Sundays at All Hallows (November 2, 2025)

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

All Hallows Murray was launched in its present format on June 10, 2020, five years ago this past June. What was originally intended to be a new church plant morphed into an online worship and digital church ministry due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. The particular format was chosen for its participation friendliness as well as its simplicity and ease of use.

All Hallows Murray offers two weekly services, one on Thursday evenings and the other on Sundays. The order of service is taken from a variety of sources, Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist.

The ministry target group includes individuals who are unable to attend a local church due to health or other reasons; families and individuals who have no church within a reasonable distance from where they live; families and individuals on vacation or traveling for other reasons, small groups meeting for worship, Bible study, prayer, and fellowship; and individual exploring the Christian faith and life.

In this Sunday’s message we take a look at the gospel reading appointed for this Sunday, Luke 19: 1-10, and its implications for Christians and those exploring Christianity.

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

Open this link in a new tab to hear Nichlas Schaal’s arrangement of Sarah Hart’s DRAWN TO YOU for piano and guitar.

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 followed too much
the devices and the desires of our own hearts.
we have offended against your holy laws,
we have left undone what we ought to have done,
and we have done what we ought not to have done.
Yet, good Lord, have mercy on us;
restore those who are penitent,
according to your promises declared
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Grant, most merciful Father, for his sake,
that we may live a godly, righteous, and sober lives,
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 Lloyd Larson’s choral arrangement of “O Come and Sing unto the Lord” (Palm 95) from The Palter 1912.

O come and sing unto the Lord,
to God our voices raise;
Let us in our most joyful song
the Lord our savior, praise!
Before God's presence let us
come with praise and thankful voice;
Let us sing psalms to God with grace,
with grateful hearts rejoice.

O come, and bowing down to God,
our worship let us bring;
Come, let us kneel before the Lord,
our Maker and our King.

The Lord our God is King of kings,
above all gods enthroned;
the depths of earth and mountains
high by God alone are owned.
To God the spacious sea belongs;
God made its waves and tides.
And by God's hand the rising land
was formed, and still abides.

O come, and bowing down to God,
our worship let us bring;
Come, let us kneel before the Lord,
our Maker and our King,
our Maker and our King, our King.

Open this link in a new tab to hear William Ferris’ responsorial setting of Psalm 32, “Lord, Forgive the Wrong I Have Done.”

Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

1 Blessed is the one whose fault is taken a way,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed the man to whom the Lord imputes not guilt,
in whose spirit there is no guile.

Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

2 I acknowledged my sin to you,
my guilt I covered not.
I said, "I confess my faults to the Lord,"
and you took away the guilt of my sin.

Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

3 You are my shelter;
from distress you will preserve me;
with glad cries of freedom
you will ring me round.

Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

4 Be glad in the Lord
and rejoice, you just;
ex ult, all you upright of heart.

Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.

Silence

Give us honest hearts, O God,
and send your kindly Spirit
to help us confess our sins
and bring us the peace of your forgiveness;
in Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s “Let All the Earth Cry Out (Psalm 66).”

Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.

1 Cry out in joy to the Lord, all peoples on earth,
to the praise of his name,
proclaim him forever,
tremendous his deeds for us.

Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.
(Alleluia.)
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.

2 Leading his people safe through fire and water,
bringing their souls to life,
come sing of his glory,
love is eternal.

Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.
(Alleluia.)
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord.

3 Hearken to me as I sing my love of the Lord,
He answers the prayer of my heart,
he leads me in safety,
from death unto life.

Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord
(Alleluia.)
Let all the earth cry out in joy to the Lord
To the Lord.
(Alleluia.)
To the Lord.
(Alleluia.)
To the Lord.
(Alleluia.)

Silence

How generous is your goodness, O God,
how great is your salvation,
how faithful is your love;
help us to trust you in trial
and praise you in deliverance;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A reading from the Book of Isaiah.
Isaiah 1:10-18

Jerusalem, your rulers and your people are like those of Sodom and Gomorrah. Listen to what the Lord is saying to you. Pay attention to what our God is teaching you. He says, “Do you think I want all these sacrifices you keep offering to me? I have had more than enough of the sheep you burn as sacrifices and of the fat of your fine animals. I am tired of the blood of bulls and sheep and goats. Who asked you to bring me all this when you come to worship me? Who asked you to do all this tramping around in my Temple? It's useless to bring your offerings. I am disgusted with the smell of the incense you burn. I cannot stand your New Moon Festivals, your Sabbaths, and your religious gatherings; they are all corrupted by your sins. I hate your New Moon Festivals and holy days; they are a burden that I am tired of bearing.

“When you lift your hands in prayer, I will not look at you. No matter how much you pray, I will not listen, for your hands are covered with blood. Wash yourselves clean. Stop all this evil that I see you doing. Yes, stop doing evil and learn to do right. See that justice is done—help those who are oppressed, give orphans their rights, and defend widows.”

The Lord says, “Now, let's settle the matter. You are stained red with sin, but I will wash you as clean as snow. Although your stains are deep red, you will be as white as wool.

Silence.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Kenneth Jennings’ choral arrangement of “All You Works of the Lord.”

1 All you works of the Lord, bless the Lord:
praise God and magnify God forever.

2 You angels of the Lord, bless the
Lord;
You heavens, bless the Lord;
all you waters above the heavens, bless the Lord;
praise God and magnify God forever.

3 You sun and moon, bless the Lord;
you stars of heaven, bless the Lord;
all you showers and dew, bless the Lord:
praise God and magnify God forever.

4 All you winds of God, bless the Lord;
you fire and heat, bless the Lord;
you winter and summer, bless the Lord:
praise God and magnify God forever.

5 You dews and frost, bless the Lord;
you frost and cold, bless the Lord;
you ice and snow, bless the Lord:
praise God and magnify God forever.

6 You nights and days, bless the Lord;
you light and darkness, bless the Lord;
you lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord:
praise God and magnify God forever,
praise God and magnify God forever,
praise God and magnify God forever,
praise God and magnify God forever.
Bless the Lord.

7 All the earth, bless the Lord;
you mountains and hills, bless the Lord;
all you green things that grow on the earth, bless the Lord:
praise God and magnify God forever

8 You wells and springs, bless the Lord;
you rivers and seas, bless the Lord;
you whales and all who move in the waters, bless the Lord:
praise God and magnify God forever.

9 All you birds of the air, bless the Lord;
all you beasts and cattle, bless the Lord;
all you children of mortals, bless the Lord:
praise God and magnify God forever.

10 You people of God, bless the Lord;
you priests of the Lord, bless the Lord;
you servants of the Lord, bless the Lord:
praise God and magnify God forever.

11 You spirits and souls of the righteous,
you pure and humble of heart, bless the Lord;
let us bless the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit:
praise God and magnify God forever. Amen

A reading from Paul’s Second Letter to the Thessalonians.
2 Thessalonians 1: 1-4, 11-12

From Paul, Silas, and Timothy—

To the people of the church in Thessalonica, who belong to God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ:

May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.

Our friends, we must thank God at all times for you. It is right for us to do so, because your faith is growing so much and the love each of you has for the others is becoming greater. That is why we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God. We boast about the way you continue to endure and believe through all the persecutions and sufferings you are experiencing.


That is why we always pray for you. We ask our God to make you worthy of the life he has called you to live. May he fulfill by his power all your desire for goodness and complete your work of faith. In this way the name of our Lord Jesus will receive glory from you, and you from him, by the grace of our God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Silence

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.

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.

A reading from the Gospel according to Luke.
Luke 19: 1-10

Jesus went on into Jericho and was passing through. There was a chief tax collector there named Zacchaeus, who was rich. He was trying to see who Jesus was, but he was a little man and could not see Jesus because of the crowd. So he ran ahead of the crowd and climbed a sycamore tree to see Jesus, who was going to pass that way. When Jesus came to that place, he looked up and said to Zacchaeus, “Hurry down, Zacchaeus, because I must stay in your house today.”

Zacchaeus hurried down and welcomed him with great joy. All the people who saw it started grumbling, “This man has gone as a guest to the home of a sinner!”

Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Listen, sir! I will give half my belongings to the poor, and if I have cheated anyone, I will pay back four times as much.”

Jesus said to him, “Salvation has come to this house today, for this man, also, is a descendant of Abraham. The Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

Silence

“Zacchaeus Was A Wee, Little Man, A Wee, Little Man Was He.”

You may have sung this Bible song in Sunday school when you were younger. Or heard it later in life as I did.

Zacchaeus was a wee, little man,
And a wee, little man was he.
He climbed up in a sycamore tree,
For the Lord he wanted to see.

And as the Savior came that way,
He looked up in the tree,

Spoken: And he said, "Zacchaeus, you come down from there!"

For I'm going to your house today.
For I'm going to your house today.

In this Sunday’s gospel reading Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector of Jericho, a city twenty miles from Jerusalem, and a very wealthy man, upon hearing that Jesus is passing through the city goes to great lengths to see him. Zacchaeus is a man of small stature, and he cannot see Jesus because of the crowd that surrounding Jesus. So, Zacchaeus runs ahead of the crowd and climbs a sycamore fig tree growing alongside the route Jesus will be taking. Sycamore fig trees have low hanging branches and would have been easy for a man of Zacchaeus’ stature to climb.

Jesus walks straight to the tree where Zacchaeus is clinging to a swaying branch, looking down at him. He looks up at Zacchaeus and calls out to him by name. Jesus knows who is in the tree. He tells Zacchaeus to come down right away. He is going to stay at Zacchaeus’ house.

To invite oneself to someone else’s was at that time an outrageous thing to do. It just was not done! It was extremely bad manners! Zacchaeus, however, is not shocked. He is overjoyed.


All the people who witnessed what happened, on the other hand, are shocked. They begin to grumble. Zacchaeus was not just a tax collector; he was the chief tax collector.

Tax collectors had a bad reputation not only for their dishonesty and greed but also for the despicable ways that they collected taxes and profited from collecting taxes. They were widely despised and hated. Tax collectors, who were also Jewish, were seen as traitors by other Jews, collaborators with an oppressive Roman government.

The only person who was despised and hated more than a tax collector was the chief tax collector. The chief tax collector farmed out to the other tax collectors the collection of taxes in a particular area. Chief tax collectors profited handsomely from this arrangement and as a consequence became extremely wealthy.

It was incomprehensible to the grumblers that Jesus would choose to be a guest in Zacchaeus’ house.

Zacchaeus is not only filled with joy, but he also clearly shows evidence of repentance.

What can we learn from this Sunday’s gospel reading?

While it might have been curiosity that motivated Zacchaeus to see Jesus, we learn from what happened on that day, it was God’s doing. God stirred in Zacchaeus the overwhelming desire to see Jesus, a desire so strong that he threw dignity to the wind, ran ahead of the crowd, and scrambled up a sycamore fig tree. A sycamore fig tree is a very leafy tree, and in all likelihood Zacchaeus would not have been visible from the ground. Jesus, however, knew that he was is the tree. Jesus also knew his name. Zacchaeus did not know it, but Jesus had an appointment with him.

Zacchaeus had not planned on meeting Jesus. He just wanted to see him. Jesus, however, had other plans. He was not only intent on meeting Zaccheus but also intent on staying at his house.

What does that tell us about Jesus? About God?

We don’t initiate a relationship with Jesus. He initiates a relationship with us. We don’t seek God rather God seeks us.

While Jesus initiates the relationship, it is up to us to respond. Jesus does not force himself upon us. Zacchaeus could have clung to his branch, peering down at Jesus. Instead, he most likely fell out of the tree in his haste to come down.

God had already been working in Zacchaeus’ life. God had aroused in him the desire to see Jesus. God would enable Zacchaeus to respond to Jesus’ words, “Hurry down, Zacchaeus, because I must stay in your house today.” God would also enable Zacchaeus to truly repent, to show by his actions that he had a change of heart.

God is working in people’s lives today as he was working in Zacchaeus’ life then. We may not have eyes and minds open to where, how, and with whom he is working.

We may like the grumblers in this Sunday’s gospel be shocked that God takes an interest in those whom we believe God to be least likely to take an interest. As God told Moses, “I am the Lord, and I show compassion and pity on those I choose” (Exodus 33:19).

It does not fall to us to determine to whom God should show mercy and from whom God should withhold mercy. Our responsibility is to share the good news of Jesus Christ with all and sundry and to make disciples of all people groups as our Lord commanded.

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.

Almighty and merciful God, of your bountiful goodness keep us
from everything that may hurt us, that we may be ready in body
and soul cheerfully to accomplish whatever you want us to do;
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 every 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 Esther Mui’s “Fear Not for I Have Redeemed You.”

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel,
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel,
your Savior,
your Savior.

Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.
Fear not, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by your name;
You are Mine.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel,
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel,
your Savior,
and your Savior.

When you come through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned,
Nor shall the flame scorch you.

For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel,
For I am the LORD your God,
The Holy One of Israel,
your Savior,
your Savior.

[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 people according to their needs]

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.

[Let us pray for ourselves and others.]

Silence

Those present may offer their own prayers and thanksgivings, either silently or aloud.

Eternal God,
grant to us this day and every day
such readiness and delight in following Christ,
that whether our lives are short or long
we shall have lived abundantly. Amen.

[Let us give thanks to God for his goodness.]

Almighty God and merciful Father,
we give you heart-felt thanks
for all your goodness and loving kindness to us
and to all people.
We bless you for our creation and preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such a sense of all your mercies,
that our hearts may be truly thankful,
and that we praise you,
not only with our lips but in our lives,
serving you in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever. 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 Delores Dufner’s “Go Forth in Peace.”

1 Go forth in peace, for Christ is your peace,
and God gives you peace in Christ.
Go forth in joy, for Christ goes with you;
wherever you go, Christ goes.
Daughters and sons of God in Christ Jesus,
share with the world the gift of God’s peace.
Go forth in peace, for Christ is your peace;
and God gives you peace in Christ.

2 Go forth to love as Christ loved the world,
as God has loved us in Christ.
Love all you meet, for love is of God,
and where love is, there is God.
When on the cross Christ died for all people,
he showed the breadth and depth of God’s love.
Go forth to love as Christ loved the world,
as God has loved us in Christ.

3 Go forth to serve as Christ served the world,
as God has served us in Christ.
Not to be served but to serve,
Christ came to teach us God’s way of life.
On that last night, with basin and towel,
Jesus knelt down and washed his friends’ feet.
Go forth to serve as Christ served the world,
as God has served us in Christ.

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.

Open this link in a new tab to hear St. Aidan’s Community’s “The Grace (2 Corinthians 13:14).”

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God our Father,
and the fellowship, the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with us
for evermore and evermore and evermore. Amen.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
and the love of God our Father,
and the fellowship, the fellowship
of the Holy Spirit be with us
for evermore and evermore and evermore. Amen.