Sundays at All Hallows (March 29, 2026)
This Sunday, the Sunday next before Easter, commonly called Palm Sunday, marks the beginning of Holy Week. In many Anglican, Episcopal, and Lutheran churches observe Palm Sunday with a solemn procession in which the congregation carries palm, box, olive, willow, or yew branches and sings hymns and psalms. In England the branches are typically willow, and in some places Palm Sunday is called Willow Sunday. The branches are set apart for the procession with prayer and then distributed to the congregation. The procession commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. The procession usually takes place outdoors, and the congregation may process through the neighborhood where the church is located. In bad weather the congregation will process around the inside of the church.
In this Sunday’s message we will reflect upon this Sunday’s reading from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians, Philippians 2: 5-11.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Claude Goudimel’s arrangement of SI EST-CE QUE DIEU EST [GENEVAN 73] for recorder quartet.
Silence
At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bend, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:10-11
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 in a new tab to hear Alice Parker’s arrangement of Isaac Watts’ “Come Sound His Praise Abroad” (Psalm 95) from the Melodious Accord Hymnal.
1 Come, sound his praise abroad,
And hymns of glory sing;
Jehovah is the sov'reign God,
The universal King.
2 He formed the deeps unknown;
He gave the seas their bound;
The wat'ry worlds are all his own,
And all the solid ground.
3 Come, worship at his throne;
Come, bow before the Lord:
We are his works, and not our own;
He formed us by his word.
4 To-day attend his voice,
Nor dare provoke his rod;
Come, like the people of his choice,
And own your gracious God.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Tim Nijenhuis’ arrangement of Walter van der Kamp’s “The Lord Is King” (Psalm 24) from the Canadian Reformed Churches’ The Book of Praise (2014).
1 The Lord is King of earth’s domain,
the world and all that dwell there in.
Rejoice, O Zion’s sons and daughters,
for it stands firm by his decrees;
he founded it upon the seas,
established it upon the waters.
2 Who shall ascend the hill of God,
in his holy place, and laud
the Lord who lives and reigns forever?
He who withstands the wicked’s lure,
whose hands are clean, whose heart is pure,,
who keeps his oaths and does not waiver.
3 Rich blessings shall be his reward,
and vindication from the Lord,
who is the rock of his salvation.
Such are all those who seek his face.
O God of Jacob, God of grace,
from you is all their expectation.
4 Lift up your heads, you arch and gate;
O ancient doors, rise up and wait.
Let him come in, the King all-glorious.
Who is this King so great in fame?
The Lord Almighty is his name,
he who in battle is victorious.
5 Lift up your heads, you arch and gate;
O ancient doors, rise up and wait.
Let him come in, the King of glory.
Who is this King, in glory great?
The Lord of hosts! Him we await.
The Lord, he is the King of glory.
Silence
O Lord of Hosts,
purify our hearts
that the King of glory may come in,
even your Son, Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Tim Nijenhuis’ arrangement of Walter van der Kamp’s “Mighty Ones, Your Homage Bring” (Psalm 29) from the Canadian Reformed Churches’ The Book of Praise (2014).
1 Mighty ones, your homage bring
to the Lord, the awesome King!
His the power and glory be;
bow before his majesty.
Over waters rolls his thunder;
Lightning tears the clouds asunder.
Hear God’s voice resound in splendour;
tremble at his might and grandeur.
2 Cedars shatter; forests fall,
mountains shudder at his call.
Like a calf leaps Lebanon,
like a wild-ox Sirion.
God’s voice, flames from heaven flashing,
with the roar of thunder crashing,
shakes the wilderness, and broken
lie its oaks when he has spoken.
3 Thunders roar and lightnings glare;
God’s voice strips the forest bare.
In his temple courts all cry:
“Glory to the Lord on high!”
He who reigns as King forever
sits enthroned on flood and river.
May the Lord give strength and power,
peace upon his people shower.
Silence
Open our ears to hear you, O God,
and our mouths to proclaim your glory
and the beauty of your holiness
as revealed to us in your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Book of Zechariah
Zechariah 9: 9-12
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion!
Shout, Daughter Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and victorious,
lowly and riding on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim
and the warhorses from Jerusalem,
and the battle bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His rule will extend from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth.
As for you, because of the blood of my covenant with you,
I will free your prisoners from the waterless pit.
Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope;
even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.
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 Philippians.
Philippians 2: 5-11
In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:
Who, being in very nature God,
did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage;
rather, he made himself nothing
by taking the very nature of a servant,
being made in human likeness.
And being found in appearance as a man,
he humbled himself
by becoming obedient to death—
even death on a cross!
Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.
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 Matthew.
Matthew 27: 1-54
Early in the morning, all the chief priests and the elders of the people made their plans how to have Jesus executed. So they bound him, led him away and handed him over to Pilate the governor.
When Judas, who had betrayed him, saw that Jesus was condemned, he was seized with remorse and returned the thirty pieces of silver to the chief priests and the elders. “I have sinned,” he said, “for I have betrayed innocent blood.”
“What is that to us?” they replied. “That’s your responsibility.”
So Judas threw the money into the temple and left. Then he went away and hanged himself.
The chief priests picked up the coins and said, “It is against the law to put this into the treasury, since it is blood money.” So they decided to use the money to buy the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. That is why it has been called the Field of Blood to this day. Then what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled: “They took the thirty pieces of silver, the price set on him by the people of Israel, 10 and they used them to buy the potter’s field, as the Lord commanded me.”
Meanwhile Jesus stood before the governor, and the governor asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?”
“You have said so,” Jesus replied.
When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge—to the great amazement of the governor.
Now it was the governor’s custom at the festival to release a prisoner chosen by the crowd. At that time they had a well-known prisoner whose name was Jesus Barabbas. So when the crowd had gathered, Pilate asked them, “Which one do you want me to release to you: Jesus Barabbas, or Jesus who is called the Messiah?” For he knew it was out of self-interest that they had handed Jesus over to him.
While Pilate was sitting on the judge’s seat, his wife sent him this message: “Don’t have anything to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered a great deal today in a dream because of him.”
But the chief priests and the elders persuaded the crowd to ask for Barabbas and to have Jesus executed.
“Which of the two do you want me to release to you?” asked the governor.
“Barabbas,” they answered.
“What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called the Messiah?” Pilate asked.
They all answered, “Crucify him!”
“Why? What crime has he committed?” asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, “Crucify him!”
When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. “I am innocent of this man’s blood,” he said. “It is your responsibility!”
All the people answered, “His blood is on us and on our children!”
Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified.
Then the governor’s soldiers took Jesus into the Praetorium and gathered the whole company of soldiers around him. They stripped him and put a scarlet robe on him, and then twisted together a crown of thorns and set it on his head. They put a staff in his right hand. Then they knelt in front of him and mocked him. “Hail, king of the Jews!” they said. They spit on him, and took the staff and struck him on the head again and again. After they had mocked him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him. Then they led him away to crucify him.
As they were going out, they met a man from Cyrene, named Simon, and they forced him to carry the cross. They came to a place called Golgotha (which means “the place of the skull”). There they offered Jesus wine to drink, mixed with gall; but after tasting it, he refused to drink it. When they had crucified him, they divided up his clothes by casting lots. And sitting down, they kept watch over him there. Above his head they placed the written charge against him: this is Jesus, the king of the jews.
Two rebels were crucified with him, one on his right and one on his left. Those who passed by hurled insults at him, shaking their heads and saying, “You who are going to destroy the temple and build it in three days, save yourself! Come down from the cross, if you are the Son of God!” In the same way the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the elders mocked him. “He saved others,” they said, “but he can’t save himself! He’s the king of Israel! Let him come down now from the cross, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God. Let God rescue him now if he wants him, for he said, ‘I am the Son of God.’” In the same way the rebels who were crucified with him also heaped insults on him.
From noon until three in the afternoon darkness came over all the land. About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lema sabachthani?” (which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”).
When some of those standing there heard this, they said, “He’s calling Elijah.”
Immediately one of them ran and got a sponge. He filled it with wine vinegar, put it on a staff, and offered it to Jesus to drink. The rest said, “Now leave him alone. Let’s see if Elijah comes to save him.”
And when Jesus had cried out again in a loud voice, he gave up his spirit.
At that moment the curtain of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom. The earth shook, the rocks split and the tombs broke open. The bodies of many holy people who had died were raised to life. They came out of the tombs after Jesus’ resurrection and went into the holy city and appeared to many people.
When the centurion and those with him who were guarding Jesus saw the earthquake and all that had happened, they were terrified, and exclaimed, “Surely he was the Son of God!”
"He Humbled Himself"
What we can gather from this Sunday’s reading from his letter to the Philippians, the apostle Paul is talking about being humble and self-sacrificing like Jesus. Even though Jesus was God, he willingly became human and experienced suffering and death for our sake. Paul is urging the members of the church at Philippi and us to adopt the same attitude as Jesus’ in the way we treat one another. What he is urging them to do has a far broader application than to just the members of that one church.
Before we consider what it means to be humble and self-sacrificing, we need to take a look at what they are not.
Being humble and self-sacrificing is not—
Seeking to always to be the center of attention;
Exaggerating our own accomplishments and bragging about them;
Claiming other people’s accomplishments as our own;
Stealing their ideas and presenting them as our own;
Downplaying other people’s contributions or dismissing them altogether;
Never owning our mistakes and blaming someone else for them;
Acting as if we are superior to other people;
Belittling other people both to their face and behind their back and spreading unkind rumors about them;
Insisting upon getting our way all the time;
Putting ourselves first no matter the situation;
Giving no thought to others or their circumstances;
Maintaining that we are always right;
Gaslighting other people, making them question their own reality, memory and perceptions;
Badgering other people and bullying them;
Quick to find fault and to take offense;
Unforgiving and vengeful.
These are not qualities seen in Jesus or encouraged by Jesus and the apostles. They are certainly not the qualities of someone who is humble and self-sacrificing.
Among the qualities that Jesus exhibited, and which are why he is both our exemplar and teacher is that he understood himself and other people. He genuinely cared about people and treated them with courtesy and respect. He was approachable. He willingly helped others with no expectation of praise or reward. He was modest and did not boast about what he had done. He was patient. He was sincere and did not put on pretenses. Indeed, he discouraged such behavior in his disciples. He did not need constant validation nor was he motivated by a desire for personal glory. He was forgiving and bore no grudges, even forgiving those who crucified him.. He shows no interest in material possessions. He was also an attentive listener and was consistent in the way he treated people.
Most importantly of all was Jesus’ willingness to make himself nothing and to become a servant, to serve rather than being served. This attitude is the one that Paul is urging us to adopt—to humble ourselves and to serve one another.
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 everlasting God, in tender love towards the human race you sent your Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take our nature upon him and to suffer death on the cross, that we all should follow the example of his great humility: grant that we may follow the example of his patient suffering, and also be made partakers of his victorious resurrection; through him who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. 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 Isaac Watts’ “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross.”
1 When I survey the wondrous cross
on which the Prince of glory died,
my richest gain I count but loss,
and pour contempt on all my pride.
2 Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast
save in the death of Christ, my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them through his blood.
3 See, from his head, his hands, his feet,
sorrow and love flow mingled down.
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
or thorns compose so rich a crown?
4 Were the whole realm of nature mine,
that were a present far too small.
Love so amazing, so divine,
demands my soul, my life, my all.
[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 Richard Gillard’s “The Servant Song.”
1 Brother, sister, let me serve you
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace
to let you be my servant too.
2 We are pilgrims on a journey,
we’re companions on the road;
we are here to help each other
walk the mile and bear the load.
3 I will hold the Christ-light for you
in the night-time of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
speak the peace you long to hear.
4 I will weep when you are weeping,
when you laugh I'll laugh with you;
I will share your joy and sorrow
till we've seen this journey through.
5 When we sing to God in heaven,
we shall find such harmony,
born of all we've known together
of Christ's love and agony.
6 Brother, sister, let me serve you
let me be as Christ to you;
pray that I may have the grace
to let you be my servant too.
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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