Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, March 2, 2025)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
In Protestant churches that follow the Revised Common Lectionary, this Sunday, the last Sunday of the Season after the Epiphany, is the Feast of the Transfiguration, or Transfiguration Sunday. It recalls a pivotal event in the life of Jesus in which his face and clothing become dazzling bright after he and three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, James’ brother, went up a mountain to pray. Jesus’ divine nature is not only momentarily unveiled but also Moses and Elijah appear to Jesus and his companions and converse with Jesus about future events. A cloud overshadows them, a voice speaks from the cloud, and the three disciples find themselves alone with Jesus.
The transfiguration of Jesus is recorded in all three Synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke. It is ranked with his baptism, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension as one of the five milestones of Jesus’ life and ministry. It has been interpreted as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ resurrection as well as his fulfillment of the Law and the Prophets.
In this Sunday’ message we consider the implications of the words spoken by the voice from the cloud.
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear the bell of Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Tryon, North Carolina, and Robert Lehman’s short hymn prelude on ST. EIZABETH for organ.
Silence
Thus says the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity,
whose name is Holy, "I dwell in the high and holy place and
also with the one who has a contrite and humble spirit, to
revive the spirit of the humble and to revive the heart of the
contrite." Isaiah 57:15
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 Isaac Watt’s metrical paraphrase of “Before the Lord’s Eternal Throne.”
1 Before the Lord's eternal throne,
ye nations, bow with sacred joy;
know that the Lord is God alone;
he can create, and he destroy.
2 His sovereign power without our aid
formed us of clay and gave us breath;
and when like wandering sheep we strayed,
he saved us from the power of death.
3 We are his people, we his care,
our souls, and all our mortal frame:
what lasting honors shall we rear,
almighty Maker, to thy Name?
4 We'll crowd thy gates with thankful songs,
high as the heavens our voices raise;
and earth, with her ten thousand tongues,
shall fill thy courts with sounding praise.
5 Wide as the world is thy command,
vast as eternity thy love;
firm as a rock thy truth must stand,
when rolling years shall cease to move.
Open this link to hear John Bell’s metrical paraphrase of Psalm 63, “O God, You Are My God Alone.”
1 O God, you are my God alone,
whom eagerly I seek,
though longing fills my soul with thirst
and leaves my body weak.
Just like a dry and barren land
awaits a freshening shower,
I long within your house to see
your glory and your power.
2 Your faithful love surpasses life,
evoking all my praise.
Through every day, to bless your name,
my hands in joy I'll raise.
My deepest needs you satisfy
as with a sumptuous feast.
So, on my lips and in my heart,
your praise has never ceased.
3 Throughout the night I lie in bed
and call you, Lord, to mind;
in darkest hours I meditate
how God, my strength, is kind.
Beneath the shadow of your wing,
I live and feel secure;
and daily, as I follow close,
your right hand keeps me sure.
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.
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.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Book of Exodus.
Exodus 34:29-35
Moses came down from Mount Sinai. As he came down from the mountain with the two covenant tablets in his hand, Moses didn’t realize that the skin of his face shone brightly because he had been talking with God. When Aaron and all the Israelites saw the skin of Moses’ face shining brightly, they were afraid to come near him. But Moses called them closer. So Aaron and all the leaders of the community came back to him, and Moses spoke with them. After that, all the Israelites came near as well, and Moses commanded them everything that the Lord had spoken with him on Mount Sinai. When Moses finished speaking with them, he put a veil over his face. Whenever Moses went into the Lord’s presence to speak with him, Moses would take the veil off until he came out again. When Moses came out and told the Israelites what he had been commanded, the Israelites would see that the skin of Moses’ face was shining brightly. So Moses would put the veil on his face again until the next time he went in to speak with the Lord.
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 Second Letter to the Corithians.
2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2
So, since we have such a hope, we act with great confidence. 13 We aren’t like Moses, who used to put a veil over his face so that the Israelites couldn’t watch the end of what was fading away. But their minds were closed. Right up to the present day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. The veil is not removed because it is taken away by Christ. Even today, whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their hearts. But whenever someone turns back to the Lord, the veil is removed. The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Lord’s Spirit is, there is freedom. All of us are looking with unveiled faces at the glory of the Lord as if we were looking in a mirror. We are being transformed into that same image from one degree of glory to the next degree of glory. This comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
This is why we don’t get discouraged, given that we received this ministry in the same way that we received God’s mercy. Instead, we reject secrecy and shameful actions. We don’t use deception, and we don’t tamper with God’s word. Instead, we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God by the public announcement of the truth.
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 9:28-36
About eight days after Jesus said these things, he took Peter, John, and James, and went up on a mountain to pray. As he was praying, the appearance of his face changed and his clothes flashed white like lightning. Two men, Moses and Elijah, were talking with him. They were clothed with heavenly splendor and spoke about Jesus’ departure, which he would achieve in Jerusalem. Peter and those with him were almost overcome by sleep, but they managed to stay awake and saw his glory as well as the two men with him.
As the two men were about to leave Jesus, Peter said to him, “Master, it’s good that we’re here. We should construct three shrines: one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”—but he didn’t know what he was saying. Peter was still speaking when a cloud overshadowed them. As they entered the cloud, they were overcome with awe.
Then a voice from the cloud said, “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him!” Even as the voice spoke, Jesus was found alone. They were speechless and at the time told no one what they had seen.
The Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Silence
Are We Listening to Jesus?
When I read Luke’s account of the transfiguration of Jesus, the words of the voice that spoke from the cloud caught my attention. A voice also spoke from heaven at Jesus’ baptism (Matthew 3:16-17). Based on what is said on both occasions, we are led to believe that it is God’s voice.
On this particular occasion the voice says, “This is my Son, my chosen one. Listen to him!” These words appear to be the main point of Luke’s account of Jesus' transfiguration. They form an acknowledgment, "This is my Son, my chosen one” and a command “Listen to him!” What then are we to make of them?
What we are led to gather from this acknowledgment is that Jesus is no ordinary teacher and miracle worker, not a wandering sage, or enlightened one, with miraculous powers, a view of Jesus popular in some quarters, not even a prophet of the Old Testament variety, but the Son of God, the Messiah. Jesus has a special relationship with God unlike any other.
What we are led to gather from this command is that when Jesus speaks, he speaks with God’s authority. We do well to listen to what he says.
Listening to someone goes beyond just hearing the sound of their voice. It involves giving our full attention to what they are saying, grasping what they mean, thinking about it, and then responding in an appropriate manner. This leads us to the title of this Sunday’s message, the question, “Are we listening to Jesus?”
Listening to Jesus involves more than nodding our heads in agreement with what he says and then going about our lives as we always have done.
We may have heard or read about and even may be acquainted with people who claim to be Christians but whose attitudes, ways of thinking, and behavior do not support that claim. We may at times feel, think, and act in ways that belie our own claim to be Jesus’ disciples.
“Are we listening to Jesus?” is a question that we may need to regularly ask ourselves.
This Sunday is the last Sunday of the Season after the Epiphany. This coming Wednesday, commonly known as Ash Wednesday, is the first day of Lent. The Lenten Season is a good time of the year to take stock of our spiritual lives, determine where we need to make improvements, decide what we are going to do, and then act on what we have decided.
Lent is a good time of the year to read the Gospels, jot down Jesus’ teachings, and ask ourselves, “Am I listening to Jesus?’ “Am I doing what he said?” “How could I do better?” Decide what you are going to do and then do it.
Jesus’ mission was not only to reconcile God and humanity but also to teach and show us how to live. As Jesus himself said, those who love him will obey his commandments (John 14:15). Believing in Jesus means that, as well as trusting in him and his death upon the cross to put us right with God, we also fully accept what Jesus taught and live it. We truly listen to 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 God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son
revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that
we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and 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 Bob Moore’s arrangement of Brian Wren’s “Jesus on the Mountain Peak” for cantor and assembly.
1 Jesus, on the mountain peak
stands alone in glory blazing;
Let us if we dare to speak,
with the saints and angels praise him.
This is God's beloved Son!
This is God's beloved Son!
2 Trembling at his feet we saw
Moses and Elijah speaking.
All the prophets and the law
shout through them their joyful greeting.
This is God's beloved Son!
This is God's beloved Son!
3 Swift the cloud of glory came,
God proclaiming in its thunder
Jesus as his Son by name!
Nations, cry aloud in wonder.
This is God's beloved Son!
This is God's beloved Son!
4 This is God's beloved Son!
Law and prophets sing before him;
First and last and only one,
Let creation now adore him.
This is God's beloved Son!
This is God's beloved Son!
[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.
What we are led to gather from this acknowledgment is that Jesus is no ordinary teacher and miracle worker, not a wandering sage, or enlightened one, with miraculous powers, a view of Jesus popular in some quarters, not even a prophet of the Old Testament variety, but the Son of God, the Messiah. Jesus has a special relationship with God unlike any other.
What we are led to gather from this command is that when Jesus speaks, he speaks with God’s authority. We do well to listen to what he says.
Listening to someone goes beyond just hearing the sound of their voice. It involves giving our full attention to what they are saying, grasping what they mean, thinking about it, and then responding in an appropriate manner. This leads us to the title of this Sunday’s message, the question, “Are we listening to Jesus?”
Listening to Jesus involves more than nodding our heads in agreement with what he says and then going about our lives as we always have done.
We may have heard or read about and even may be acquainted with people who claim to be Christians but whose attitudes, ways of thinking, and behavior do not support that claim. We may at times feel, think, and act in ways that belie our own claim to be Jesus’ disciples.
“Are we listening to Jesus?” is a question that we may need to regularly ask ourselves.
This Sunday is the last Sunday of the Season after the Epiphany. This coming Wednesday, commonly known as Ash Wednesday, is the first day of Lent. The Lenten Season is a good time of the year to take stock of our spiritual lives, determine where we need to make improvements, decide what we are going to do, and then act on what we have decided.
Lent is a good time of the year to read the Gospels, jot down Jesus’ teachings, and ask ourselves, “Am I listening to Jesus?’ “Am I doing what he said?” “How could I do better?” Decide what you are going to do and then do it.
Jesus’ mission was not only to reconcile God and humanity but also to teach and show us how to live. As Jesus himself said, those who love him will obey his commandments (John 14:15). Believing in Jesus means that, as well as trusting in him and his death upon the cross to put us right with God, we also fully accept what Jesus taught and live it. We truly listen to 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 God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son
revealed his glory upon the holy mountain: Grant to us that
we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be
strengthened to bear our cross, and be changed into his
likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God,
for ever and 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 Bob Moore’s arrangement of Brian Wren’s “Jesus on the Mountain Peak” for cantor and assembly.
1 Jesus, on the mountain peak
stands alone in glory blazing;
Let us if we dare to speak,
with the saints and angels praise him.
This is God's beloved Son!
This is God's beloved Son!
2 Trembling at his feet we saw
Moses and Elijah speaking.
All the prophets and the law
shout through them their joyful greeting.
This is God's beloved Son!
This is God's beloved Son!
3 Swift the cloud of glory came,
God proclaiming in its thunder
Jesus as his Son by name!
Nations, cry aloud in wonder.
This is God's beloved Son!
This is God's beloved Son!
4 This is God's beloved Son!
Law and prophets sing before him;
First and last and only one,
Let creation now adore him.
This is God's beloved Son!
This is God's beloved Son!
[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.
Comments
Post a Comment