The Home of God

Call to Worship

In the beginning, God called the world into being, saying,
“Let there be light!”
In the fullness of time, Jesus came from God to us, saying,
“I am the Light of the world.”
In our everyday life, we see the work of the saints,
The ones in whom God’s light shines.
So let us give thanks for the saints this day,
And let us worship God.
We gather this morning to remember our call:
To do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with God.
We bring with us the events of the week in the world and in our lives,
Trying to know how to be just and loving and humble in the midst of it all.
We gather here, and see those who are doing justice, who are kind beyond measure,
who set the example for humility.
With gratitude for living saints, with thankfulness for the purpose of faith,
let us worship God.

Written by Beth Merrill Neel on her blog, “Hold Fast to What Is Good.” Used with permission. https://holdfasttowhatisgood.com/liturgy/all-saints-liturgy/.

Opening Prayer

Eternal God, hope of all who trust in you,
in Christ you weep with those who mourn
even as you cry out in triumph over the grave.
Unbind us from sin, release us from captivity,
and with Lazarus, raise us from death to life,
so that we may join that great crowd of saints
who forever sing praise to your holy name;
through Christ, the resurrection and the life.

From the PCUSA website. https://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/theologyandworship/pdfs/prayers_for_all_saints_day.pdf. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2017/10/all-saints-day-prayer-john-11.html.

Prayer of Confession

Our lives are full of mistakes and errors – places where we follow self-generated idols instead of the One True God. We are not alone in these mistakes – all of those who have come before us also were plagued with temptation and sin. Let us come before God, just as generations of believers have done, and pray for God’s forgiveness and grace.

Beloved God,
who was known to our mothers and fathers,
and even to our spiritual forebears,
have mercy on us.
We do not always love as you would have us love.
We do not always do as you would have us do.
In our stubbornness,
we turn from you when we should turn toward you.
Hold us, dear One –
comfort us when we mourn the passing of friends and family,
and help us to know that they are rejoicing in your presence.
We praise you for the grace you shower on us,
constantly forgiving our errors,
especially the ones that we don’t share with any but you.
Hear now the silent fears and worries of our hearts.

A time of silence

Friends, hear the good news! Though thousands upon thousands of our ancestors did not follow God’s ways perfectly, we have hope in the one who did! Jesus, a man of a particular people in a particular time, taught through his words and deeds that God has already forgiven us. Thus, we and all who have come before us are rightly known as saints – the holy ones of God! Thanks be to God for God’s mercy, grace, and love! Amen!

Written by Rev. Lucus Keppel, Ancho Community & Corona United Presbyterian Churches, New Mexico. Posted on LiturgyLink. https://www.liturgylink.net/2013/11/11/awareness-and-reconciliation-for-all-saints-day/. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2017/10/all-saints-prayer-of-confession.html.

Benediction

God invites us into his future,
where the one who makes all things new
has made his home among us.
We are called and chosen,
together embraced by the God in whom tears, mourning,
crying, pain and even death will be no more.
Remember God’s future, for this is our story.
Our Lord says, “See, I am coming soon!”
and we respond, “Come, Lord Jesus!” Amen.
From the Mennonite Church Canada website.

http://resources.mennonitechurch.ca/FileDownload/14014/Equip-116AssembluSunday.pdf. Re-posted on the re:Worship blog at https://re-worship.blogspot.com/2013/04/sending-revelation-21-1-6.html.