Thursday Evening at All Hallows (February 5, 2026)
Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.
In this Thursday evening’s message, we consider a number of implications of Jesus’ teaching about anger.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Josh Snodgrass’ arrangementof “Sweet Hour of Prayer” for solo 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
Let us now confess our sins to almighty God.
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 we may be cleansed from all our 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 Calvin Seerveld and Lee Ann Vermeulen-Roberts’s “You servants of the Lord our God (Psalm 134).”
1 You servants of the Lord our God,
who work and pray both day and night.
In God's own house, lift up your hands,
and praise the Lord with all your might.
2 Lift up your hands in holiness,
come, bless the Lord and give Him praise.
Kneel down before the Lord our God,
and worship Him in all your ways.
[Instrumental interlude]
3 The Lord God bless you from His throne,
shine down upon you with His face.
He who created heaven and earth,
redeem you with His love and grace.
Redeem you with His love and grace.
Open this link to hear William Helder’s “Come Praise the Lord, His Might Proclaim (Psalm 113).”
1 Come praise the Lord, his might acclaim!
Let all his servants praise his name;
From now forevermore adore him.
From where the sun begins to rise
To where it sets in western skies,
Let all with praises come before him.
2 God far above all nations dwells;
His glory heav’nly heights excels,
For who compares in might and splendor,
With him, the Lord, who from his throne
On earth and heav’n looks down?
Let all to him their praises render.
3 God saves the needy from disgrace
And lift them to an honored place
Among the princes of his nation.
His favor makes the barren spouse
A joyful mother in her house.
Praised be the Lord with exultation.
Silence
From the rising of the sun to its setting
we praise your name, O Lord;
may your promise to raise the poor from the dust
and turn the fortunes of the needy upside down
be fulfilled in our time also,
as it was in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew
Matthew 5:21-26
‘You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, “Raca,” is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell.
‘Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
‘Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
Maybe you know someone who is quick to take offense at the slightest provocation. The provocation does not have to be real. It can be a figment of their imagination. They are apt to get the wrong end of stick and not to understand the situation correctly. They lash out angrily at whoever offended them. Their anger is often disproportionate to the situation.
Maybe you known someone who harbors grudges against other people. They are not willing to overlook the smallest offense or to forgive and let bygones be bygones, to forgive others for things said or done or for disagreements and to forget about them. Rather they brood over these perceived offenses and go to great lengths to get even.
Maybe you known someone who is always belittling other people and insulting them, calling them fools and worse. Maybe you known someone who uses their anger and the threat of their anger to bully and intimidate other people.
Based on what Matthew tells us Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, these ways of behaving are breaches of God’s commandment not to murder and will subject whoever behaves that way to God’s judgement.
I believe that we are safe in concluding that Jesus is not talking about the momentary annoyance we may feel when we forget something or the sudden but brief feeling of anger triggered by an unexpected and unwanted turn of events. Rather he is talking about habitual patterns of behavior in which unchecked anger plays a central role. It may not always be obvious and may take the form of sarcasm, malicious gossip, pranking, and the silent treatment. All these behaviors can cause emotional and psychological and even physical harm to those at whom they are directed. They can disrupt an individual’s personal and work relationships and have serious negative consequences for them.
According to Luke, Jesus taught his disciples, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Mercy is a particular form of kindness and forgiveness. The person showing mercy is under no obligation to show kindness or forgiveness but is in a position to withhold both of them. That person, however, chooses to show mercy. They choose not to give rein to any anger they may feel. They do not let anger determine or influence their actions.
While Jesus’ teaching was given to his disciples, it was meant for all humanity, those who were not yet his disciples as well as his disciples. As Jesus is Lord of all, both believers and non-believers are bound by what he taught. While ordering one’s life according to Jesus’ teaching cannot save the non-believer, it can help the believer enabled by God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit working in their life, to grow in their love of God and holiness of life and become more like Jesus. To get right with God, one must turn in repentance and faith to Jesus. Only then can one benefit from ordering one's life according to what he taught.
Let us now confess our sins to almighty God.
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 we may be cleansed from all our 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 Calvin Seerveld and Lee Ann Vermeulen-Roberts’s “You servants of the Lord our God (Psalm 134).”
1 You servants of the Lord our God,
who work and pray both day and night.
In God's own house, lift up your hands,
and praise the Lord with all your might.
2 Lift up your hands in holiness,
come, bless the Lord and give Him praise.
Kneel down before the Lord our God,
and worship Him in all your ways.
[Instrumental interlude]
3 The Lord God bless you from His throne,
shine down upon you with His face.
He who created heaven and earth,
redeem you with His love and grace.
Redeem you with His love and grace.
Open this link to hear William Helder’s “Come Praise the Lord, His Might Proclaim (Psalm 113).”
1 Come praise the Lord, his might acclaim!
Let all his servants praise his name;
From now forevermore adore him.
From where the sun begins to rise
To where it sets in western skies,
Let all with praises come before him.
2 God far above all nations dwells;
His glory heav’nly heights excels,
For who compares in might and splendor,
With him, the Lord, who from his throne
On earth and heav’n looks down?
Let all to him their praises render.
3 God saves the needy from disgrace
And lift them to an honored place
Among the princes of his nation.
His favor makes the barren spouse
A joyful mother in her house.
Praised be the Lord with exultation.
Silence
From the rising of the sun to its setting
we praise your name, O Lord;
may your promise to raise the poor from the dust
and turn the fortunes of the needy upside down
be fulfilled in our time also,
as it was in your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew
Matthew 5:21-26
‘You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, “You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.” But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, “Raca,” is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, “You fool!” will be in danger of the fire of hell.
‘Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you, leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.
‘Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison. Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
What Did Jesus Teach about Anger?
Maybe you know someone who is quick to take offense at the slightest provocation. The provocation does not have to be real. It can be a figment of their imagination. They are apt to get the wrong end of stick and not to understand the situation correctly. They lash out angrily at whoever offended them. Their anger is often disproportionate to the situation.
Maybe you known someone who harbors grudges against other people. They are not willing to overlook the smallest offense or to forgive and let bygones be bygones, to forgive others for things said or done or for disagreements and to forget about them. Rather they brood over these perceived offenses and go to great lengths to get even.
Maybe you known someone who is always belittling other people and insulting them, calling them fools and worse. Maybe you known someone who uses their anger and the threat of their anger to bully and intimidate other people.
Based on what Matthew tells us Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount, these ways of behaving are breaches of God’s commandment not to murder and will subject whoever behaves that way to God’s judgement.
I believe that we are safe in concluding that Jesus is not talking about the momentary annoyance we may feel when we forget something or the sudden but brief feeling of anger triggered by an unexpected and unwanted turn of events. Rather he is talking about habitual patterns of behavior in which unchecked anger plays a central role. It may not always be obvious and may take the form of sarcasm, malicious gossip, pranking, and the silent treatment. All these behaviors can cause emotional and psychological and even physical harm to those at whom they are directed. They can disrupt an individual’s personal and work relationships and have serious negative consequences for them.
According to Luke, Jesus taught his disciples, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Mercy is a particular form of kindness and forgiveness. The person showing mercy is under no obligation to show kindness or forgiveness but is in a position to withhold both of them. That person, however, chooses to show mercy. They choose not to give rein to any anger they may feel. They do not let anger determine or influence their actions.
While Jesus’ teaching was given to his disciples, it was meant for all humanity, those who were not yet his disciples as well as his disciples. As Jesus is Lord of all, both believers and non-believers are bound by what he taught. While ordering one’s life according to Jesus’ teaching cannot save the non-believer, it can help the believer enabled by God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit working in their life, to grow in their love of God and holiness of life and become more like Jesus. To get right with God, one must turn in repentance and faith to Jesus. Only then can one benefit from ordering one's life according to what he taught.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kate Bluett’s paraphrase of the Magnificat, “Mary’s Hymn of Praise.”
1 My soul proclaims God’s greatness,
rejoicing in the Lord
who looks upon my meekness,
as ages will behold.
Now God does great things for me,
and holy is God’s name.
My spirit sings God’s wonders,
and oh! my soul proclaims!
2 In every generation
God pours such mercy down,
shows might before the nations,
and scatters all the proud.
God lifts up all the humble,
casts princes down in shame.
My spirit sings God’s wonders,
and oh! my soul proclaims!
3 Rejoice now in God’s promise
to Sarah and Abraham
and all of their descendants,
to keep us in God’s hand.
God fills the poor and hungry
and sends the rich away.
My spirit sings God’s wonders,
and oh! my soul proclaims!
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe 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.
Lord God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many great
dangers that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always
stand upright: grant us such strength and protection as may
support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eternal God, from whom all holy desires, all good purposes,
and all just works proceed: give to your servants that peace
which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to
obey your commandments, and that free from the fear of our
enemies we may pass our time in trust and quietness;
through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray: and in your great
mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley Smith’s “To Christ our King.”
1 To Christ our King in songs of praise
lift every heart and mind;
unfading light of all our days,
true life of humankind.
2 O Christ our light, draw near and fill
this shadowed soul of mine;
renew my darkened heart and will
to light and life divine.
3 O Christ our life, from death and sin
my forfeit soul set free;
that life laid down, a world to win,
be life indeed for me.
4 O Christ our King, to whom we give
again the life you gave,
tell out by us that all may live
through Christ who died to save.
5 May Christ, our light, our life, our King,
make all our hearts his own,
join all our lives his praise to sing,
and make his glories known!
Silence may be kept.
Those present may offer their own prayers and thanksgivings, either silently or aloud.
Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Ellerton’s “The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended.”
1 The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended;
The darkness fall at Thy behest;
To Thee our morning hymns ascended;
Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.
2 We thank Thee that Thy church, unsleeping
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.
3 As o’er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day;
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.
4 The sun, that bids us rest, is waking
Our brethren 'neath the western sky.
And hour by hour fresh lips are making
Thy wondrous doings heard on high.
5 So be it, Lord, Thy throne shall never,
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away;
Thy kingdom stands, and grows forever,
Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Kate Bluett’s paraphrase of the Magnificat, “Mary’s Hymn of Praise.”
1 My soul proclaims God’s greatness,
rejoicing in the Lord
who looks upon my meekness,
as ages will behold.
Now God does great things for me,
and holy is God’s name.
My spirit sings God’s wonders,
and oh! my soul proclaims!
2 In every generation
God pours such mercy down,
shows might before the nations,
and scatters all the proud.
God lifts up all the humble,
casts princes down in shame.
My spirit sings God’s wonders,
and oh! my soul proclaims!
3 Rejoice now in God’s promise
to Sarah and Abraham
and all of their descendants,
to keep us in God’s hand.
God fills the poor and hungry
and sends the rich away.
My spirit sings God’s wonders,
and oh! my soul proclaims!
I believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth.
I believe 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.
Lord God, you know us to be set in the midst of so many great
dangers that by reason of the frailty of our nature we cannot always
stand upright: grant us such strength and protection as may
support us in all dangers and carry us through all temptations;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eternal God, from whom all holy desires, all good purposes,
and all just works proceed: give to your servants that peace
which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to
obey your commandments, and that free from the fear of our
enemies we may pass our time in trust and quietness;
through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray: and in your great
mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley Smith’s “To Christ our King.”
1 To Christ our King in songs of praise
lift every heart and mind;
unfading light of all our days,
true life of humankind.
2 O Christ our light, draw near and fill
this shadowed soul of mine;
renew my darkened heart and will
to light and life divine.
3 O Christ our life, from death and sin
my forfeit soul set free;
that life laid down, a world to win,
be life indeed for me.
4 O Christ our King, to whom we give
again the life you gave,
tell out by us that all may live
through Christ who died to save.
5 May Christ, our light, our life, our King,
make all our hearts his own,
join all our lives his praise to sing,
and make his glories known!
Silence may be kept.
Those present may offer their own prayers and thanksgivings, either silently or aloud.
Gracious God,
you have given us much today;
grant us also a thankful spirit.
Into your hands we commend ourselves
and those we love.
Be with us still, and when we take our rest
renew us for the service of your Son Jesus Christ.
Amen.
In darkness and in light,
in trouble and in joy,
help us, heavenly Father,
to trust your love,
to serve your purpose,
and to praise your name,
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Ellerton’s “The Day Thou Gavest Lord is Ended.”
1 The day Thou gavest, Lord, is ended;
The darkness fall at Thy behest;
To Thee our morning hymns ascended;
Thy praise shall sanctify our rest.
2 We thank Thee that Thy church, unsleeping
While earth rolls onward into light,
Through all the world her watch is keeping,
And rests not now by day or night.
3 As o’er each continent and island
The dawn leads on another day;
The voice of prayer is never silent,
Nor dies the strain of praise away.
4 The sun, that bids us rest, is waking
Our brethren 'neath the western sky.
And hour by hour fresh lips are making
Thy wondrous doings heard on high.
5 So be it, Lord, Thy throne shall never,
Like earth’s proud empires, pass away;
Thy kingdom stands, and grows forever,
Till all Thy creatures own Thy sway.
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.
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