Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (May 28, 2026)
Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.
In the Anglican and Methodist traditions, the week after Whit Sunday, the Day of Pentecost, is known as Whitsuntide. It is devoted to the celebration of the gift and work of the Holy Spirit. It also contains the three summer Ember Days (Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday), days of abstinence, fasting, and prayer. Ember Saturday is traditional associated with the ordination of clergy, deacons and presbyters (elders) but not bishops.
In this Thursday evening’s message, we consider what else we may learn from the apostle Paul about the place of the spiritual gifts in the worship, ministry, and life of the local church.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Keith Duke’s composition, “On the Breath of the Wind,” for harp and flute.
Silence
Everything must be done so that the church may be built up.
1 Corinthians 14: 26
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth
is not in us. But if we confess our sins, God is faithful and
just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 1:8-9
Let us 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 Helen Kennedy’s “Spirit of God, Come Dwell within Me” (Mallaig Sprinkling Song).
1 Spirit of God, come dwell within me.
Open my heart, O come set me free.
Fill me with love for Jesus, my Lord.
Fill me with living water.
Jesus is living, Jesus is here.
Jesus, my Lord, come closer to me.
Jesus, our Saviour, dying for me,
Rising to save his people
2 Lord, how I thirst, O Lord, I am weak.
Lord, come to me, you alone do I seek.
Lord, you are life, and love and hope,
Fill me with living water.
3 Lord, I am blind. O Lord, I can’t see!
Stretch our your hand, O Lord, comfort me.
Lead me your way in truth and in light,
Fill me with living water.
Jesus is living, Jesus is here.
Jesus, my Lord, come closer to me.
Jesus, our Saviour, dying for me,
Rising to save his people
Open this link in a new tab to hear Emma Turl’s “How Delightful Is Your Dwelling” (Psalm 84).
1 How delightful is your dwelling,
O Almighty Sovereign Lord -
place of peace, where all my longings
are fulfilled, my soul restored.
Every fibre of my being
living God, calls out to you:
come revive me with your presence
and with hope my life renew!
2 This is where the tiny sparrow
near your altar finds her rest;
in a corner here the swallow
for her young prepares a nest.
So with all who find contentment
in your house, my God, my King,
may I also know your favour
and your praise for ever sing.
3 Blessed are all the pilgrim-hearted,
strengthened, so that as they go
arid land becomes a garden
where refreshing rivers flow.
On from strength to strength they journey
and at last arrive in heaven:
as we follow in their footsteps,
may your grace to us be given.
4 One day in your house is better
than a thousand spent elsewhere -
earth can offer no attraction
like the joy of serving there.
Sun to guide and shield to guard us
where your blessing is assured:
by your mercy keep us faithful
as we trust in you, O Lord!
Silence
Lord God,
sustain us in this vale of tears
with the vision of your grace and glory;
that as we journey towards your presence
we may go from strength to strength
in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 14: 1-33, 37-40
Love should be the goal of your life, but you should also want to have the gifts that come from the Spirit. And the gift you should want most is to be able to prophesy. I will explain why. Those who have the gift of speaking in a different language are not speaking to people. They are speaking to God. No one understands them—they are speaking secret things through the Spirit. But those who prophesy are speaking to people. They help people grow stronger in faith, and they give encouragement and comfort. Those who speak in a different language are helping only themselves. But those who prophesy are helping the whole church.
I would like all of you to have the gift of speaking in different languages. But what I want more is for you to prophesy. Anyone who prophesies is more important than those who can only speak in different languages. However, if they can also interpret those languages, they are as important as the one who prophesies. If they can interpret, then the church can be helped by what they say.
Brothers and sisters, will it help you if I come to you speaking in different languages? No, it will help you only if I bring you a new truth or some knowledge, prophecy, or teaching. This is true even with lifeless things that make sounds—like a flute or a harp. If the different musical notes are not made clear, you can’t understand what song is being played. Each note must be played clearly for you to be able to understand the tune. And in a war, if the trumpet does not sound clearly, the soldiers will not know it is time to prepare for fighting.
It is the same with you. If you don’t speak clearly in a language people know, they cannot understand what you are saying. You will be talking to the air! It is true that there are many different languages in the world, and they all have meaning. But if I don’t understand the meaning of what someone is saying, it will just be strange sounds to me, and I will sound just as strange to them. That’s why you who want spiritual gifts so much should prefer those gifts that help the church grow stronger.
So those who have the gift of speaking in a different language should pray that they can also interpret what they say. If I pray in a different language, my spirit is praying, but my mind does nothing. So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. You might be praising God with your spirit. But someone there without understanding cannot say “Amen” to your prayer of thanks, because they don’t know what you are saying. You may be thanking God in a good way, but others are not helped.
I thank God that my gift of speaking in different kinds of languages is greater than any of yours. But in the church meetings I would rather speak five words that I understand than thousands of words in a different language. I would rather speak with my understanding, so that I can teach others.
Brothers and sisters, don’t think like children. In evil things be like babies, but in your thinking you should be like full-grown adults. As the Scriptures say,
“Using those who speak a different language
and using the lips of foreigners,
I will speak to these people.
But even then, they will not obey me.”
This is what the Lord says.
And from this we see that the use of different languages shows how God deals with those who don’t believe, not with those who believe. And prophecy shows how God works through those who believe, not through unbelievers. Suppose the whole church meets together and you all speak in different languages. If some people come in who are without understanding or don’t believe, they will say you are crazy. But suppose you are all prophesying and someone comes in who does not believe or who is without understanding. Their sin will be shown to them, and they will be judged by everything you say. The secret things in their heart will be made known. So they will bow down and worship God. They will say, “Without a doubt, God is here with you.”
So, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, another has a teaching, and another has a new truth from God. One person speaks in a different language, and another interprets that language. The purpose of whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith. When you meet together, if anyone speaks to the group in a different language, it should be only two or no more than three people who do this. And they should speak one after the other. And someone else should interpret what they say. But if there is no interpreter, then anyone who speaks in a different language should be quiet in the church meeting. They should speak only to themselves and to God.
And only two or three prophets should speak. The others should judge what they say. And if a message from God comes to someone who is sitting, the first speaker should be quiet. You can all prophesy one after the other. This way everyone can be taught and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are under the control of the prophets themselves. God is not a God of confusion but a God of peace. This is the rule for all the meetings of God’s people.
God’s teaching did not come from you, and you are not the only ones who have received it. If you think you are a prophet or that you have a spiritual gift, you should understand that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. If you do not accept this, you will not be accepted.
So my brothers and sisters, continue to give your attention to prophesying. And don’t stop anyone from using the gift of speaking in different languages. But everything should be done in a way that is right and orderly.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
Silence
Since it is the Thursday in Whitsuntide, I thought that it would be a good idea to take a further look at what the apostle Paul says about the spiritual gifts in his first letter to the church at Corinth. In today’s reading from that letter Paul urges the members of the Corinthian church to seek those spiritual gifts which can be used to help strengthen the church, build up the church. These are the kinds of spiritual gifts that benefit the whole church, not just the person to whom the spiritual gift has been given.
By prophesying Paul means forthtelling more than foretelling, speaking words inspired by the Holy Spirit that help people grow stronger in faith, and which give encouragement and comfort. They would be words that agree with what God has already clearly said through Scripture, as the late David Watson, an English Anglican priest, evangelist, and author, a leading figure in the 20th century charismatic renewal movement, wrote in his book, Called & Committed: World-Changing Discipleship. They would not add to what is said in Scripture. Nor would they subtract from what is said in Scripture. They would not twist what is said in Scripture, reading into a passage or verse what cannot be read out of it. They would not elevate anyone or anything in place of God or Jesus Christ in the heart of a believer.
Paul offers guidance on how church meetings should be conducted. The language used in the meeting should be easily understood not only by the members of the church but also by anyone who wandered into the meeting off the street. Whatever is done in the meeting should help everyone grow stronger in faith. It should also be done in an orderly and dignified manner.
Paul does not discourage people from seeking the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues but limits the use of this spiritual gift in church meetings to those occasions when someone is present who has the spiritual gift of interpreting tongues.
Paul touches upon a practice that is sometimes described as “open worship.” He writes—
“So, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, another has a teaching, and another has a new truth from God. One person speaks in a different language, and another interprets that language. The purpose of whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith.”
Underlying this practice is the principle that everyone present at a church meeting should contribute to the meeting and help each other grow stronger in faith. The meeting should not be dominated by one person—a pastor or a priest—or by one small part of the congregation—a choir or worship band—or a combination of the two. All should take part in the meeting—in the songs, the Scripture readings, the prayers, and the distribution of the communion elements. St. John Chrysostom, a bishop and theologian of the early Church, is credited with pointing out that the Eucharistic Prayer by which the elements of bread and wine are set apart for Holy Communion is the prayer of the whole church. The priest only serves as the “tongue” of the church.
Among the ways that a believer can contribute to a church meeting is to pray with uplifted hands during the closing verse or chorus of the final song of a set, praising God and giving God thanks. Another way is to join in what St. Augustine of Hippo called “jubilation,” a common practice in his time, spontaneously praising God with the other members of the congregation in tongues or whatever language the believer speaks every day. At St. Michael’s we concluded Holy Communion with a medley of simple praise choruses and worship songs, followed by a deep, profound silence. This enabled the congregation to give voice to the adoration, gratitude and joy that they were feeling.
These are just a few ways that believers can use their natural talents and spiritual gifts to build up each other’s faith. A church that is open to making full use of its members’ talents and gifts will experience a positive transformation in its worship, ministry, and life. It will have a much greater impact upon its community and the world.
Silence
Opens this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley Smith’s “Tell Out My Soul” (Magnificat).
1 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
2 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy name, the Lord, the mighty One.
3 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
4 Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children’s children and for evermore!
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.
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 God, who taught the hearts of your faithful people by
sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: grant to us by the
same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and always to
rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our
Saviour, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. 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 Timothy Dudley Smith’s “When God the Spirit Came.”
1 When God the Spirit came
upon his church outpoured
in sound of wind and sign of flame
they spread his truth abroad,
and filled with the Spirit
proclaimed that Christ is Lord.
2 What courage, power and grace
that youthful church displayed!
to those of every tribe and race
they witnessed unafraid,
and filled with the Spirit
they broke their bread and prayed.
3 They saw God's word prevail,
his kingdom still increase,
no part of all his purpose fail,
no promised blessing cease,
and filled with the Spirit
knew love and joy and peace.
4 Their theme was Christ alone,
the Lord who lived and died,
who rose to his eternal throne
at God the Father's side;
and filled with the Spirit
the church was multiplied.
5 So to this present hour
our task is still the same,
in pentecostal love and power
his gospel to proclaim,
and filled with the Spirit,
rejoice in Jesus' Name.
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 Margaret Old’s “Spirit of God, Unseen as the Wind.”
Spirit of God, unseen as the wind,
gentle as is the dove;
teach us the truth and help us believe,
show us the Saviour's love!
1 You spoke to us long, long ago,
gave us the written word;
we read it still, needing its truth
through it God's voice is heard.
Spirit of God, unseen as the wind,
gentle as is the dove;
teach us the truth and help us believe,
show us the Saviour's love!
2 Without your help we fail our Lord,
we cannot live His way;
we need Your power, we need Your strength,
following Christ each day.
Spirit of God, unseen as the wind,
gentle as is the dove;
teach us the truth and help us believe,
show us the Saviour's love!
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 Cathy Butler’s “May the Peace of the Lord Be Upon You.”
May the peace of the Lord be upon you,
may it dwell with you day and night;
may it strengthen your heart as you journey,
may it welcome your weary mind.
Its wings to surround your sorrow,
and its light leading onward in your joy;
may the peace of the Lord be upon you,
may it flow from you day and night.
[Instrumental interlude]
May the peace of the Lord be upon you,
may it dwell with you day and night;
may it strengthen your heart as you journey,
may it welcome your weary mind.
Its wings to surround your sorrow,
and its light leading onward in your joy;
may the peace of the Lord be upon you,
may it flow from you day and night.
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 Helen Kennedy’s “Spirit of God, Come Dwell within Me” (Mallaig Sprinkling Song).
1 Spirit of God, come dwell within me.
Open my heart, O come set me free.
Fill me with love for Jesus, my Lord.
Fill me with living water.
Jesus is living, Jesus is here.
Jesus, my Lord, come closer to me.
Jesus, our Saviour, dying for me,
Rising to save his people
2 Lord, how I thirst, O Lord, I am weak.
Lord, come to me, you alone do I seek.
Lord, you are life, and love and hope,
Fill me with living water.
3 Lord, I am blind. O Lord, I can’t see!
Stretch our your hand, O Lord, comfort me.
Lead me your way in truth and in light,
Fill me with living water.
Jesus is living, Jesus is here.
Jesus, my Lord, come closer to me.
Jesus, our Saviour, dying for me,
Rising to save his people
Open this link in a new tab to hear Emma Turl’s “How Delightful Is Your Dwelling” (Psalm 84).
1 How delightful is your dwelling,
O Almighty Sovereign Lord -
place of peace, where all my longings
are fulfilled, my soul restored.
Every fibre of my being
living God, calls out to you:
come revive me with your presence
and with hope my life renew!
2 This is where the tiny sparrow
near your altar finds her rest;
in a corner here the swallow
for her young prepares a nest.
So with all who find contentment
in your house, my God, my King,
may I also know your favour
and your praise for ever sing.
3 Blessed are all the pilgrim-hearted,
strengthened, so that as they go
arid land becomes a garden
where refreshing rivers flow.
On from strength to strength they journey
and at last arrive in heaven:
as we follow in their footsteps,
may your grace to us be given.
4 One day in your house is better
than a thousand spent elsewhere -
earth can offer no attraction
like the joy of serving there.
Sun to guide and shield to guard us
where your blessing is assured:
by your mercy keep us faithful
as we trust in you, O Lord!
Silence
Lord God,
sustain us in this vale of tears
with the vision of your grace and glory;
that as we journey towards your presence
we may go from strength to strength
in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from Paul’s First Letter to the Corinthians.
1 Corinthians 14: 1-33, 37-40
Love should be the goal of your life, but you should also want to have the gifts that come from the Spirit. And the gift you should want most is to be able to prophesy. I will explain why. Those who have the gift of speaking in a different language are not speaking to people. They are speaking to God. No one understands them—they are speaking secret things through the Spirit. But those who prophesy are speaking to people. They help people grow stronger in faith, and they give encouragement and comfort. Those who speak in a different language are helping only themselves. But those who prophesy are helping the whole church.
I would like all of you to have the gift of speaking in different languages. But what I want more is for you to prophesy. Anyone who prophesies is more important than those who can only speak in different languages. However, if they can also interpret those languages, they are as important as the one who prophesies. If they can interpret, then the church can be helped by what they say.
Brothers and sisters, will it help you if I come to you speaking in different languages? No, it will help you only if I bring you a new truth or some knowledge, prophecy, or teaching. This is true even with lifeless things that make sounds—like a flute or a harp. If the different musical notes are not made clear, you can’t understand what song is being played. Each note must be played clearly for you to be able to understand the tune. And in a war, if the trumpet does not sound clearly, the soldiers will not know it is time to prepare for fighting.
It is the same with you. If you don’t speak clearly in a language people know, they cannot understand what you are saying. You will be talking to the air! It is true that there are many different languages in the world, and they all have meaning. But if I don’t understand the meaning of what someone is saying, it will just be strange sounds to me, and I will sound just as strange to them. That’s why you who want spiritual gifts so much should prefer those gifts that help the church grow stronger.
So those who have the gift of speaking in a different language should pray that they can also interpret what they say. If I pray in a different language, my spirit is praying, but my mind does nothing. So what should I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind. I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. You might be praising God with your spirit. But someone there without understanding cannot say “Amen” to your prayer of thanks, because they don’t know what you are saying. You may be thanking God in a good way, but others are not helped.
I thank God that my gift of speaking in different kinds of languages is greater than any of yours. But in the church meetings I would rather speak five words that I understand than thousands of words in a different language. I would rather speak with my understanding, so that I can teach others.
Brothers and sisters, don’t think like children. In evil things be like babies, but in your thinking you should be like full-grown adults. As the Scriptures say,
“Using those who speak a different language
and using the lips of foreigners,
I will speak to these people.
But even then, they will not obey me.”
This is what the Lord says.
And from this we see that the use of different languages shows how God deals with those who don’t believe, not with those who believe. And prophecy shows how God works through those who believe, not through unbelievers. Suppose the whole church meets together and you all speak in different languages. If some people come in who are without understanding or don’t believe, they will say you are crazy. But suppose you are all prophesying and someone comes in who does not believe or who is without understanding. Their sin will be shown to them, and they will be judged by everything you say. The secret things in their heart will be made known. So they will bow down and worship God. They will say, “Without a doubt, God is here with you.”
So, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, another has a teaching, and another has a new truth from God. One person speaks in a different language, and another interprets that language. The purpose of whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith. When you meet together, if anyone speaks to the group in a different language, it should be only two or no more than three people who do this. And they should speak one after the other. And someone else should interpret what they say. But if there is no interpreter, then anyone who speaks in a different language should be quiet in the church meeting. They should speak only to themselves and to God.
And only two or three prophets should speak. The others should judge what they say. And if a message from God comes to someone who is sitting, the first speaker should be quiet. You can all prophesy one after the other. This way everyone can be taught and encouraged. The spirits of prophets are under the control of the prophets themselves. God is not a God of confusion but a God of peace. This is the rule for all the meetings of God’s people.
God’s teaching did not come from you, and you are not the only ones who have received it. If you think you are a prophet or that you have a spiritual gift, you should understand that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command. If you do not accept this, you will not be accepted.
So my brothers and sisters, continue to give your attention to prophesying. And don’t stop anyone from using the gift of speaking in different languages. But everything should be done in a way that is right and orderly.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
Silence
The Gifts of the Holy Spirit in the Local Church
Since it is the Thursday in Whitsuntide, I thought that it would be a good idea to take a further look at what the apostle Paul says about the spiritual gifts in his first letter to the church at Corinth. In today’s reading from that letter Paul urges the members of the Corinthian church to seek those spiritual gifts which can be used to help strengthen the church, build up the church. These are the kinds of spiritual gifts that benefit the whole church, not just the person to whom the spiritual gift has been given.
By prophesying Paul means forthtelling more than foretelling, speaking words inspired by the Holy Spirit that help people grow stronger in faith, and which give encouragement and comfort. They would be words that agree with what God has already clearly said through Scripture, as the late David Watson, an English Anglican priest, evangelist, and author, a leading figure in the 20th century charismatic renewal movement, wrote in his book, Called & Committed: World-Changing Discipleship. They would not add to what is said in Scripture. Nor would they subtract from what is said in Scripture. They would not twist what is said in Scripture, reading into a passage or verse what cannot be read out of it. They would not elevate anyone or anything in place of God or Jesus Christ in the heart of a believer.
Paul offers guidance on how church meetings should be conducted. The language used in the meeting should be easily understood not only by the members of the church but also by anyone who wandered into the meeting off the street. Whatever is done in the meeting should help everyone grow stronger in faith. It should also be done in an orderly and dignified manner.
Paul does not discourage people from seeking the spiritual gift of speaking in tongues but limits the use of this spiritual gift in church meetings to those occasions when someone is present who has the spiritual gift of interpreting tongues.
Paul touches upon a practice that is sometimes described as “open worship.” He writes—
“So, brothers and sisters, what should you do? When you meet together, one person has a song, another has a teaching, and another has a new truth from God. One person speaks in a different language, and another interprets that language. The purpose of whatever you do should be to help everyone grow stronger in faith.”
Underlying this practice is the principle that everyone present at a church meeting should contribute to the meeting and help each other grow stronger in faith. The meeting should not be dominated by one person—a pastor or a priest—or by one small part of the congregation—a choir or worship band—or a combination of the two. All should take part in the meeting—in the songs, the Scripture readings, the prayers, and the distribution of the communion elements. St. John Chrysostom, a bishop and theologian of the early Church, is credited with pointing out that the Eucharistic Prayer by which the elements of bread and wine are set apart for Holy Communion is the prayer of the whole church. The priest only serves as the “tongue” of the church.
Among the ways that a believer can contribute to a church meeting is to pray with uplifted hands during the closing verse or chorus of the final song of a set, praising God and giving God thanks. Another way is to join in what St. Augustine of Hippo called “jubilation,” a common practice in his time, spontaneously praising God with the other members of the congregation in tongues or whatever language the believer speaks every day. At St. Michael’s we concluded Holy Communion with a medley of simple praise choruses and worship songs, followed by a deep, profound silence. This enabled the congregation to give voice to the adoration, gratitude and joy that they were feeling.
These are just a few ways that believers can use their natural talents and spiritual gifts to build up each other’s faith. A church that is open to making full use of its members’ talents and gifts will experience a positive transformation in its worship, ministry, and life. It will have a much greater impact upon its community and the world.
Silence
Opens this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley Smith’s “Tell Out My Soul” (Magnificat).
1 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord!
Unnumbered blessings, give my spirit voice;
tender to me the promise of his word;
in God my Saviour shall my heart rejoice.
2 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his name!
Make known his might, the deeds his arm has done;
his mercy sure, from age to age the same;
his holy name, the Lord, the mighty One.
3 Tell out, my soul, the greatness of his might!
Powers and dominions lay their glory by.
Proud hearts and stubborn wills are put to flight,
the hungry fed, the humble lifted high.
4 Tell out, my soul, the glories of his word!
Firm is his promise, and his mercy sure.
Tell out, my soul, the greatness of the Lord
to children’s children and for evermore!
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.
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 God, who taught the hearts of your faithful people by
sending to them the light of your Holy Spirit: grant to us by the
same Spirit to have a right judgment in all things and always to
rejoice in his holy comfort; through the merits of Christ Jesus our
Saviour, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one
God, now and for ever. 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 Timothy Dudley Smith’s “When God the Spirit Came.”
1 When God the Spirit came
upon his church outpoured
in sound of wind and sign of flame
they spread his truth abroad,
and filled with the Spirit
proclaimed that Christ is Lord.
2 What courage, power and grace
that youthful church displayed!
to those of every tribe and race
they witnessed unafraid,
and filled with the Spirit
they broke their bread and prayed.
3 They saw God's word prevail,
his kingdom still increase,
no part of all his purpose fail,
no promised blessing cease,
and filled with the Spirit
knew love and joy and peace.
4 Their theme was Christ alone,
the Lord who lived and died,
who rose to his eternal throne
at God the Father's side;
and filled with the Spirit
the church was multiplied.
5 So to this present hour
our task is still the same,
in pentecostal love and power
his gospel to proclaim,
and filled with the Spirit,
rejoice in Jesus' Name.
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 Margaret Old’s “Spirit of God, Unseen as the Wind.”
Spirit of God, unseen as the wind,
gentle as is the dove;
teach us the truth and help us believe,
show us the Saviour's love!
1 You spoke to us long, long ago,
gave us the written word;
we read it still, needing its truth
through it God's voice is heard.
Spirit of God, unseen as the wind,
gentle as is the dove;
teach us the truth and help us believe,
show us the Saviour's love!
2 Without your help we fail our Lord,
we cannot live His way;
we need Your power, we need Your strength,
following Christ each day.
Spirit of God, unseen as the wind,
gentle as is the dove;
teach us the truth and help us believe,
show us the Saviour's love!
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 Cathy Butler’s “May the Peace of the Lord Be Upon You.”
May the peace of the Lord be upon you,
may it dwell with you day and night;
may it strengthen your heart as you journey,
may it welcome your weary mind.
Its wings to surround your sorrow,
and its light leading onward in your joy;
may the peace of the Lord be upon you,
may it flow from you day and night.
[Instrumental interlude]
May the peace of the Lord be upon you,
may it dwell with you day and night;
may it strengthen your heart as you journey,
may it welcome your weary mind.
Its wings to surround your sorrow,
and its light leading onward in your joy;
may the peace of the Lord be upon you,
may it flow from you day and night.
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