Sundays at All Hallows (August 17, 2025)

Welcome to Sunday at All Hallows.

The Anglican Church is heir to two church music traditions. One was choral and flourished in its cathedrals and college chapel. It was the music of professional singers and musicians. The other was congregational and was comprised of metrical versions of the psalms and canticles and the Lord’ Prayer, the Ten Commandments, and the Apostles’ Creed and later on hymns. It flourished in the parish churches and was the music of the people. The music of this Sunday’ service is an example of the latter tradition.

The topic of this Sunday’ message is the need for repentance.

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

Open this link in a new tab to hear Anne Crosby Gaudet’s arrangement of BE STILL AND KNOW for solo harp.

Silence

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in
spirit and truth. John 4:24

If we say 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

[So let us draw near to God with sincerity and confidence, and humbly confess our sins.]

Silence

Almighty and most merciful Father,
we have strayed from your ways like lost sheep.
We have left undone what we ought to have done,
and we have done what we ought not to have done.
We have followed our own ways and the desires of our own
hearts.
We have broken your holy laws.
Yet, good Lord, have mercy on us;
restore those who are penitent,
according to your promises declared to mankind in Jesus
Christ our Lord.
And grant, merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may live a godly and obedient life,
to the glory of your holy name. Amen.

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

Open our lips, O Lord;
And we shall declare your praise.
O God, make speed to save us.
O Lord, make haste to help us.
Glory to God; Father, Son, and Holy Spirit:
as in the beginning, so now, and for ever. Amen.
Let us praise the Lord.
The Lord’s name be praised.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley Smith’s “Come Let Us Praise the Lord (Psalm 95).”

1 Come, let us praise the Lord,
with joy our God acclaim,
his greatness tell abroad
and bless his saving Name.
Lift high your songs
before his throne
to whom alone
all praise belongs.

2 Our God of matchless worth,
our King beyond compare,
the deepest bounds of earth,
the hills, are in his care.
He all decrees,
who by his hand
prepared the land
and formed the seas.

3 In worship bow the knee,
our glorious God confess;
the great Creator, he,
the Lord our Righteousness.
He reigns unseen:
his flock he feeds
and gently leads
in pastures green.

4 Come, hear his voice today,
receive what love imparts;
his holy will obey
and harden not your hearts.
His ways are best;
and lead at last,
all troubles past,
to perfect rest.

Open this link in a new tab to hear John L. Bell's "O God You Are My God Alone (Psalm 63)."

1 O God you are my God alone,
whom eagerly I seek,
though longing fills my soul with thirst
and leaves my body weak.

2 Just like a dry and barren land
awaits a freshening shower,
I long within your house to see
your glory and your power.

3 Your faithful love surpasses life,
evoking all my praise,
through every day
to bless your name,
my hands in praise I'll raise.

4 My deepest needs you satisfy
as with a sumptuous feast.
So, on my lips and in my heart,
your praise has never ceased.

5 Throughout the night,
I lie in bed,
and call you Lord to mind,
In darkest hours I meditate,
how God my strength is kind.

6 Beneath the shadow of your wing,
I live and feel secure;
and daily, as I follow close,
your right hand keeps me sure.

Silence

To you we come, radiant Lord,
the goal of all our desiring,
beyond all earthly beauty;
gentle Protector, strong Deliverer,
in the night you are our confidence;
from first light be our joy;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A reading from the Book of Isaiah
Isaiah 5:16-24

But the Lord Almighty shows his greatness by doing what is right, and he reveals his holiness by judging his people. In the ruins of the cities lambs will eat grass and young goats will find pasture.

You are doomed! You are unable to break free from your sins. You say, “Let the Lord hurry up and do what he says he will, so that we can see it. Let Israel's holy God carry out his plans; let's see what he has in mind.”

You are doomed! You call evil good and call good evil. You turn darkness into light and light into darkness. You make what is bitter sweet, and what is sweet you make bitter.

You are doomed! You think you are wise, so very clever.

You are doomed! Heroes of the wine bottle! Brave and fearless when it comes to mixing drinks! But for just a bribe you let the guilty go free, and you keep the innocent from getting justice. So now, just as straw and dry grass shrivel and burn in the fire, your roots will rot and your blossoms will dry up and blow away, because you have rejected what the Lord Almighty, Israel's holy God, has taught us.

Silence.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Owen Alstott and Bernadette Farrell’s “Blessed Be the Lord, the God of Israel (Benedictus Dominus Deus).”

1 Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel
Who brings the dawn and darkest night dispels
Who raises up a mighty Savior from the earth
Of David′s line, a Son of royal birth

2 The prophets tell a story just begun
Of vanquished foe and glorious vict'ry won
Of promise made to all who keep the law as guide
God′s faithful love and mercy will abide

3 This is the oath once sworn to Abraham
All shall be free to dwell upon the land
Freed now to praise, unharmed by the oppressor's rod
Holy and righteous in the sight of God

4 And you, my child, this day you shall be called
The promised one, the prophet of our God
For you will go before the Lord to clear the way
And shepherd all into the light of day

5 The tender love God promised from our birth
Is soon to dawn upon this shadow'd earth
To shine on those whose sorrows seem to never cease
To guide our feet into the path of peace

6 All glory be to God, Creator blest
To Jesus Christ, God′s love made manifest
And to the Holy Spirit, gentle Comforter
All glory be, both now and evermore

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke
Luke 13:1-9

At that time some people were there who told Jesus about the Galileans whom Pilate had killed while they were offering sacrifices to God. Jesus answered them, “Because those Galileans were killed in that way, do you think it proves that they were worse sinners than all other Galileans? No indeed! And I tell you that if you do not turn from your sins, you will all die as they did. What about those eighteen people in Siloam who were killed when the tower fell on them? Do you suppose this proves that they were worse than all the other people living in Jerusalem? No indeed! And I tell you that if you do not turn from your sins, you will all die as they did.”

Then Jesus told them this parable: “There was once a man who had a fig tree growing in his vineyard. He went looking for figs on it but found none. So he said to his gardener, ‘Look, for three years I have been coming here looking for figs on this fig tree, and I haven't found any. Cut it down! Why should it go on using up the soil?’ But the gardener answered, ‘Leave it alone, sir, just one more year; I will dig around it and put in some fertilizer. Then if the tree bears figs next year, so much the better; if not, then you can have it cut down.’”

Silence

The Need for Repentance

In this Sunday’s Old Testament reading the prophet Isaiah could be describing our own times. We hear and read about people calling evil good and good evil, turning darkness into light and light into darkness, rejecting what Jesus taught or putting their own spin on it and twisting it beyond recognition. To make matters worse, we follow their example and do the same thing ourselves.

In this Sunday’ New Testament reading Jesus points to the attention of those who told him about what happened to the Galileans that it did not make the Galileans any worse sinners than themselves. At that time, it was a common belief that the extremely bad things that happen to people were evidence that they were worse sinners than everyone else. Jesus quickly disabuses them of that idea.

It is reasonable to think that they may have embraced this idea because it enabled them to ignore their own sinfulness and their need to repent. The Parable of the Publican (or Tax Collector) and the Pharisee, found in Luke 18:9-14, comes to mind.

We are apt to focus upon the sinfulness of others, their flaws and failings that affect their relationship with God, rather than our own. Like the tax collector we all need to humble ourselves, recognize our sins, our attitudes, ways of thinking, and behavior, that harms our relationship with God, and ask for God’s mercy, for God’s forgiveness and kindness. We then, firmly believing that Jesus has by his death and resurrection made it possible, and with God’s help, help which God graciously provides, undertake to change our ways, to align our will with God's and to live our lives according to Jesus' teaching and example. 

After emphasizing that all people are sinners and need to repent, Jesus goes on to tell the Parable of the Fig Tree. The vineyard owner is in a hurry to cut down the tree because it did not bear fruit when he expected it to bear fruit. The gardener, who may have known that some fig trees bear fruit later than others, urges him to spare the tree, saying that he would dig around its roots and manure the tree.

This parable reminds us of how quick we can be to condemn others. When they fall short in our eyes, do or say something that we do not like or of which we do not approve, whether, real or imagined, we are ready to cancel them. We are unwilling to give them the benefit of the doubt or make allowances for them. Rather we choose to think the worst about them and therefore feel justified in treating them in a way that we would not wish to be treated ourselves.

The attitude of the gardener embodies God’s attitude toward us, This verse, verse 8, from Psalm 103 comes to mind. “The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love.” And the words of the reluctant prophet, Jonah, in Jonah 4:1-3:

“This change of plans greatly upset Jonah, and he became very angry. So he complained to the Lord about it: ‘Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people. Just kill me now, Lord! I’d rather be dead than alive if what I predicted will not happen.’”

And what God told the prophet Ezekiel in Ezekiel 18:23:

“Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.”

Jesus himself instructed his disciples to be merciful as God is merciful (Luke 6:36), and emulate God in treating others with compassion, forgiveness, and kindness. It is something to remember the next time we are tempted to rush to judgment.

Jesus does not tell us what happed to the fig tree. Did it bear fruit under the gardener’s care and was spared? Or was it still fruitless the next time the owner of the vineyard came to gather its fruit, cut down, and thrown on the fire. We are left to ponder its fate and the implications for our own.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle “God We Praise You! God We Bless You! (Te Deum).”

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.

I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth;
and in Jesus Christ, his 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 into hell.
The third day he rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven,
and is seated at the right hand of God the Father
almighty;
from there he will come 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

The Lord be with you.
And also with you.

Let us pray.

Lord, have mercy on us.
Christ, have mercy on us.
Lord, have mercy on us.

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,
and the power, and the glory,
for ever and ever. Amen.

Lord, show us your mercy,
and grant us your salvation.
Keep our nation under your care,
and guide us in justice and truth.
Clothe your ministers with righteousness,
and make your chosen people joyful.
Lord, save your people,
and bless your inheritance.
Give peace in our time, O Lord,
for you are our help and strength.
Create in us dean hearts, O God,
and renew us by your Holy Spirit.

Almighty and everlasting God, you are always more ready to hear
than we to pray, and constantly give more than either we desire
or deserve: pour down on us the abundance of your mercy, forgiving us those things of which our conscience is afraid, and giving
us those good things which we are not worthy to ask, except
through the merits and mediation of Jesus Christ, your Son our
Lord. Amen.

O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom
stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom; defend us your servants in all assaults of our enemies, that,
surely trusting in your defence, we may not fear the power
of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.

Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and
by whose 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 your Son our Lord. Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley-Smith’s “Jesus My Breath, My Life, My Lord.”

1 Jesus my breath, my life, my Lord,
take of my soul the inmost part;
let vision, mind and will be stored
with Christ the Master of my heart,
my breath, my life, my Lord.

2 Jesus my Lord, my breath, my life,
my living bread for every day,
in calm and comfort, storm and strife,
Christ be my truth, as Christ my way,
my Lord, my breath, my life.

3 Jesus my life, my Lord, my breath,
the pulse and beat of all my years,
constant alike in life and death;
and when eternal day appears,
my life, my Lord, my breath.

[Let us pray for those holding public office.]

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness,
guide and govern, we humbly pray,
all who hold public office in this land
(especially...): that all things may be ordered
with justice, compassion, and humility,
to the honour of your holy name,
and the good of your Church and people;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

[Let us pray for the Church]

Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels:
send down your Spirit of saving grace on all Christian people,
Bless our bishops, clergy, and congregations and
pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing
that they may truly please you.
Grant this, Lord, for the honour of Jesus Christ
our advocate and mediator. Amen.

[Let us pray for all peoples and give thanks for God’s goodness.]

God of providence, God of love,
we pray for all people: make your way known to them, your saving power
among all nations.
We pray for the welfare of your Church throughout the world: guide and
govern it 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.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or circumstances (especially…). Relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and deliverance in their afflictions. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Gracious God, we humbly thank you
for all your gifts so freely bestowed on 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 Holy Spirit,
and for the hope of glory.
Fill our hearts with all joy and peace in believing;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of
those who ask in your Son’s name: mercifully accept us who
have now made our prayers to you; and grant us those things
which we have asked in faith according to your will; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE SENDING FORTH OF GOD’S PEOPLE

The Lord be with you.
And also with you
Let us praise the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Amen.
2 Corinthians 13:14