Sundays at All Hallows (September 13, 2026)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
This Sunday, September 6, 2026, is the Fifteenth Sunday after Trinity. This year the Last Sunday after Trinity, also known as Bible Sunday, falls on October 25, 2026, six Sundays from this Sunday. You can learn more about Bible Sunday from this Christian Today article, “What Is Bible Sunday?”
For this Sunday’s Invitatory Psalm, you have a choice as you did last three Sundays, either the original version of Michael Perry’s metrical paraphrase of the Venite (Psalm 95), “Come Worship God,” or the inclusive language version. The organ accompaniment for both versions is the same-- Joseph Francis Thrupp’s hymn tune EPIPHANY.
The topic of this Sunday’s message is Jesus’ teaching about forgiveness.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Timothy Cummings’ arrangement of the Welsh hymn tune ARFON for bagpipe from his collection, The Piper’s Hymnal.
May the Lord give peace to those who wait for him and may
his prophets proclaim his name. His ears are open to the
prayer of his servants. See Sirach 36.15-16
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 draw near to God with sincerity and confidence, and humbly confess our sins.
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 they may be cleansed from all their
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 the organ accompaniment to Michael Perry’s “Come, Worship God” (Psalm 95).
Organ accompaniment only. No vocals.
Original version:
1 Come, worship God who is worthy of honour,
enter his presence with thanks and a song!
He is the rock of his people's salvation,
to whom our jubilant praises belong.
2 Ruled by his might are the heights of the mountains,
held in his hands are the depths of the earth;
his is the sea, his the land, for he made them,
king above all gods, who gave us our birth.
3 We are his people, the sheep of his pasture,
he is our maker and to him we pray;
gladly we kneel in obedience before him
great is the God whom we worship this day!
4 Now let us listen, for God speaks among us,
open our hearts and receive what he says:
peace be to all who remember his goodness,
trust in his word and rejoice in his ways!
[Or inclusive language version:
1 Come worship God who is worthy of honor
enter God's presence with thanks and a song!
You are the rock of your people's salvation.
to whom our jubilant praises belong
2 Ruled by your might are the heights of the mountains,
held in your hands are the depths of the earth.
Yours are the sea, yours the land, for you made them,
God above all gods, who gave us our birth.
3 We are your people, the sheep of your pasture;
you are our Maker, and to you we pray.
Gladly we kneel In obedience before you;
Great is the one whom we worship this day!
4 Now let us listen for you speak among us;
open our hearts to receive what you say.
Peace be to all who remember your goodness
trust in your word, and rejoice in your way!]
Open this link in a new tab to hear Mark Haas’ “Let the Lord Enter” (Psalm 24).
Let the Lord enter,
he is the king of glory.
Let the Lord enter,
he is the king of glory.
1 The Lord's are the earth and its fullness;
the world and those who dwell in it.
For he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.
Let the Lord enter,
he is the king of glory.
2 Who can ascend the mountain of the Lord?
Or who may stand in his holy place?
One whose hands are sinless,
whose heart is clean,
who desires not what is vain.
Let the Lord enter,
he is the king of glory.
3 He shall receive a blessing from the Lord,
a reward from God his Savior.
Such is the race that seeks for him,
that seeks the face of the God of Jacob.
Let the Lord enter,
he is the king of glory.
Silence
O Lord of Hosts,
purify our hearts
that the King of glory may come in,
even your Son, Jesus our Redeemer. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Nathan George’s “The Voice of the Lord Is Over the Waters” (Psalm 29).
1 The voice of the Lord is over the waters.
The God of glory thunders free!
The voice of the Lord is over the waters.
His voice is full of majesty!
Give to the Lord, in heavenly chorus.
Give to the Lord, all glory and strength!
Give to the Lord, the glory due his name.
Worship the Lord
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness,
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness.
2 The voice of the Lord will break down the cedars.
The God of glory thunders free!
The voice of the Lord will break down the cedars.
Before his voice the mighty flee!
Give to the Lord, in heavenly chorus.
Give to the Lord, all glory and strength!
Give to the Lord, the glory due his name.
Worship the Lord
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness,
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is flaming in fire.
The God of glory thunders free!
The voice of the Lord is shaking the forest.
Cry aloud in glory!
Give to the Lord, in heavenly chorus.
Give to the Lord, all glory and strength!
Give to the Lord, the glory due his name.
Worship the Lord
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness,
(men) in beauty of holiness,
(women) in beauty of holiness.
Silence
Open our ears to hear you, O God,
and our mouths to proclaim your glory
and the beauty of your holiness
as revealed to us in your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Book of Genesis.
Genesis 50: 15-21
When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, ‘What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?’ So they sent word to Joseph, saying, ‘Your father left these instructions before he died: “This is what you are to say to Joseph: I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.” Now please forgive the sins of the servants of the God of your father.’ When their message came to him, Joseph wept.
His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said.
But Joseph said to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Michael Perry’s "O Bless the God of Israel" (Benedictus)
1 O bless the God of Israel,
who comes to set us free,
who visits and redeems us
and grants us liberty.
The prophets spoke of mercy,
of rescue and release,
God shall fulfil his promise
and bring his people peace.
2 He comes! The Child of David,
the Son whom God has given;
he comes to live among us
and raise us up to heaven.
Before him goes his servant,
forerunner in the way,
the prophet of salvation,
the herald of the Day.
3 Where once were fear and darkness
the sun begins to rise-
the dawning of forgiveness
upon the sinner’s eyes.
He guides the feet of pilgrims
along the paths of peace:
O, bless our God and Saviour,
with songs that never cease!
A reading from Paul’s Letter to the Romans.
Romans 14: 1-12
Accept the one whose faith is weak, without quarrelling over disputable matters. One person’s faith allows them to eat anything, but another, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them. Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.
One person considers one day more sacred than another; another considers every day alike. Each of them should be fully convinced in their own mind. Whoever regards one day as special does so to the Lord. Whoever eats meat does so to the Lord, for they give thanks to God; and whoever abstains does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God. For none of us lives for ourselves alone, and none of us dies for ourselves alone. If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. For this very reason, Christ died and returned to life so that he might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.
You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written:
‘“As surely as I live,” says the Lord,
“Every knee will bow before me;
every tongue will acknowledge God.”’
So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God.
Silence
Open this link in a new tab to hear Fintan O’Carroll and Christopher Walker’s “Father, We Praise You as Lord” (Te Deum).
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
1 Father, we praise you as Lord,
all of the earth gives you worship,
for your majesty
fills the heavens, fills the earth.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
2 Blessed apostles sing praise;
prophets and martyrs give glory:
“For your majesty
praise the Spirit, praise the Son!”
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
3 You are the Christ everlasting,
born for us all of a Virgin,
you have conquered death,
opened heaven to all believers.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
4 Help those you saved by your blood,
raise them to life with your martyrs.
Save your people, Lord,
as their ruler raise them up.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.
Matthew 18: 21-35
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’
Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
‘Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
‘At this the servant fell on his knees before him. “Be patient with me,” he begged, “and I will pay back everything.” The servant’s master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go.
‘But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. “Pay back what you owe me!” he demanded.
‘His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, “Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.”
‘But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
‘Then the master called the servant in. “You wicked servant,” he said, “I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
‘This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
Silence
In his teaching Jesus connected God’s forgiveness of our sins to the forgiveness we show others: God was forgiving toward those who themselves were forgiving (Matthew 6:14-15; Luke 6:37). He further taught his disciples that when they were praying if they held anything against anyone, they should forgive that person, so that God might forgive them their sins (Mark 11:25). Jesus taught them to pray, using these or similar words, “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us” (Luke 11:14).
Jesus himself forgave sins. When the Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law witnessed him forgiving sins, they viewed what he was doing to be blasphemy. He was showing no respect for God. In their way of thinking only God could forgive sins. It did not enter their minds that God might be present in Jesus, forgiving sins. They would attribute Jesus’ miraculous healings to an evil spirit.
In attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to an evil spirit, Jesus pointed to their attention, they had blasphemed again the Holy Spirit and were guilty of an unforgiveable sin (Mark 3: 28-29). “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12: 31-32)
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Matthew 18: 21-35, Simon Peter approaches Jesus with a question which is not particularly unusual for a disciple to ask his teacher. How many times should he forgive a brother or sister, seven? Seven times is what the rabbis, the Jewish religious leaders and teachers of that time taught. They placed a limit on forgiveness. It was natural for Simon Peter to ask Jesus this kind of question. Jesus’ answer most likely surprised him. When Jesus said, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times, he was not saying literally seventy-seven times. He used a common expression of the time for an unlimited number of times, an expression found in rabbinical literature of the period.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
1 Father, we praise you as Lord,
all of the earth gives you worship,
for your majesty
fills the heavens, fills the earth.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
2 Blessed apostles sing praise;
prophets and martyrs give glory:
“For your majesty
praise the Spirit, praise the Son!”
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
3 You are the Christ everlasting,
born for us all of a Virgin,
you have conquered death,
opened heaven to all believers.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
4 Help those you saved by your blood,
raise them to life with your martyrs.
Save your people, Lord,
as their ruler raise them up.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
Alleluia, Alleluia.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.
Matthew 18: 21-35
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, ‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?’
Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
‘Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand bags of gold was brought to him. Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
‘At this the servant fell on his knees before him. “Be patient with me,” he begged, “and I will pay back everything.” The servant’s master took pity on him, cancelled the debt and let him go.
‘But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred silver coins. He grabbed him and began to choke him. “Pay back what you owe me!” he demanded.
‘His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, “Be patient with me, and I will pay it back.”
‘But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. When the other servants saw what had happened, they were outraged and went and told their master everything that had happened.
‘Then the master called the servant in. “You wicked servant,” he said, “I cancelled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. Shouldn’t you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?” In anger his master handed him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
‘This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother or sister from your heart.’
Silence
What Did Jesus Teach about Forgiveness?
In his teaching Jesus connected God’s forgiveness of our sins to the forgiveness we show others: God was forgiving toward those who themselves were forgiving (Matthew 6:14-15; Luke 6:37). He further taught his disciples that when they were praying if they held anything against anyone, they should forgive that person, so that God might forgive them their sins (Mark 11:25). Jesus taught them to pray, using these or similar words, “Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us” (Luke 11:14).
Jesus himself forgave sins. When the Pharisees and the teachers of the religious law witnessed him forgiving sins, they viewed what he was doing to be blasphemy. He was showing no respect for God. In their way of thinking only God could forgive sins. It did not enter their minds that God might be present in Jesus, forgiving sins. They would attribute Jesus’ miraculous healings to an evil spirit.
In attributing the work of the Holy Spirit to an evil spirit, Jesus pointed to their attention, they had blasphemed again the Holy Spirit and were guilty of an unforgiveable sin (Mark 3: 28-29). “And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (Matthew 12: 31-32)
In this Sunday’s Gospel reading, Matthew 18: 21-35, Simon Peter approaches Jesus with a question which is not particularly unusual for a disciple to ask his teacher. How many times should he forgive a brother or sister, seven? Seven times is what the rabbis, the Jewish religious leaders and teachers of that time taught. They placed a limit on forgiveness. It was natural for Simon Peter to ask Jesus this kind of question. Jesus’ answer most likely surprised him. When Jesus said, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times, he was not saying literally seventy-seven times. He used a common expression of the time for an unlimited number of times, an expression found in rabbinical literature of the period.
Jesus then tells Simon Peter a parable. The gist of the parable is that God will punish those who do not forgive their brother or sister from heart. One might say that in withholding forgiveness from others, we reject God’s mercy toward us.
When we consider Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness, it is clear that Jesus does not make a place in the lives of his disciples for nursing grudges, seeking retribution for real or imagined hurts, and going to great lengths to punish anyone who has hurt us or whom we imagine has hurt us in some manner, even if it’s just our vanity, our own self-image. This includes encouraging someone else to nurse a grudge, urging them to seek retribution, cheering them on when they do, and helping them to do harm to those against whom they harbor ill will.
Forgiving someone is not the same as exonerating that person of what they did or failed to do, deciding that they are not guilty of a particular wrongdoing. Rather, it is choosing not to hold what they did or failed to do against them. We do not treat it as a black mark against them. We do not keep what they did or failed to do fresh in our memory and use it as a reason to ill-treat them and to persuade others to ill-treat them too.
Jesus taught his disciples to do to others as they would have others do to them (Luke 6: 31). He instructed them to be merciful as God is merciful, pointing to their attention that if they are merciful like their Father in heaven, they would show themselves to be children of the Most High, because God is kind even to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35-36). Being merciful means to show both kindness AND forgiveness to others. It is one of the marks of a true disciple of Jesus, one of the things that set them apart from those who are not the real thing no matter what they may claim.
Silence
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.
I 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.
Keep your Church, Lord God, with your continual mercy, and
because of our frailty we cannot but fall without you, keep us
always under your protection, and lead us to everything that
makes for our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom
stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom;
defend us your servants in all assaults of our enemies,
that, surely trusting in your defense, we may not fear the power
of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and
by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by
your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and
live every day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Rosamond Herklots’ “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive.”
1 'Forgive our sins as we forgive,'
you taught us, Lord, to pray,
but you alone can grant us grace
to live the words we say.
2 How can your pardon reach and bless
the unforgiving heart,
that broods on wrongs and will not let
old bitterness depart?
3 In blazing light your cross reveals
the truth we dimly knew:
how small the debt they owe to us;
how great our debt to you!
4 Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls,
and bid resentment cease;
then, let us strive to know and learn;
our lives will spread your peace.
[Let us pray for all in civil authority.]
Almighty God, you rule over the kingdoms of the world: We
commend to your merciful care the people of this land, that,
being guided by your providence, they may dwell secure in
your peace. Grant to [here the appropriate persons in government
are named] and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know
and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness,
that they may serve your people faithfully to your honour and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Let us pray for the Church]
Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels:
send down your life-giving Spirit of grace on our bishops and other clergy, and on the congregations which they serve; and, in order that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, Lord, for the honour of our advocate and mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Let us pray for all people according to their needs]
God of providence, God of love,
we pray for all people: make your way known to them, your saving power
among all nations.
We pray for the welfare of your Church throughout the world: guide and
govern it by your Holy Spirit, that all who call themselves Christians
may be led in the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit,
in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or circumstances (especially…). Relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and deliverance in their afflictions. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
[Let us pray for ourselves and others.]
Silence
Those present may offer their own prayers and thanksgivings, either silently or aloud.
O God,
you call your Church to witness
that in Christ we are reconciled to you:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may turn to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
[Let us give thanks to God for his goodness.]
Almighty God and merciful Father,
we give you heart-felt thanks
for all your goodness and loving kindness to us
and to all people.
We bless you for our creation and preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such a sense of all your mercies,
that our hearts may be truly thankful,
and that we praise you,
not only with our lips but in our lives,
serving you in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of
those who ask in your Son’s name: mercifully accept us who
have now made our prayers to you; and grant us those things
which we have asked in faith according to your will; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear James Quinn’s “Lord, Make Us Servants of Your Peace.”
1 Lord, make us servants of your peace:
Where there is hate, may we sow love;
Where there is hurt, may we forgive;
Where there is strife, may we make one.
2 Where all is doubt, may we sow faith;
Where all is gloom, may we sow hope;
Where all is night, may we sow light;
Where all is tears, may we sow joy.
3 Jesus, our Lord, may we not seek
To be consoled, but to console,
Nor look to understanding hearts,
But look for hearts to understand.
4 May we not look for love's return,
But seek to love unselfishly,
For in our giving we receive,
And in forgiving are forgiven.
5 Dying, we live, and are reborn
Through death's dark night to endless day;
Lord, make us servants of your peace,
To wake at last in heaven's light.
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.
The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord make his face to shine upon us
and be gracious to us.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon us
and give us peace. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Nancy Raabe’s choral arrangement of Shirley Erena Murray’s “Go Gently, Go Lightly.”
Go gently, go lightly,
go safe in the Spirit,
live simply, don’t carry
much more than you need:
go trusting God’s goodness,
go spreading God’s kindness,
stay centered on Jesus
and where he will lead.
Go gently, go lightly,
go safe in the Spirit,
live simply, don’t carry
much more than you need:
go trusting God’s goodness,
go spreading God’s kindness,
stay centered on Jesus
and where he will lead.
Go singing, go bringing
the gifts of the Spirit,
go hopefully searching
for things that are true:
in living, in loving,
whatever befalls you,
God keep you, God bless you
in all that you do.
God keep you, God bless you
in all that you do.
When we consider Jesus’ teachings on forgiveness, it is clear that Jesus does not make a place in the lives of his disciples for nursing grudges, seeking retribution for real or imagined hurts, and going to great lengths to punish anyone who has hurt us or whom we imagine has hurt us in some manner, even if it’s just our vanity, our own self-image. This includes encouraging someone else to nurse a grudge, urging them to seek retribution, cheering them on when they do, and helping them to do harm to those against whom they harbor ill will.
Forgiving someone is not the same as exonerating that person of what they did or failed to do, deciding that they are not guilty of a particular wrongdoing. Rather, it is choosing not to hold what they did or failed to do against them. We do not treat it as a black mark against them. We do not keep what they did or failed to do fresh in our memory and use it as a reason to ill-treat them and to persuade others to ill-treat them too.
Jesus taught his disciples to do to others as they would have others do to them (Luke 6: 31). He instructed them to be merciful as God is merciful, pointing to their attention that if they are merciful like their Father in heaven, they would show themselves to be children of the Most High, because God is kind even to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35-36). Being merciful means to show both kindness AND forgiveness to others. It is one of the marks of a true disciple of Jesus, one of the things that set them apart from those who are not the real thing no matter what they may claim.
Silence
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.
I 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.
Keep your Church, Lord God, with your continual mercy, and
because of our frailty we cannot but fall without you, keep us
always under your protection, and lead us to everything that
makes for our salvation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
O God, the author and lover of peace, in knowledge of whom
stands our eternal life, whose service is perfect freedom;
defend us your servants in all assaults of our enemies,
that, surely trusting in your defense, we may not fear the power
of any adversaries, through the might of Jesus Christ our
Lord. Amen.
Eternal God and Father, by whose power we are created and
by whose love we are redeemed: guide and strengthen us by
your Spirit, that we may give ourselves to your service, and
live every day in love to one another and to you; through Jesus
Christ your Son our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Rosamond Herklots’ “Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive.”
1 'Forgive our sins as we forgive,'
you taught us, Lord, to pray,
but you alone can grant us grace
to live the words we say.
2 How can your pardon reach and bless
the unforgiving heart,
that broods on wrongs and will not let
old bitterness depart?
3 In blazing light your cross reveals
the truth we dimly knew:
how small the debt they owe to us;
how great our debt to you!
4 Lord, cleanse the depths within our souls,
and bid resentment cease;
then, let us strive to know and learn;
our lives will spread your peace.
[Let us pray for all in civil authority.]
Almighty God, you rule over the kingdoms of the world: We
commend to your merciful care the people of this land, that,
being guided by your providence, they may dwell secure in
your peace. Grant to [here the appropriate persons in government
are named] and to all in authority, wisdom and strength to know
and to do your will. Fill them with the love of truth and righteousness,
that they may serve your people faithfully to your honour and glory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
[Let us pray for the Church]
Almighty and eternal God, you alone work great marvels:
send down your life-giving Spirit of grace on our bishops and other clergy, and on the congregations which they serve; and, in order that they may truly please you, pour upon them the continual dew of your blessing. Grant this, Lord, for the honour of our advocate and mediator, Jesus Christ. Amen.
[Let us pray for all people according to their needs]
God of providence, God of love,
we pray for all people: make your way known to them, your saving power
among all nations.
We pray for the welfare of your Church throughout the world: guide and
govern it by your Holy Spirit, that all who call themselves Christians
may be led in the way of truth, and hold the faith in unity of spirit,
in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life.
We commend to your fatherly goodness all who are afflicted or distressed
in mind, body, or circumstances (especially…). Relieve them according to their needs, giving them patience in their sufferings, and deliverance in their afflictions. This we ask for the sake of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.
[Let us pray for ourselves and others.]
Silence
Those present may offer their own prayers and thanksgivings, either silently or aloud.
O God,
you call your Church to witness
that in Christ we are reconciled to you:
help us to proclaim the good news of your love,
that all who hear it may turn to you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
[Let us give thanks to God for his goodness.]
Almighty God and merciful Father,
we give you heart-felt thanks
for all your goodness and loving kindness to us
and to all people.
We bless you for our creation and preservation,
and all the blessings of this life;
but above all for your immeasurable love
in the redemption of the world by our Lord Jesus Christ;
for the means of grace, and for the hope of glory.
And, we pray, give us such a sense of all your mercies,
that our hearts may be truly thankful,
and that we praise you,
not only with our lips but in our lives,
serving you in holiness and righteousness all our days;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
to whom with you and the Holy Spirit,
be honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen.
Almighty God, you have promised to hear the petitions of
those who ask in your Son’s name: mercifully accept us who
have now made our prayers to you; and grant us those things
which we have asked in faith according to your will; through
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear James Quinn’s “Lord, Make Us Servants of Your Peace.”
1 Lord, make us servants of your peace:
Where there is hate, may we sow love;
Where there is hurt, may we forgive;
Where there is strife, may we make one.
2 Where all is doubt, may we sow faith;
Where all is gloom, may we sow hope;
Where all is night, may we sow light;
Where all is tears, may we sow joy.
3 Jesus, our Lord, may we not seek
To be consoled, but to console,
Nor look to understanding hearts,
But look for hearts to understand.
4 May we not look for love's return,
But seek to love unselfishly,
For in our giving we receive,
And in forgiving are forgiven.
5 Dying, we live, and are reborn
Through death's dark night to endless day;
Lord, make us servants of your peace,
To wake at last in heaven's light.
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.
The Lord bless us and keep us.
The Lord make his face to shine upon us
and be gracious to us.
The Lord lift up his countenance upon us
and give us peace. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Nancy Raabe’s choral arrangement of Shirley Erena Murray’s “Go Gently, Go Lightly.”
Go gently, go lightly,
go safe in the Spirit,
live simply, don’t carry
much more than you need:
go trusting God’s goodness,
go spreading God’s kindness,
stay centered on Jesus
and where he will lead.
Go gently, go lightly,
go safe in the Spirit,
live simply, don’t carry
much more than you need:
go trusting God’s goodness,
go spreading God’s kindness,
stay centered on Jesus
and where he will lead.
Go singing, go bringing
the gifts of the Spirit,
go hopefully searching
for things that are true:
in living, in loving,
whatever befalls you,
God keep you, God bless you
in all that you do.
God keep you, God bless you
in all that you do.
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