Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, February 23, 2025)
What is a true disciple of Jesus? What distinguishes a follower of Jesus from everyone else? This Sunday’s message addresses these questions.
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Sterling Proctor’s arrangement of Gustav Holst’s THAXTED for strings.
Silence
The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers
will worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for such the
Father seeks to worship him. John 4:23
Let us confess our sins against God and our neighbor.
Silence
Most merciful God,
we confess that we have sinned against you
in thought, word, and deed,
by what we have done,
and by what we have left undone.
We have not loved you with our whole heart;
we have not loved our neighbors as ourselves.
We are truly sorry and we humbly repent.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ,
have mercy on us and forgive us;
that we may delight in your will,
and walk in your ways,
to the glory of your Name. Amen.
Almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us all our sin
through our Lord Jesus Christ, strengthen us in all
goodness, and by the power of the Holy Spirit keep us in
eternal life. Amen.
Lord, open our lips
And our mouth shall proclaim your praise.
Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as
it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen.
Alleluia.
Open this link in a new tab to hear James Quinn’s metrical paraphrase of the Jubilate, Psalm 100, “Sing All Creation.”
1 Sing, all creation, sing to God in gladness!
Joyously serve him, singing hymns of homage!
Chanting his praises, come before his presence!
Praise the Almighty!
2 Know that our God is Lord of all the ages!
He is our maker; we are all his creatures,
people he fashioned, sheep he leads to pasture!
Praise the Almighty!
3 Enter his temple, ringing out his praises!
Sing in thanksgiving as you come before him!
Blessing his bounty, glorify his greatness!
Praise the Almighty!
[Instrumental interlude]
4 Great in his goodness is the Lord we worship;
steadfast his kindness, love that knows no ending!
Faithful his word is, changeless, everlasting!
Praise the Almighty!
Open this link in a new tab to hear Lori True’s “In the Morning Let Us Sing” (Psalm 63).
In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.
In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.
1 O God, you are my God, for you I long;
for you my soul is thirsting.
My body pines for you
like a dry, weary land without water.
I gaze on you in the sanctuary
to see your strength and your glory.
In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.
In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.
2 For you love is better than life,
my lips will speak your praise.
I will bless you all my life,
in your name I will lift up my hands.
My soul shall be filled as with a banquet,
my mouth shall praise you with joy.
In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.
In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.
3 On my bed I remember you.
On you I muse through the night
for you have been my help;
in the shadow of your wings I rejoice.
My soul clings to you;
Your right hand holds me fast.
In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.
In the morning let us sing,
let us sing praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.
Let us sing glad songs of praise to you.
We’ll sing praise to you!
Open this link in a new tab to hear Omer Westendorf’s “Praise God in His Holy Dwelling,” based on Psalm 150: 1-6.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
1 Praise God in his holy dwelling.
Praise him on his mighty throne
Praise him for his wonderful deeds
Praise him for his sovereign majesty!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
2 Praise him with the blast of trumpet;
Praise him now with lyre and harp;
Praise him with the timbrel and dance;
Praise him with the sound of string and reed.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
3 Praise him with resounding cymbals;
With cymbals that crash give praise;
O let ev’rything that has breath,
Let all living creatures praise the Lord.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
Praise God, the almighty Father;
Praise Christ, his beloved Son;
Give praise to the Spirit of love;
Forever the triune God be praised.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Book of Genesis.
Genesis 45:3-11, 15
Joseph said to his brothers, “I’m Joseph! Is my father really still alive?” His brothers couldn’t respond because they were terrified before him.
Joseph said to his brothers, “Come closer to me,” and they moved closer. He said, “I’m your brother Joseph! The one you sold to Egypt. Now, don’t be upset and don’t be angry with yourselves that you sold me here.
Actually, God sent me before you to save lives. We’ve already had two years of famine in the land, and there are five years left without planting or harvesting. God sent me before you to make sure you’d survive and to rescue your lives in this amazing way. You didn’t send me here; it was God who made me a father to Pharaoh, master of his entire household, and ruler of the whole land of Egypt.
“Hurry! Go back to your father. Tell him this is what your son Joseph says: ‘God has made me master of all of Egypt. Come down to me. Don’t delay. You may live in the land of Goshen, so you will be near me, your children, your grandchildren, your flocks, your herds, and everyone with you. I will support you there, so you, your household, and everyone with you won’t starve, since the famine will still last five years.’
He kissed all of his brothers and wept, embracing them. After that, his brothers were finally able to talk to him.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Carl P. Daw, Jr.’s metrical paraphrase of the Benedictus Dominus Deus, “Bless Be the God of Israel.”
1 Blessed be the God of Israel
who comes to set us free
and raises up new hope for us:
a Branch from David's tree.
So have the prophets long declared
that with a mighty arm
God would turn back our enemies
and all who wish us harm.
2 With promised mercy will God still
the covenant recall,
the oath once sworn to Abraham,
from foes to save us all;
that we might worship without fear
and offer lives of praise,
in holiness and righteousness
to serve God all our days.
3 My child, as prophet of the Lord,
you will prepare the way,
to tell God's people they are saved
from sin's eternal sway.
Then shall God's mercy from on high
shine forth and never cease
to drive away the gloom of death
and lead us into peace.
A reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 15:35-38, 42-50
But someone will say, “How are the dead raised? What kind of body will they have when they come back?” Look, fool! When you put a seed into the ground, it doesn’t come back to life unless it dies. What you put in the ground doesn’t have the shape that it will have, but it’s a bare grain of wheat or some other seed. God gives it the sort of shape that he chooses, and he gives each of the seeds its own shape.
It’s the same with the resurrection of the dead: a rotting body is put into the ground, but what is raised won’t ever decay. It’s degraded when it’s put into the ground, but it’s raised in glory. It’s weak when it’s put into the ground, but it’s raised in power. It’s a physical body when it’s put into the ground, but it’s raised as a spiritual body.
If there’s a physical body, there’s also a spiritual body. So it is also written, The first human, Adam, became a living person, and the last Adam became a spirit that gives life. But the physical body comes first, not the spiritual one—the spiritual body comes afterward. The first human was from the earth made from dust; the second human is from heaven. The nature of the person made of dust is shared by people who are made of dust, and the nature of the heavenly person is shared by heavenly people. We will look like the heavenly person in the same way as we have looked like the person made from dust.
This is what I’m saying, brothers and sisters: Flesh and blood can’t inherit God’s kingdom. Something that rots can’t inherit something that doesn’t decay.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to play Christopher Idle’s metrical paraphrase of the Te Deum laudamus, “God, We Praise You!”
1 God, we praise you! God, we bless you!
God, we name you sovereign Lord!
Mighty King whom angels worship,
Father, by your church adored:
all creation shows your glory,
heaven and earth draw near your throne
singing 'Holy, holy, holy,
Lord of hosts, and God alone!'
2 True apostles, faithful prophets,
saints who set their world ablaze,
martyrs, once unknown, unheeded,
join one growing song of praise,
while your church on earth confesses
one majestic Trinity:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit,
God, our hope eternally.
3 Jesus Christ, the King of glory,
everlasting Son of God,
humble was your virgin mother,
hard the lonely path you trod:
by your cross is sin defeated,
hell confronted face to face,
heaven opened to believers,
sinners justified by grace.
4 Christ, at God's right hand victorious,
you will judge the world you made;
Lord, in mercy help your servants
for whose freedom you have paid:
raise us up from dust to glory,
guard us from all sin today;
King enthroned above all praises,
save your people, God, we pray.
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke.
Luke 6:27-38
“But I say to you who are willing to hear: Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you. Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who mistreat you. If someone slaps you on the cheek, offer the other one as well. If someone takes your coat, don’t withhold your shirt either. Give to everyone who asks and don’t demand your things back from those who take them. Treat people in the same way that you want them to treat you.
“If you love those who love you, why should you be commended? Even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, why should you be commended? Even sinners do that. If you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, why should you be commended? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to be paid back in full. Instead, love your enemies, do good, and lend expecting nothing in return. If you do, you will have a great reward. You will be acting the way children of the Most High act, for he is kind to ungrateful and wicked people. Be compassionate just as your Father is compassionate.
“Don’t judge, and you won’t be judged. Don’t condemn, and you won’t be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. Give, and it will be given to you. A good portion—packed down, firmly shaken, and overflowing—will fall into your lap. The portion you give will determine the portion you receive in return.”
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Silence
Reflections of Jesus
Loving our enemies and treating people in the same way that we want them to treat us are part of Jesus’ second great commandment—to love others as we love ourselves.
In the Parable of the Good Samaritan Jesus identified a Samaritan, an “enemy” of the Jews, as their neighbor and used the actions of that Samaritan as an example of true neighborliness. In some many words Jesus is saying that all people are our neighbors regardless of the kind of relationship that we may have with them.
What Jesus is not doing is countenancing the notion that is acceptable to ignore the needs of people who do not live in close proximity to us or who are different from us and not offer them a helping hand, to turn our backs on them because they are not “our people” and therefore we are under no obligation to help them.
This attitude is not consistent with Jesus’ teaching or his example.
Jesus helped all kinds of people. He did not limit himself to his disciples and their families and friends.
Loving our enemies and treating people in the same way that we want them to treat us are commands. They are not suggestions.
When we become a Christian, we surrender control of our lives to Jesus. We take Jesus as the Lord of our life, which means that we agree to live in accordance with his teaching and example. We may not fully understand that at the time, but that is what we are doing.
A part of the sanctification process, the process of growing as a disciple of Jesus, is that we grow in our understanding of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus.
As Lord of all Jesus has a claim on everybody’s obedience, but he has a particular claim on his disciples’ obedience.
In responding to Jesus’ call to follow him, we agree to leave behind our old ways of thinking, feeling, and acting, and replace them with new ways.
These old ways may have become so much a part of us that we have difficulty in letting go of them. But Jesus does offer better things in their place, better ways of thinking, feeling, and acting.
The more we fashion and frame our lives according to Jesus’ teaching and example, the more we become like Jesus.
True disciples are reflections of Jesus. Others do not see us. They see Jesus.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Sylvia Dustan’s metrical paraphrase of the Apostles’ Creed.
1 I believe in God almighty, Author of all things that be,
Maker of the earth and heavens, Keeper of the sky and sea.
I believe in God’s Son, Jesus, now for us both Lord and Christ,
of the Spirit and of Mary born to bring abundant life.
2 I believe that Jesus suffered, scourged and scorned and crucified;
taken from the cross, was buried—true Life there had truly died.
I believe that on the third day Christ was raised up from the grave,
then ascended to God’s right hand. He will come to judge and save.
3 I believe in God’s own Spirit, bonding all the saints within
one church, catholic and holy, where forgiveness frees from sin;
in the body’s resurrection, for the breaking of death’s chain
gives the life that’s everlasting. This the faith that I have claimed.
THE MINISTRY OF PRAYER
The Lord be with you
and also with you.
Let us 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.
Show us your mercy, O Lord;
And grant us your salvation.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness;
Let your people sing with joy.
Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
For only in you can we live in safety.
Lord, keep this nation under your care;
And guide us in the way of justice and truth.
Let your way be known upon earth;
Your saving health among all nations.
Let not the needy, O Lord, be forgotten;
Nor the hope of the poor be taken away.
Create in us clean hearts, O God;
And sustain us with your Holy Spirit.
O Lord, you have taught us that without love whatever we
do is worth nothing; Send your Holy Spirit and pour into our
hearts your greatest gift, which is love, the true bond of peace
and of all virtue, without which whoever lives is accounted
dead before you. Grant this for the sake of your only Son
Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy
Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.
O God, you make us glad with the weekly remembrance of
the glorious resurrection of your Son our Lord: Give us this
day such blessing through our worship of you, that the week
to come may be spent in your favor; through Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Fennelly’s “Christ Be Near at Either Hand.”
1 Christ be near at either hand,
Christ behind, before me stand;
Christ with me where'er I go,
Christ around, above, below.
2 Christ be in my heart and mind,
Christ within my soul enshrined;
Christ control my wayward heart;
Christ abide and ne'er depart.
3 Christ my life and only way,
Christ my lantern night and day;
Christ be my unchanging friend,
Guide and shepherd to the end.
[Let us pray for all people.]
God of providence, God of love,
we pray for all people: make your way known to them, 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 call themselves Christians
may be led in 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 afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or circumstances. Relieve them according to their needs.
Give them patience in their sufferings, and deliverance in their afflictions.
[Especially we pray for…]
Merciful Father,
accept these prayers
for the sake of your Son,
our Savior Jesus Christ. Amen.
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.
THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE
Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
The Lord bless us and keep us. Amen.
The Lord make his face to shine upon us
and be gracious to us. Amen.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon us
and give us peace. Amen.
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