Thursday Evenings at All Hallows (June 18, 2026)
How does faith come? In this evening’s message we will give thought to that question.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear John Riley’s Prelude on PADERBORN.
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 “O Gladsome Light, O Grace of God the Father's Face,” Robert Bridges’ translation of the 3rd century anonymous Greek hymn Phos hilaron.
1 O gladsome light, O grace
of God the Father's face,
the eternal splendour wearing;
celestial, holy, blest,
our Saviour Jesus Christ,
joyful in thine appearing.
2 Now, ere day fadeth quite,
we see the evening light,
our wonted hymn outpouring;
Father of might unknown,
thee, his incarnate Son,
and Holy Spirit adoring.
3 To thee of right belongs
all praise of holy songs,
O Son of God, lifegiver;
thee therefore, O most high,
the world doth glorify
and shall exalt for ever.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Scott Soper’s “Psalm 85: Lord, Let Us See Your Kindness.”
Lord, let us see your kindness;
Lord, let us see your kindness.
Your kindness and salvation
grant us, O Lord.
1 I will hear what the Lord proclaims:
peace and salvation close at hand,
always near to those who fear him;
glory dwelling in our land.
Lord, let us see your kindness;
Lord, let us see your kindness.
Your kindness and salvation
grant us, O Lord.
2 Kindness and truth shall meet at last;
justice and peace embrace in love.
Truth shall spring up from the earth,
and justice shall look down from heaven above.
Lord, let us see your kindness;
Lord, let us see your kindness.
Your kindness and salvation
grant us, O Lord.
3 God will grant abundant grace;
earth will spring up with boundless life.
Blessings flow ever before him
to prepare his way.
Lord, let us see your kindness;
Lord, let us see your kindness.
Your kindness and salvation
grant us, O Lord.
Silence
Be gracious to us, Lord our God,
and restore us to fullness of life with you;
that mercy and truth may be our guide
and peace be a pathway for our feet;
through our Saviour, Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
Romans 10:11-21
The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ But not all have obeyed the good news; [or gospel] for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. [Or about Christ; other ancient authorities read of God]
But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for
‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.’
Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,
‘I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;
with a foolish nation I will make you angry.’
Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,
‘I have been found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.’
But of Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.’
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
Silence
In the first century AD, in the century in which the apostle Paul lived, you could communicate with someone at a distance in one of three ways. You could ask a responsible person whom you trusted to take a message for you to the other person, tell them what the message was, have them repeat it back to you enough times to make sure that they remembered the message, and then sent them on their way. You gave them instructions to report back to you once they had delivered the message and to tell you the other person’s reply to the message.
Your second option was to write a letter or dictate the letter to someone who was able to write. In the latter case you had that person read the letter back to you before you affixed your seal to it. You then entrusted the letter to a reliable person to deliver the letter. The Roman Empire had no postal service, only a system of couriers for military dispatches and government documents.
Your third option was to send someone who was well-acquainted with what you wanted to tell the other person and who could be trusted to tell them what you yourself would have told them if you had gone yourself and spoken to them in person, in the same way a king sent an ambassador to the court of another ruler. The person you were sending was a stand-in for yourself. They spoke for you, on your behalf. Jesus sent out the twelve and then the seventy two to speak for him. The church at Jerusalem sent out teams of disciples to proclaim the good news in other communities and tell their people about Jesus, his person, his work, and his teaching.
Since the first century our ways of communicating with someone at a distance have multiplied. The printing press. Printed books, pamphlets, broadsheets, newspapers, magazines, and tracts. Postal services. Semaphore. The telegraph. The telephone. Radio. Television. Broadband internet. E-mail. Social media. Podcasts. Videos. Weblogs. Video conferencing platforms. Webinars. The cellular wireless phone. We have experienced a communication revolution.
A number of things, however, have not changed.
If a message is to engender faith, to give rise to faith—
It must be sent.
Its content must be about Jesus, who he is, what he did, what that means for us, what he taught, why that matters.
It must be received, accepted.
This is the point that Paul is making in this evening’s reading.
As Paul draws to our attention elsewhere in his writings (Colossians 2:13), God must also be working in the recipient of the message, enabling the recipient to will and do what is pleasing to God, to believe in Jesus and to put their trust and confidence in him.
Faith does indeed come through hearing but God is the one who makes it possible for us to receive the message that was sent, and receiving it, to believe..
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.
Lord God, the unfailing helper and guide of those whom you bring
up in your steadfast fear and love, keep us, we pray, under the protection
of your good providence, and give us a continual reverence and love
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
Romans 10:11-21
The scripture says, ‘No one who believes in him will be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ But not all have obeyed the good news; [or gospel] for Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our message?’ So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. [Or about Christ; other ancient authorities read of God]
But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for
‘Their voice has gone out to all the earth,
and their words to the ends of the world.’
Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says,
‘I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation;
with a foolish nation I will make you angry.’
Then Isaiah is so bold as to say,
‘I have been found by those who did not seek me;
I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.’
But of Israel he says, ‘All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.’
May your word live in us
and bear much fruit to your glory.
Silence
How does faith come?
In the first century AD, in the century in which the apostle Paul lived, you could communicate with someone at a distance in one of three ways. You could ask a responsible person whom you trusted to take a message for you to the other person, tell them what the message was, have them repeat it back to you enough times to make sure that they remembered the message, and then sent them on their way. You gave them instructions to report back to you once they had delivered the message and to tell you the other person’s reply to the message.
Your second option was to write a letter or dictate the letter to someone who was able to write. In the latter case you had that person read the letter back to you before you affixed your seal to it. You then entrusted the letter to a reliable person to deliver the letter. The Roman Empire had no postal service, only a system of couriers for military dispatches and government documents.
Your third option was to send someone who was well-acquainted with what you wanted to tell the other person and who could be trusted to tell them what you yourself would have told them if you had gone yourself and spoken to them in person, in the same way a king sent an ambassador to the court of another ruler. The person you were sending was a stand-in for yourself. They spoke for you, on your behalf. Jesus sent out the twelve and then the seventy two to speak for him. The church at Jerusalem sent out teams of disciples to proclaim the good news in other communities and tell their people about Jesus, his person, his work, and his teaching.
Since the first century our ways of communicating with someone at a distance have multiplied. The printing press. Printed books, pamphlets, broadsheets, newspapers, magazines, and tracts. Postal services. Semaphore. The telegraph. The telephone. Radio. Television. Broadband internet. E-mail. Social media. Podcasts. Videos. Weblogs. Video conferencing platforms. Webinars. The cellular wireless phone. We have experienced a communication revolution.
A number of things, however, have not changed.
If a message is to engender faith, to give rise to faith—
It must be sent.
Its content must be about Jesus, who he is, what he did, what that means for us, what he taught, why that matters.
It must be received, accepted.
This is the point that Paul is making in this evening’s reading.
As Paul draws to our attention elsewhere in his writings (Colossians 2:13), God must also be working in the recipient of the message, enabling the recipient to will and do what is pleasing to God, to believe in Jesus and to put their trust and confidence in him.
Faith does indeed come through hearing but God is the one who makes it possible for us to receive the message that was sent, and receiving it, to believe..
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.
Lord God, the unfailing helper and guide of those whom you bring
up in your steadfast fear and love, keep us, we pray, under the protection
of your good providence, and give us a continual reverence and love
for your holy name; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Eternal God, from whom all holy desires, all good purposes,
and all just works proceed: give to your servants that peace
which the world cannot give, that our hearts may be set to
obey your commandments, and that free from the fear of our
enemies we may pass our time in trust and quietness;
through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour.
Amen.
Lighten our darkness, Lord, we pray: and in your great
mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night;
for the love of your only Son our Saviour Jesus Christ.
Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Dudley-Smith’s “How shall they hear who have not heard?”
1 `How shall they hear,' who have not heard
news of a Lord who loved and came;
nor known his reconciling word,
nor learned to trust a Saviour's Name?
2 `To all the world,' to every place,
neighbours and friends and far-off lands,
preach the good news of saving grace;
go while the great commission stands.
3 `Whom shall I send?' Who hears the call,
constant in prayer, through toil and pain,
telling of one who died for all,
to bring a lost world home again?
4 `Lord, here am I:' your fire impart
to this poor cold self-centred soul;
touch but my lips, my hands, my heart,
and make a world for Christ my goal.
5 Spirit of love, within us move:
Spirit of truth, in power come down!
So shall they hear and find and prove
Christ is their life, their joy, their crown.
Coda:
Christ is their life, their joy, their crown.
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 James Seddon’s “Go forth and tell! O church of God, awake.”
1 Go forth and tell! O church of God, awake!
God's saving news to all the nations take;
proclaim Christ Jesus, saviour, Lord, and king,
that all the world his worthy praise may sing.
2 Go forth and tell! God's love embraces all;
he will in grace respond to all who call:
how shall they call if they have never heard
the gracious invitation of his word?
3 Go forth and tell where still the darkness lies;
in wealth or want, the sinner surely dies:
give us, O Lord, concern of heart and mind,
a love like yours which cares for all mankind.
4 Go forth and tell! The doors are open wide:
share God's good gifts let no one be denied;
live out your life as Christ your Lord shall choose,
your ransomed powers for his sole glory use.
5 Go forth and tell! O church of God, arise!
go in the strength which Christ your Lord supplies;
go till all nations his great name adore
and serve him, Lord and king for evermore
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.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Lee Fisher’s “Go in Peace, Go in Love.”
Go in peace, go in love,
May the Lord be at your side.
Go in peace, go in love,
May he ever be your guide.
May his grace overflow
And his blessing be upon you.
Go in peace, go in love,
Now and evermore,
Go in peace, go in love,
May the Lord be at your side.
Go in peace, go in love,
May he ever be your guide.
May his grace overflow
And his blessing be upon you.
Go in peace, go in love,
Now and evermore,
Amen
Amen
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 “How shall they hear who have not heard?”
1 `How shall they hear,' who have not heard
news of a Lord who loved and came;
nor known his reconciling word,
nor learned to trust a Saviour's Name?
2 `To all the world,' to every place,
neighbours and friends and far-off lands,
preach the good news of saving grace;
go while the great commission stands.
3 `Whom shall I send?' Who hears the call,
constant in prayer, through toil and pain,
telling of one who died for all,
to bring a lost world home again?
4 `Lord, here am I:' your fire impart
to this poor cold self-centred soul;
touch but my lips, my hands, my heart,
and make a world for Christ my goal.
5 Spirit of love, within us move:
Spirit of truth, in power come down!
So shall they hear and find and prove
Christ is their life, their joy, their crown.
Coda:
Christ is their life, their joy, their crown.
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 James Seddon’s “Go forth and tell! O church of God, awake.”
1 Go forth and tell! O church of God, awake!
God's saving news to all the nations take;
proclaim Christ Jesus, saviour, Lord, and king,
that all the world his worthy praise may sing.
2 Go forth and tell! God's love embraces all;
he will in grace respond to all who call:
how shall they call if they have never heard
the gracious invitation of his word?
3 Go forth and tell where still the darkness lies;
in wealth or want, the sinner surely dies:
give us, O Lord, concern of heart and mind,
a love like yours which cares for all mankind.
4 Go forth and tell! The doors are open wide:
share God's good gifts let no one be denied;
live out your life as Christ your Lord shall choose,
your ransomed powers for his sole glory use.
5 Go forth and tell! O church of God, arise!
go in the strength which Christ your Lord supplies;
go till all nations his great name adore
and serve him, Lord and king for evermore
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.
May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God,
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Lee Fisher’s “Go in Peace, Go in Love.”
Go in peace, go in love,
May the Lord be at your side.
Go in peace, go in love,
May he ever be your guide.
May his grace overflow
And his blessing be upon you.
Go in peace, go in love,
Now and evermore,
Go in peace, go in love,
May the Lord be at your side.
Go in peace, go in love,
May he ever be your guide.
May his grace overflow
And his blessing be upon you.
Go in peace, go in love,
Now and evermore,
Amen
Amen
Amen
Comments
Post a Comment