their need, giving them patience in their sufferings, and bring good things out of their troubles.
(Especially we pray for…)
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Let us give thanks to God for his goodness.]
Gracious God, we humbly thank you
for all your gifts freely bestowed upon us,
for life and health and safety,
for freedom 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 Spirit,
and for the hope of glory.
Fill our hearts with joy and all peace in believing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Frederick Pratt Green’s “For the Fruits of All Creation.”
1 For the fruits of all creation,
thanks be to God;
for the gifts of every nation,
thanks be to God;
for the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth's safe-keeping,
thanks be to God.
2 In the just reward of labour,
God's will is done;
in the help we give our neighbour,
God's will is done;
in our world-wide task of caring
for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing,
God's will is done.
3 For the harvests of the Spirit,
thanks be to God;
for the good we all inherit,
thanks be to God;
for the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all that love has found us,
thanks be to God.
GOING OUT AS GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Him, all creatures here below,
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
A reading from the Old Testament: Joel 2:21-27
Don’t be afraid, O land.
Be glad now and rejoice,
for the Lord has done great things.
Don’t be afraid, you animals of the field,
for the wilderness pastures will soon be green.
The trees will again be filled with fruit;
fig trees and grapevines will be loaded down once more.
Rejoice, you people of Jerusalem!
Rejoice in the Lord your God!
For the rain he sends demonstrates his faithfulness.
Once more the autumn rains will come,
as well as the rains of spring.
The threshing floors will again be piled high with grain,
and the presses will overflow with new wine and olive oil.
The Lord says, “I will give you back what you lost
to the swarming locusts, the hopping locusts,
the stripping locusts, and the cutting locusts.
It was I who sent this great destroying army against you.
Once again you will have all the food you want,
and you will praise the Lord your God,
who does these miracles for you.
Never again will my people be disgraced.
Then you will know that I am among my people Israel,
that I am the Lord your God, and there is no other.
Never again will my people be disgraced.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Rutter’s setting of the Benedictus Es, “Glory to You, Lord God of Our Fathers.”
Glory to you, Lord God of our fathers;
you are worthy of praise; glory to you.
Glory to you for the radiance of your holy Name;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you in the splendor of your temple;
on the throne of your majesty, glory to you.
Glory to you, seated between the Cherubim;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you, beholding the depths;
in the high vault of heaven, glory to you.
Glory to you, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit;
we will praise you and highly exalt you for ever.
Glory to you!
A reading from the New Testament: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24
Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance. Show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. And live peacefully with each other.
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but always try to do good to each other and to all people.
Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.
Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again. God will make this happen, for he who calls you is faithful.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Donald Pearson's setting of the Dignus est, “Splendor and Honor.”
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
For you created everything that is,
and by your will they were created
and have their being;
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And yours by right, O Lamb that was slain,
for with your blood you have redeemed for God,
From every family, language, people, and nation,
a kingdom of priests to serve our God.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
And so, to him who sits upon the throne,
and to Christ the Lamb,
Be worship and praise, dominion and splendor,
for ever more and for evermore.
Splendor and honor and kingly power
are yours by right, O Lord our God.
For ever more and for evermore.
Something to Chew On
This week I have read a number of articles on the topic of gratitude and thanksgiving. In this evening’s message I thought that I would share some of the things that I gleaned from reading two of these articles. They have relevance to what the apostle Paul wrote the church at Thessalonica in this evening’s New Testament reading from his first letter to the Thessalonians.
In his article, “On Thanksgiving, Go Beyond Gratitude,” Jared Larson draws our attention to this important biblical truth:
“…Biblical thanksgiving goes beyond gratitude because it goes beyond the gift. It leads us to surrender ourselves to the Giver.”
Larson also draws our attention to the difference between gratitude and thankfulness. He writes:
“Gratitude, in its simplest form, is a feeling that only becomes thanksgiving when expressed. By itself, gratitude remains an internal experience.”
“True thanksgiving is about the Giver,” he goes on to write. It is expressed in “active, grateful worship toward God.”
Larson further draws to our attention this important biblical truth:
“The biblical narrative teaches us to build our thanksgiving on faith in God. This kind of thanksgiving goes beyond personal circumstances (Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:18). It gives thanks in all things.”
In his article, “Give Thanks in the Worst of Times,” Aaron Armstrong draws attention to this related biblical truth:
“The thought of giving thanks in these times is difficult for many. Yet this is exactly what we’re called to do. More than that, it’s what we need to do. Why? Not because of what we’re going through but because God is good, even in the worst of it.”
I hope that these gleanings will give you something to chew on this Thanksgiving Day beside turkey, ham, cornbread dressing, green bean casserole, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Margaret A. Headlam’s “Holy Is the Seed Time.”
1 Holy is the seed-time, when the buried grain
sinks to sleep in darkness, but to wake again.
Holy is the springtime, when the living corn,
Bursting from its prison, rises like the morn.
2 Holy is the harvest, when each ripened ear,
bend before the blade and crowns the golden year;
Store them in our garners; winnow them with care;
Give to God the glory in our praise and prayer.
3 Holy seed our Master sows throughout his field;
be the harvest holy which our hearts shall yield;
quickened by his Spirit, strengthened by his grace,
till in risen splendour we behold his face.
4 Glory to the Father, who has seen our need;
glory to the Saviour, who has sown the seed;
glory to the Spirit, giving the increase;
glory, as it has been, is, and shall not cease!
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,
he is seated at the right hand of the Father,
and he 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 PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Let us pray.
Lord, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy
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.
Show us your mercy, O Lord,
and grant us your salvation.
Canada [O Lord, save the King,
and grant his government wisdom.]
USA [O Lord, guide and direct our leaders
and grant our government wisdom.]
Let your ministers be clothed with righteousness
and let your servants shout for joy.
O Lord, save your people
and bless those whom you have chosen.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
O God, make clean our hearts within us
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.
Eternal God,
you crown the year with your goodness
and give us the fruits of the earth in their season:
Grant that we may use them to your glory,
for the relief of those in need
and for our own well-being;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Lighten our darkness, O Lord, we pray
and in your great mercy defend us
from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Milton, John and Baker, Henry Williams’ “Praise, O Praise Our God and King.”
Praise, O praise our God and King;
hymns of adoration sing:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
Praise him that he made the sun
day by day his course to run:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
And the silver moon by night,
shining with her gentle light:
Praise him that he gave the rain
to mature the swelling grain:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
And hath bid the fruitful field
crops of precious increase yield:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
Praise him for our harvest-store;
he hath filled the garner-floor:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
And for richer food than this,
pledge of everlasting bliss:
For his mercies still endure
ever faithful, ever sure.
Glory to our bounteous King;
glory let creation sing:
Glory to the Father, Son,
and blest Spirit, Three in One.
[Let us pray for all people according to their needs.]
O God, the creator and preserver of all humankind, we pray for people of every race, and in every kind of need: make your ways known on earth, your saving power among all nations.
(Especially we pray for…)
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We pray for your Church throughout the world: guide and
govern by your Holy Spirit, that all who profess and call
themselves Christians may be led into the way of truth, and
hold the faith in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in
righteousness of life.
(Especially we pray for…)
Lord, in your mercy
hear our prayer.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are anxious or distressed in mind or body; comfort and relieve them In their need, giving them patience in their sufferings, and bring good things out of their troubles.
(Especially we pray for…)
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Let us give thanks to God for his goodness.]
Gracious God, we humbly thank you
for all your gifts freely bestowed upon us,
for life and health and safety,
for freedom 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 Spirit,
and for the hope of glory.
Fill our hearts with joy and all peace in believing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Frederick Pratt Green’s “For the Fruits of All Creation.”
1 For the fruits of all creation,
thanks be to God;
for the gifts of every nation,
thanks be to God;
for the ploughing, sowing, reaping,
silent growth while we are sleeping,
future needs in earth's safe-keeping,
thanks be to God.
2 In the just reward of labour,
God's will is done;
in the help we give our neighbour,
God's will is done;
in our world-wide task of caring
for the hungry and despairing,
in the harvests we are sharing,
God's will is done.
3 For the harvests of the Spirit,
thanks be to God;
for the good we all inherit,
thanks be to God;
for the wonders that astound us,
for the truths that still confound us,
most of all that love has found us,
thanks be to God.
GOING OUT AS GOD’S PEOPLE
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
May the Lord bless us
and protect us.
May the Lord smile on us
and be gracious to us.
May the Lord show us his favor
and give us his peace. Amen.
[The peace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with you always.
And also with you.
Those present may exchange a gesture of peace with these or similar words:
Peace be with you.]
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