Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (June 25, 2026)
A church may be described as a reflection of the people who form its congregation, a sign or result of what they are or of what they have become.
One of the ways that Jesus’ parable of the wise builder and the foolish builder applies to churches, to their congregations, is the topic of this Thursday evening’s message.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Jaime Jorge’s arrangement of Savior, Like Shepherd Lead Us (Bradbury) for piano and violin.
Silence
Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth
stand in awe of him. Psalm 96:9
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 Fred Pratt Green’s “Christ Is the World's Light.”
1 Christ is the world's light, Christ and none other;
born in our darkness, he became our brother.
If we have seen him, we have seen the Father:
Glory to God on high!
2 Christ is the world's peace, Christ and none other;
no one can serve him and despise another.
Who else unites us, one in God the Father?
Glory to God on high!
3 Christ is the world's life, Christ and none other;
sold once for silver, murdered here, our brother -
he, who redeems us, reigns with God the Father:
Glory to God on high!
[Instrumental interlude]
4 Give God the glory, God and none other;
give God the glory, Spirit, Son and Father;
give God the glory, God with us, my brother:
Glory to God on high!
Open this link in a new tab to hear David Ashley White’s setting of Carl P. Daw Jr.’s “The Lord My Shepherd” (Psalm 23).
The Lord my Shepherd guards me well,
and all my wants are fed:
amid green pastures made to lie,
beside still waters led.
My careworn soul grows strong and whole
when God's true path I tread.
Though I should walk in darkest ways
through valleys like the grave,
no evil shall I ever fear;
your presence makes me brave.
On my behalf your rod and staff
assure me you will save.
For me a table has been spread
where all my foes can see;
you bathe my head with fragrant oil
to soothe and honor me.
My heart and cup are both filled up
with joyful ecstasy.
Your steadfast love will follow me
to shield me all my days
and bring me to your holy house,
redeemed from error's ways,
my whole life long to join the song
of those who sing God's praise.
Silence
For your Name’s sake, O God,
lead us in the paths of righteousness
and let your mercy follow us
that we may dwell with you for ever. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.
Matthew 7: 21-29
‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.”
‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’
Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
Silence
This Thursday evening’s reading from Matthew’s Gospel triggers memories of when my three nieces were young girls. Both of their parents, my older brother and his late wife, had attended church when they were younger. My older brother had gone to a Baptist church with his friends, and his late wife had gone to an Assembly of God church with her family. When the two oldest girls were in elementary school and the youngest was in kindergarten, their parents decided that it was time for the family to attend church.
The members of the first church that they visited – a Baptist church – made it clear to my brother and his wife that married couples with young children were not welcome in their church. The experience was so upsetting to the girls’ parents that they did not visit anymore churches. They did, however, let one of my brother’s wife’s younger sisters take the girls with her to her church – an Assembly of God church.
One Sunday – not too long after the girls started going to that church – the three girls returned home quite upset. A children’s church leader had cut off a doll’s head to demonstrate how God punished bad girls and boys. Even the aunt who had been taking them to the church was upset.
My brother and his wife were on the verge of not letting the girls attend church at all.
My mother and I offered to take the girls to the Episcopal church where my mother was a member of the chancel choir, and where I had been confirmed the year that I started university. My family had begun attending the church shortly after we moved from New Orleans’ West Bank, across Lake Pontchartrain, to the North Shore. I had just finished the sixth grade when we moved.
My mother and I would become my nieces’ godparents. The three girls would be baptized and receive Holy Communion for the first time early on a chilly Easter morning.
It was during that time I was introduced to the children’s Bible song, “The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock,” and Concordia Publishing’s Arch Books like Daniel in the Lions’ Den, The Man Caught by a Fish, Three Men Who Walked in Fire, The Boy Who Gave His Lunch Away, and The House Built on a Rock. Here are the lyrics to the song. (Open this link in a new tab to hear the song.)
The wise man built his house upon the rock.
The wise man built his house upon the rock.
The wise man built his house upon the rock,
And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
And the wise man’s house stood firm.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand.
And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
And the foolish man’s house went splat!
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ!
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ!
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ!
And the blessings will come down.
The blessing will come down as the prayers go up.
The blessing will come down as the prayers go up.
The blessing will come down as the prayers go up.
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Before the principal service the younger children gathered in the chapel to learn songs and hand movements. This song was one of the songs they learned. I read a number of the Arch Books to my nieces as bedtime stories.
Except for learning a song about the wise builder and the foolish builder and reading an Arch Book about them to my nieces, how then does this story connect with this Thursday evening’s reading?
In the reading Jesus compares those who ignore his teachings, who hear them but don’t act on them, to a foolish man who built his house on sand. Heavy rain and a flash flood and the house collapses and is washed away. If he didn’t drown in the flash flood, the man is left homeless, the consequence of his foolishness.
I have lived in two states, Louisiana and Kentucky. Both states are prone to heavy rain and flooding. In both states real estate developers construct and sell houses in known flood zones, areas where rivers have overflowed their banks and in some places washed away businesses, homes, bridges and highways.
People buy these houses and live in them. They may hear warnings from people who know the area but for various reasons they choose not to heed the warnings. Often as not they cling to the belief that such a catastrophe may not happen to them. To other people but not them. Human beings tend to think this way.
Sometime after my brother’s family’s visit to the Baptist church which did not welcome married couples with young children I drove by its building. The church sign was gone. The building was vacant. Weeds were growing in the gravel in front of the building. I checked around the community. It was a small town. The church had not moved. It had disbanded.
Whether its members had heard what Jesus said about children being his representatives and those who welcomed them welcoming him I cannot say. The actions of the members suggested that if they had, they had not taken them to heart. They had not built on the solid rock foundation of Jesus’ words.
I’m not suggesting that they did not read and study their Bibles and even memorize verses of the Bible and quote them from memory. But I am suggesting that they may not have built on the foundation that Jesus tells us distinguishes the wise from the foolish. They did not build on what the Gospel writers – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - recorded Jesus as teaching and his teaching the other writers of the New Testament echoed.
A church that builds on the solid rock foundation of Jesus’ teaching is a church that will weather the storms of this life. It will stand firm when other churches built on shifting sand will go splat!
As well as teaching that children were his representatives and whoever welcomed them welcomed him, Jesus taught that the faith of his disciples should be like that of a child. When his disciples began turning away people who were bringing children to him to lay his hands on and to bless, Jesus rebuked them, saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14).
What James the elder, Jesus’ older brother, called the Royal Law, “love your neighbor as yourself,” Jesus identified as one of the two greatest commandments, two commandments which summarized all the teaching of the Law and the Prophets, the books that formed the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Old Testament. Jesus taught that all people are our neighbors, not just people like ourselves. Children as well as adults. Solo parents as well as married couples.
Loving our neighbor as ourselves goes beyond welcoming the children of married couples. It includes welcoming all children – children of solo parents, children who come with a friend, children who come on their own.
4 Give God the glory, God and none other;
give God the glory, Spirit, Son and Father;
give God the glory, God with us, my brother:
Glory to God on high!
Open this link in a new tab to hear David Ashley White’s setting of Carl P. Daw Jr.’s “The Lord My Shepherd” (Psalm 23).
The Lord my Shepherd guards me well,
and all my wants are fed:
amid green pastures made to lie,
beside still waters led.
My careworn soul grows strong and whole
when God's true path I tread.
Though I should walk in darkest ways
through valleys like the grave,
no evil shall I ever fear;
your presence makes me brave.
On my behalf your rod and staff
assure me you will save.
For me a table has been spread
where all my foes can see;
you bathe my head with fragrant oil
to soothe and honor me.
My heart and cup are both filled up
with joyful ecstasy.
Your steadfast love will follow me
to shield me all my days
and bring me to your holy house,
redeemed from error's ways,
my whole life long to join the song
of those who sing God's praise.
Silence
For your Name’s sake, O God,
lead us in the paths of righteousness
and let your mercy follow us
that we may dwell with you for ever. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.
Matthew 7: 21-29
‘Not everyone who says to me, “Lord, Lord”, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only one who does the will of my Father in heaven. On that day many will say to me, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many deeds of power in your name?” Then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; go away from me, you evildoers.”
‘Everyone then who hears these words of mine and acts on them will be like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not act on them will be like a foolish man who built his house on sand. The rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell—and great was its fall!’
Now when Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as their scribes.
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
Silence
A Church Built on Rock
The members of the first church that they visited – a Baptist church – made it clear to my brother and his wife that married couples with young children were not welcome in their church. The experience was so upsetting to the girls’ parents that they did not visit anymore churches. They did, however, let one of my brother’s wife’s younger sisters take the girls with her to her church – an Assembly of God church.
One Sunday – not too long after the girls started going to that church – the three girls returned home quite upset. A children’s church leader had cut off a doll’s head to demonstrate how God punished bad girls and boys. Even the aunt who had been taking them to the church was upset.
My brother and his wife were on the verge of not letting the girls attend church at all.
My mother and I offered to take the girls to the Episcopal church where my mother was a member of the chancel choir, and where I had been confirmed the year that I started university. My family had begun attending the church shortly after we moved from New Orleans’ West Bank, across Lake Pontchartrain, to the North Shore. I had just finished the sixth grade when we moved.
My mother and I would become my nieces’ godparents. The three girls would be baptized and receive Holy Communion for the first time early on a chilly Easter morning.
It was during that time I was introduced to the children’s Bible song, “The Wise Man Built His House Upon the Rock,” and Concordia Publishing’s Arch Books like Daniel in the Lions’ Den, The Man Caught by a Fish, Three Men Who Walked in Fire, The Boy Who Gave His Lunch Away, and The House Built on a Rock. Here are the lyrics to the song. (Open this link in a new tab to hear the song.)
The wise man built his house upon the rock.
The wise man built his house upon the rock.
The wise man built his house upon the rock,
And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
And the wise man’s house stood firm.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand.
The foolish man built his house upon the sand.
And the rains came tumbling down.
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
The rains came down and the floods came up,
And the foolish man’s house went splat!
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ!
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ!
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ!
And the blessings will come down.
The blessing will come down as the prayers go up.
The blessing will come down as the prayers go up.
The blessing will come down as the prayers go up.
So build your house on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Before the principal service the younger children gathered in the chapel to learn songs and hand movements. This song was one of the songs they learned. I read a number of the Arch Books to my nieces as bedtime stories.
Except for learning a song about the wise builder and the foolish builder and reading an Arch Book about them to my nieces, how then does this story connect with this Thursday evening’s reading?
In the reading Jesus compares those who ignore his teachings, who hear them but don’t act on them, to a foolish man who built his house on sand. Heavy rain and a flash flood and the house collapses and is washed away. If he didn’t drown in the flash flood, the man is left homeless, the consequence of his foolishness.
I have lived in two states, Louisiana and Kentucky. Both states are prone to heavy rain and flooding. In both states real estate developers construct and sell houses in known flood zones, areas where rivers have overflowed their banks and in some places washed away businesses, homes, bridges and highways.
People buy these houses and live in them. They may hear warnings from people who know the area but for various reasons they choose not to heed the warnings. Often as not they cling to the belief that such a catastrophe may not happen to them. To other people but not them. Human beings tend to think this way.
Sometime after my brother’s family’s visit to the Baptist church which did not welcome married couples with young children I drove by its building. The church sign was gone. The building was vacant. Weeds were growing in the gravel in front of the building. I checked around the community. It was a small town. The church had not moved. It had disbanded.
Whether its members had heard what Jesus said about children being his representatives and those who welcomed them welcoming him I cannot say. The actions of the members suggested that if they had, they had not taken them to heart. They had not built on the solid rock foundation of Jesus’ words.
I’m not suggesting that they did not read and study their Bibles and even memorize verses of the Bible and quote them from memory. But I am suggesting that they may not have built on the foundation that Jesus tells us distinguishes the wise from the foolish. They did not build on what the Gospel writers – Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - recorded Jesus as teaching and his teaching the other writers of the New Testament echoed.
A church that builds on the solid rock foundation of Jesus’ teaching is a church that will weather the storms of this life. It will stand firm when other churches built on shifting sand will go splat!
As well as teaching that children were his representatives and whoever welcomed them welcomed him, Jesus taught that the faith of his disciples should be like that of a child. When his disciples began turning away people who were bringing children to him to lay his hands on and to bless, Jesus rebuked them, saying, “Let the little children come to me, and do not stop them; for it is to such as these that the kingdom of heaven belongs” (Matthew 19:14).
What James the elder, Jesus’ older brother, called the Royal Law, “love your neighbor as yourself,” Jesus identified as one of the two greatest commandments, two commandments which summarized all the teaching of the Law and the Prophets, the books that formed the Hebrew Bible, the Christian Old Testament. Jesus taught that all people are our neighbors, not just people like ourselves. Children as well as adults. Solo parents as well as married couples.
Loving our neighbor as ourselves goes beyond welcoming the children of married couples. It includes welcoming all children – children of solo parents, children who come with a friend, children who come on their own.
Introducing them to Jesus.
Telling them about who he is, what he did, how he calls people to be his disciples, and the way he taught his disciples to live.
Baptizing them.
Involving them as much as possible in the life, ministry, and worship of the church.
Advocating for them in the community and the wider world.
Reaching out to those children who don't go to church with the good news.
And being the good news to them.
Being a loving, caring church in a world that is not particularly loving or caring.
A church that sees every child as someone whom God loves, someone for whom Jesus died and rose again, someone to whom God offers eternal life as a disciple of Jesus.
A church built on rock.
Silence
Opens this link in a new tab to hear Kate Bluett’s Mary's Hymn of Praise (Magnificat).
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.
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.
Graciously hear us, Lord God; and grant that we, to whom you
have given the desire to pray, may by your mighty aid be defended
and strengthened in all dangers and adversities; 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 anew tab to hear John Rippon’s “How Firm a Foundation.”
1 How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2 “Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,
for I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen and help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
3 “When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
4 “When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace all sufficient shall be your supply;
the flames shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
5 “The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not, I will not, desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!”
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 a contemporary version of Clarence Herbert Woolston’s “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”
1 Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Every child in every land
Jesus holds them in His hand
Jesus loves the little children of the world
2 Jesus died for all the children
All the children of the world
Every child in every land
Jesus holds them in His hand
Jesus loves the little children of the world
3 Jesus rose for all the children
All the children of the world
Every child in every land
Jesus holds them in His hand
Jesus loves the little children of the world
4 Jesus cares for all the children
All the children of the world
Every child in every land
Jesus holds them in His hand
Jesus loves the little children of the world
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 Keith Judson’s arrangement of “Columba’s Blessing” from Northumbria Community’s Evening Prayer.
See that you be at peace among yourselves, my children,
and love one another.
Follow the example of the wise and good
and God will comfort you and help you,
both in this world
and in the world which is to come.
See that you be at peace among yourselves, my children,
and love one another.
Follow the example of the wise and good
and God will comfort you and help you,
both in this world
and in the world which is to come.
See that you be at peace among yourselves, my children,
and love one another.
Follow the example of the wise and good
and God will comfort you and help you,
both in this world
and in the world which is to come.
Silence
Opens this link in a new tab to hear Kate Bluett’s Mary's Hymn of Praise (Magnificat).
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.
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.
Graciously hear us, Lord God; and grant that we, to whom you
have given the desire to pray, may by your mighty aid be defended
and strengthened in all dangers and adversities; 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 anew tab to hear John Rippon’s “How Firm a Foundation.”
1 How firm a foundation, you saints of the Lord,
is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
2 “Fear not, I am with you, O be not dismayed,
for I am your God and will still give you aid;
I’ll strengthen and help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
3 “When through the deep waters I call you to go,
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you your deepest distress.
4 “When through fiery trials your pathway shall lie,
my grace all sufficient shall be your supply;
the flames shall not hurt you; I only design
your dross to consume and your gold to refine.
5 “The soul that on Jesus has leaned for repose
I will not, I will not, desert to its foes;
that soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!”
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 a contemporary version of Clarence Herbert Woolston’s “Jesus Loves the Little Children.”
1 Jesus loves the little children
All the children of the world
Every child in every land
Jesus holds them in His hand
Jesus loves the little children of the world
2 Jesus died for all the children
All the children of the world
Every child in every land
Jesus holds them in His hand
Jesus loves the little children of the world
3 Jesus rose for all the children
All the children of the world
Every child in every land
Jesus holds them in His hand
Jesus loves the little children of the world
4 Jesus cares for all the children
All the children of the world
Every child in every land
Jesus holds them in His hand
Jesus loves the little children of the world
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 Keith Judson’s arrangement of “Columba’s Blessing” from Northumbria Community’s Evening Prayer.
See that you be at peace among yourselves, my children,
and love one another.
Follow the example of the wise and good
and God will comfort you and help you,
both in this world
and in the world which is to come.
See that you be at peace among yourselves, my children,
and love one another.
Follow the example of the wise and good
and God will comfort you and help you,
both in this world
and in the world which is to come.
See that you be at peace among yourselves, my children,
and love one another.
Follow the example of the wise and good
and God will comfort you and help you,
both in this world
and in the world which is to come.
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