Sundays at All Hallows (March 1, 2026)

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday, the Second Sunday in Lent, is the first Sunday of March. March is the third month of the year in both the Gregorian and Julian calendars and marks the beginning of Spring in the Northern Hemisphere (and the beginning of Fall in the Southern Hemisphere).

Every year, on the first Sunday of March, people across New Zealand celebrate Children’s Day, Te Rā o Ngā Tamariki. This special day honours the joy, curiosity, and potential of New Zealand’s tamariki, the island nation’s children. You can learn more about Children’s Day at this website.

On a more sombre note your prayers are asked for world peace in light of the Israeli-US bombing raids on Iran, the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, the onset of hostilities between Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the various conflicts in other parts of the world, and for the people in these trouble spots.

The topic of this Sunday’s message is the new birth, the birth from on high.

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

Open this link in a new tab to hear Lim Swee Hong’s WAIRUA TAPU (As the Wind Song), with improvisations, arranged for harp.

Silence

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life.
John 3:16

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 to James Quinn SJ’s paraphrase of the Jubilate Deo, “Sing All Creation.”

1 Sing, all creation, sing to God in gladness!
Joyously serve him, singing hymns of homage!
Chanting his praises, come before his presence!
Praise the Almighty!

2 Know that our God is Lord of all the ages!
He is our maker; we are all his creatures,
people he fashioned, sheep he leads to pasture!
Praise the Almighty!

3 Enter his temple, ringing out his praises!
Sing in thanksgiving as you come before him!
Blessing his bounty, glorify his greatness!
Praise the Almighty!

[Instrumental interlude]

4 Great in his goodness is the Lord we worship;
steadfast his kindness, love that knows no ending!
Faithful his word is, changeless, everlasting!
Praise the Almighty!

Open this link in a new tab to hear Marty Haugen’s adaptation of Psalm 121, “Pilgrim’s Song.”

I lift my eyes to the mountains,
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the One
who made the heavens and the earth,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

1 God will not let your foot be moved.
God, who keeps you will not slumber.
The One who keeps Israel
never slumbers, never sleeps.

I lift my eyes to the mountains,
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the One
who made the heavens and the earth,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

2 God will be the one who keeps you,
as a shade at your right hand,
so the sun shall not strike you by day,
nor the moon in the night.

I lift my eyes to the mountains,
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the One
who made the heavens and the earth,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

3. God will keep you from all evil.
God will always guard your life,
guard your comings, and your goings,
from now and evermore.

I lift my eyes to the mountains,
from where shall come my help?
My help shall come from the One
who made the heavens and the earth,
the Maker of heaven and earth.

Silence

Lord, ever watchful and faithful,
we look to you to be our defence
and we lift up our hearts to know your help;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Open this link in a new tab to hear Kiran Young Wimberly’s “Sing a Joyful Song” (Psalm 66).

1 Sing a joyful song unto our God
All earth, be glad and sing
Sing out of all God’s gracious ways
Of all the blessings shown
We will raise our voices, sing our praise
Give thanks with grateful hearts
For our loving God has heard our prayers
And answered when we called

2 You have turned the sea into dry land
And led us from fire and storm
You have kept our feet from stumbling
Led us to a spacious place
May the sound of thanks ring strong and clear
For God has come to help
I will bring to God my offering
My heart, my life, my soul

3 O Come and hear, and I will tell
What God has done for me
I cried aloud when I was lost
You came to comfort me
You heard my prayer and listened well
When I was all alone
Blessed be our God who hears us now,
Whose love will never cease

[Instrumental interlude]

Sing a joyful song unto our God
All earth be glad and sing

Silence

How generous is your goodness, O God,
how great is your salvation,
how faithful is your love!
Help us to trust in you in trial,
to praise you in deliverance
and to rejoice before you with overflowing hearts;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A reading from the Book of Genesis.
Genesis 12:1-4

The Lord had said to Abram, “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.”

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle’s “Bless the Lord, Our Fathers' God”

Piano accompaniment only (3 verses; no introduction)

1 Bless the Lord, our fathers' God,
bless the name of heaven's king;
bless him in his holy place,
tell his praise, his glories sing.

2 Bless the Lord who reigns on high
throned above the cherubim;
bless the Lord who knows the depths,
show his praise and worship him.

3 Bless the Lord for evermore,
bless the Holy Trinity;
bless the Father, Spirit, Son,
sing his praise eternally!

A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
Romans 4:1-5,13-17

What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.”

Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness.

It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression.

Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace and may be guaranteed to all Abraham’s offspring—not only to those who are of the law but also to those who have the faith of Abraham. He is the father of us all. As it is written: “I have made you a father of many nations.” He is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls into being things that were not.

Silence

Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Perry’s "O Bless the God of Israel" (Benedictus)

1 O bless the God of Israel,
who comes to set us free,
who visits and redeems us
and grants us liberty.
The prophets spoke of mercy,
of rescue and release,
God shall fulfil his promise
and bring his people peace.

2 He comes! The Child of David,
the Son whom God has given;
he comes to live among us
and raise us up to heaven.
Before him goes his servant,
forerunner in the way,
the prophet of salvation,
the herald of the Day.

3 Where once were fear and darkness
the sun begins to rise-
the dawning of forgiveness
upon the sinner’s eyes.
He guides the feet of pilgrims
along the paths of peace:
O, bless our God and Saviour,
with songs that never cease!

A reading from the Gospel according to John.
John 3:1-17

Now there was a Pharisee, a man named Nicodemus who was a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the signs you are doing if God were not with him.”

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

“How can this be?” Nicodemus asked.

“You are Israel’s teacher,” said Jesus, “and do you not understand these things? Very truly I tell you, we speak of what we know, and we testify to what we have seen, but still you people do not accept our testimony. I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man. Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, that everyone who believes may have eternal life in him.”

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.

‘You must be born again.’

"March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb" was a saying that I often heard as a boy. It was a refence to the high winds, “March winds” as they were called, which marked the beginning of the month and the gentler weather which marked its conclusion. Where I live in western Kentucky, the winds have brought down tree branches and toppled trees, causing injury and even the loss of life.

We cannot see the wind. We can, however, feel the sudden burst of a strong wind. We can hear the wind roaring through the leaves of the trees, a sign of an approaching thunderstorm. We can hear it howling outside a window. We can see tree branches tossing in the wind, treetops violently lashed back and forth, clouds scudding before the wind, dead leaves whirling in the air. But we cannot see wind itself. It is invisible to the human eye.

In this Sunday’s Gospel reading John recounts a conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus. In that conversation Jesus compares the Holy Spirit to the wind. Like the wind, we have no control over the Holy Spirit. Like the wind, we cannot see the Holy Spirit, but we can feel, hear, and see the effects of the Holy Spirit. We observe these effects in people’s lives.

Nicodemus, a Jewish leader, had sought Jesus out late at night. He had visited Jesus under the cover of darkness because he did not want anyone else to know that he had talked with Jesus. Nicodemus would secretly become a disciple of Jesus and later risk his own life to bury Jesus.

In the same conversation Jesus also tells Nicodemus that we must experience a spiritual rebirth in order to “enter the kingdom of God.” This spiritual rebirth is the work of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit arouses and awakens faith in us and begins the work of renovating our souls and remaking us into the likeness of Jesus. We do not experience this spiritual rebirth because of who we are. Nor do we experience it because of anything we have done. It is a gift from God.

As children grow and change after they are born, people who have experienced this spiritual rebirth also grow and change after they are “born again.” Among the changes that they will exhibit is that they will grow more in character like Jesus. They will produce what the apostle Paul called the “fruit of the Spirit.” See Galatians 5:22–23. They will become more loving, more joyful, more peaceable, more patient, kinder, more generous, gentler, and more self-controlled.

They will make choices that are more closely aligned to God’s will as it is revealed in the Holy Scriptures, particularly in Jesus’ teaching and example. They will grow in personal holiness, shunning what Paul described as the “works of the flesh.” See Galatians 5:19-21. As well as seeking to avoid evil, they will seek to do no harm and to do as much good to others as they can.

They will grow in their love of God and their love of others, particularly their love of their fellow Christians, showing themselves to be truly the followers of Jesus by this love.

They will evidence the spiritual gifts. Simply put, the spiritual gifts are manifestations of the Holy Spirit in a Christian for the purpose of building up the church and glorify God through service to others. They are not given to set one Christian apart from another, to draw attention to ourselves, or to impress others. They are gifts to the whole Body of Christ and not just us as individual Christians.

It is this new birth that is the cause for us to have what Peter describes as “a living hope” in 1 Peter 1:3. This hope is no ordinary hope. It is not just wishful thinking. It is a good reason for us to believe that the salvation for which we yearn to be true and that it will indeed happen.

What then can we do to put what we have learned from this Sunday’s Gospel reading to work for the good of others? We can pray for those around us who do not know Jesus, family members, relatives, friends, colleagues, fellow students, acquaintances, and even strangers, asking God to work in their lives and to enable them to believe and to be born again. We can ask God to show us who especially needs our prayers and how else we might minister to them.

When we pray for someone else’s spiritual wellbeing, we are expressing our love for God as well as our love for our neighbor. We are also making tangible the Wind of God blowing through our own lives and transforming us. Without God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, we would not be able turn to God, much less to pray. Even the faintest stirrings of faith are a gift from our gracious God.

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 God, we confess that we have no power of ourselves to
help ourselves: keep us outwardly in our bodies and inwardly in
our souls, that we may be defended from all adversities that may
happen to the body, and from all evil thoughts that may assault
and hurt the soul; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Almighty and everlasting God,
you hate nothing that you have made
and forgive the sins of all those who are penitent:
Create and make in us new and contrite hearts
that we, worthily lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness,
may receive from you, the God of all mercy,
perfect remission and forgiveness;
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 Timothy Dudley Smith’s “Spirit of God within Me.”

1 Spirit of God within me,
possess my human frame;
fan the dull embers of my heart,
stir up the living flame.
Strive till that image Adam lost,
new minted and restored,
in shining splendour brightly bears
the likeness of the Lord.

2 Spirit of truth within me,
possess my thought and mind;
lighten anew the inward eye
by Satan rendered blind;
shine on the words that wisdom speaks
and grant me power to see
the truth made known to all in Christ,
and in that truth be free.

3 Spirit of love within me,
possess my hands and heart;
break through the bonds of self-concern
that seeks to stand apart:
grant me the love that suffers long,
that hopes, believes and bears,
the love fulfilled in sacrifice,
that cares as Jesus cares.

4 Spirit of life within me,
possess this life of mine;
come as the wind of heaven's breath,
come as the fire divine!
Spirit of Christ, the living Lord,
reign in this house of clay,
till from its dust with Christ I rise
to everlasting day.

[Let us pray for peace]

O God,
it is your will to hold both heaven and earth
in a single peace.
Let the design of your great love
shine on the waste of our wraths and sorrows,
and give peace to your Church,
peace among nations,
peace in our homes, and peace in our hearts;

Through Jesus Christ our Lord. 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 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 Bessy Porter Ann Head and Trevor Hodge’s “O Breath, Come Sweeping through Us.”

1 O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and power.
O Breath of life, come, cleanse, renew us,
and fit your church to meet this hour.

O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.

2 O Wind of God, come bend us, break us,
till humbly we confess our need.
Then in your tenderness remake us;
revive, restore, for this we plead.

O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.

3 Revive us, Lord! Is zeal abating
while harvest fields are vast and white?
Revive us, Lord, the world is waiting,
equip your church to spread the light.

O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.

O Breath of love, come breathe within,
renewing thought and will and heart.
Come, love of Christ, afresh to win;
revive your church in every part.

O Breath of life, come sweeping through us,
revive your church with life and power.

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.