Today's Scripture Reflection
Peter Crisafulli, Minister of Music
Around the throne are four living creatures. Day and night they sing without ceasing, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come."
Revelation 4:6, 8

Consider this: When we gather together in worship, joining our voices in song with those around us, we are uniting in spirit with millions of believers, with the saints of every age.

What a magnificent thing this is to contemplate, especially for our community of faith worshipping in a church that is under the patronage of all the saints!

One of the songs we sing at All Saints Church is based on the passage from Revelation quoted above. It is the Trisagion, Greek for “Thrice Holy.”

Holy God, Holy and Mighty, Holy Immortal One, Have mercy on us.

This is an ancient hymn of the Christian church that ascribes to God three attributes of His holiness. It is traditionally sung three times reflecting Trinitarian theology. Listen to the All Saints Choir sing it below:
Audio: Trisagion from Music for the Holy Eucharist Rite 2 by Peter Crisafulli. Copyright © 2003 Church Publishing Inc. Used by permission. Sung by the All Saints Choir.
The Trisagion was first introduced into the liturgy of the Episcopal Church in our most recent prayer book as an alternative to the Kyrie (Lord have mercy) in both Rites One and Two. It can also be used effectively in services of contemplative prayer and healing.

As a relatively recent addition to our liturgy, the Trisagion makes a valuable contribution to our language of prayer further enriching our worship. Because of its triple repetition it is quickly learned and memorized. Though seemingly simple, it is powerful.

As we sing this song acknowledging the holiness of God, we join the Angelic Host rejoicing in His majesty. What a privilege!

God bless you!
Peter
An Image to Inspire
Let Us Pray
Book of Common Prayer, p228
Almighty and everlasting God, you have given to us your servants grace, by the confession of a true faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of your divine Majesty to worship the Unity: Keep us steadfast in faith and worship, and bring us at last to see you in your one and eternal glory, O Father; who with the Son and the Holy Spirit live and reign, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
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