Sundays at All Hallows (January 18, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the Second Sunday after the Epiphany. The topic of this Sunday’s message is the practicing Christian’s partnership with Christ.

Readings: Isaiah 49: 1-7; 1 Corinthians 1: 1-9; and John 1: 29-42

Message: Partners with Christ

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/01/sundays-at-all-hallows-january-18-2026.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Creating Digital Communities' And More

Creating Digital Communities
Growing a large online audience doesn’t always create a healthy community. Brandon Robbins outlines a framework for discipleship that helps people see where they are on their journey, take the next steps, and support one another in following Jesus.

'Quiet revival' continues as Winchester sees Christmas surge
Evidence continues to mount that the “quiet revival” is both a real phenomenon and is continuing.

At Easter last year churches up and down the land reported a rise in interest and attendance, beyond the purely seasonal. This continued at Christmas, with the Church of England also saying that they were registering a record number of services.

Youth café growth reflects increasing church engagement across Suffolk
A Thursday evening youth café in Ipswich is offering a snapshot of a wider story unfolding across Suffolk, as churches report encouraging growth in attendance, community engagement and outreach - particularly among children and young people.

At St Augustine’s Church in Ipswich, a simple weekly café has become a lively hub for teenagers from across the area.

For many unhoused people, New Jersey church’s warming center is both shelter and community
When temperatures drop below freezing in Monmouth County, New Jersey, the local sheriff’s office issues a “Code Blue” alert to activate warming centers and other emergency resources for unhoused people.

Trinity Church in Asbury Park, a seaside city on the Jersey Shore, is always prepared for “Code Blue” nights. The Episcopal church runs the county’s largest drop-in overnight warming center for adults, which over the years has become a community of its own.

Judge restricts federal response to Minnesota protests amid outrage over immigration agents’ tactics
Immigration agents carrying out a sweeping operation in Minnesota can’t deploy certain crowd-control measures against peaceful protesters or arrest them, a federal judge ruled Friday. The order follows widespread outrage over a fatal shooting, reports of US citizens getting detained and Minnesotans getting asked for documents for no clear reason.

Justice Dept. enters new territory with probe of Minnesota officials
President Donald Trump’s Justice Department crossed a new threshold with its criminal investigation of top Democratic elected officials in Minnesota, targeting vocal critics during a moment of crisis in which protesters and federal agents are clashing on icy city streets.

Countering federal violence with neighborly love
United Methodists across the U.S. joined in prayer vigils and protests in the days since federal immigration enforcement agents killed a woman in Minneapolis and shot two people in Portland, Oregon. Minneapolis joins cities across the U.S. that have seen an onslaught of masked, federal agents wearing military-style gear. Some pastors used Sunday worship to comfort the grieving and counsel love in response to violence and hostility.

JD Vance’s “Christian Concept” Immigration Defense: One Year of Escalating Controversy
When Vice President JD Vance called prioritizing Americans over immigrants “a very Christian concept,” he sparked a theological firestorm. One year later, after the Pope rebuked him, a woman was killed by ICE, and 19,000+ Christians signed a petition against him—the debate has never been more intense.

The US — and its churches — can’t look away from MLK’s warnings about power any longer
The celebration of King often comes at the cost of his most radical critiques.

The Burge Report: The Democrats Have a Religion Problem (Does It Matter?)
In this episode, we look at Ryan Burge’s latest analysis showing how the modern Democratic coalition is being pulled apart by widening religious divides. While Republicans continue to draw support from a largely Christian voter base, Democrats now include two groups with opposite religious profiles: highly secular white voters and deeply religious voters of color. This creates major messaging and policy tensions within the party, tensions that didn’t exist at the same scale in earlier decades.

‘He Will Be Called a Nazarene’: Matthew’s Messianic Clue
Matthew’s infancy narrative ends with a passage that has baffled biblical scholars: “And [Joseph] went and lived in a city called Nazareth, so that what was spoken by the prophets might be fulfilled, that he would be called a Nazarene” (Matt. 2:22–23).

The problem is that the Old Testament never says the Messiah would be called a “Nazarene.” In fact, Nazareth isn’t mentioned in the Old Testament, and it’s believed that the town didn’t even exist when the Old Testament was written.

Youth Group Spiritual Habits for Teens Shape Faith for Life
Youth group spiritual habits for teens take effort. As you know, youth workers do far more than plan weekly gatherings. They help teenagers learn how to walk with God in everyday life. One of the most powerful ways to do this? Teach spiritual habits (or spiritual disciplines) that students can practice long after graduation.

Spiritual disciplines or habits aren’t about perfection or performance. The simple, repeatable practices help young people stay connected to God, grow in faith, and act wisely. When teens learn these habits early, the spiritual roots sustain them through stress, doubt, change, and temptation.

Help Students Build a Bible Habit They Won’t Abandon by February
By encouraging regular Scripture and devotion habits, you give teens tools they’ll carry through college, careers, relationships, and faith challenges.

Friday's Catch: 'Because I Could Not Stop for Death' And More

Because I Could Not Stop for Death
The writer of Ecclesiastes tells us there is “a time for every purpose under the heaven,” which includes “a time to be born, and a time to die… a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance” (Eccl. 3:1-2,4 ESV). While the inescapable reality of death loomed heavily over the imaginations of older civilizations throughout history, modern western man has sought to insulate and distract himself from this tragic truth through various forms of busyness and entertainment. The overall effect of this trend in modern society has been to minimize modern man’s exposure to, and contemplation of, the inevitable end of his life, which has in turn robbed the church of a powerful, natural apologetic for the faith. This trend has manifested even within the life of the modern church, which has in practice seemed to affirm there is no time to die as the streamlining of religious funerals becomes normalized.

Mourning in Minnesota
America is witnessing more than an immigration enforcement surge — we are witnessing an escalation of unchecked federal force that is deadly.

Civil rights leaders issue warning, call for Noem’s impeachment
Federal attacks against refugees and undocumented immigrants represent an imminent threat to the constitutional rights of all Americans, UnidosUS President Janet Murguia said.

“The government overreach and abuse of power we have seen from the Trump administration is unlawful, unacceptable and un-American, and we would note that the overreach and abuse of power are harming not only our communities but also our country as a whole,” Murguia said during a Jan. 15 virtual press briefing with leaders of numerous civil rights and advocacy organizations.

Also See: ‘This is a five-alarm fire’

Two Episcopal bishops say clergy may have to put 'bodies on the line' to resist ICE
‘I’ve asked (clergy) to get their affairs in order, to make sure they have their wills written,’ said the Rt. Rev. A. Robert Hirschfeld, the Episcopal bishop of New Hampshire.

Also See: N.H. Bishop: Prepare for Martyrdom; Thousands join Episcopal Church vigil to lament violent immigration enforcement actions, unite in pursuing justice; and Some Episcopal clergy invoke faith to counter ‘fascism’ after ICE killing of citizen in Minnesota

Trump Administration Restores Funding to Planned Parenthood, Troubling Pro-Life Advocates
Pro-life advocates are reacting to the news that the Trump administration has restored tens of millions of dollars in Title X grants to Planned Parenthood and other grantees. The administration had suspended the funds last spring but restored them in December, reported Politico.

Church of England ends Living in Love and Faith process
The Church of England's House of Bishops has announced it is bringing the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) process to a close.

LLF was launched by the Church of England in 2017 to explore questions of human identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage through study, listening and discernment. Ultimately it wanted to consider whether the Church should bless same-sex relationships and marriages, and permit clergy to be in same-sex unions.

Also See: Bishops Bid Farewell to Living in Love and Faith

9 Things Church Law & Tax is Watching in 2026
Church Law & Tax will track these issues—and many more—throughout 2026. You can sign up for the free weekly e-newsletter to keep up.

When Should a Church Hire an Executive Pastor?
As churches grow, leaders often reach a tipping point where the senior pastor can no longer carry the full weight of vision, preaching, pastoral care, administration, staff oversight, and organizational leadership. That’s when the question arises: Is it time to hire an Executive Pastor? In this episode, Josh and Sam unpack what an Executive Pastor actually does, why this role has become more common across church sizes, and how to know whether your church is ready for one.

12 Trust Killers Pastors Miss Until It’s Too Late
Trust rarely disappears overnight. It erodes quietly, one small disappointment at a time. That’s why pastors who genuinely want to build trust as a pastor are often shocked when confidence suddenly seems gone. They didn’t intend harm. They simply overlooked habits and decisions that slowly weakened credibility.

Pastoral trust is fragile because it’s personal. People entrust you with their faith, their families, and their wounds. When trust cracks, it’s usually not because of one dramatic failure, but because of patterns that went unaddressed for too long.

A Worship Rehearsal Plan That Respects People’s Time: A Simple System That Works
If you’ve ever stood in front of a group of worship volunteers watching the clock tick louder than your drummer’s metronome, you know the pain of bad rehearsals. That’s exactly why having a solid worship rehearsal plan isn’t optional for a healthy ministry. You don’t want distracted musicians checking their watches or volunteers who feel like you just stole two hours of their week. People’s time matters. Your rehearsal should honor that while still preparing the team spiritually and musically.

College Minister, Consider Why Students Come to You for Counsel
Campus ministers are frequently the first responders to students in crisis. When Christian students come to us with their private struggles, how will we respond?

Clean Your Bookshelves and Your Soul
On the first day of January, I was a bit late getting to my morning prayer. Thinking I needed to hurry, God once again reminded me that he could not be rushed. It took me a while to slow my mind. Reading through the Old Testament currently has me in the Psalms and that helped slow me to a reflective tone.

Digital Evangelism That Works: Moving from Posts to Real Conversations
Digital evangelism isn’t just about visibility. It’s about vulnerability, listening, and walking with someone from curiosity to conviction. If all we offer online is polished content, we miss the messy, beautiful work of forming real relationships.

Thursday's Catch: '12 Ministry Trends for 2026' And More

12 Ministry Trends for 2026
Pastors and church leaders should keep these 12 trends in mind as they aim to disciple their congregations and reach their communities in 2026.

How to Use Gen Z's Gifts and Bold Faith at Your Church
Even as teenagers, Gen Zers Luke LeFevre and Daniel McLeod were preaching at their high school and at raves. They share why Gen Z is so bold, what's creating the surge in church attendance, and why so many Gen Z are not using their gifts in local churches, and how to change that.

Evangelism is making a comeback and it's BOLDER than ever!!
A short video on how evangelism is making a comeback and how your church can get in on it.

More young men are coming to church BUT women are leaving!?
A short video on the widening gender gap in Gen Z church attendance.

Gen Z is now THE most frequent church attenders of any demographic!!
A short video on Gen Z church attendance..

Greenland bishop urges calm in the face of US aggression
Four years ago, despite rising tension, few people believed a Russian invasion of Ukraine would actually happen. In those innocent days it would also have sounded far-fetched to suggest that the US would try to annex, possibly militarily, Greenland.

Now churches in Greenland are reporting “widespread anxiety” among their congregations that some form of US action may occur.

How a Bivocational Pastor Can Work Without Destroying Family or Soul
For many leaders today, becoming a bivocational pastor is not a temporary workaround. It is the reality. Between rising costs, smaller congregations, and shifting ministry models, pastors are often carrying both a calling and a paycheck that comes from somewhere else.

That arrangement can work. But it only works if it is approached with clarity, boundaries, and a theology that honors limits instead of pretending they do not exist. Bivocational ministry done well can be life-giving. Done poorly, it quietly grinds people into dust.

Why Small Groups Stall After the First Few Weeks
Small group attendance shouldn’t be the thing that keeps ministry leaders up at night, but if your groups launch well and then sputter after a couple of gatherings, you’re not alone. Every church leader I’ve talked with has felt that fickle momentum: week one was packed, week three had conversations that felt alive, and by week six half the room is on its couch watching Netflix. This frustrates leaders not because the numbers drop, but because relationships and discipleship stall right when things should be deepening.

4 Ways To Be a Proactive Christian Witness in 2026
In his immensely popular book “7 Habits of Highly Successful People,” author Steven Covey gives one habit that can be particularly helpful in planning for a blessed and productive 2026:

Be proactive, not reactive. If your life seems more influenced by the latest news cycle, social media trend, or you simply give too much time to checking notifications, it’s a sign you are more reactive than proactive in your life. Being proactive means to take agency over your life, your time, and how you live your life in that time. You focus more on being an encourager, influencing others for good, and on creating more than critiquing.

Thursday Evening at All Hallows (January 15, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows.

In this evening’s service we return to the previous order of service, an adaption of Morning and Evening Prayer Order One from A Prayer Book for Australia (1999). We also return to our examination of Jesus’ teaching and its implications for us. In this evening’s message we consider one of the implications of the prayer which Jesus taught his disciples.

Reading: Luke 11:1-4

Message: What Are We Praying When We Pray, “Thy Will Be Done…” in the Lord’s Prayer?

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/01/thursday-evening-at-all-hallows-january_15.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Wednesday's Catch: 'Is Revival Here Now?' And More

Is Revival Here Now?
In July, I wrote about the news of some members of Gen Z coming back to church. Gen Z is still less religious as a generation than prior generations, but there are early signs of a shift. Given the much-publicized downward trends in church attendance over the past two decades, this is welcome news. As a result, some people are wondering if these are signs of revival.

However, the truth is if you have to ask if there’s a revival, there’s not a revival. In other words, if there were a revival, you’d know.

What is Your Parish’s Top Priority?
While it is incontrovertible that the love of Jesus binds us to serve the poor and broken, it is also pellucid that the social gospel is a byproduct of the Great Commission. Put differently, Jesus did not say, “Go and make social workers” but rather “Go and make disciples.”

3 Ways Churches Get Discipleship Wrong
Here are three root issues that can contribute to discipleship ranking among the weakest ministries in our churches.

How to Train Your Church for Evangelism (Without a Guilt Trip)
Church evangelism training has a reputation problem. For many people in the pews, the phrase triggers memories of awkward scripts, pressure-filled altar calls, or sermons that quietly imply they’re failing Jesus if they haven’t led a stranger to faith this week. That kind of approach doesn’t produce lasting fruit. It produces anxiety, avoidance, and eventually disengagement. If you want your church to grow in evangelism, the goal isn’t guilt. It’s confidence, clarity, and love.

Discipleship and evangelism are inseparable.

Digital curiosity about faith surges as Christians dominate online activity
New research suggests that interest in faith is increasingly playing out online, with Christianity emerging as the most active religious community on major social media platforms.

The study, carried out by Christian jewellery company MyCross, examined how different world religions are searched, shared, and discussed across the internet.

Church Closures Eclipse Openings in the U.S.
In 2024, Lifeway Research estimates 3,800 new Protestant churches were started in the U.S., but analysis points to 4,000 church closures.

The Trouble with Watching Religious Trends
We evangelicals tend to get too enamored with religious trends, both the encouraging ones and the discouraging. We read too much into data that confirms our hopes or validates our fears.

There are at least three reasons we should hold these trends more loosely.

Right questions to ask as the new year begins
Pastors and other church leaders can feel a sense of fulfillment in the completion of the year just ended. The tendency of many is to put the past year behind and turn all thoughts and energy to the unfolding of the plans for the new year. However, the early days and weeks of the new year provide an appropriate time to use a few right questions to look back and learn from your most recent past. The goal is to discover clues so that the new year will be more fruitful than the past. In the questions below, I hope you will see at least one that you know will likely provide information pertinent to your church’s situation. Engage others among your leaders to see what next steps your church can take this year.

From vision to action: Adaptive planning for uncertain times
You spent three months writing the strategic plan. The leadership team spent six meetings arguing about mission statements and vision boards. You printed it on glossy paper. You preached about it for three Sundays. By February, it was in a drawer. By April, nobody remembered what it said.

You're not alone. And you're not failing.

Making Change in an Older Church (Without Running Over the Old Guard)
It can be particularly challenging for a pastor to lead change in an older church when the primary decision makers (or most of the members) have been in the church for several years, sometimes a few decades. Thom and Sam look at four developments that often take place when leading change is successful. They reviewed over 20 successful churches.

Methodists caught the car; now what?
As 2026 dawns, The United Methodist Church enters a new era much like a chasing dog that caught a passing car: Now that they’ve got it, what do they do with it?

Should We Sing Repetitive Songs in Church?
This question perennially raises a cloud of dust in the African church. Someone once said to me that he grew up singing repetitive songs at church until he became Reformed. Repetitive songs, he said, are not only considered biblically shallow by some but also galling by others. The discussion that follows is a reflection on this brief anecdote.

In this article, I argue that what makes a song shallow or sound is the presence or absence of substance; not necessarily its structure, repetitive or non-repetitive. To try and calm the dust, I will show that repetition, as a rhetorical device, isn’t substance; rather, repetition serves substance as modelled in the Psalms. But let’s begin with why I think repetition in church liturgy is a boon to believers.

Tuesday's Catch: 'What's Happening with Christianity in America?' And More

What's Happening with Christianity in America?
Is America in revival? Not quite, according to Barna CEO David Kinnaman who joins me to discuss 2026 church trends. New data shows that overall, American Christianity is still in decline, AND that Gen Z men are dialing into Jesus, young adults are the most churched group in America, and that we're setting ourselves up for a succession crisis.

Carey Nieuwhof - Churchfront Leadership Podcast
"Does your church really need to live Stream?" and a lot more.

Hype Worship is DEAD! Carey Nieuwhof
" Do we need to ditch our high-end AV equipment?" and a lot more.

How Alpha Is Impacting Churches in the United States
Thom and Jess welcome John Wentz, the president of Alpha USA, to The Church Answers Podcast.

Bible sales surge to record levels among Gen Z on both sides of the Atlantic
Bible sales in both the UK and the US have climbed to their highest levels on record, with analysts pointing to a growing interest in faith and spirituality among Generation Z as a key driver of the trend.

Church Leadership Trends for 2026
As church leaders look toward 2026, familiar approaches to leadership are proving insufficient amid changing communities, evolving teams, and growing demands on leaders. Lewis Center Director Jonathan Page highlights key shifts shaping the year ahead and offers practical guidance for how church leaders can respond with clarity, collaboration, and purpose.

Why Pastoral Burnout Isn’t a Badge and How a Weekly Rule of Life Helps
Pastoral burnout is one of those phrases we pastors throw around like a rite of passage. It sounds almost noble to work until you collapse, like some spiritual merit badge you earn for devotion. The reality is harsher: burnout robs pastors of joy, clarity, and longevity in ministry. Rather than wearing burnout like a badge, we must confess it for what it is — a sign our rhythms, boundaries, or spiritual practices are off — and adopt intentional practices like a weekly rule of life that safeguard our souls and sustain our calling.

Why Worship Leaders Are Quitting: The Fix Isn’t ‘Try Harder’
When leaders burn out, the church loses more than someone who can run PowerPoint and cue the band. We lose pastors, mentors, and spiritual companions for the congregation. If we want worship leaders to thrive, not just survive, we must ask better questions and build smarter solutions together.

10 Ways to Freshen Your Prayer Life
Every now and then, I feel discontented with my prayer life. Sometimes it’s because I feel far from God, can’t find the right words, or keep saying the same old things about the same old things. In moments like this, I like to switch things up. I have long observed that doing something new can inject energy into rusty habits. As C.S. Lewis observed, we naturally desire both change and permanence, and God designed life under the sun with rhythms that satisfy both desires. So if you’re in a season where you want to try something new in your prayer life, here are ten ideas to get started.

Bullying Also Involves Our Attitudes
Bullying comes in many forms, Lynda Freeman reminds us in this guest post. Learn how to make children aware of the impact of their actions, words, and attitudes.

Youth Volunteers Will Bless Your Children’s Ministry
Youth volunteers can take your children’s ministry to the next level. If you’re looking to expand your kidmin volunteer team, read on.

Church Outreach That Isn’t Cringe: A Field Guide for Normal People
Church outreach ideas often fail for one simple reason: they don’t sound like something a normal human being would ever do. Too many outreach efforts feel forced, awkward, or suspiciously cheerful, leaving church members embarrassed and neighbors unconvinced. The good news is that outreach doesn’t have to be gimmicky to be effective. When outreach is grounded in presence, generosity, and honesty, it stops being cringe and starts being credible.

Outreach works best when it feels like people being people, not a marketing campaign disguised as kindness.

Monday's Catch: 'What Types of Invitations Are Most Effective to Get People to Come to Church?' And More

What Types of Invitations Are Most Effective to Get People to Come to Church?
Not all invitations are equal. Some feel distant and impersonal. Others feel warm, trusted, and safe. Understanding these differences can help churches focus less on volume and more on relationships.

When churches align their outreach with how people actually respond to invitations, evangelism becomes more natural—and far more fruitful.

If Amazon Ran Your Church: What Would Change in 12 Months?
What if a first-time guest experienced your church the way a customer experiences Amazon? No confusion. No friction. No wasted steps. Just clarity, care, and consistency.

This episode is not about turning the church into a corporation. It’s about learning from an organization that obsesses over people, removes barriers relentlessly, and improves every system on purpose.

Today, Thom and Jess ask a simple but uncomfortable question: If Amazon ran your church for one year, what would actually change?

Seventy-Five Years of Narnia
The year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of one of the most successful children’s books of all time: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis, the first volume in his seven-book series, the Chronicles of Narnia. It has been translated into over forty languages, has been adapted numerous times for cinema, stage, television, and radio, and every year still ranks as a global bestselling title in the fantasy genre.

Resilient Texas Parish Celebrates 175 Years
Trinity Church in Marshall, Texas, was established in the late 19th century to minister to the numerous railroad workers, and their families, who came to work with the Texas and Pacific Railway Co. The city serves as the seat of Harrison County and is approximately 39 miles from Shreveport, Louisiana.

The church was founded on January 4, 1851. Marshall was a boomtown then and soon became one of the largest and wealthiest towns in east Texas. The parish’s lasting presence, which was not without difficulties and challenges, gave it a prominent place in the community’s history.

Is the Church really seeing a revival in attendance among Gen Z?
Church attendance among Generation Z has shown signs of stabilizing after years of generational decline, with some indicators pointing to a modest religious rebound, but there is no evidence that a "religious resurgence is underway," polling data suggests.

New Communion rules spark debate over bishop's authority in Charlotte Catholic diocese
A letter has exposed divisions over liturgical authority, leadership style and worship practices.

Safeguarding Complaint Against Mullally Dismissed
The Archbishop of York has dismissed a renewed version of a complaint brought against Archbishop of Canterbury-elect Sarah Mullally in a safeguarding case.

Trump's lies are killing us: The deadly consequences of big and little lies everywhere
If we trace the chain of events that caused ICE agents to be deployed to Minneapolis in the first place, they are anchored in Trump’s lies.

A Simple Path to Healthier Doctrine & Discernment
Bad theology undermines our comfort, assurance, peace, and joy in Christ. Bad theology leads to dark places. Wrong thinking and wrongdoing alike can destroy our lives or at least diminish our intimacy with God and our faithfulness. God intends our thinking to align with His Word, and from it our feeling and doing as well. Obedience to God is the fruit of the Spirit through faith, so it is very important what we believe. Some professing Christians think, “The Bible alone is my theology,” and in one sense that’s true, but what does the Bible mean? And the moment anyone begins to explain what the Bible means, they are expressing some theological hermeneutic or framework. But is their hermeneutic or framework a good one?

5 Steps to Foster a Right Relationship Between Family and Ministry
Pastors need a new way of thinking about the relationship between family and ministry, other than “balance.”

7 Dangers and 7 Benefits of Church Technology for Preaching
Technology can be a wonderful servant but a terrible master. Nowhere is that more true than in the area of Christian ministry, especially for the preacher preparing sermons. My aim in this article is to help preachers use technology in such a way as to get the most out of this willing servant, but also to avoid it becoming a damaging tyrant. To do that, we will honestly face some of the dangers of church technology in sermon preparation; then we will outline a number of ways technology can help in sermon preparation; finally, I’ll give you a brief description of the primary ways in which I use church technology in sermon preparation.

A Baker’s Dozen of Benefits of Reading Your Bible Every Day
Whether you have just become a follower of Christ or have been one for many years, establishing a daily habit of reading the Bible is great medicine for the soul and the means of living effectively in daily life. At the anticipation of a New Year, or after a particularly inspiring sermon, Sunday School lesson, or Christian book, we often think about ways to grow spiritual well-being, strengthen our walk with Christ, and determine to live purposefully.

Sundays at All Hallows (January 11, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

This Sunday is the First Sunday after the Epiphany, also known as the Baptism of our Lord Sunday. It is with Easter, Whitsunday (Pentecost), and All Saints one of the Baptismal Sundays of the year in Anglican, Lutheran, Methodist, and Roman Catholic churches, on which the sacrament of Baptism is celebrated or, when there are no candidates for Baptism, baptismal vow are renewed by the congregation.

In this Sunday’s message we take a look at a particular aspect of baptism that all who have been baptized or who are considering baptism should fully acquaint themselves.

Readings: Isaiah 42:1-9, Acts 10:34-43, and Matthew 3:13-17

Message: What Everyone Who Has Been Baptized or Who Is Considering Baptism Should Know

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/01/sundays-at-all-hallows-january-11-2026.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Against the Algorithm: In Praise of the Parish' And More

Against the Algorithm: In Praise of the Parish
Local church communities can appear as retrograde curiosities in the age of increasing technology and globalisation. We may say as we drive by: ‘What does this throwback to the 1950s have to do with modern life?’

Meet the Gen-Z Pastor
In general, today’s young church leaders are unusually well-informed and excellent researchers, according to their mentors and teachers. But they also have fragmented attention and weaker reading and writing skills. They want the deep roots and accountability of denominations, but they’re also skeptical of authority. And while they’re eager to be influencers, they have less confidence than other generations did at their age.

How Do I Know If I'm Called to Serve as a Pastor?
One of the regular questions I receive is, “How do I know whether I’m called to the pastorate?” It would be one thing if God sent text messages from heaven with your name on it—discerning a call would be a whole lot easier. Did you get the text or not? But since this doesn’t happen, how can you answer this question? Historically, the church has distinguished a person’s call into internal and external categories.

Pastors Are Shepherds, Not Superheroes
Being a pastor is no easy calling. Behind the Sunday sermon and the church smiles are long hours, heavy expectations and spiritual battles few outside ministry could imagine. Here are a few of the primary challenges pastors face.

Top Seven Reasons a Pastor Chooses to Leave a Church
Jess and Thom share the top seven reasons pastors told us they felt led to leave a church.

Top Seven Traits of Pastors Who Stay at a Church for at Least 15 Years
Thom and Jess look at seven key traits of long-term pastors.

Is Personal Growth on Your Pastoral Calendar?
If your calendar is full but your soul feels undernourished, it may be time to ask an uncomfortable question: is personal growth actually on your pastoral calendar? Many pastors are faithful planners when it comes to sermon series, staff meetings, and ministry events, yet their own formation is often left to chance. Personal growth rarely happens by accident. Like everything else in ministry, it requires intention, time, and prayerful commitment.

20 Self-Evaluation Statements for Church Leaders at the Beginning of 2026
I believe it’s always good to do self-evaluation as a leader, especially at the beginning of the year. Whatever your leadership position is, I encourage you to use these statements as part of your quiet time this week. Using the following scale in analyzing the statements below, critique your personal walk with the Lord and your leadership efforts for your church.

Five Practical Tips for Pastors
In 2007, Casting Crowns released a song called “Slow Fade.” Small decisions and habits lead to increasingly entrenched sin. Rarely does it happen overnight. In a similar way, small decisions and habits can lead you not only away from distraction and exhaustion, but toward greater clarity and effectiveness in the operating rooms of people’s lives.

With this in view, here are five practical tips for pastors.

Digital Worship Fatigue: Why Online Church Can’t Replace the In-Person Gathering
Many are tired of online worship. What happened? When the pandemic forced churches online, digital worship seemed like the future. Congregations grew virtually, and pastors reached audiences they never imagined. But five years later, that momentum has faded. The church is discovering what technology can—and cannot—do for worship. On this episode, Thom and Sam explore why online engagement has declined and how churches can find balance between digital convenience and in-person community.

Understanding the Longings and Language of Gen Z
As I mentioned in the first article in this column, there are 10 key principles for reaching the next generation.

In this article, we will unpack two of them in order to understand the longings and language of Gen Z.

Friday's Catch: 'In Minneapolis, Good versus evil' And More

In Minneapolis, Good versus evil
Renee Nicole Good was murdered in her SUV by masked ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis Jan. 7. One day after we observed the anniversary of the January 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, another avoidable tragedy with law enforcement occurred just blocks away from where a police officer killed George Floyd in May 2020.

Also See: Choose love, not ICE; The deadly result of excusing Trump’s lies

4 things to know about the ICE shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis
Wednesday morning's shooting in Minnesota, in which a woman was shot dead while in her SUV by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent, has sparked an explosive debate among Americans and politicians about whether the use of deadly force was justified.

ICE shooting in Minnesota raises rare legal questions
A federal immigration agent’s fatal shooting of a woman in Minneapolis has spurred deeply diverging narratives of who is to blame.

The incident also has created an unusual rift between federal and local law enforcers, raising questions about whether, and how, Minnesota officials might seek to prosecute the agent over a shooting they say was unjustified. And it has renewed questions about Trump’s aggressive deportation agenda and the surge of ICE agents into the streets of American cities.

Was ICE agent's use of force reckless? Experts analyze Minneapolis shooting.
An Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent shot and killed a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis, sparking protests as the Trump administration claimed self-defense and local and state authorities said the agent acted recklessly.

The Jan. 7 fatal shooting, which occurred less than a mile from where George Floyd was killed by a police officer in 2020, has spurred questions around the use of force by federal agents, especially as the Trump administration expands its deportation efforts.

Minnesota Bishop Calls Out Shooting, Policy of ‘Cruel Delight’
The violent incident that occurred on the morning of January 7 in Minneapolis, claiming the life of a mother of three, was inevitable, but such violence is “likely to remain a feature of our common life as long as federal agents are being deployed to cities seen to oppose the current administration for the sole purpose of provocation and intimidation.”

This was the message of the Rt. Rev. Craig Loya, Bishop of Minnesota, to the church about the shooting of Renee Nicole Macklin Good. Macklin Good was shot and killed by ICE during an encounter in the streets of southern Minneapolis. She was 37 years old.

There’s a reason more women seek help from therapists than pastors
The Gospel Coalition’s New Year’s resolution apparently is shoring up pastoral power by shaming conservative evangelical women for seeking therapy.

IRS Raises 2026 Business Mileage Rate to 72.5¢ Per Mile
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has released the 2026 optional standard mileage rates. Use them to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.

Authorities Warn About ‘Pastor Texting’ Scams Asking for Money
The scammer will text someone who is known to attend a local church, using the pastor’s name to establish trust. The text message will appear urgent, and the scammer will ask the recipient to reply quickly. Once the recipient replies, the scammer sends requests for gift cards, money transfers, credit card information, or even log-in information.

NT Wright warns against ‘unhealthy fascination’ with demons in modern Christianity
The public ministry of Jesus didn't create demonic activity, but it did expose it, theologian and New Testament scholar N.T. Wright said during a recent episode of "Ask Me Anything," cautioning Christians against both the denial of spiritual evil and the unhealthy fixation on it.

Responding to a question about whether Jesus’ arrival triggered an apparent surge of demonic activity in the New Testament, the 77-year-old British author said the Gospels portray Jesus’ proclamation of God’s Kingdom as a moment when hidden spiritual forces were suddenly confronted.

Do We Pray Enough?
Do we pray enough? I mean it in terms of the breadth of our prayers. Their scope. Their size.

Campus Ministry Tips: 5 Ways To Be More Effective
Do you lead a campus ministry, or are you thinking of starting one? Then check out these veteran youth ministry tips for effective campus outreach.

Restart Children’s Ministry After Christmas Break
With some planning, your children’s ministry can start the new year with renewed purpose.

Nominal Religion Is Everywhere-but Here's the Opportunity
Nominalism is often labeled a problem. And it is. But for mission, it is also a profound opportunity.

People shaped by religion—any religion—already believe the spiritual world matters. They already sense that life has moral weight and transcendent meaning. They’re not starting from zero. Yet those same assumptions can create a barrier, especially in nominally Christian contexts where people believe they already have what they most need.

Mission in nominal settings requires discernment: seeing the open doors without ignoring the locked ones.

Calling Your Church to Evangelism This Year
How can pastors and church leaders challenge churchgoers to step up their evangelism efforts this year? Here’s a place to begin.

Thursday's Catch: "New data debunk claims of ‘revival’ in America" And More

New data debunk claims of ‘revival’ in America
New research shows religious adherence remains stable in the United States and the nation is not witnessing the “revival” excitedly proclaimed by Christian nationalists.

Church Conflict: Five Common Ways Small Fights Turn into Big Problems
Every pastor has seen it. Churches splitting hairs over things that don’t matter. Beard length. Carpet color. Playground equipment. These disputes may sound absurd, but they reveal something much deeper. Small conflicts are rarely about what they seem. Beneath the surface, emotions, control, and trust are at play. In this episode, Josh and Sam explore why trivial fights erupt in churches, what they reveal about church health, and how leaders can keep the small stuff from becoming spiritual landmines.

8 Ways to Reach Single Adults Through Your Church
Pam and I were older when we married, so we both spent many years as a single adult. Consequently, we’re sensitive to reaching single adults through our churches. Perhaps one of these suggestions will help you as you reach this group in your community....

Also See: 12 Struggles Singles Face

3 Ways to Cultivate Community in Your Church
We are relational beings, designed in the image of our triune God. We’ve been created for life together, and apart from community, we’ll never be fully whole and Christlike. In the church, we can resist the trends of social isolation and loneliness, discover our true home in Christ and his church, and find hope for a beautiful, deeply rooted community. We can finally belong.

So the question is this: How do we embody and practice this incredible truth—that we belong to God and one another? In considering how to cultivate deeper belonging together, I want to give practical help for the committed church member and leader.

Developing Leaders in a Rural Church
Rural church leadership is cooperative—certainly between people but also with the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

From Sermon to Article: Turning Oral Teaching into Written Content
As editors who regularly work with pastors, we’re sometimes asked if writing an article differs from writing a sermon. It’s really different.

5 Ways AI Is Impacting the Next Generation
Because AI is impacting the next generation in unprecedented ways, the church must strategize ways to both support parents and shepherd kids.

Helping Students Read the Bible for Themselves
A few years ago, a former student came up to me with a question that sounded simple, but clued me into a deeper problem. He said, “Hey, I’ve been reading the book of Mark like you told me to… but now what? I don’t really know what to do after that.”

He wasn’t lazy. He was trying, but like so many students today, he didn’t have a framework for how to read the Bible - no direction or understanding of what he was even looking for. That moment stuck with me because it reminded me: opening their Bibles is not the same as reading it well. So how do we help them read the Bible for themselves?

Andy Stanley: The Subtle Phrase That’s Making Evangelism Harder 

A simple question from a young believer in China still won’t let Andy Stanley go.

“Why doesn’t everyone in America go to church?”

Thursday Evening at All Hallows (January 8, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to the Feast of Epiphany at All Hallows.

The Feast of the Epiphany is an older feast than Christmas. In the early Church, Christians celebrated the birth of Jesus, the visit of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and the wedding at Cana all on the Feast of the Epiphany. At the Council of Tours in the sixth century, Christmas and Epiphany were set as separate feasts, Christmas on December 25 and the Feast of Epiphany on January 6. The council regularized what was already the practice in some dioceses. The council also named the 12 days between the two feasts as Christmastide.

In more recent times the Feast of the Epiphany has become a neglected feast because it often falls on a weekday and weekday services generally have low attendance. Some churches which desire to celebrate the feast will move the feast to a Sunday between January 2 and January 8. Others will move the feast to a day around January 6, depending upon local custom. At All Hallow we are celebrating the feast at this evening’s service on January 8.

In this evening’s message we will be exploring the mystery of the Magi.

Reading: Matthew 2:1-12

Message: The Mystery of the Magi

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/01/thursday-evening-at-all-hallows-january.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Thursday Evenings at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing a lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows the lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Thursday Evenings at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Wednesday's Catch: '7 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2026' And More

7 Disruptive Church Trends That Will Rule 2026
Here are seven disruptive church trends to look for in 2026.

Evangelical Alliance offers 5 mission predictions for 2026
If 2025 was the year of the “Quiet Revival”, what does 2026 have in store for Christianity in Britain?

Drawing both on research and anecdotal evidence and experience, Phil Knox, writing for the Evangelical Alliance, has outlined five “missional trends” he expects to see this year.

Is a Gen Z Religious Rebound Happening?
Christianity maintains its recent stability, but the story of a religious rebound for Gen Z remains complicated.

Love the Church You’re In
Every church faces undeserved blessings and unsolvable problems at the same time. I'm learning two lessons from this reality.

Diocese of the Susquehanna’s Harrisburg Office Will Be Housed at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church 

Come February, the new Episcopal Diocese of the Susquehanna will establish its Harrisburg Office in the same building as St. Paul’s Episcopal Church at 248 Seneca Street. The Bethlehem Office of the diocese will remain at 321 Wyandotte Street in Bethlehem.

Being the Love Church
For the Rev. Guy Leemhuis, vicar of St. Luke’s of the Mountains in La Crescenta, California, leaning into a message of love means blending an Episcopal ethos with a handful of new and unexplored traditions. For Leemhuis and his leadership team, there is a willingness to do what hasn’t been done before and be present to the community around them.

New pipe organ signals rebirth for Episcopal parish after fire, flood and 'plague'
The Church of the Epiphany’s new pipe organ was hand-built in Utah before being delivered by a semitrailer to the church on Manhattan’s Upper East Side.

Growing with the Grain of Creation
How do we grow churches and Christians in ways that work with the grain of creation rather than against it?

The Church Didn’t Reject Biblical Teaching on Sexual Sin—It Quietly Drifted From It
How did an area Scripture speaks about plainly become one of the hardest topics for the church to address?

Attentive Preaching
This exercise, if you will indulge me, is a reflection on what I think I am doing when I preach. Like almost all practitioners of a literary form, my method has developed only partly through explicit training. What I do is a combination of preachers that I’ve enjoyed (and reacting to preachers that I haven’t enjoyed!), finding my way intuitively week by week into the task at hand, and adapting from other literary forms - novels, poems, films, history, and even films.

Be Careful How You Listen To Sermons
Sunday morning is a pivotal time for the New Testament Christian. God has promised to speak to his people through the preaching of the Word. Because of that, we should listen well.

AI is coming for your pastor and your trust
In this new year, an unexpected presence will slip into many church sanctuaries, quietly and almost politely: A line in the sermon that began as a chatbot prompt. A prayer drafted by an AI tool because the volunteer who normally writes it is exhausted. A bilingual announcement translated instantly for a mixed-language congregation.

Grok chatbot can undress women 'without their consent,' anti-exploitation group warns
Anti-sexual exploitation advocates are warning that Grok, a chatbot developed by Elon Musk’s company xAI, has the ability to generate nude or obscene images if users ask it to digitally alter pictures of real people.

‘Out came this image’
Abuse wasn’t just inevitable — it was actively encouraged and made possible by Musk and those in charge.

Take It from Me, Don’t Use AI to Cheat in School
In the age of AI, students are increasingly turning to cheating to coast through school. Even at a prestigious university like the one I attended, it’s common to see classmates in lecture halls citing points produced by ChatGPT or retrieving article summaries from Copilot. Others produce full-length essays in Gemini that are modified by “humanizers” to avoid plagiarism detection. Students can even outsource their exams using automated test-taking software.

Amid this generational transformation in information technology, Gen Zers struggle to choose integrity.

Defeating Hypocrisy in 2026
J. C. Ryle wrote, “No sin seems to be regarded by Christ as more sinful than hypocrisy.”

Tuesday' Catch: 'Over a million Australians attend church each week - study' And More

Over a million Australians attend church each week - study
New national data suggests Australia’s churches are continuing a gradual recovery in weekly attendance following the COVID-19 pandemic, while still falling short of levels seen at the turn of the millennium.

The findings, released through the inaugural local Church Pulse Check Panel, offer one of the most comprehensive snapshots to date of church participation across the country and are intended to provide a consistent, long-term measure of congregational health as faith communities navigate ongoing cultural and social change.

Month-long prayer vigil for the nation gets underway
A month-long national prayer vigil kicked off this week with an invitation to Christians across the UK to begin 2026 by praying for spiritual renewal, unity and direction for the nation.

The initiative is being led by National Day of Prayer and Worship (NDOPW) and runs from 5 January to 5 February, bringing together churches and individuals from across denominations, regions and traditions in round-the-clock prayer.

Episcopal leaders respond to US attack on Venezuela, president’s capture
Following last weekend’s U.S. military attack on Venezuela and the removal of President Nicholás Maduro from office, Episcopal leaders have released statements calling for prayers and peace in the South American country. They expressed both support for Venezuelans celebrating Maduro’s removal and concern over the legality of the attack.

Also See: Episcopal Church Statement on U.S. Intervention in Venezuela

Trump's foreign policy is a disaster for America and the world
The Trump administration does not even pretend to care about democracy, human rights, political refugees or victims of natural disasters.

Before you celebrate Maduro’s capture, consider this
Two things can be true at the same time.

President Trump imposes tariffs on indulgences from the Holy See
The 'pope penalty' will also include tariffs on rosaries and medals blessed at the Vatican.

Can You Automate Aspects of Church Communication?
If church communication feels like an endless loop of announcements, texts, and emails, you might wonder whether there’s a better way. The good news is that many elements of church communication can be automated so your team spends less time pushing buttons and more time connecting with people. Smart automation doesn’t replace relational ministry; it simply helps you steward your time and reach more people with clarity and care.

How to Plan Ahead for Your Small Group This Year
Planning ahead helps small groups remain focused, relationally strong, and spiritually purposeful throughout the year.

Youth Ministry Burnout: Healthy Habits for Leaders
Youth ministry burnout is unfortunately common. Plenty of factors contribute to youth workers burning out. And I’m sure you’ve heard horror stories. But the best work a youth worker can do is long-term youth work. So stick with ministry!

Meanwhile, check out these 27 ways to beat youth ministry burnout. Then keep thriving in your important work with teens and young adults.

How do we minister to parents with broken hearts?
Every conversion involves a miracle. And only God can work this miracle. No matter how godly the family is; no matter how expert the parenting we provide; and no matter how devoted or prayerful we might be—we cannot save our children.

Online Safety for Kids: 7 Tips About Mobile Devices
Online safety has moved more toward mobile devices every year. Handing a child an internet-enabled device without proper boundaries is unwise and dangerous.

Be the Kind of Person the World Needs
...there’s another goal that I would encourage us all to pursue. One that isn’t overtly quantifiable but matters now more than ever. A goal that feeds and fuels everything else we pursue. That goal? To be the kind of person the world needs.

Pray for the Nations Like Jesus Will Win Them
Before Jesus said anything about going, he taught his disciples to pray. And he made sure his disciples knew exactly to whom they should pray: “the Lord of the harvest.” If you feel overwhelmed by the weight of world evangelism, you may not have fully grasped the weight of who Jesus is and what he has accomplished. By his righteous life and sacrificial death, the resurrected and ascended Jesus has all authority in the universe. The Lord of hosts is the Lord of the harvest.

Monday' Catch: 'Five Big Shifts in Worship Ministry Every Church Leader Needs to Know' And More

Five Big Shifts in Worship Ministry Every Church Leader Needs to Know
Changing the worship ministry in a church can be one of the most emotionally charged initiatives leaders undertake. Music touches deeply held personal preferences. Yet the worship ministry of many churches needs intentional change, not because of stylistic trends, but because of how people engage and grow. Healthy churches are navigating significant shifts that affect how they worship together.

At its core, the success of worship ministry should not be measured by how people feel, but by how well it equips the congregation. Worship is not just an experience; it’s discipleship through song, Scripture, and shared praise. Understanding the shifts happening today helps church leaders make wise, forward-thinking adjustments.

How to Include Musical Variety in Worship Planning This Year
Here’s how you can bring musical variety in worship planning this year in ways that feel both faithful and practical.

Write a New Song to the Lord
Considering this rich treasury passed down to us, do we need more songs?

Evangelical churches continue to grow across Spain
Spain’s evangelical community continues to expand its physical presence, with the number of evangelical churches reaching 4,763 in 2025, according to new figures published by the Observatory of Religious Pluralism.

The data points to steady growth among religious minorities in Spain, even as comprehensive national statistics on personal religious belief remain limited.

This Newly Discovered, Octagonal Building in Armenia Is One of the World’s Oldest Christian Churches
The structure—also the earliest of its kind in the Asian country—dates to around 350 C.E.

7 Simple Ways to Infuse Theology Into Your Church
With these small changes, you can infuse theology into your church body in a way that impacts their lives all week, not just on Sundays.

I love Jesus, but do I need church?
It’s truly encouraging to see so many young people developing a genuine faith in Jesus. However, it’s equally heartbreaking to notice how many are choosing to walk out their faith alone, disconnected from any church community - even Bear Grylls recently claimed that Christians don't need to go to church.

7 Quiet Church Leadership Mistakes That Slowly Damage a Church
Most churches are not harmed by scandal or sudden collapse.

They are weakened slowly, through church leadership mistakes that feel reasonable at the time.

What Many Christians Get Wrong About Following Their Pastor
Here are several common ways Christians get it wrong and what a healthier, more biblical posture looks like instead.

Do You Have an Outreach Schedule Planned for 2026?
If you haven’t already carved out an outreach schedule for 2026, you’re not alone. Many churches wait until the last minute to think about outreach events and community engagement, only to find themselves scrambling, reactive, or inconsistent. Intentional planning changes that. It helps you move from random acts of ministry to rhythm and strategy that reflect Christ’s heart for every person in your community.

Sundays at All Hallows (January 4, 2026) Is Now Online

Welcome to Sundays at All Hallows.

While some churches move the Feast of the Epiphany to this Sunday, All Hallows will be observing that feast on Thursday, January 8, at our regular service of Evening Prayer on that day.

The order of service for this Sunday is an adaptation of the order of service for Morning and Evening Prayer Second Order of A Prayer Book for Australia (1999). The Old Testament and Gospel readings are those appointed for the Second Sunday after Christmas.

This Sunday’s message takes a look at a core belief of the Christian faith, the doctrine of the incarnation, the embodying of God as a human being.

Readings: Jeremiah 31:7-14; John 1:10-18

Message: God Born as a Human Being

Link: https://allhallowsmurray.blogspot.com/2026/01/sundays-at-all-hallows-january-4-2026.html

Please feel free to share this link with anyone who may be interested.

If you are new to Sundays at All Hallows, you may find these directions helpful:

-It is recommended that after reading or hearing each lesson to take time to reflect on what you read or heard during the period of silence which follows each lesson. It is also recommended that you do the same thing after reading or hearing the message.

-When you open the link to a video in a new tab, check auto-play to make sure it is in the off position. Otherwise, a second video with a different song will follow the first.

-If an ad plays when you open a link to a video in a new tab, click the refresh icon of your browser until the song appears.

-If a song begins partway through the video, click pause, move the slider to the beginning, and then click play.

-An ad may follow a song so as soon as the song is finished, close the tab.

May Sundays at All Hallows be a blessing to you.

Saturday Lagniappe: 'Church in state: Christian nationalism and the politicization of faith' And More

Church in state: Christian nationalism and the politicization of faith
The Rev. Lucia Lloyd, then of the Episcopal Church, watched the first Trump presidency with apprehension. Her friends told her there would be limits to what damage he could do, despite his discriminatory and hostile rhetoric toward women and minorities, but she remained concerned. One thing she found particularly horrifying, she says, was how many Christians were showing support for the administration’s most divisive policies.

Texas Hill Country Parish Offers Support for the Long Haul
The past year was difficult for the people of the Texas Hill Country, where flooding on July 4 devastated properties and claimed what was precious and irreplaceable. More than 100 people died, including 25 girls and two counsellors at Camp Mystic, an all-girls Christian summer camp in the town of Hunt. The camp, which will turn a century old in 2026, lies along the banks of the Guadalupe River.

Mullally warns of the dangers of assisted suicide
The incoming Archbishop of Canterbury, Dame Sarah Mullally, has warned that plans to legalise assisted suicide would put vulnerable people at risk and present people with a false choice.

Dame Sarah was being interviewed by former Conservative Prime Minister Theresa May, who was acting as the guest editor for the BBC’s Today Programme.

Why Title IV Had To Grow Up
This article concerns a process underway in the Anglican Church in North America: the revision of the Title IV canons governing clergy discipline.

Why Women Are Going to Therapy Instead of Church
In my role as a women’s ministry director over the past 15 years, I’ve observed an increase in church women struggling with emotional and relational issues and a decrease in women coming to pastors, women’s ministry directors, and small group leaders for help. Many women are turning to therapy instead.

How Spirituality Reshapes the Depressed Brain
Numerous factors contribute to rising adolescent depression rates—social media, increased exposure to bullying, childhood adversity, the COVID-19 pandemic, and so on. Yet one significant factor has received surprisingly little attention in academic and clinical circles: cultural decline in religious faith.

5 Habits for Better Prayer in 2026
Many Christians are comfortable with short prayers in moments of need (“Lord, let this meeting go well”) but struggle with extended prayer. How do you use that time? What do you talk to God about?

Consider five habits or mindsets that can enrich your extended times of prayer.

9 prayers for 2026: Stepping into the New Year trusting God
A new year always brings a mixture of emotions. Some of us step into 2026 with excitement, others with uncertainty, grief or quiet weariness. Many carry hopes for change, healing, or fresh beginnings.

Wherever we find ourselves at the start of this new year, prayer invites us to bring every part of our lives before God. It reminds us that we do not walk into a new year alone — we are held, guided, and loved by the One who remains faithful through every season.

So, here are some prayers for 2026....

How to Not Fall Away
You can probably think of someone who at one time claimed to trust in Christ but later fell away. A contemporary term for this is deconstruction. Scripture uses a more catastrophic image: some, “concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck” (1 Tim. 1:19–20). Paul wasn’t exaggerating. He had been shipwrecked (2 Cor. 11:25). He knew that apostasy was no less tragic than the sinking of a vessel on which people’s lives depend. These apostates Paul names—Hymenaeus and Alexander—punctuate Paul’s charge to the church to “wage the good warfare, having faith and a good conscience.”

How can the failures of others help you be diligent in resisting apostasy?

Satan’s Tactics Shouldn’t Surprise You
The Bible tells us that the real Devil and his minions can afflict humans in all sorts of extraordinary ways—some that resemble the dark side’s magnified portrayal in film and TV, others that parallel the twisted actions we see on the news. But Satan’s modus operandi is typically more mundane.