Sundays at All Hallows (March 22, 2026)

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday, the Fifth Sunday in Lent, is traditionally called Passion Sunday. It is the last Sunday before Holy Week. Next Sunday is Palm Sunday and marks the beginning of Holy Week.

Next Thursday is Maundy Thursday. Early in the week l will post suggestions for families and other small groups wishing to observe occasion with an agape, or Christian love feast.

In this Sunday’s message we will take a look at the role of the Holy Spirit in the Christian life.

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

Open this link in a new tab to hear John Wimber’s SPIRIT SONG, arranged for solo piano.

Silence

I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in me shall never die.
John 11: 25-26

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 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 “Let Us Rejoice” (Psalm 118).

Refrain:
This is the day the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad (2x)

Verse 1:
Give thanks to the Lord, for God is good;
God’s mercy endures forever;
Let the house of Israel say:
“God’s mercy endures forever.”

Refrain:
This is the day the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad (2x)

Verse 2:
The hand of the Lord has struck with power,
God’s right hand is exalted,
I shall not die, but live anew,
declaring the works of the Lord.

Refrain:
This is the day the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad (2x)

Verse 3:
The stone which the builders rejected
has become the cornerstone,
the Lord of love and mercy
has brought wonder to our eyes!

Refrain:
This is the day the Lord has made,
let us rejoice and be glad (2x)

Silence

This day, O Lord, you have made your own,
and have raised us up on the Corner-stone of our salvation:
open to us the gates of righteousness
that we may enter and give thanks to your Name;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD

A reading from the Book of Ezekiel.
Ezekiel 37:1-14

The hand of the Lord was on me, and he brought me out by the Spirit of the Lord and set me in the middle of a valley; it was full of bones. He led me to and fro among them, and I saw a great many bones on the floor of the valley, bones that were very dry. He asked me, ‘Son of man, can these bones live?’

I said, ‘Sovereign Lord, you alone know.’

Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones and say to them, “Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord! This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life. I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.”’

So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I was prophesying, there was a noise, a rattling sound, and the bones came together, bone to bone. I looked, and tendons and flesh appeared on them and skin covered them, but there was no breath in them.

Then he said to me, ‘Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to it, “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: come, breath, from the four winds and breathe into these slain, that they may live.”’ So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet – a vast army.

Then he said to me: ‘Son of man, these bones are the people of Israel. They say, “Our bones are dried up and our hope is gone; we are cut off.” Therefore prophesy and say to them: “This is what the Sovereign Lord says: my people, I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, and I have done it, declares the Lord.”’

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 8: 6-11

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. But if Christ is in you, then even though your body is subject to death because of sin, the Spirit gives life because of righteousness. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you.

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 11: 1-45

Now a man named Lazarus was ill. He was from Bethany, the village of Mary and her sister Martha. (This Mary, whose brother Lazarus now lay ill, was the same one who poured perfume on the Lord and wiped his feet with her hair.) So the sisters sent word to Jesus, ‘Lord, the one you love is ill.’

When he heard this, Jesus said, ‘This illness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.’ 5 Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So when he heard that Lazarus was ill, he stayed where he was two more days, and then he said to his disciples, ‘Let us go back to Judea.’

‘But Rabbi,’ they said, ‘a short while ago the Jews there tried to stone you, and yet you are going back?’

Jesus answered, ‘Are there not twelve hours of daylight? Anyone who walks in the day-time will not stumble, for they see by this world’s light. It is when a person walks at night that they stumble, for they have no light.’

After he had said this, he went on to tell them, ‘Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.’

His disciples replied, ‘Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.’ Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

So then he told them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.’

Then Thomas (also known as Didymus) said to the rest of the disciples, ‘Let us also go, that we may die with him.’

On his arrival, Jesus found that Lazarus had already been in the tomb for four days. Now Bethany was less than two miles from Jerusalem, and many Jews had come to Martha and Mary to comfort them in the loss of their brother. When Martha heard that Jesus was coming, she went out to meet him, but Mary stayed at home.

‘Lord,’ Martha said to Jesus, ‘if you had been here, my brother would not have died. But I know that even now God will give you whatever you ask.’

Jesus said to her, ‘Your brother will rise again.’

Martha answered, ‘I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.’

Jesus said to her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?’

‘Yes, Lord,’ she replied, ‘I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.’

After she had said this, she went back and called her sister Mary aside. ‘The Teacher is here,’ she said, ‘and is asking for you.’ When Mary heard this, she got up quickly and went to him. Now Jesus had not yet entered the village, but was still at the place where Martha had met him. When the Jews who had been with Mary in the house, comforting her, noticed how quickly she got up and went out, they followed her, supposing she was going to the tomb to mourn there.

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. ‘Where have you laid him?’ he asked.

‘Come and see, Lord,’ they replied.

Jesus wept.

Then the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’

But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’

Jesus, once more deeply moved, came to the tomb. It was a cave with a stone laid across the entrance. ‘Take away the stone,’ he said.

‘But, Lord,’ said Martha, the sister of the dead man, ‘by this time there is a bad odour, for he has been there four days.’

Then Jesus said, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?’

So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, ‘Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.’

When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth round his face.

Jesus said to them, ‘Take off the grave clothes and let him go.’

Therefore many of the Jews who had come to visit Mary, and had seen what Jesus did, believed in him.

How the Holy Spirit Makes the Difference

According to researchers at the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom, children begin to understand and practice deception for the first time at a much younger age than we might think. They found that around a quarter of children start to understand deception by the age of just 10 months. That proportion rises to around half by the age of 17 months and by the age of 3, children become more adept, more creative, and more frequent at inventing false information in order to deceive their parents and others. The researchers published their findings of their study in the journal Cognitive Development.

How is their research relevant to this Sunday’s readings you may be thinking? I see a connection between their findings and this Sunday’s reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans. What they found adds to a growing body of evidence that supports what Paul observed about the human condition. In our natural state we have a strong inclination to sin. Environmental factors cannot fully account for this particular inclination. It also appears to be innate, something that we are born with, not something that we have learned, something hard-wired in us.

Paul used a Greek word sarx, or “flesh,” to describe this particular inclination, a word which refers to the physical body but to which Paul assigns a broader meaning. Paul equates the flesh “to affections and desires that run contrary to God, not only in the area of sexual activity, but in every area of life.”

Only as a result of God’s grace, the power of the Holy Spirit working in us, are we able to recognize our predicament and to do something about it. As Paul wrote the church at Philippi, “…it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfil his good purpose” (Philippians 2: 13).

As Paul draws to our attention in this Sunday’s reading from his Letter to the Romans, it is the Holy Spirit dwelling in us that unites to Christ. It is also the Holy Spirit that will raise those united to Christ from the dead.

How do we know that the Holy Spirit is working in us? The Holy Spirit shows us how our attitudes and behaviors are at odds with what God expects from us and convinces us of the wrongfulness of these attitudes and behaviors. The Holy Spirit enables us to have a change of heart. The Holy Spirit arouses and awakens faith in us and brings about our spiritual rebirth, the beginning of a deepening love for God and our fellow human beings, an increasing devotion to Christ, and a growing conviction of truly being a child of God.

The Holy Spirit will also manifest himself in our lives in what Paul calls the “gifts” of the Spirit (Romans 12:6–8, 1 Corinthians 12:7–10, 1 Corinthians 12:28; Ephesians 4:11) and produce in us what Paul describes as the “fruit of the Spirit,” “love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). We will live transformed lives, lives that reflect Jesus and embody his teaching and example, lives that set us apart from the world around us.

We may notice some folks are genuinely experiencing the presence and power of the Holy Spirit more fully than we are. ln his book Baptism, the late Peter Green gives two reasons that we may not be experiencing the full release of the Holy Spirit in our lives. We may have unrepented sin to which we are clinging. We may not have surrendered some areas of our life to Christ. Both can become obstacles to us experiencing the Holy Spirit’s presence and power more fully in our lives. 

God may also be waiting for us to ask for the fullness of the Holy Spirit’s presence and power, waiting to fulfill Jesus’ words, “If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13).

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.

We beseech you, almighty God, to look in mercy on your people:
that by your great goodness they may be governed and preserved
evermore; 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 “Be Present, Spirit of the Lord.”

1 Be present, Spirit of the Lord,
let sounds of earth be dumb;
the Father's love be shed abroad,
the dew of blessing on us poured:
O silent Spirit, come!
O silent Spirit, come!

2 In power unseen upon us rest,
your gracious gifts impart:
a mind renewed, a spirit blessed,
a life where Christ is manifest,
an understanding heart,
an understanding heart.

3 Love's sovereign work of grace fulfil,
our souls to Christ incline,
intent to do the Father's will
and stand by faith before him still
in righteousness divine,
in righteousness divine.

4 O Spirit come, and with us stay;
make every heart your home.
So work in us that we who pray
may walk with Christ in wisdom's way:
O Holy Spirit, come!
O Holy Spirit, come!

[Let us pray for all in civil authority.]

Almighty God, you rule over the kingdoms of the world: We
commend to your merciful care the people of this land, that,
being guided by your providence, they may dwell secure in
your peace. Grant to [here the appropriate persons in government
are named] and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know
and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness,
that they may serve your people faithfully to your honour and glory;
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 Edwin Hatch’s “O Breathe on Me, O Breath of God.”

1 O breathe on me, O breath of God,
Fill me with life anew
That I may love the things you love,
And do what you would do.

2 O breathe on me, O breath of God,
Until my heart is pure;
Until my will is one with yours,
To do and to endure.

3 O breathe on me, O breath of God,
My will to yours incline,
Until this selfish part of me
Glows with your fire divine.

4 O breathe on me, O breath of God,
So shall I never die,
But live with you the perfect life
For all eternity.

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.