We held virtual worship on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at 10am. You may watch a recording on our Facebook page by clicking here, or you may watch below.
WELCOME TO WORSHIP Sturgeons
CALL TO WORSHIP
We remember, O God, the countless saints of history
who have blazed a trail of courage through time.
We remember, O God, the tender touch of loved ones,
the example of heroes,
the healing words of comforters,
the remarkable acts of fearless ones.
We remember, O God, the gentle strength of grandmothers,
the loyalty of friends, the kindness of strangers,
the joy of children, the sacrifice of parents.
We remember, O God, the supreme love of Jesus,
shown forth in the lives of his disciples, young and old,
dead and living, articulate and silent,
strange and familiar, brilliant and ordinary.
We gather to worship: to hear, to respond, to be sent out—
as your saints in our time and place. Amen.
OPENING TO GOD Hafiz, trans. Ladinsky
Every
Child
Has Known God,
Not the God of names,
Not the God of don’ts,
Not the God who does
Anything weird,
But the God who only knows four words
And keeps repeating them, saying:
“Come Dance with Me.”
Come
Dance.
YOUNG PEOPLE’S MESSAGE Danielle Sturgeon & Family
LITANY FOR ALL SAINTS DAY Safiya Fosua
We give you thanks, O God,
for all the saints who ever worshiped you!
Whether in brush arbors or cathedrals,
weathered wooden churches
or crumbling cement meeting houses
where your name was lifted and adored.
We give you thanks, O God, for hands lifted in praise:
manicured hands and hands stained with grease or soil,
strong hands and those gnarled with age
holy hands offering you praise across the land.
We thank you, God, for hardworking saints;
whether hard-hatted or steel-booted,
`do-ragged or aproned,
blue-collared or three-piece-suited,
they left their mark on the earth for you,
for us, for our children to come.
Thank you, God, for the tremendous sacrifices
made by those who have gone before us.
Bless the memories of your saints, God.
May we learn how to walk wisely from their examples
of faith, dedication, worship, and love.
READING OF NAMES
GOSPEL Matthew 5:1-12
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, f
or they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you
and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil
against you falsely on my account.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
REFLECTION Beatitudes and Radical Gratitudes Mitchell & Barb
MUSIC For All the Saints music & photos
by Kathryn Parker
PRAYER FOR THE WEEK Steve Garnaas-Holmes
God,
help me this day to add love to the world.
Not fear, not anxiety
about what I owe or am owed, but love.
Help me know my freedom—
not to do what I please,
but to fulfill my call to love,
my only goal not that I prevail
but that others receive love.
In calm interactions,
or in moments of anxiety or conflict,
let me contribute love.
In silence or in confrontation,
in public endeavor or quiet prayer,
in heroic action or mundane chores,
let me add love to the world.
O God of Love,
let your love overflow:
fulfill your love in me.
SHARING PRAYERS
LORD’S PRAYER
COMMUNION
RESPONSIVE LITURGY
Taste and see that God is good. Eat this bread.
Sharing love, we will never be hungry.
Blessed are those who take refuge in God.
The cup on your table is blessed.
Drinking deeply, we will never thirst.
ANNOUNCEMENTS
BENEDICTION
POSTLUDE When We All Get To Heaven music & photos
by Kathryn Parker
