Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (April 16, 2026)

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

The topic of this Thursday evening’s message are practices which, unlike almsgiving, prayer, fasting, and the treatment of other people, Jesus did not address in his teaching, and which the apostles only touched upon in their writings.

GATHER IN GOD’S NAME

Opens this link in a new tab to hear Concordia Publishing House’s prelude, “O Lord, We Praise Thee,” for handbells and flute.

Silence

Alleluia! Christ is risen.
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!

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 26: 17-30

On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, ‘Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?’

He replied, ‘Go into the city to a certain man and tell him, “The Teacher says: my appointed time is near. I am going to celebrate the Passover with my disciples at your house.”’ So the disciples did as Jesus had directed them and prepared the Passover.

When evening came, Jesus was reclining at the table with the Twelve. And while they were eating, he said, ‘Truly I tell you, one of you will betray me.’

They were very sad and began to say to him one after the other, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Lord?’

Jesus replied, ‘The one who has dipped his hand into the bowl with me will betray me. The Son of Man will go just as it is written about him. But woe to that man who betrays the Son of Man! It would be better for him if he had not been born.’

Then Judas, the one who would betray him, said, ‘Surely you don’t mean me, Rabbi?’

Jesus answered, ‘You have said so.’

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’

Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, I will not drink from this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father’s kingdom.’

When they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives.

May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.

An Oversight?

While Jesus gave his disciples guidance on a variety of matters, he did not offer them any guidance on the use of musical instruments, singing, and dancing in the public worship of God or in their private devotions.

What the Gospels tell us is that during his childhood Jesus attended the major festivals at Jerusalem. We can safely assume that he and his family participated in the worship of the Temple on those occasions. This worship would have included the playing of musical instruments and choral singing.

The Gospels also tell us that Jesus attended the services of the synagogue, weekly gatherings in which the Old Testament, the Law and the Prophets, was read and explained and prayers offered. By that time the congregations of some synagogues were also singing the Psalms.

In addition, we are told that Jesus attended weddings which would have included music, singing, and dancing and was a dinner guest at people’s homes.

From Matthew and Mark’s accounts of the Last Supper, we learn that Jesus and his disciples sang a hymn together at the end of the meal before they went out to Mount Olive. Bible scholars tell us that this hymn was most likely one of the Hallel psalms, Psalms 113-118, traditionally sung at the Passover.

In Matthew 11:16-18 Jesus mentions a musical instrument—a pipe, dancing, and singing in what may have been a proverbial saying.

‘To what can I compare this generation? They are like children sitting in the market-places and calling out to others:

‘“We played the pipe for you,
and you did not dance;
we sang a dirge,
and you did not mourn.”

For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, “He has a demon.”

I believe that we can safely conclude that Jesus saw no need to offer guidance on the use of musical instruments, singing, and dancing in the worship of God to his disciples. He may have regarded the Old Testament as providing sufficient guidance. The Old Testament contains examples of the use of musical instruments, singing, and even dancing in the worship of God. The Old Testament also contains commands to worship God in this manner.

While the apostle Paul refers to singing as a way of worshipping God and to three different kinds of songs for use in worship gatherings—hymns, Psalms, and spiritual songs—in his letters, he makes no reference to the use of musical instruments. This has led some churches to conclude that their use is not permitted, arguing that practices on which the New Testament is silent are prohibited. These churches, however, it must be pointed out, are not consistent in their application of this principle. The New Testament is silent on glazed windows, air conditioning and heating, electrical lighting, pews, choir risers, classrooms, and flush toilets. This has not prevented such churches from constructing buildings with these features as their places of worship. Among these churches are churches in the Eastern Orthodox, Reformed, and Restorationist traditions.

On the other hand, churches in the Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist traditions do not regard the New Testament’s silence on the use of musical instruments in worship as prohibiting their use. They take the position that what is not contrary to Scripture may be used in the worship of God. A practice may be contrary to Scripture because it is expressly forbidden by Scripture or does not align with biblical principles. While the New Testament may not prescribe the use of musical instruments in worship, the New Testament does not prohibit their use.

Whether a congregation worships God in song unaccompanied or to the accompaniment of musical instruments is not important. What matters is that the congregation is focusing its attention on God, showing God the reverence due his name.

Blessed is the congregation that can worship God in song both ways.

Congregational singing, uniting our voices with others so that we become one voice, not only turns our hearts and minds Godward but also builds up each other’s faith. God meets us in our singing and works in us, renewing and transforming us, remaking us into the image of his beloved Son, Jesus, our Saviour and Lord.

Silence

Opens this link in a new tab to hear Carl P. Daw, Jr.’s paraphrase of the Magnificat, “My Soul Proclaims with Wonder.”

My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.

1 To me God has shown favor,
to one the world though frail;
and every age will echo
the angel's first "All hail."

My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.

2 God's mercy shields the faithful
and saves them from defeat
with strength that turns to scatter
the proud in their conceit.

My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.

3 The mighty have been vanquished;
the lowly lifted up.
The hungry find abundance;
the rich, an empty cup.

My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.

4 To Abraham's descendants
the Lord will steadfast prove,
for God has made with Israel
a covenant of love.

My soul proclaims with wonder
the greatness of the Lord;
rejoicing in God's goodness,
my spirit is restored.

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.
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 Father, you have given your only Son Jesus Christ to die
for our sins and to rise again for our justification: grant that we
may put away the old leaven of corruption and wickedness, and
always serve you in sincerity and truth; through the merits of 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 Marty Haugen’s arrangement of Fred Pratt Green’s “When in Our Music God Is Glorified.”

1 When in our music God is glorified,
And adoration leaves no room for pride,
It is as though the whole creation cried:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

2 How often, making music, we have found
A new dimension in the world of sound,
As worship moved us to a more profound
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

3 So has the Church, in liturgy and song,
In faith and love, through centuries of wrong,
Borne witness to the truth in every tongue:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

4 And did not Jesus sing a Psalm that night
When utmost evil strove against the light?
Then let us sing, for whom he won the fight:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia!

5 Let every instrument be tuned for praise!
Let all rejoice who have a voice to raise!
And may God give us faith to sing always:
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!

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.

Opens this link in a new tab to hear Voices Together’s arrangement of “How Can I Keep from Singing?”

1 My life flows on in endless song,
above earth’s lamentation.
I catch the sweet, though far-off hymn
that hails a new creation.

No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is lord of heav’n and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

2 Through all the tumult and the strife,
I hear that music ringing.
It finds an echo in my soul.
How can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is lord of heav’n and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

3 What though my joys and comforts die,
I know my Savior liveth.
What though the darkness gather round?
Songs in the night he giveth.

No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is lord of heav’n and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

4 The peace of Christ makes fresh my heart,
a fountain ever springing!
All things are mine since I am his!
How can I keep from singing?

No storm can shake my inmost calm
while to that Rock I’m clinging.
Since Love is lord of heav’n and earth,
how can I keep from singing?

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.