Sundays at All Hallows (Sunday, May 4, 2025)

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Third Sunday of Easter, the third Sunday of the Easter season. It is also known as Good Shepherd Sunday. In the Collects, Epistles, and Gospels of The Book of Common Prayer (1662), the Gospel appointed for the day is the “I am the Good Shepherd” discourse from the Gospel of John.

The structure of this Sunday’s service is that outlined in the Church of Ireland’s The Book of Common Prayer (2004) for a Service of the Word.

This Sunday’s message unpacks John 21: 1-19 in which the risen Jesus appears to his disciples for the third time.

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

Open this link in a new tab to hear James E Clemens’ arrangement of the Dutch carol tune VRUECHTEN (“This Joyful Eastertide”) for flute and piano.

Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Wadsworth’ “Alleluia! Alleluia! Hearts to Heaven and Voices Raise.”

1 Alleluia! Alleluia!
Hearts to heaven and voices raise;
sing to God a hymn of gladness,
sing to God a hymn of praise:
he who on the cross a victim
for the world's salvation bled,
Jesus Christ, the King of glory,
now is risen from the dead.

2 Christ is risen, Christ the first-fruits
of the holy harvest field,
which will all its full abundance
at his second coming yield;
then the golden ears of harvest
will their heads before him wave,
ripened by his glorious sunshine,
from the furrows of the grave.

3 Christ is risen, we are risen;
shed upon us heavenly grace,
rain, and dew, and gleams of glory
from the brightness of thy face;
that we, with our hearts in heaven,
here on earth may fruitful be,
and by angel-hands be gathered,
and be ever, Lord, with thee.

4 Alleluia! Alleluia!
Glory be to God on high;
Alleluia to the Saviour,
who has gained the victory;
Alleluia to the Spirit,
fount of love and sanctity;
Alleluia! Alleluia!
to the Triune Majesty.

Let us confess our sins to God our Father

Silence

Father eternal, giver of light and grace,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour,
in what we have thought, in what we have said and done,
through ignorance, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault.
We have wounded your love, and marred your image in us.
We are sorry and ashamed, 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 lead us out from darkness to walk as children of light. Amen.

Merciful Lord,
grant to your faithful people pardon and peace,
that we may be cleansed from all our sins,
and serve you with a quiet mind;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear “Glory to God” from Marty Haugen’s Beneath the Tree of Life Mass.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people, peace to God’s people,
peace to God’s people on earth.

Lord God, heavenly King,
almighty God and Father,
we worship you, we give you thanks,
we praise you for your glory.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people, peace to God’s people,
peace to God’s people on earth.

Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father,
Lord God, Lamb of God,
you take away the sin of the world:
have mercy on us;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father:
receive our prayer.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people, peace to God’s people,
peace to God’s people on earth.

For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father,
Amen.

Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God in the highest,
and peace to God’s people, peace to God’s people,
peace to God’s people on earth.

The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.

Let us pray.

Silence

Almighty Father,
who in your great mercy gladdened the disciples
with the sight of the risen Lord:
Give us such knowledge of his presence with us,
that we may be strengthened
and sustained by his risen life
and serve you continually in righteousness and truth;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A reading from the Acts of the Apostles
Acts 9:1-20

Meanwhile, Saul was still spewing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest, seeking letters to the synagogues in Damascus. If he found persons who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, these letters would authorize him to take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. During the journey, as he approached Damascus, suddenly a light from heaven encircled him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice asking him, “Saul, Saul, why are you harassing me?”

Saul asked, “Who are you, Lord?”

“I am Jesus, whom you are harassing,” came the reply. “Now get up and enter the city. You will be told what you must do.”

Those traveling with him stood there speechless; they heard the voice but saw no one. After they picked Saul up from the ground, he opened his eyes but he couldn’t see. So they led him by the hand into Damascus. For three days he was blind and neither ate nor drank anything.

In Damascus there was a certain disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!”

He answered, “Yes, Lord.”

The Lord instructed him, “Go to Judas’ house on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias enter and put his hands on him to restore his sight.”

Ananias countered, “Lord, I have heard many reports about this man. People say he has done horrible things to your holy people in Jerusalem. He’s here with authority from the chief priests to arrest everyone who calls on your name.”

The Lord replied, “Go! This man is the agent I have chosen to carry my name before Gentiles, kings, and Israelites. I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”

Ananias went to the house. He placed his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord sent me—Jesus, who appeared to you on the way as you were coming here. He sent me so that you could see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” Instantly, flakes fell from Saul’s eyes and he could see again. He got up and was baptized. After eating, he regained his strength.

He stayed with the disciples in Damascus for several days. 20 Right away, he began to preach about Jesus in the synagogues. “He is God’s Son,” he declared.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Roger Holtz’s responsorial setting of Psalm 30, “I Will Praise You, Lord.”

I will praise you, Lord,
I will praise you, Lord,
for you have rescued me.

I will extol you, O LORD, for you drew me clear
and did not let my enemies rejoice over me.
O LORD, you brought me up from the netherworld;
you preserved me from among those going down into the pit.

I will praise you, Lord,
I will praise you, Lord,
for you have rescued me.

Sing praise to the LORD, you his faithful ones,
and give thanks to his holy name.
For his anger lasts but a moment;
a lifetime, his good will.
At nightfall, weeping enters in,
but with the dawn, rejoicing.

I will praise you, Lord,
I will praise you, Lord,
for you have rescued me.

Hear, O LORD, and have pity on me;
O LORD, be my helper.
You changed my mourning into dancing;
O LORD, my God, forever will I give you thanks.

I will praise you, Lord,
I will praise you, Lord,
for you have rescued me.

A reading from the Revelation to John.
Revelation 5: 11-14

Then I looked, and I heard the sound of many angels surrounding the throne, the living creatures, and the elders. They numbered in the millions—thousands upon thousands. They said in a loud voice,

“Worthy is the slaughtered Lamb
to receive power, wealth, wisdom, and might,
and honor, glory, and blessing.”

And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea—I heard everything everywhere say,

“Blessing, honor, glory, and power
belong to the one seated on the throne
and to the Lamb
forever and always.”

Then the four living creatures said, “Amen,” and the elders fell down and worshipped.

This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear John Leavitt’s arrangement of Charles Wesley’s “Come Away to the Skies” for SA choir, piano, and handbells.

1 Come away to the skies, My beloved arise,
And rejoice in the day thou wast born:
On this festival day, Come exulting away,
And with singing to Zion return.

2 We with thanks do approve The design of that love
Which hath joined us to Jesus's name;
So united in heart, Let us never more part,
Till we meet at the feast of the Lamb.

[Instrumental interlude]

3 Hallelujah we sing, To our Father and King,
And His rapturous praises repeat,
To the Lamb that was slain, Hallelujah again,
Sing all heaven, and fall at his feet!
Sing all heaven, and fall at his feet!
Amen!

Hear the Gospel of our Saviour Christ according to Saint John
chapter 21, beginning at verse 1
John 21:1-19
Glory to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Later, Jesus himself appeared again to his disciples at the Sea of Tiberias. This is how it happened: Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus[a]), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, Zebedee’s sons, and two other disciples were together. Simon Peter told them, “I’m going fishing.”

They said, “We’ll go with you.” They set out in a boat, but throughout the night they caught nothing. Early in the morning, Jesus stood on the shore, but the disciples didn’t realize it was Jesus.

Jesus called to them, “Children, have you caught anything to eat?”

They answered him, “No.”

He said, “Cast your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.”

So they did, and there were so many fish that they couldn’t haul in the net. Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It’s the Lord!”

When Simon Peter heard it was the Lord, he wrapped his coat around himself (for he was naked) and jumped into the water. The other disciples followed in the boat, dragging the net full of fish, for they weren’t far from shore, only about one hundred yards.

When they landed, they saw a fire there, with fish on it, and some bread. Jesus said to them, “Bring some of the fish that you’ve just caught.” Simon Peter got up and pulled the net to shore. It was full of large fish, one hundred fifty-three of them. Yet the net hadn’t torn, even with so many fish. Jesus said to them, “Come and have breakfast.” None of the disciples could bring themselves to ask him, “Who are you?” They knew it was the Lord. Jesus came, took the bread, and gave it to them. He did the same with the fish. This was now the third time Jesus appeared to his disciples after he was raised from the dead.

When they finished eating, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?”

Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my lambs.” Jesus asked a second time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Simon replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.”

Jesus said to him, “Take care of my sheep.” He asked a third time, “Simon son of John, do you love me?”

Peter was sad that Jesus asked him a third time, “Do you love me?” He replied, “Lord, you know everything; you know I love you.”

Jesus said to him, “Feed my sheep. I assure you that when you were younger you tied your own belt and walked around wherever you wanted. When you grow old, you will stretch out your hands and another will tie your belt and lead you where you don’t want to go.” He said this to show the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God. After saying this, Jesus said to Peter, “Follow me.”

This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Breakfast Beside the Sea of Galilee

How many of us would take back a friend and entrust them with a very important task after they had not only deserted us in a pinch, in a bad situation when help was needed, but also refused to admit that they had any connection with us, not just once but three times? Maybe we would like to believe that we are really forgiving, but are we?

Jesus taught us to keep forgiving the faults of others and to set no limit on how many times that we forgive them. In my experience even those who consider themselves his disciples do not follow Jesus’ teaching. They limit how many times that they will forgive someone. Although Jesus instructed to his followers to be reconciled with those with whom they had a falling-out or with whom their relationship hit a roadblock, too frequently his teaching is ignored. They will treat a person who has done something to displease them or with whom they are otherwise unhappy as if they are holding something against that person. They do not act as if they have forgiven the person.

The risen Jesus, however, forgives Simon Peter big time in today’s gospel reading, John 21: 1-19, and restores him to the place of being one of his closest disciples.

Jesus does ask Simon Peter three times if Simon Peter loves him, as many times as Simon Peter denied him. Each time Simo Peter responds that he does. Each time Jesus tells Simo Peter to feed his lambs or his sheep.

It is tempting to make a lot out of this conversation between Jesus and Simon Peter. But if we think about it in the context of John’s Gospel, we will recall what Jesus said about being the good shepherd and the difference between a shepherd and a hireling. A shepherd does not abandon his sheep to approaching danger such as wolves or other predators. A hireling, on the other hand, flees. It is not unreasonable to conclude that Jesus was reminding Simon Peter of what he had said. If Simon Peter is going to follow him, he needs to be prepared to face danger. He may find himself in a situation so bad that it might cost him his life.

We also know from John’s Gospel that Jesus knew the human heart. He knew when someone was genuinely following him or following him because they hoped to gain some advantage or benefit from doing so. Jesus did not need to hear Simon Peter’s assurances that Simon Peter loved him. Simo Peter, on the other hand, may have needed to give those assurances and hear Jesus’ admonitions to be a shepherd, not a hireling.

We can read more about Simon Peter’s story in Luke’s Acts of the Apostles. We also have two letters that Simon Peter wrote. According to tradition, Simon Peter suffered a martyr’s death, witnessing to his faith with his life.

What then can we learn from today’s gospel reading? One thing is that we should be willing to forgive others as Jesus is willing to forgive us. From what can be gathered from the testimony of Luke’s Acts of the Apostles and Simon Peter’s own letters, Jesus’ forgiveness did make a significant difference in Peter’s life. Our forgiveness can also make a real difference in someone’s life.

We also have a responsibility to care for each other and nurture each other in the Christian faith and way of life. We are called to be shepherds to each other, not just sheep wandering around willy-nilly and exposing ourselves to all kinds of danger. Yes, we are our brother’s keeper and sister’s keeper too.

The pledge that the congregation makes in the baptismal services rites of a number of denominations recognizes that responsibility. The same responsibility applies not just to children but to everybody, to all who comprise the congregation of a particular church. I would go as far as saying that it extends to all people in a church’s “parish,” the area that a church serves regardless of whether they attend the church. Indeed, like John Wesley, the eighteenth century Anglican minister who founded the Methodist movement, we should look upon all the world as our parish.

The Jesus who rose from the dead and who forgave Simon Peter is the same Jesus who calls us to follow him today. He does not promise us an easy time as his disciple. But he does offer us forgiveness of sins, reconciliation with God, and a relationship with him, which will last throughout eternity. As he said to Simon Peter after breakfast beside the Sea of Galilee, he says to us this very moment, “Follow me.”

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Randall DeBruyn’ arrangement of Henry William Baker’ “The King of Love My Shepherd Is.”

1 The King of love my shepherd is,
Whose goodness fails me never;
I nothing lack if I am His,
And He is mine for ever.

2 Where streams of living water flow,
With gentle care He leads me,
And where the verdant pastures grow,
With heav'nly food he feeds me.

3 Perverse and foolish I have strayed,
But yet in love He sought me,
And on His shoulder gently laid,
And home rejoicing brought me.

4 In death's dark vale I fear no ill,
With you, dear Lord, beside me;
Your rod and staff my comfort still,
Your cross before to guide me.

5 You spread a table in my sight;
Your saving grace bestowing,
And O what joy and true delight,
From your pure chalice flowing.

6 And so through all the length of days,
Your goodness fails me never,
Good Shepherd, may I sing your praise,
Within your house for ever.

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 MINISTRY OF PRAYER

Let us pray for the Church and the world.

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 and other ministers
that they may be faithful ministers of your word and sacraments.

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.

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.

Those present may add their own petitions.

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.

God the Holy Spirit, come in power and bring new life to the Church;
renew us in love and service, and enable us to be faithful to our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ. 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 a new tab to hear John E. Bode’s “O Jesus, I Have Promised.”

1 O Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end;
be thou for ever near me,
my Master and my Friend:
I shall not fear the battle
if thou art by my side,
nor wander from the pathway
if thou wilt be my guide.

2 O let me feel thee near me:
the world is ever near;
I see the sights that dazzle,
the tempting sounds I hear;
my foes are ever near me,
around me and within;
but, Jesus, draw thou nearer,
and shield my soul from sin.

3 O let me hear thee speaking
in accents clear and still
above the storms of passion,
the murmurs of self-will;
O speak to reassure me,
to hasten or control;
O speak, and make me listen,
thou guardian of my soul.

4 O Jesus, thou hast promised
to all who follow thee,
that where thou art in glory
there shall thy servant be;
and, Jesus, I have promised
to serve thee to the end:
O give me grace to follow,
my Master and my Friend.

5 O let me see thy foot-marks,
and in them plant mine own;
my hope to follow duly
is in thy strength alone:
O guide me, call me, draw me,
uphold me to the end;
and then in heaven receive me,
my Saviour and my Friend.

THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE

Holy and everliving God,
by your power we are created
and by your love we are redeemed;
guide and strengthen us by your Spirit,
that we may give ourselves to your service,
and live each day in love to one another and to you,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Let us bless the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

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.

If two or more people are present, the service may conclude with this dismissal.

Let us go forth in the peace of the risen Lord. 

In the name of Christ. Alleluia!