Sundays at All Hallows (May 3, 2026)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
This Sunday is the Fifth Sunday of Easter for those Christian denominations that have adopted a version of the three-year Revised Common Lectionary. For churches following the one-year lectionary of the classical Anglican Prayer Book, The Book of Common Prayer of 1662, it is the Fourth Sunday after Easter. In either case, we are in the midst of Eastertide, a season devoted to the celebration of the Lord Jesus Christ’s victory over death and the remembrance of the events that followed his resurrection.
In this Sunday’s message we address two questions related to the worship, ministry, and life of the church with the help of 1 Peter 2: 2-10.
GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Cathy Moklebust’s arrangement of “This Joyful Eastertide” (VRUECHTEN) for handbells.
Christ is risen!
The Lord is risen indeed. Alleluia!
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Open this link in a new tab to hear John M. Neale's translation of St. John of Damascus’ “Come, Ye Faithful, Raise the Strain.”
1 Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought his Israel
Into joy from sadness,
Loosed from Pharoah's bitter yoke
Jacob's sons and daughters,
Led them with unmoistened foot
Through the Red Sea waters.
2 'Tis the spring of souls today:
Christ has burst his prison,
And from three days' sleep in death
As a sun has risen;
All the winter of our sins,
Long and dark, is flying
From his light, to whom is giv'n
Laud and praise undying.
3 Now the queen of seasons, bright
With the day of splendor,
With the royal feast of feasts
Comes its joy to render;
Comes to gladden faithful hearts
Which with true affection
Welcome in unwearied strain
Jesus' resurrection!
4 For today among his own
Christ appeared, bestowing
His deep peace, which evermore
Passes human knowing.
Neither could the gates of death,
Nor the tomb's dark portal,
Nor the watchers, nor the seal,
Hold him as a mortal.
5 Alleluia! Now we cry
To our King immortal,
Who, triumphant, burst the bars
Of the tomb's dark portal.
Come, you faithful, raise the strain
Of triumphant gladness!
God has brought his Israel
Into joy from sadness!
[Let us confess our sins to God our Father]
Silence
Heavenly Father,
we have sinned against you and against our neighbour
in thought and word and deed,
negligence, through weakness,
through our own deliberate fault;
by what we have done
and by what we have failed to do.
We are truly sorry and repent of all our sins.
For the sake of your Son Jesus Christ who died for us,
forgive us all that is past;
and grant that we may serve you in newness of life
to the glory of your 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 this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley Smith’s
“God of Gods, We Sound His Praises” (Te Deum).
1 God of gods, we sound his praises,
highest heav’n its homage brings;
earth and all creation raises
glory to the King of kings.
Holy, holy, holy, name him,
Lord of all his hosts proclaim him,
to the everlasting Father
every tongue in triumph sings.
2 Christians in their hearts enthrone him,
tell his praises wide abroad;
prophets, priests, apostles own him,
martyrs’ crown and saints’ reward.
Three in one his glory sharing,
earth and heav’n his praise declaring,
praise the high majestic Father,
praise the everlasting Lord.
3 Hail the Christ, the King of glory,
he whose praise the angels cry,
born to share our human story,
love and labor, grieve and die.
By his cross his work completed,
sinners ransomed, death defeated,
in the glory of the Father,
Christ ascended reigns on high.
4 Lord, we look for your returning,
teach us so to walk your ways,
hearts and minds your will discerning,
lives alight with joy and praise.
In your love and care enfold us,
by your constancy uphold us,
may your mercy, Lord and Father,
keep us now and all our days.
[The Lord be with you.
The Lord bless you.]
[Let us pray.]
Silence
Lord of all life and power,
who through the mighty resurrection of your Son
overcame the old order of sin and death
to make all things new in him:
Grant that we, being dead to sin
and alive to you in Jesus Christ,
may reign with him in glory;
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit
be praise and honour, glory and might,
now and in all eternity.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Book of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 6: 20-25
When your children ask you in time to come, ‘What is the meaning of the decrees and the statutes and the ordinances that the Lord our God has commanded you?’ then you shall say to your children, ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt, but the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. The Lord displayed before our eyes great and awesome signs and wonders against Egypt, against Pharaoh and all his household. He brought us out from there in order to bring us in, to give us the land that he promised on oath to our ancestors. Then the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our lasting good, so as to keep us alive, as is now the case. If we diligently observe this entire commandment before the Lord our God, as he has commanded us, we will be in the right.’
[May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.]
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley Smith’s “Safe in the Shadow of the Lord” (Psalm 91).
1 Safe in the shadow of the Lord,
beneath his hand and power,
I trust in him,
I trust in him,
my fortress and my tower.
2 My hope is set on God alone,
though Satan spreads his snare,
I trust in him,
I trust in him,
to keep me in his care.
3 From fears and phantoms of the night,
from foes about my way,
I trust in him,
I trust in him,
by darkness as by day.
4 His holy angels keep my feet
secure from every stone;
I trust in him,
I trust in him,
and unafraid go on.
5 Strong in the everlasting Name,
and in my Father's care,
I trust in him,
I trust in him,
who hears and answers prayer.
6 Safe in the shadow of the Lord,
possessed by love divine,
I trust in him,
I trust in him,
and meet his love with mine.
A reading from the First Letter of Peter.
1 Peter 2: 2-10
Like newborn infants, long for the pure, spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow into salvation—if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight, and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. For it stands in scripture:
‘See, I am laying in Zion a stone,
a cornerstone chosen and precious;
and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.’
To you then who believe, he is precious; but for those who do not believe,
‘The stone that the builders rejected
has become the very head of the corner’,
and
‘A stone that makes them stumble,
and a rock that makes them fall.’
They stumble because they disobey the word, as they were destined to do.
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people, in order that you may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called you out of darkness into his marvellous light.
Once you were not a people,
but now you are God’s people;
once you had not received mercy,
but now you have received mercy.
[May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.]
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear James Seddon’s “Let Us Praise God Together, Let Us Praise.”
1 Let us praise God together, let us praise;
let us praise God together all our days:
he is faithful in all his ways,
he is worthy of all our praise,
his name be exalted on high!
2 Let us seek God together, let us pray;
let us seek his forgiveness as we pray:
he will cleanse us from all our sin,
he will help us the fight to win,
his name be exalted on high!
3 Let us serve God together, him obey;
let our lives show his goodness through each day:
Christ the Lord is the world's true light-
let us serve him with all our might,
his name be exalted on high!
A reading from the Gospel according to John.
John 14: 1-14
‘Do not let your hearts be troubled. Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house there are many dwelling-places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place where I am going.’ Thomas said to him, ‘Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?’ Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you know me, you will know my Father also. From now on you do know him and have seen him.’
Philip said to him, ‘Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, “Show us the Father”? Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father is in me; but if you do not, then believe me because of the works themselves. Very truly, I tell you, the one who believes in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am going to the Father. I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If in my name you ask me for anything, I will do it.
[May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.]
Silence
A Spiritual House, a Holy Priesthood
Have you ever gone to church on a Sunday morning and as you were finding a seat in the sanctuary, heard a mother in a loud whisper tell a noisy child, “Quiet! You’re in God’s house!”?
Or the minister leading the service, at the beginning of the service, greet the congregation, “Welcome to St. Swithin’s! It’s a beautiful day to be in God’s house!”? (If you are not familiar with St. Swithin, he was a ninth century Anglo-Saxon bishop of Winchester and subsequently patron saint of Winchester Cathedral.)
Were they right in calling a church building God’s house?
While they meant well, they were making a common mistake. While we may have heard people call a church building (or other meeting place of a church) God’s house from early childhood, they too were making the same mistake.
According to the apostle Peter, God is building a “spiritual house” from “living stones,” those men and women who have turned in repentance from sin and in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ and who are earnestly seeking to fashion and frame their lives according to his teaching and example. It is these people whom God has made the dwelling place of his Spirit, of his holy and life-giving presence. When we gather with other such believers or attend a gathering of these believers and look around ourselves, those we see seated with bowed heads in silent prayer or standing and praising God with uplifted hand and joyful voices are God’s house.
In 1 Corinthians 3:16 the apostle Paul, using different language, says the same thing.
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
In this verse from Paul’s First Letter of the Corinthians “you” is plural. Paul is referring to the whole of believers to whom he is writing.
Both Peter and Paul were mindful of what God spoke through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 66:1-2:
“Thus says the Lord:
Heaven is my throne
and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
and what is my resting-place?
All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things are mine,
says the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look,
to the humble and contrite in spirit,
who trembles at my word.”
And in Isaiah 57:15.
“For thus says the high and lofty one
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
If you leaf through the pages of the Prayer Books used in the Episcopal Church and other Anglican Churches you will find the word, “priest,” in the rubrics and the Ordinal. As used in these books, “priest” is a corruption of the English word “prester,” which is itself a corruption of the Greek word “presbyter,” or elder.
While they meant well, they were making a common mistake. While we may have heard people call a church building (or other meeting place of a church) God’s house from early childhood, they too were making the same mistake.
According to the apostle Peter, God is building a “spiritual house” from “living stones,” those men and women who have turned in repentance from sin and in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ and who are earnestly seeking to fashion and frame their lives according to his teaching and example. It is these people whom God has made the dwelling place of his Spirit, of his holy and life-giving presence. When we gather with other such believers or attend a gathering of these believers and look around ourselves, those we see seated with bowed heads in silent prayer or standing and praising God with uplifted hand and joyful voices are God’s house.
In 1 Corinthians 3:16 the apostle Paul, using different language, says the same thing.
“Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you?”
In this verse from Paul’s First Letter of the Corinthians “you” is plural. Paul is referring to the whole of believers to whom he is writing.
Both Peter and Paul were mindful of what God spoke through the prophet Isaiah in Isaiah 66:1-2:
“Thus says the Lord:
Heaven is my throne
and the earth is my footstool;
what is the house that you would build for me,
and what is my resting-place?
All these things my hand has made,
and so all these things are mine,
says the Lord.
But this is the one to whom I will look,
to the humble and contrite in spirit,
who trembles at my word.”
And in Isaiah 57:15.
“For thus says the high and lofty one
who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy:
I dwell in the high and holy place,
and also with those who are contrite and humble in spirit,
to revive the spirit of the humble,
and to revive the heart of the contrite.”
If you leaf through the pages of the Prayer Books used in the Episcopal Church and other Anglican Churches you will find the word, “priest,” in the rubrics and the Ordinal. As used in these books, “priest” is a corruption of the English word “prester,” which is itself a corruption of the Greek word “presbyter,” or elder.
In the New Testament presbyter is used interchangeably with “episkopos,” a Greek word meaning bishop, overseer, or superintendent. The two words are used for the same office in the New Testament Church.
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews identifies Jesus as "High priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" with a reference to Psalm 110:4, taking on the role of High Priest once and for all time. Jesus’ assumption of this role removed the need for the Aaronic priesthood who had offered animal sacrifices in the Tabernacle in the wilderness and in the Temple at Jerusalem and made atonement for the sins of the people. In the words of The Book of Common Prayer of 1662 Jesus made on the cross “(by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world….”
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews stresses that the role Jesus took on is uniquely his and no one else can take it on.
In the Gospels a number of references are made to the priests and Levites of the Second Temple, the Temple built by Herod the Great. These references are purely incidental to the narrative. They do not provide any support for the medieval Catholic belief that the priests of the medieval Catholic Church were successors to the priests of the Temple. This belief arose from the medieval clergy drawing a false analogy between the priests of the Temple and themselves, between what the Temple’s priests had done and what they did.
The Christian Church does, however, have a priesthood, the priesthood of all believers, about which the apostle Peter writes in this Sunday’s Second Reading. The spiritual house God is building is “to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews identifies Jesus as "High priest forever in the order of Melchizedek" with a reference to Psalm 110:4, taking on the role of High Priest once and for all time. Jesus’ assumption of this role removed the need for the Aaronic priesthood who had offered animal sacrifices in the Tabernacle in the wilderness and in the Temple at Jerusalem and made atonement for the sins of the people. In the words of The Book of Common Prayer of 1662 Jesus made on the cross “(by his one oblation of himself once offered) a full, perfect, and sufficient sacrifice, oblation, and satisfaction, for the sins of the whole world….”
The author of the Letter to the Hebrews stresses that the role Jesus took on is uniquely his and no one else can take it on.
In the Gospels a number of references are made to the priests and Levites of the Second Temple, the Temple built by Herod the Great. These references are purely incidental to the narrative. They do not provide any support for the medieval Catholic belief that the priests of the medieval Catholic Church were successors to the priests of the Temple. This belief arose from the medieval clergy drawing a false analogy between the priests of the Temple and themselves, between what the Temple’s priests had done and what they did.
The Christian Church does, however, have a priesthood, the priesthood of all believers, about which the apostle Peter writes in this Sunday’s Second Reading. The spiritual house God is building is “to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
Peter goes on tell us are all who have turned in repentance from sin and in faith to the Lord Jesus Christ and who are earnestly seeking to fashion and frame their lives according to his teaching and example are “a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s own people,” in order that they may proclaim the mighty acts of him who called them out of darkness into his marvellous light.
What then are the spiritual sacrifices that such believers are to offer? What are God’s mighty acts they are to proclaim and how are they to go about it?
When Jesus told those who desired to become his disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him, he was identify the spiritual sacrifice most pleasing to God believers can offer. Eschewing worldly aspirations; devoting oneself to God; living a life of faithfulness, love, and obedience as Jesus did; serving others, particularly those in need; being a reflection of one’s Saviour and Lord; emulating God as one of God’s beloved children.
What then are the spiritual sacrifices that such believers are to offer? What are God’s mighty acts they are to proclaim and how are they to go about it?
When Jesus told those who desired to become his disciples to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him, he was identify the spiritual sacrifice most pleasing to God believers can offer. Eschewing worldly aspirations; devoting oneself to God; living a life of faithfulness, love, and obedience as Jesus did; serving others, particularly those in need; being a reflection of one’s Saviour and Lord; emulating God as one of God’s beloved children.
The General Thanksgiving, which was Bishop Edward Reynolds’ contribution to The Book of Common Prayer of 1662, puts it this way: “And we beseech thee, give us that due sense of all thy mercies, that our hearts may be unfeignedly thankful, and that we shew forth thy praise, not only with our lips, but in our lives; by giving up ourselves to thy service, and by walking before thee in holiness and righteousness all our days….”
As for proclaiming God’s mighty acts, believers are called to tell others what God did through Jesus, what he did in the past which foreshadowed these deeds, and what he is doing in people’s lives and the world at large right now. The public reading of Scripture; the singing of hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs; the preaching of homilies and sermons, the sharing of testimonials, the publication of articles and books, the streaming of podcasts and videos; artwork radio broadcasts; conversations with family members, relatives, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and strangers; and changed lives that show God’s grace is working in them are all ways God’s mighty acts can be made known.
Heady stuff, right? But also, a grave responsibility. One not to be taken lightly. As Luke recounts in his Gospel, in Luke 12: 48, Jesus explained to Peter, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Cyril Alington’s “Ye That Know the Lord Is Gracious.”
1 Ye that know the Lord is gracious,
Ye for whom a Corner-stone
Stands, of God elect and precious,
Laid that ye may build thereon,
See that on that sure foundation
Ye a living temple raise,
Towers that may tell forth salvation,
Walls that may re-echo praise.
2 Living stones, by God appointed
Each to his allotted place,
Kings and priests, by God anointed,
Shall ye not declare his grace?
Ye, a royal generation,
Tell the tidings of your birth,
Tidings of a new creation
To an old and weary earth.
3 Tell the praise of him who called you
Out of darkness into light,
Broke the fetters that enthralled you,
Gave you freedom, peace and sight:
Tell the tale of sins forgiven,
Strength renewed and hope restored,
Till the earth, in tune with heaven,
Praise and magnify the Lord.
[Let us affirm our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.]
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
[Let us pray for the Church and the world.]
Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church
that we all may be one.
Grant that every member of your Church may truly and humbly serve you:
As for proclaiming God’s mighty acts, believers are called to tell others what God did through Jesus, what he did in the past which foreshadowed these deeds, and what he is doing in people’s lives and the world at large right now. The public reading of Scripture; the singing of hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs; the preaching of homilies and sermons, the sharing of testimonials, the publication of articles and books, the streaming of podcasts and videos; artwork radio broadcasts; conversations with family members, relatives, friends, neighbors, colleagues, and strangers; and changed lives that show God’s grace is working in them are all ways God’s mighty acts can be made known.
Heady stuff, right? But also, a grave responsibility. One not to be taken lightly. As Luke recounts in his Gospel, in Luke 12: 48, Jesus explained to Peter, “From everyone to whom much has been given, much will be required; and from one to whom much has been entrusted, even more will be demanded.”
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Cyril Alington’s “Ye That Know the Lord Is Gracious.”
1 Ye that know the Lord is gracious,
Ye for whom a Corner-stone
Stands, of God elect and precious,
Laid that ye may build thereon,
See that on that sure foundation
Ye a living temple raise,
Towers that may tell forth salvation,
Walls that may re-echo praise.
2 Living stones, by God appointed
Each to his allotted place,
Kings and priests, by God anointed,
Shall ye not declare his grace?
Ye, a royal generation,
Tell the tidings of your birth,
Tidings of a new creation
To an old and weary earth.
3 Tell the praise of him who called you
Out of darkness into light,
Broke the fetters that enthralled you,
Gave you freedom, peace and sight:
Tell the tale of sins forgiven,
Strength renewed and hope restored,
Till the earth, in tune with heaven,
Praise and magnify the Lord.
[Let us affirm our faith in the words of the Apostles’ Creed.]
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
[Let us pray for the Church and the world.]
Father, we pray for your holy catholic Church
that we all may be one.
Grant that every member of your Church may truly and humbly serve you:
that your name may be glorified by all people.
We pray for all bishops and other ministers
that they may faithfully preach your word and administer your sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world
We pray for all bishops and other ministers
that they may faithfully preach your word and administer your sacraments.
We pray for all who govern and hold authority in the nations of the world
that there may be justice and peace on the earth.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake
that your glory may be proclaimed through our lives.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble
that they may be delivered from their distress.
We praise you for your saints who have entered their eternal joy
may we also come to share in the fulness of your kingdom.
We pray for our own needs and for those of others:
Silence.
Those present may add their own petitions.
Faithful God,
you have promised to hear the prayers
of all who ask in Jesus’ name.
In your mercy, accept our prayers.
Give us what we have asked in faith,
According to your will:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Let us give thanks to God for his goodness.]
Almighty God, we praise you for the blessings brought to the world through your Church. We bless you for the grace of the sacraments, for our fellowship in Christ with you and with each other, for the teaching of the Scriptures, and for the preaching of your word. We thank you for the holy example of your saints, for your faithful servants departed this life, and for the memory and example of all that has been true and good in their lives. Number us with them in the company of the redeemed in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Everliving God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life:
give us grace to love one another,
to follow in the way of his commandments
and to share his risen life;
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
[And now as our Saviour taught us, we pray]
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear James Quinn’s “Forth in the Peace of Christ We Go.”
1 Forth in the peace of Christ we go;
Christ to the world with joy we bring;
Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips,
Christ in our hearts, the world's true King.
2 King of our hearts, Christ makes us kings;
kingship with him his servants gain;
with Christ, the Servant-Lord of all,
Christ's world we serve to share Christ's reign.
3 Priests of the world, Christ sends us forth
the world of time to consecrate,
the world of sin by grace to heal,
Christ's world in Christ to re-create.
4 Christ's are our lips, his word we speak;
prophets are we whose deeds proclaim
Christ's truth in love, that we may be
Christ in the world, to spread Christ's name.
5 We are the church; Christ bids us show
that in his church all nations find
their hearth and home, where Christ restores
true peace, true love, to all mankind.
GOING OUT AS GOD’S PEOPLE
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.
The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord make his face to shine upon us
and be gracious to us.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon us
and give us peace.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Robert Noble’s arrangement of “May the Lord, Mighty God.”
1 May the Lord, mighty God,
bless and keep you forever;
grant you peace, perfect peace,
courage in every endeavor.
2 Lift your eyes and see God's face,
source of grace forever;
may the Lord, mighty God,
bless and keep you forever.
Give us grace to do your will in all that we undertake
that your glory may be proclaimed through our lives.
Have compassion on those who suffer from any grief or trouble
that they may be delivered from their distress.
We praise you for your saints who have entered their eternal joy
may we also come to share in the fulness of your kingdom.
We pray for our own needs and for those of others:
Silence.
Those present may add their own petitions.
Faithful God,
you have promised to hear the prayers
of all who ask in Jesus’ name.
In your mercy, accept our prayers.
Give us what we have asked in faith,
According to your will:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Let us give thanks to God for his goodness.]
Almighty God, we praise you for the blessings brought to the world through your Church. We bless you for the grace of the sacraments, for our fellowship in Christ with you and with each other, for the teaching of the Scriptures, and for the preaching of your word. We thank you for the holy example of your saints, for your faithful servants departed this life, and for the memory and example of all that has been true and good in their lives. Number us with them in the company of the redeemed in heaven; through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Everliving God,
whose Son Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life:
give us grace to love one another,
to follow in the way of his commandments
and to share his risen life;
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.
Amen.
[And now as our Saviour taught us, we pray]
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.
Open this link in a new tab to hear James Quinn’s “Forth in the Peace of Christ We Go.”
1 Forth in the peace of Christ we go;
Christ to the world with joy we bring;
Christ in our minds, Christ on our lips,
Christ in our hearts, the world's true King.
2 King of our hearts, Christ makes us kings;
kingship with him his servants gain;
with Christ, the Servant-Lord of all,
Christ's world we serve to share Christ's reign.
3 Priests of the world, Christ sends us forth
the world of time to consecrate,
the world of sin by grace to heal,
Christ's world in Christ to re-create.
4 Christ's are our lips, his word we speak;
prophets are we whose deeds proclaim
Christ's truth in love, that we may be
Christ in the world, to spread Christ's name.
5 We are the church; Christ bids us show
that in his church all nations find
their hearth and home, where Christ restores
true peace, true love, to all mankind.
GOING OUT AS GOD’S PEOPLE
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.
The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord make his face to shine upon us
and be gracious to us.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon us
and give us peace.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Robert Noble’s arrangement of “May the Lord, Mighty God.”
1 May the Lord, mighty God,
bless and keep you forever;
grant you peace, perfect peace,
courage in every endeavor.
2 Lift your eyes and see God's face,
source of grace forever;
may the Lord, mighty God,
bless and keep you forever.
May the Lord, mighty God,
bless and keep you forever.
bless and keep you forever.
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