Sundays at All Hallows (November 8, 2026)
Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.
This Sunday, November 8, 2026, is the Twenty-Third Sunday after Trinity and the Third Sunday before Advent. Adventide is a short liturgical season of four Sundays. It is a season of preparation and waiting for the celebration of the nativity of our Lord and most importantly his coming again in glory.
Among the practices associated with Adventide are decking the communion table and the lectern-pulpit with blue paraments in keeping with the Old English Usage, Advent calendars, the lighting of a candle on the Advent wreath, the hanging of Old Testament and New Testament symbols on the Jesse tree, the service of Christingle, and the hanging of the greens, the decorating of the body and chancel of the church with boughs of evergreen and sprigs of rosemary for the Christmas Eve Service and Christmas Day.
Adventide has its own hymns and carols. While members of the congregation may go caroling in their neighborhoods and communities during the Season of Advent, the singing of Christmas carols in church is best kept for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and the Sundays and feast days of the Twelve Days of Christmas. The Twelve Days of Christmas and the Western Church’s celebration of our Lord’s birth do not begin until sunset on Christmas Eve. The secular Christmas season which begins earlier and earlier each year as merchants seek to increase their profits and reduce their inventories should not be allowed to intrude upon Adventide.
Is the way we worship in church what God desires from us? Does God desire something else from us and, if so, what does God desire? In this Sunday’s message we will offer what we believe is God’s answer to these questions as revealed in the Bible.
GATHER IN GOD’S NAME
Open this link in a new tab to hear Leo Sowerby’s Prelude on ST. DUNSTAN’S for organ.
Silence
May our prayer come before you; turn your ear to our cry.
Psalm 88: 2
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 Timothy Dudley Smith’s “Come Let Us Praise the Lord (Psalm 95).”
1 Come, let us praise the Lord,
with joy our God acclaim,
his greatness tell abroad
and bless his saving Name.
Lift high your songs
before his throne
to whom alone
all praise belongs.
2 Our God of matchless worth,
our King beyond compare,
the deepest bounds of earth,
the hills, are in his care.
He all decrees,
who by his hand
prepared the land
and formed the seas.
3 In worship bow the knee,
our glorious God confess;
the great Creator, he,
the Lord our Righteousness.
He reigns unseen:
his flock he feeds
and gently leads
in pastures green.
4 Come, hear his voice today,
receive what love imparts;
his holy will obey
and harden not your hearts.
His ways are best;
and lead at last,
all troubles past,
to perfect rest.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Pacta Sancta’s arrangement of “The Lord Doth Reign,” Psalm 93 from the Scottish Metrical Psalter 1650.
1 The Lord doth reign, and clothed is he
with majesty most bright;
His works do show him clothed to be,
and girt about with might.
The world is also stablishèd,
that it cannot depart.
2 Thy throne is fixed of old, and thou
from everlasting art.
3 The floods, O Lord, have lifted up,
they lifted up their voice;
The floods have lifted up their waves,
and made a mighty noise.
4 But yet the Lord, that is on high,
is more of might by far
Than noise of many waters is,
or great sea-billows are.
5 Thy testimonies ev'ry one
in faithfulness excel;
And holiness for ever, Lord,
thine house becometh well.
Silence
You have established your throne, O Lord,
above the chaos of this world:
may your truth, which is for everlasting,
be ours, now and for ever. Amen.
Open this link in a new tab to hear Greg McDonald’s “Sing unto the Lord a New Song” (Psalm 96).
1 Sing unto the Lord a new song
Sing unto the Lord all the earth
Sing to the Lord, bless his name
Tell of his salvation day by day.
2 Majesty and honour are his
Strength and beauty, glory and righteousness
Great is the Lord, and deserving of praise
He is to be feared above all gods.
Worship the Lord in holy array
Tremble before him all the earth
Our God reigns.
3 Let all the creation be glad
The earth and the sea sing for joy
Before the Lord, the judge of the earth
Who judges us in righteousness and truth.
Worship the Lord in holy array
Tremble before him all the earth
Our God reigns.
Worship the Lord in holy array
Tremble before him all the earth
Our God reigns.
Silence
Heaven and earth, O Lord, are full of your glory
and all creation resounds with your praise.
As your Son has appeared in the likeness of our flesh
so may all creation share in the beauty of holiness;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
THE MINISTRY OF THE WORD
A reading from the Book of Amos.
Amos 5: 18-24
Woe to you who long
for the day of the Lord!
Why do you long for the day of the Lord?
That day will be darkness, not light.
It will be as though a man fled from a lion
only to meet a bear,
as though he entered his house
and rested his hand on the wall
only to have a snake bite him.
Will not the day of the Lord be darkness, not light –
pitch-dark, without a ray of brightness?
‘I hate, I despise your religious festivals;
your assemblies are a stench to me.
Even though you bring me burnt offerings and grain offerings,
I will not accept them.
Though you bring choice fellowship offerings,
I will have no regard for them.
Away with the noise of your songs!
I will not listen to the music of your harps.
But let justice roll on like a river,
righteousness like a never-failing stream!
Silence
Open this link to hear a simple piano accompaniment of Ralph Vaughan Williams’ KINGSFOLD, the setting for Ruth Duck’s “Now Bless the God of Israel (Benedictus).
1 Now bless the God of Israel who comes in love and power,
who raises from the royal house deliv’rance in this hour.
Through holy prophets God has sworn to free us from alarm,
to save us from the heavy hand of all who wish us harm.
2 Remembering the covenant, God rescues us from fear,
that we might serve in holiness and peace from year to year.
And you, my child, shall go before, to preach, to prophesy,
that all may know the tender love, the grace of God most high.
3 In tender mercy, God will send the dayspring from on high,
our rising sun, the light of life for those who sit and sigh.
God comes to guide our way to peace, that death shall reign no more.
Sing praises to the Holy One, O worship and adore.
A reading from Paul’s First Lesson to the Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 4: 13-18
Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him. According to the Lord’s word, we tell you that we who are still alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will certainly not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord for ever. Therefore encourage one another with these words.
Silence
Open this link to hear a simple piano accompaniment of Thomas Tallis’
TALLIS’ CANON (EIGHTH TUNE), the setting of David Mowbray’s
“Great Is the Lord We Now Acclaim” (Te Deum).
1 Great is the Lord we now acclaim
God everlasting is his name:
let heaven and earth with music ring,
and 'Holy, holy, holy' sing!
2 Let prophets and apostles join
with martyrs in triumphant line
to echo the angelic cry
and celebrate God's mystery.
3 We praise God's true and only Son,
for ever with the Father one;
we praise the Spirit at their side,
the Church's advocate and guide.
4 When once the time had fully come
Christ did not scorn the Virgin's womb;
our Lord the sting of death defied
and flung the gate of heaven wide!
5 He shed his blood to pay sin's price,
the full and perfect sacrifice;
as Saviour, reigns eternally,
as Judge of all, presides on high.
6 Lord God, protect us all from sin,
our hearts to love and goodness win;
that we yet firm in faith, shall stay
unshaken in the last great day.
A reading from the Gospel according to Matthew.
Matthew 25: 1-13
‘At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise ones, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.
‘At midnight the cry rang out: “Here’s the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!”
‘Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps. The foolish ones said to the wise, “Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.”
‘“No,” they replied, “there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.”
‘But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.
‘Later the others also came. “Lord, Lord,” they said, “open the door for us!”
‘But he replied, “Truly I tell you, I don’t know you.”
‘Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.
Silence
What Does God Require of Us?
What does God really think of the way that we worship him, of our superfluously decked churches, our robed choirs and pipe organs, our fussy ceremonies, and our fancy vestments, of our worship bands, our darkened sanctuaries, our stage lighting, and our hip celebrity worship leaders and song writers?
What does he think of our festivals, our feast days, and our worship band concerts and other special event?
Does God look upon us as he did the northern kingdom of Samaria, one of the two kingdoms into which the kingdom of Israel was divided upon the death of King Solomon. It was to that kingdom that God sent the prophet Amos.
In Old Testament times prophets were appointed by God to serve as God’s messengers to the people of Israel. They gave warning to the Israelites and to their kings when they were breaking the covenant God had made with the people of Israel and called upon them to uphold their part of the covenant.
What we learn from this Sunday’s reading from the Book of Amos and the chapter of that book from which it is taken, God was not happy with the people of Israel, with “those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground,” “those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth,” “those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.” God gives Amos this message for them.
“Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.
Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy
on the remnant of Joseph.”
We can conclude from this reading and from other passages of the Old Testament what matters to God, what is pleasing to him, is not so much what we do on Sundays, but how we live our daily lives; how we treat other people throughout the week.
In Old Testament times prophets were appointed by God to serve as God’s messengers to the people of Israel. They gave warning to the Israelites and to their kings when they were breaking the covenant God had made with the people of Israel and called upon them to uphold their part of the covenant.
What we learn from this Sunday’s reading from the Book of Amos and the chapter of that book from which it is taken, God was not happy with the people of Israel, with “those who turn justice into bitterness and cast righteousness to the ground,” “those who hate the one who upholds justice in court and detest the one who tells the truth,” “those who oppress the innocent and take bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts.” God gives Amos this message for them.
“Seek good, not evil,
that you may live.
Then the Lord God Almighty will be with you,
just as you say he is.
Hate evil, love good;
maintain justice in the courts.
Perhaps the Lord God Almighty will have mercy
on the remnant of Joseph.”
We can conclude from this reading and from other passages of the Old Testament what matters to God, what is pleasing to him, is not so much what we do on Sundays, but how we live our daily lives; how we treat other people throughout the week.
Are we living lives that honor God, which show great respect for God, not just in public but all of the time? Are we fair and honest in our treatment of other people, displaying genuine concern for their wellbeing and refusing to exploit them, to use them unfairly for own advantage?
In 1 Samuel 15: 22 the prophet Samuel tells Saul, the people of Israel’s first king, who has disobeyed God’s instructions to him and who as consequence will lose the kingship: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” Saul believed that God would be satisfied with a sacrificial offering of the best of the sheep and cattle his soldiers had seized from the Amalekites.
The author of Proverb 21:3 tells us, “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” God assigns a high value to righteousness and justice.
In Isaiah 1: 11-20 God speaking through the prophet Isaiah expands upon the message he gave Amos for the people of Israel:
“‘The multitude of your sacrifices –
what are they to me?’ says the Lord.
‘I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations –
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
I am not listening.
Your hands are full of blood!
Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’
says the Lord.
‘Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land;
but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.’
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
In Hosea 6: 6 God, speaking through the prophet Hosea tells the people of Israel and us, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”
In Micah 6:6–8 the prophet Micah ponders:
With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
On two occasions, Matthew tell us in his Gospel, Jesus himself repeated what God said through the prophet Hosea. In Matthew 9: 9-13, we read—
“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’
In Matthew 12: 1-8 we further read—
“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, ‘Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.’
“He answered, ‘Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.’”
In Mark 12: 28-34, take note of Jesus’ reaction to the teacher of the law:
“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
“‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’
“‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”
Hebrews 10: 5-10 draws to our attention:
"Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
Then I said, “Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll –
I have come to do your will, my God.”’
"First he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them’– though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
When we thoughtfully consider all these passages of Scripture, they point to one thing: The way we act toward our fellow human beings and the attitudes behind our actions are important to God. We can sing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs. We hear Scripture readings and sermons. We can offer prayers. We can celebrate Holy Communion and receive the sacramental bread and wine. If, however, our lives are unchanged, what we are doing is not only meaningless but also it may be sin, an act of rebellion against God.
God does not need altars with three steps, albs trimmed with lace, fiddleback chasubles decorated with elaborate embroidery and gold thread, clouds of fragrant incense, flickering candles, polished brass, choral anthems sung in polyphony, priests bobbing up and down and signing everything with a cross.
In 1 Samuel 15: 22 the prophet Samuel tells Saul, the people of Israel’s first king, who has disobeyed God’s instructions to him and who as consequence will lose the kingship: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.” Saul believed that God would be satisfied with a sacrificial offering of the best of the sheep and cattle his soldiers had seized from the Amalekites.
The author of Proverb 21:3 tells us, “To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.” God assigns a high value to righteousness and justice.
In Isaiah 1: 11-20 God speaking through the prophet Isaiah expands upon the message he gave Amos for the people of Israel:
“‘The multitude of your sacrifices –
what are they to me?’ says the Lord.
‘I have more than enough of burnt offerings,
of rams and the fat of fattened animals;
I have no pleasure
in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats.
When you come to appear before me,
who has asked this of you,
this trampling of my courts?
Stop bringing meaningless offerings!
Your incense is detestable to me.
New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations –
I cannot bear your worthless assemblies.
Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals
I hate with all my being.
They have become a burden to me;
I am weary of bearing them.
When you spread out your hands in prayer,
I hide my eyes from you;
even when you offer many prayers,
I am not listening.
Your hands are full of blood!
Wash and make yourselves clean.
Take your evil deeds out of my sight;
stop doing wrong.
Learn to do right; seek justice.
Defend the oppressed.
Take up the cause of the fatherless;
plead the case of the widow.
‘Come now, let us settle the matter,’
says the Lord.
‘Though your sins are like scarlet,
they shall be as white as snow;
though they are red as crimson,
they shall be like wool.
If you are willing and obedient,
you will eat the good things of the land;
but if you resist and rebel,
you will be devoured by the sword.’
For the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”
In Hosea 6: 6 God, speaking through the prophet Hosea tells the people of Israel and us, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.”
In Micah 6:6–8 the prophet Micah ponders:
With what shall I come before the Lord
and bow down before the exalted God?
Shall I come before him with burnt offerings,
with calves a year old?
Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams,
with ten thousand rivers of oil?
Shall I offer my firstborn for my transgression,
the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul?
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.
On two occasions, Matthew tell us in his Gospel, Jesus himself repeated what God said through the prophet Hosea. In Matthew 9: 9-13, we read—
“As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax collector’s booth. ‘Follow me,’ he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.
“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, ‘Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?’
On hearing this, Jesus said, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but those who are ill. But go and learn what this means: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.” For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.’
In Matthew 12: 1-8 we further read—
“At that time Jesus went through the grainfields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, ‘Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath.’
“He answered, ‘Haven’t you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread—which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven’t you read in the Law that the priests on Sabbath duty in the temple desecrate the Sabbath and yet are innocent? I tell you that something greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, “I desire mercy, not sacrifice,” you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath.’”
In Mark 12: 28-34, take note of Jesus’ reaction to the teacher of the law:
“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, ‘Of all the commandments, which is the most important?’
“‘The most important one,’ answered Jesus, ‘is this: “Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbour as yourself.” There is no commandment greater than these.’
“‘Well said, teacher,’ the man replied. ‘You are right in saying that God is one and there is no other but him. To love him with all your heart, with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbour as yourself is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’
When Jesus saw that he had answered wisely, he said to him, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And from then on no one dared ask him any more questions.”
Hebrews 10: 5-10 draws to our attention:
"Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said:
‘Sacrifice and offering you did not desire,
but a body you prepared for me;
with burnt offerings and sin offerings
you were not pleased.
Then I said, “Here I am – it is written about me in the scroll –
I have come to do your will, my God.”’
"First he said, ‘Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them’– though they were offered in accordance with the law. Then he said, ‘Here I am, I have come to do your will.’ He sets aside the first to establish the second. And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."
When we thoughtfully consider all these passages of Scripture, they point to one thing: The way we act toward our fellow human beings and the attitudes behind our actions are important to God. We can sing hymns, psalms, and spiritual songs. We hear Scripture readings and sermons. We can offer prayers. We can celebrate Holy Communion and receive the sacramental bread and wine. If, however, our lives are unchanged, what we are doing is not only meaningless but also it may be sin, an act of rebellion against God.
God does not need altars with three steps, albs trimmed with lace, fiddleback chasubles decorated with elaborate embroidery and gold thread, clouds of fragrant incense, flickering candles, polished brass, choral anthems sung in polyphony, priests bobbing up and down and signing everything with a cross.
Nor does God need the strong loud beat of rock music played with electric guitars and drums, gatherings of people swaying, clapping hands, and dancing to the beat, music so that is so loud that ear plugs are needed to prevent hearing damage, multicolored spotlights, and a celebrity preacher dressed according to the latest fashion and preaching a slick message from a stool.
God does not need any of these things.
What God desires is transformed lives, a people whose hearts in the words of the General Thanksgiving from The Book of Common Prayer are truly thankful for all God’s mercies, who praise God, not only with their lips but in their lives, serving God in holiness and righteousness all their days. This is what God desires.
How does Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish virgins fit with what I just said?
How does Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish virgins fit with what I just said?
Those listening to Jesus tell this parable would have known several things we may not know. The lamps in those days were small: They fit into the palm of your hand and require frequent refilling with oil and even new wicks. Members of the wedding party and guests might wait late into night before the bridegroom arrived. Few oil dealers sold oil late at night and the foolish maidens would have trouble in precuring oil, even to the point of returning home. It was common sense to take oil in a jar along with a lamp.
Those who give heed to what God desires from us as revealed in the Holy Scriptures are like the wise virgins. On the other hand, those who pay no attention to what the Bible tell us are like the foolish virgins. As a consequence of their foolishness, the bridegroom did not admit them to the wedding banquet. From what the Gospels tell us Jesus taught that we face similar consequences for our own foolishness.
It is indeed foolishness on our part to concern ourselves with what does not matter to God and to neglect what does. This is something to chew on during the week, to think about carefully. We need to take a hard look at our lives and what we need to change and then make the needed changes, not forgetting to ask for the help of the Holy Spirit in recognizing what to change and then going about it.
How must the foolish virgins felt, standing outside in the dark, listening to the merriment going on inside, their faces pale in the flickering light of their lamps? Jesus does not tell us what happened to them, just that through their own foolishness,they were too late to enter in.
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.
God. our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the
devout prayers of your Church: and grant that what we ask in faith
we may surely obtain; 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 Albert F. Bayly’s “What Does the Lord Require.”
1 What does the Lord require
for praise and offering?
What sacrifice, desire
or tribute did you bring?
Do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
2 Rulers of earth, give ear!
Should you not justice know?
Will God your pleading hear
while crime and cruelty grow?
Do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
3 Still down the ages ring
the prophet's stern commands:
to merchant, worker, king,
he brings God's high commands:
do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
4 How shall our life fulfill
God's law so hard and high?
Let Christ endue our will
with grace to fortify.
Then justly,
in mercy,
we'll humbly walk with God.
[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.
Eternal God,
you have taught us that the night is far spent
and the day is at hand:
keep us awake and alert,
watching for your kingdom,
so that when Christ, the bridegroom, comes
we may go out joyfully to meet him,
and with him enter into the marriage feast
that you have prepared for all who truly love you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of 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 Percy Dearmer’s “He Who Would Valiant Be.”
1 He who would valiant be
'Gainst all disaster
Let him in constancy
Follow the Master
There's no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.
2 Who so beset him round
With dismal stories,
Do but themselves confound --
His strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might,
Though he with giants fight:
He will make good his right
To be a pilgrim.
3 Since, Lord, Thou dost defend
Us with Thy Spirit,
We know we at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then fancies flee away!
I'll fear not what men say,
I'll labor night and day
To be a pilgrim.
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 the Concordia Chöre’s metrical version of the Grace, “And the Grace of God our Father.”
And the grace of God, our Father,
and the love of Jesus Christ,
and the Holy Spirit’s union be with us forevermore.
And the grace of God, our Father,
and the love of Jesus Christ,
and the Holy Spirit’s union be with us forevermore.
Those who give heed to what God desires from us as revealed in the Holy Scriptures are like the wise virgins. On the other hand, those who pay no attention to what the Bible tell us are like the foolish virgins. As a consequence of their foolishness, the bridegroom did not admit them to the wedding banquet. From what the Gospels tell us Jesus taught that we face similar consequences for our own foolishness.
It is indeed foolishness on our part to concern ourselves with what does not matter to God and to neglect what does. This is something to chew on during the week, to think about carefully. We need to take a hard look at our lives and what we need to change and then make the needed changes, not forgetting to ask for the help of the Holy Spirit in recognizing what to change and then going about it.
How must the foolish virgins felt, standing outside in the dark, listening to the merriment going on inside, their faces pale in the flickering light of their lamps? Jesus does not tell us what happened to them, just that through their own foolishness,they were too late to enter in.
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.
God. our refuge and strength, the author of all godliness, hear the
devout prayers of your Church: and grant that what we ask in faith
we may surely obtain; 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 Albert F. Bayly’s “What Does the Lord Require.”
1 What does the Lord require
for praise and offering?
What sacrifice, desire
or tribute did you bring?
Do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
2 Rulers of earth, give ear!
Should you not justice know?
Will God your pleading hear
while crime and cruelty grow?
Do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
3 Still down the ages ring
the prophet's stern commands:
to merchant, worker, king,
he brings God's high commands:
do justly,
love mercy,
walk humbly with your God.
4 How shall our life fulfill
God's law so hard and high?
Let Christ endue our will
with grace to fortify.
Then justly,
in mercy,
we'll humbly walk with God.
[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.
Eternal God,
you have taught us that the night is far spent
and the day is at hand:
keep us awake and alert,
watching for your kingdom,
so that when Christ, the bridegroom, comes
we may go out joyfully to meet him,
and with him enter into the marriage feast
that you have prepared for all who truly love you;
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who lives and reigns with you
in the unity of 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 Percy Dearmer’s “He Who Would Valiant Be.”
1 He who would valiant be
'Gainst all disaster
Let him in constancy
Follow the Master
There's no discouragement
Shall make him once relent
His first avowed intent
To be a pilgrim.
2 Who so beset him round
With dismal stories,
Do but themselves confound --
His strength the more is.
No foes shall stay his might,
Though he with giants fight:
He will make good his right
To be a pilgrim.
3 Since, Lord, Thou dost defend
Us with Thy Spirit,
We know we at the end
Shall life inherit.
Then fancies flee away!
I'll fear not what men say,
I'll labor night and day
To be a pilgrim.
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 the Concordia Chöre’s metrical version of the Grace, “And the Grace of God our Father.”
And the grace of God, our Father,
and the love of Jesus Christ,
and the Holy Spirit’s union be with us forevermore.
And the grace of God, our Father,
and the love of Jesus Christ,
and the Holy Spirit’s union be with us forevermore.
Comments
Post a Comment