Sundays at All Hallows (August 31, 2025)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
This Sunday is the last Sunday of August, the eleventh Sunday after Trinity. Already the new school year has been marred by tragedy. Two children were killed and eighteen others injured, three adult parishioners who were in their 80s and 15 children, in a church shooting in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Wednesday. Those killed and injured were attending Mass at Annunciation Catholic Church. The children were students of Annunciation Catholic School. Let us remember the victims and their families in our prayers.
Acts of violence like this one not only affect those who were present when the shooting occurred, those whose children were killed, and those who were injured and their families and loved ones, but they also can traumatize children who hear about what happened. How the adults around them react to what happened and what they say can add to their trauma. They can unintentionally make an already stressful situation more stressful.
In this Sunday’s message we take a look at a quality of character about which Jesus not only taught but which he himself also exhibited—humility.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Johann Sebastian Bach’s SHEEP MAY SAFELY GRAZE.
This prelude and the anthem, “Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep,” are dedicated to the victims of the Minneapolis school shooting, their families, and loved ones.
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 William Helder’ “Come, Praise the Lord! Let All Revere Him (Psalm 112).”
1 Come, praise the LORD! Let all revere Him.
How blessed is the man who fears Him,
Who in the LORD’S commands takes pleasure.
His offspring, blest in equal measure,
Will be the mighty in the nation,
A truly upright generation.
2 Abundant riches fill his dwelling;
Firm stands his justice, never failing.
As after night comes morning brightness,
Light dawns for him who loves uprightness;
All gloom and darkness it displaces
For the compassionate and gracious.
3 All’s well with him whose generous lending
Gives joy to those on him depending;
Who, his trustworthiness revealing,
Lets justice govern all his dealings.
The righteous one shall never waver;
His praises will be sung forever.
4 With steadfast heart in God confiding,
He has no fear of evil tidings;
He in the end with exultation
Will greet his foe’s humiliation.
His gifts he on the poor will shower;
Great are his honor and his power.
5 The just will thrive in his endeavors;
His righteousness endures forever.
The wicked sees it with vexation;
His teeth he gnashes in frustration.
The schemes and hopes that he may cherish
Are sure to fail and doomed to perish.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Paul Inwood’s “Holy Is God (Psalm 117).”
Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.
Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.
1 Sing the Lord’s praise, ev’ry nation,
Give him all honor and glory.
Strong is his love for his people,
His faithfulness is eternal.
Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.
(Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.)
2 Praise to the Father almighty,
Praise to his Son, Christ the Lord;
Praise to the life giving Spirit;
Both now and forever, Amen
(Praise to the Father almighty,
Praise to his son, Christ the Lord;
Praise to the life giving Spirit;
Both now and forever, Amen)
Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.
(Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.)
Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.
(Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.)
THE MINISTRY OF TH WORD
A reading from the Book of Proverbs
Proverbs 25:6-7
When you stand before the king, don't try to impress him and pretend to be important. It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important.
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 Letter to the Hebrews.
Hebrews 13:1-8
Keep on loving one another as Christians. Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering, as though you were suffering as they are.
Marriage is to be honored by all, and husbands and wives must be faithful to each other. God will judge those who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” Let us be bold, then, and say,
“The Lord is my helper,
I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”
Remember your former leaders, who spoke God's message to you. Think back on how they lived and died, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
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.
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke.
Luke 14: 1, 7-14
One Sabbath Jesus went to eat a meal at the home of one of the leading Pharisees; and people were watching Jesus closely.
Jesus noticed how some of the guests were choosing the best places, so he told this parable to all of them: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place. It could happen that someone more important than you has been invited, and your host, who invited both of you, would have to come and say to you, ‘Let him have this place.’ Then you would be embarrassed and have to sit in the lowest place. Instead, when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that your host will come to you and say, ‘Come on up, my friend, to a better place.’ This will bring you honor in the presence of all the other guests. For those who make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be made great.”
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbors—for they will invite you back, and in this way you will be paid for what you did. When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind; and you will be blessed, because they are not able to pay you back. God will repay you on the day the good people rise from death.”
Silence
Both this Sunday’s Old Testament reading and this Sunday’s Gospel reading remind us how easily we can become wrapped up in our own self-importance. We have a high opinion of ourselves and want others to have the same opinion of us as we have of ourselves. We crave the esteem of others, their respect and admiration.
The high opinion of ourselves that we seem to have may be a façade, a false appearance that we don when we are around others, a false appearance that hides how we really feel about ourselves. Privately we do not think too well of ourselves. We may struggle with feeling of inadequacy, even self-loathing.
The Pharisees of the Gospels fall into the first category. They were consumed by their own self-importance. One of their primary motivations appears to have been a strong desire for the adulation of their co-religionists. They wanted to be admired and praised. The Gospels do not provide us with any insight into how they may have thought of themselves privately. While priding themselves upon their scrupulous observance of the rules and regulations of their religion, they paid little heed to the broader application of Proverbs 25: 5-6 as they scrambled for the better places. They may have thought that the words of the proverb did not apply to them as they were not in the presence of a king. Little did they realize that they were in the presence of their true King, God in the person of Jesus.
Jesus points to their attention to the broader truth underlying the proverb, a truth of which they should have been aware. The Book of Proverbs stresses the dangers of pride and importance and the rewards of humility. Proverbs 29:23 tells us, “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.” Proverbs 16:18 warns us, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.”
The Book of Proverb is not the only book of the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible, in which this truth may be found. In 2 Samuel 22:28 we read, “You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.” Psalm 18:27 conveys a similar message, “You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud.” Psalm 138:6 tells us, “Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.” And Psalm 147:6, “The Lord supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust.”
In Isaiah 2: 11 we read, “Human pride will be brought down, and human arrogance will be humbled. Only the Lord will be exalted on that day of judgment.” Isaiah 2: 17 reiterates, “Human pride will be humbled, and human arrogance will be brought down. Only the Lord will be exalted on that day of judgment.”
When Jesus spoke these words, “For those who make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be made great,” h may have been thinking about Isaiah 66:2, “My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! ‘I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.’
Jesus placed a strong emphasis upon humility in his teaching. See Matthew 5:5, Matthew 18:4, Matthew 23:12, and Luke 18:14 as well as Luke 14:11. An attitude of genuine humility was the attitude that Jesus taught his disciples to take, following his own example. They were not free from an exaggerated sense of their own importance and even argued amongst themselves about who was the greatest. Jesus told his disciples, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant…” (Matthew 20: 25-26). Jesus appears to have had to reinforce this teaching with his disciples on more than on occasion. “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves…” (Luke 22:25-27). Jesus emphasized his own servanthood when he washed the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper on the night of his betrayal and arrest.
What then does it mean to be humble, based upon what we read in the Scriptures and what Jesus himself taught and did?
First, a humble person is not proud. They consider themselves to have no special importance that makes them better than others.
Second, they actively seek to align their will with God’s. Their attitude is that of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, “… I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22: 42). They do not withhold any area of their life from God, choosing to live their own way in that particular area of their life, rather than in a way that is pleasing to God.
Third, a humble person recognizes their need for God’s grace. They understand that apart from God they can do nothing. Without God working in them, giving them the desire and the power, they cannot please God.
Fourth, they are not obsessed with the pursuit of power, privilege, position, prestige, possessions, praise, and the pleasures of the flesh, the gratification of their physical appetites.
Fifth, a humble person will live as the author of the Letter to Hebrew in this Sunday’s New Testament reading urges those to whom he is writing to live, recognizing in what he wrote words inspired by the Holy Spirit and in agreement with Jesus’ own teaching.
Sixth, and most importantly, they will have a strong trust and confidence in Jesus, not just as teacher and interpreter of the Scriptures, but as Savior and Lord, mindful of these words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 2: 3-11.
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
Let us ask God for more grace to be that kind of person, walking humbly with God for all the days of our lives.
Silence
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.
O God,
you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
Mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ 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 defense, 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 this 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 John Rutter’s arrangement of Jane Elizabeth Leeson’s “Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep."
1 Loving Shepherd of thy sheep
Keep thy lamb, in safety keep;
Nothing can thy power withstand
None can pluck me from thy hand
2 I would bless thee every day
Gladly all thy will obey
Like thy blessed ones above
Happy in thy perfect love
3 Loving Shepherd, ever near
Teach thy lamb thy voice to hear;
Suffer not my steps to stray
From the straight and narrow way
4 Where thou leadest I would go
Walking in thy steps below
Till before my Father's throne
I shall know as I am known
5 Loving Shepherd of thy sheep
Keep thy lamb, in safety keep;
Nothing can thy power withstand
None can pluck me from thy hand
None can pluck me from thy hand
None can pluck me from thy hand
[Let us pray for those holding public office.]
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We
commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided
by your providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant
to [here the appropriate public officials are named] and to all in
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 William Helder’ “Come, Praise the Lord! Let All Revere Him (Psalm 112).”
1 Come, praise the LORD! Let all revere Him.
How blessed is the man who fears Him,
Who in the LORD’S commands takes pleasure.
His offspring, blest in equal measure,
Will be the mighty in the nation,
A truly upright generation.
2 Abundant riches fill his dwelling;
Firm stands his justice, never failing.
As after night comes morning brightness,
Light dawns for him who loves uprightness;
All gloom and darkness it displaces
For the compassionate and gracious.
3 All’s well with him whose generous lending
Gives joy to those on him depending;
Who, his trustworthiness revealing,
Lets justice govern all his dealings.
The righteous one shall never waver;
His praises will be sung forever.
4 With steadfast heart in God confiding,
He has no fear of evil tidings;
He in the end with exultation
Will greet his foe’s humiliation.
His gifts he on the poor will shower;
Great are his honor and his power.
5 The just will thrive in his endeavors;
His righteousness endures forever.
The wicked sees it with vexation;
His teeth he gnashes in frustration.
The schemes and hopes that he may cherish
Are sure to fail and doomed to perish.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Paul Inwood’s “Holy Is God (Psalm 117).”
Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.
Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.
1 Sing the Lord’s praise, ev’ry nation,
Give him all honor and glory.
Strong is his love for his people,
His faithfulness is eternal.
Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.
(Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.)
2 Praise to the Father almighty,
Praise to his Son, Christ the Lord;
Praise to the life giving Spirit;
Both now and forever, Amen
(Praise to the Father almighty,
Praise to his son, Christ the Lord;
Praise to the life giving Spirit;
Both now and forever, Amen)
Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.
(Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.)
Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.
(Holy is God, holy and strong!
God everliving, alleluia.)
THE MINISTRY OF TH WORD
A reading from the Book of Proverbs
Proverbs 25:6-7
When you stand before the king, don't try to impress him and pretend to be important. It is better to be asked to take a higher position than to be told to give your place to someone more important.
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 Letter to the Hebrews.
Hebrews 13:1-8
Keep on loving one another as Christians. Remember to welcome strangers in your homes. There were some who did that and welcomed angels without knowing it. Remember those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them. Remember those who are suffering, as though you were suffering as they are.
Marriage is to be honored by all, and husbands and wives must be faithful to each other. God will judge those who are immoral and those who commit adultery.
Keep your lives free from the love of money, and be satisfied with what you have. For God has said, “I will never leave you; I will never abandon you.” Let us be bold, then, and say,
“The Lord is my helper,
I will not be afraid.
What can anyone do to me?”
Remember your former leaders, who spoke God's message to you. Think back on how they lived and died, and imitate their faith. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
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.
A reading from the Gospel according to Luke.
Luke 14: 1, 7-14
One Sabbath Jesus went to eat a meal at the home of one of the leading Pharisees; and people were watching Jesus closely.
Jesus noticed how some of the guests were choosing the best places, so he told this parable to all of them: “When someone invites you to a wedding feast, do not sit down in the best place. It could happen that someone more important than you has been invited, and your host, who invited both of you, would have to come and say to you, ‘Let him have this place.’ Then you would be embarrassed and have to sit in the lowest place. Instead, when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that your host will come to you and say, ‘Come on up, my friend, to a better place.’ This will bring you honor in the presence of all the other guests. For those who make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be made great.”
Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a lunch or a dinner, do not invite your friends or your brothers or your relatives or your rich neighbors—for they will invite you back, and in this way you will be paid for what you did. When you give a feast, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind; and you will be blessed, because they are not able to pay you back. God will repay you on the day the good people rise from death.”
Silence
On Humility
Both this Sunday’s Old Testament reading and this Sunday’s Gospel reading remind us how easily we can become wrapped up in our own self-importance. We have a high opinion of ourselves and want others to have the same opinion of us as we have of ourselves. We crave the esteem of others, their respect and admiration.
The high opinion of ourselves that we seem to have may be a façade, a false appearance that we don when we are around others, a false appearance that hides how we really feel about ourselves. Privately we do not think too well of ourselves. We may struggle with feeling of inadequacy, even self-loathing.
The Pharisees of the Gospels fall into the first category. They were consumed by their own self-importance. One of their primary motivations appears to have been a strong desire for the adulation of their co-religionists. They wanted to be admired and praised. The Gospels do not provide us with any insight into how they may have thought of themselves privately. While priding themselves upon their scrupulous observance of the rules and regulations of their religion, they paid little heed to the broader application of Proverbs 25: 5-6 as they scrambled for the better places. They may have thought that the words of the proverb did not apply to them as they were not in the presence of a king. Little did they realize that they were in the presence of their true King, God in the person of Jesus.
Jesus points to their attention to the broader truth underlying the proverb, a truth of which they should have been aware. The Book of Proverbs stresses the dangers of pride and importance and the rewards of humility. Proverbs 29:23 tells us, “Pride ends in humiliation, while humility brings honor.” Proverbs 16:18 warns us, “Pride goes before destruction, and haughtiness before a fall.”
The Book of Proverb is not the only book of the Old Testament, the Hebrew Bible, in which this truth may be found. In 2 Samuel 22:28 we read, “You rescue the humble, but your eyes watch the proud and humiliate them.” Psalm 18:27 conveys a similar message, “You rescue the humble, but you humiliate the proud.” Psalm 138:6 tells us, “Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble, but he keeps his distance from the proud.” And Psalm 147:6, “The Lord supports the humble, but he brings the wicked down into the dust.”
In Isaiah 2: 11 we read, “Human pride will be brought down, and human arrogance will be humbled. Only the Lord will be exalted on that day of judgment.” Isaiah 2: 17 reiterates, “Human pride will be humbled, and human arrogance will be brought down. Only the Lord will be exalted on that day of judgment.”
When Jesus spoke these words, “For those who make themselves great will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be made great,” h may have been thinking about Isaiah 66:2, “My hands have made both heaven and earth; they and everything in them are mine. I, the Lord, have spoken! ‘I will bless those who have humble and contrite hearts, who tremble at my word.’
Jesus placed a strong emphasis upon humility in his teaching. See Matthew 5:5, Matthew 18:4, Matthew 23:12, and Luke 18:14 as well as Luke 14:11. An attitude of genuine humility was the attitude that Jesus taught his disciples to take, following his own example. They were not free from an exaggerated sense of their own importance and even argued amongst themselves about who was the greatest. Jesus told his disciples, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant…” (Matthew 20: 25-26). Jesus appears to have had to reinforce this teaching with his disciples on more than on occasion. “In this world the kings and great men lord it over their people, yet they are called ‘friends of the people.’ But among you it will be different. Those who are the greatest among you should take the lowest rank, and the leader should be like a servant. Who is more important, the one who sits at the table or the one who serves? The one who sits at the table, of course. But not here! For I am among you as one who serves…” (Luke 22:25-27). Jesus emphasized his own servanthood when he washed the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper on the night of his betrayal and arrest.
What then does it mean to be humble, based upon what we read in the Scriptures and what Jesus himself taught and did?
First, a humble person is not proud. They consider themselves to have no special importance that makes them better than others.
Second, they actively seek to align their will with God’s. Their attitude is that of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane when he prayed, “… I want your will to be done, not mine” (Luke 22: 42). They do not withhold any area of their life from God, choosing to live their own way in that particular area of their life, rather than in a way that is pleasing to God.
Third, a humble person recognizes their need for God’s grace. They understand that apart from God they can do nothing. Without God working in them, giving them the desire and the power, they cannot please God.
Fourth, they are not obsessed with the pursuit of power, privilege, position, prestige, possessions, praise, and the pleasures of the flesh, the gratification of their physical appetites.
Fifth, a humble person will live as the author of the Letter to Hebrew in this Sunday’s New Testament reading urges those to whom he is writing to live, recognizing in what he wrote words inspired by the Holy Spirit and in agreement with Jesus’ own teaching.
Sixth, and most importantly, they will have a strong trust and confidence in Jesus, not just as teacher and interpreter of the Scriptures, but as Savior and Lord, mindful of these words of the apostle Paul in Philippians 2: 3-11.
“Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.
You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
Though he was God,
he did not think of equality with God
as something to cling to.
Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
he took the humble position of a slave
and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
he humbled himself in obedience to God
and died a criminal’s death on a cross.
Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
and gave him the name above all other names,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.”
Let us ask God for more grace to be that kind of person, walking humbly with God for all the days of our lives.
Silence
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.
O God,
you declare your almighty power
most chiefly in showing mercy and pity:
Mercifully grant to us such a measure of your grace,
that we, running the way of your commandments,
may receive your gracious promises,
and be made partakers of your heavenly treasure;
through Jesus Christ 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 defense, 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 this 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 John Rutter’s arrangement of Jane Elizabeth Leeson’s “Loving Shepherd of Thy Sheep."
1 Loving Shepherd of thy sheep
Keep thy lamb, in safety keep;
Nothing can thy power withstand
None can pluck me from thy hand
2 I would bless thee every day
Gladly all thy will obey
Like thy blessed ones above
Happy in thy perfect love
3 Loving Shepherd, ever near
Teach thy lamb thy voice to hear;
Suffer not my steps to stray
From the straight and narrow way
4 Where thou leadest I would go
Walking in thy steps below
Till before my Father's throne
I shall know as I am known
5 Loving Shepherd of thy sheep
Keep thy lamb, in safety keep;
Nothing can thy power withstand
None can pluck me from thy hand
None can pluck me from thy hand
None can pluck me from thy hand
[Let us pray for those holding public office.]
O Lord our Governor, whose glory is in all the world: We
commend this nation to your merciful care, that, being guided
by your providence, we may dwell secure in your peace. Grant
to [here the appropriate public officials are named] and to all in
authority, wisdom and strength to know and to do you will. Fill
them with the love of truth and righteousness, and make them
ever mindful of their calling to serve this people in reverence
and fear before you; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives
and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
[Let us pray for the Church]
Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels:
send down your life-giving Spirit of grace on our bishops
[Let us pray for the Church]
Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels:
send down your life-giving Spirit of grace on our bishops
and other clergy, and on the congregations which they serve;
and, in order that they may truly please you, pour upon them
the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, Lord, for the
honour of our advocate and mediator, Jesus Christ. 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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kate Barcklay Wilkinson’s “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior.
1 May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
live in me from day to day,
by His love and pow'r controlling
all I do and say.
2 May the word of God dwell richly
in my heart from hour to hour,
so that all may see I triumph
only through His pow'r.
3 May the peace of God my Father
rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort
sick and sorrowing.
4 May the love of Jesus fill me
as the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing:
this is victory.
5 May I run the race before me,
strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus
as I onward go.
6 May His beauty rest upon me
as I seek the lost to win,
and may they forget the channel,
seeing only Him.
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.
[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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kate Barcklay Wilkinson’s “May the Mind of Christ, My Savior.
1 May the mind of Christ, my Savior,
live in me from day to day,
by His love and pow'r controlling
all I do and say.
2 May the word of God dwell richly
in my heart from hour to hour,
so that all may see I triumph
only through His pow'r.
3 May the peace of God my Father
rule my life in everything,
that I may be calm to comfort
sick and sorrowing.
4 May the love of Jesus fill me
as the waters fill the sea;
Him exalting, self abasing:
this is victory.
5 May I run the race before me,
strong and brave to face the foe,
looking only unto Jesus
as I onward go.
6 May His beauty rest upon me
as I seek the lost to win,
and may they forget the channel,
seeing only Him.
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
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