Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (March 26, 2026)
Next week is Holy Week and next Thursday, Maundy Thursday. Following this Thursday evening’s service are two suggestions on how a worship group, a family or some other small group might observe the occasion.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Opens this link in a new tab to hear an acoustic instrumental arrangement of Amy Grant’s THY WORD.
Silence
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,
A broken and a contrite heart—
These, O God, You will not despise.
Psalm 51: 17
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.
Opens this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle’s “Light of Gladness, Lord of Glory” (Phos hilaron).
Organ accompaniment only. Introduction; 3 verses. No vocals.
1 Light of gladness, Lord of glory,
Jesus Christ our king most holy,
shine among us in your mercy:
earth and heaven join their hymn.
2 Let us sing at sun's descending
as we see the lights of evening,
Father, Son, and Spirit praising
with the holy seraphim.
3 Son of God, through all the ages
worthy of our holiest praises,
yours the life that never ceases,
light which never shall grow dim.
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 going down,
your Name is praised, O Lord,
for you have raised us from the dust and set before us
the vision of your glory.
As you bestowed upon us the dignity of a royal priesthood,
lift up our hearts as we celebrate your praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 17:10-15
As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
Fifth on the list of six “ordinances,” or means of grace, given in John Wesley’s General Rules for Methodist Societies is “searching the Scriptures.” In his sermon, “The Means of Grace,” Wesley identifies searching the Scriptures as the second of three chief means of grace ordained by God.
In “The Means of Grace,” Wesley on the subject of searching the Scriptures draws attention to the following points:
Jesus commands us to search the Scriptures as they testify to him (John 5:39).
Those who use this means will receive a blessing as did the Bereans in this evening’s reading.
Searching the Scriptures “contains,” as Wesley puts it, hearing and reading the Scriptures and meditating upon them.
It “is a means whereby God not only gives, but also confirms and increases, true wisdom” (2 Timothy 3:15).
It “is the great means God has ordained for conveying his manifold grace” to humankind (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Even those who do not yet believe can profit from searching the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:19).
In his book John Wesley’s Message for Today, Steve Harper, a professor of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies, now retired, shares a number of principles that Wesley laid down to help the early Methodists to obtain the most benefit from searching the Scriptures.
1. Read from both Testaments each day.
2. Read regularly. Wesley read the suggested readings from the Table of Lessons of The Book of Common Prayer. He also read as he believed the Holy Spirit was directing him.
3. Read for transformation, not information. Carefully apply and put into practice what was read. Ask yourself, “What does this mean for me?” “How can put the truth of Scripture to work for the good of others?”
Wesley understood that lasting, meaningful spiritual growth involves not just outward change, change in our words and actions, but also inward change, change in our innermost character, feelings, and inclinations.
Among the practices that l have personally found helpful in searching the Scriptures are these practices.
1. Read aloud rather than silently whenever circumstances permit. This what the monks in early times did. They heard God’s Word as well as read it. You will also read more slowly, more prayerfully, and with more attention to what you are reading.
2. Take your time. Listen for God to speak to you through his Word.
3. Pray before you begin to read. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you are reading and to take it to heart.
4. Read from a printed page, not a screen. We are apt to skim when we read from a screen.
5. Reflect on what you have read after reading it. Turn a verse or passage into a prayer.
6. Keep a journal. Jot down your thoughts and reflections.
7. Listen attentively to someone else when they are reading. Pray beforehand for the reader and those to whom they will be reading.
What practices have you tried and what ones worked for you?
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.
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 you forgive the sins of all who are penitent: create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain from you, the
God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; 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 William Walsham How’s “O Word of God Incarnate.”
1 O Word of God incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging,
O Light of our dark sky:
we praise you for the radiance
that from the hallowed page,
a lantern to our footsteps,
shines on from age to age.
2 The church from you, dear Master,
received the gift divine;
and still that light is lifted
o'er all the earth to shine.
It is the chart and compass
that, all life's voyage through,
mid mists and rocks and quicksands
still guides, O Christ, to you.
3 Oh, make your church, dear Savior,
a lamp of burnished gold
to bear before the nations
your true light, as of old;
oh, teach your wand'ring pilgrims
by this their path to trace,
till, clouds and darkness ended,
they see you face to face.
Silence is 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.
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.
Opens this link in a new tab to hear Christopher Idle’s “Light of Gladness, Lord of Glory” (Phos hilaron).
Organ accompaniment only. Introduction; 3 verses. No vocals.
1 Light of gladness, Lord of glory,
Jesus Christ our king most holy,
shine among us in your mercy:
earth and heaven join their hymn.
2 Let us sing at sun's descending
as we see the lights of evening,
Father, Son, and Spirit praising
with the holy seraphim.
3 Son of God, through all the ages
worthy of our holiest praises,
yours the life that never ceases,
light which never shall grow dim.
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 going down,
your Name is praised, O Lord,
for you have raised us from the dust and set before us
the vision of your glory.
As you bestowed upon us the dignity of a royal priesthood,
lift up our hearts as we celebrate your praise;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Acts of the Apostles.
Acts 17:10-15
As soon as it was night, the believers sent Paul and Silas away to Berea. On arriving there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true. As a result, many of them believed, as did also a number of prominent Greek women and many Greek men.
But when the Jews in Thessalonica learned that Paul was preaching the word of God at Berea, some of them went there too, agitating the crowds and stirring them up. The believers immediately sent Paul to the coast, but Silas and Timothy stayed at Berea. Those who escorted Paul brought him to Athens and then left with instructions for Silas and Timothy to join him as soon as possible.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
Take a Lesson from the Bereans
Fifth on the list of six “ordinances,” or means of grace, given in John Wesley’s General Rules for Methodist Societies is “searching the Scriptures.” In his sermon, “The Means of Grace,” Wesley identifies searching the Scriptures as the second of three chief means of grace ordained by God.
In “The Means of Grace,” Wesley on the subject of searching the Scriptures draws attention to the following points:
Jesus commands us to search the Scriptures as they testify to him (John 5:39).
Those who use this means will receive a blessing as did the Bereans in this evening’s reading.
Searching the Scriptures “contains,” as Wesley puts it, hearing and reading the Scriptures and meditating upon them.
It “is a means whereby God not only gives, but also confirms and increases, true wisdom” (2 Timothy 3:15).
It “is the great means God has ordained for conveying his manifold grace” to humankind (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
Even those who do not yet believe can profit from searching the Scriptures (2 Peter 1:19).
In his book John Wesley’s Message for Today, Steve Harper, a professor of Spiritual Formation and Wesley Studies, now retired, shares a number of principles that Wesley laid down to help the early Methodists to obtain the most benefit from searching the Scriptures.
1. Read from both Testaments each day.
2. Read regularly. Wesley read the suggested readings from the Table of Lessons of The Book of Common Prayer. He also read as he believed the Holy Spirit was directing him.
3. Read for transformation, not information. Carefully apply and put into practice what was read. Ask yourself, “What does this mean for me?” “How can put the truth of Scripture to work for the good of others?”
Wesley understood that lasting, meaningful spiritual growth involves not just outward change, change in our words and actions, but also inward change, change in our innermost character, feelings, and inclinations.
Among the practices that l have personally found helpful in searching the Scriptures are these practices.
1. Read aloud rather than silently whenever circumstances permit. This what the monks in early times did. They heard God’s Word as well as read it. You will also read more slowly, more prayerfully, and with more attention to what you are reading.
2. Take your time. Listen for God to speak to you through his Word.
3. Pray before you begin to read. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand what you are reading and to take it to heart.
4. Read from a printed page, not a screen. We are apt to skim when we read from a screen.
5. Reflect on what you have read after reading it. Turn a verse or passage into a prayer.
6. Keep a journal. Jot down your thoughts and reflections.
7. Listen attentively to someone else when they are reading. Pray beforehand for the reader and those to whom they will be reading.
What practices have you tried and what ones worked for you?
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.
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 you forgive the sins of all who are penitent: create and
make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, lamenting our sins
and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain from you, the
God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness; 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 William Walsham How’s “O Word of God Incarnate.”
1 O Word of God incarnate,
O Wisdom from on high,
O Truth unchanged, unchanging,
O Light of our dark sky:
we praise you for the radiance
that from the hallowed page,
a lantern to our footsteps,
shines on from age to age.
2 The church from you, dear Master,
received the gift divine;
and still that light is lifted
o'er all the earth to shine.
It is the chart and compass
that, all life's voyage through,
mid mists and rocks and quicksands
still guides, O Christ, to you.
3 Oh, make your church, dear Savior,
a lamp of burnished gold
to bear before the nations
your true light, as of old;
oh, teach your wand'ring pilgrims
by this their path to trace,
till, clouds and darkness ended,
they see you face to face.
Silence is 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 William Watkins Reid, Jr.’s “Help Us, O Lord, to Learn.”
1 Help us, O Lord, to learn
the truths your word imparts;
to study, that your laws may be
inscribed upon our hearts.
2 Help us, O Lord, to live
the faith which we proclaim,
that all our thoughts and words and deeds
may glorify your name.
3 Help us, O Lord, to teach
the beauty of your ways,
that yearning souls may find the Christ
and sing aloud his praise.
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.
The Episcopal Church’s The Book of Occasional Service 2018 on pages 84-85 has a form for an agapé for Maundy Thursday, which may also be used in private homes on this night. The Book of Occasional Service 2018 is available online in PDF format.
Worship groups may wish to use a non-alcoholic alternative to wine such as de-alcoholized wine or unsweetened, unfermented grape, cranberry, or pomegranate juice.
Adventuresome worship groups may wish to consider Bishop Glenn Davies’ advice to families during the 2020 COVID 19 Lockdown.
“As for observing our Lord’s command, your reading of 1 Corinthians 11 could easily be used with your own bread and wine in these times of extremity, though it would be preferable to share with one close Christian friend or some family members. It would not be an Anglican service, which requires the presence of an ordained minister, but it would be a Christian service, in accordance with Jesus’ invitation to ‘do this in remembrance of me.’”
Open this link in a new tab to hear William Watkins Reid, Jr.’s “Help Us, O Lord, to Learn.”
1 Help us, O Lord, to learn
the truths your word imparts;
to study, that your laws may be
inscribed upon our hearts.
2 Help us, O Lord, to live
the faith which we proclaim,
that all our thoughts and words and deeds
may glorify your name.
3 Help us, O Lord, to teach
the beauty of your ways,
that yearning souls may find the Christ
and sing aloud his praise.
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.
The Episcopal Church’s The Book of Occasional Service 2018 on pages 84-85 has a form for an agapé for Maundy Thursday, which may also be used in private homes on this night. The Book of Occasional Service 2018 is available online in PDF format.
Worship groups may wish to use a non-alcoholic alternative to wine such as de-alcoholized wine or unsweetened, unfermented grape, cranberry, or pomegranate juice.
Adventuresome worship groups may wish to consider Bishop Glenn Davies’ advice to families during the 2020 COVID 19 Lockdown.
“As for observing our Lord’s command, your reading of 1 Corinthians 11 could easily be used with your own bread and wine in these times of extremity, though it would be preferable to share with one close Christian friend or some family members. It would not be an Anglican service, which requires the presence of an ordained minister, but it would be a Christian service, in accordance with Jesus’ invitation to ‘do this in remembrance of me.’”
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