Gathering Music

Call to Worship

Most merciful and ever-loving God,
on this day we come together as your church,
to celebrate the festival of All Saints.

As we raise our voices in praise,
Grant us the assurance that your love binds all people together,
the quick and the dead,
through time and eternity,
in that mystical company we call the communion of saints.

We give you thanks for your people in every age, O God.
In your divine image you created them.
Their goodness and courage reflected your eternal grace and mercy.

Creator, Christ, and Holy Spirit:
may we join that cloud of witnesses,
even as we live,
bearing witness to your glory and to our kinship,
and furthering your reign of justice and revolutionary love.
These things we ask in your holy name, Amen.

Hymn of Welcome

“When We All Get to Heaven”

Scripture

Revelation 7:9-17

After this I looked, and there ways a great crowd that no one could number. They were from every nation, tribe, people, and language. They were standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They wore white robes and held palm branches in their hands. They cried out with a loud voice: “Victory belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” All the angels stood in a circle around the throne, and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell face down before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and always. Amen.”

Then one of the elders said to me, “Who are these people wearing white robes, and where did they come from?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” Then he said to me, “These people have come out of great hardship. They have washed their robes and made them white in the Lamb’s blood. This is the reason they are before God’s throne. They worship God day and night in the temple, and the one seated on the throne will shelter them. They won’t hunger or thirst anymore. No sun or scorching heat will beat down on them, because the Lamb who is in the midst of the throne will shepherd them. The Lamb will lead them to the springs of life-giving water, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”

Pre-Sermonic Musical Offering

“I Sing a Song of the Saints of God” v. 1 & 3

Homily

“What Do We Owe the Dead?”

Rev. Dr. J. Terry Todd

Prayer of the Day

We give you thanks, O God, for all your saints and servants who have lived justly, loved mercy, and walked humbly with their God. For all the high and holy ones who have done wonders and been shining lights in the world, we give you thanks. For all the meek and lowly ones, who have earnestly sought you in the shadows held fast to their faith in times of trial, and done good as they have had opportunity, we give you thanks. Especially we give thanks for those whom we have known and loved, who, by their patient obedience and self-denial, steadfast hope and helpfulness in trouble, have shown the same mind that was in Christ Jesus. As they have comforted and upheld our souls, grant us grace to follow in their steps, and at last to share with them in the inheritance of the saints in light; through Jesus Christ our Savior, our Brother, and our Friend, Amen.

Blessing

Rev. Dr. J. Terry Todd

Sending Song

“For All the Saints/When the Saints Go Marching In”

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Worship Notes:

The Prayer of the Day adapted from the Book of Worship of the Presbyterian Church in the USA (2018)