All
Saints' Sunday
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From the Open Files of: |
NW Synod of Wisconsin Resource Center (715) 833-1153 |
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Contributed by: |
First Lutheran Church, Eau Claire, WI |
All
Saints' Sunday
All Saints' Day celebration has a long history in the worship life of the Christian Church. It began as a commemoration of the martyrs who had died for the faith, and it has since become a day when we honor and remember those who, in death, have joined the Church Triumphant, as well as the faithful saints of the present who serve Jesus Christ. Martin Luther held that all Christians are simultaneously sinner and saint--a sinner because of our rebellious nature, but a saint because of salvation in Jesus.
Today, by reading their names and by ringing a bell and lighting a candle for each, we remember those of our congregation who have died during the past year. Afterward, there will be an opportunity for anyone in the congregation to come forward to light a candle in memory of someone dear to them. This will proceed spontaneously and at will; there will be no ushers directing you.
Following the lighting of the candles, we proclaim the message of hope and life eternal through Jesus Christ. May all the saints, past and present, endure forever in God's grace!
Prelude
Parish Announcements
The Liturgy of Remembrance
Announcement of Comfort and Hope (Congregation stands)
P: Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the source of all mercy and the God of all consolation. God comforts us in all our sorrows so that we can comfort others in their sorrows with the consolation we ourselves have received from God.C: Thanks be to God!
P: When we were baptized in Christ Jesus, we were baptized into his death. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we, too, might live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we shall certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his.
Opening Hymn "Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones" (No. 175, vss. 1, 2 & 4)
(Congregation is seated)
(Members of First Lutheran Church who have died since
last All Saints' Sunday)
(Names listed here)
Lighting Candles of Remembrance
(During the lighting of candles, we sing "For All the Saints." Feel free to come forward via the center opening of the altar railing during the singing of the hymn to light a candle in honor and remembrance of a family member or friend. Return to your seat via the end of the altar railing. We encourage children to participate. Remember the power of the resurrection!)
The Liturgy of the Word Isaiah 25:6-9
(Congregation stands)
P: The Word of God, according to the prophet Isaiah, chapter 25.C: (sung) Glory to you, O Lord.
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples a feast of rich food, a feast of well-aged wines, of rich food filled with marrow, of well-aged wines strained clear. And he will destroy on this mountain the shroud that is cast over all peoples, the sheet that is spread over all nations; he will swallow up death forever. Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces, and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the Lord has spoken. It will be said on that day, Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us. This is the Lord for whom we have waited; let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
P: The Word of the Lord.C: (sung) Praise to you, O Christ. (Congregation is seated)
Sermon "Foretaste of the Feast to Come" Pastor Duane Pederson
Hymn of the Day "Who Is This Host" (No. 314, vs. 1)
The Liturgy of Holy Communion
Offering
Offertory Hymn "We Give Thee but Thine Own" (Congregation
stands) (No. 410, vss 1, 2)
Great Thanksgiving (spoken)
The Lord's Prayer
The Distribution
(All who believe that Jesus Christ is present in the
bread and wine to forgive our sins and give us the promise
of everlasting life are welcome to God's table of grace. We
receive communion by intinction--dip your wafer into the cup
of wine at the Communion station. Please fill out a
Communion Registration Card located in the pew rack and give
it to an usher as you come forward.)
Solo/Anthem
The Blessing and Benediction (Congregation stands)
Closing Hymn "I Know of a Sleep in Jesus' Name" (No. 342, vss 1, 3)
Dismissal
P: Go in peace. Serve the Lord. C: Thanks be to God!
Postlude
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