Sunday November 5, 2023 Worship Service
Livestream at 11:10 a.m.

ALL SAINTS DAY

from the website of the Presbyterian Church (USA)
“All Saints’ Day is a time to rejoice in all who through the ages have faithfully served the Lord. The day reminds us that we are part of one continuing, living communion of saints. It is a time to claim our kinship with the glorious company of the apostles . . . the noble fellowship of prophets . . . the white-robed army of martyrs. It is a time to express our gratitude for all who in ages of darkness kept the faith, for those who have taken the gospel to the ends of the earth, for prophetic voices who have called the church to be faithful in life and service, for all who have witnessed to God’s justice and peace in every nation.”

Reminded that God was with the faithful of the past, we are reassured that God is with us today, moving us and all creation toward God’s end in time. In this context, it is appropriate for a congregation on All Saints’ Day to commemorate the lives of those who died during the previous year.”

GATHERING IN GOD’S NAME

PRELUDE — “Nimrod” from Enigma Variations — Edward Elgar
As the prelude begins, you are invited to begin your personal preparation for worship.

SILENT MEDITATION
“Blessed are those who die in the Lord.  They rest from their labors, and their works follow them.”
Revelation 14:13

CALL TO WORSHIP
Come, all who are weary from the past week.
       We come seeking rest; We come seeking comfort.
Come, all who are in need of inspiration for the week ahead.
       We come seeking God’s truth, word and worship that will set us on the faithful path.
Come, all who are humble, open, and ready to learn.
       We come as God’s students, ready to listen and learn.

PRAISE AND ADORATION

*OPENING HYMN #326 —  For All the Saints — SINE NOMINE
(*Please stand, if you are able.)

CALL TO CONFESSION

PRAYER OF CONFESSION
God our teacher, we often exalt ourselves while evaluating and judging others. We assume too much and don’t invest enough in listening, learning, and seeking to understand. You call us to humility, yet we resist, puffing ourselves up with prideful arrogance and rigid certainty. Forgive us, soften our hearts and open our minds to all we have yet to learn.  Amen.

SILENT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION

KYRIE ELEISON (#551) — “Kyrie eleison” from Requiem (11:10) — Maurice Duruflé

ASSURANCE OF PARDON                                                                                                   

*GLORIA PATRI (#447) — “We Are Forgiven” — WE ARE FORGIVEN

WELCOME AND ANNOUNCEMENTS

THE SACRAMENT OF BAPTISM
Graham Matthew Spencer, child of Chase and Kim Spencer, born on July 16, 2023.
Graham has two big sisters, Rylee, age 7, and Dylan, age 5.

Congregational Affirmation:
With joy and thanksgiving, we welcome Graham Matthew Spencer into Christ’s Church
to share with us in the one ministry of Christ, for we are all one in Him.

 NEW TESTAMENT READING — 1 Thessalonians 2: 9-13 — page 959 of the pew Bible
The Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

FELLOWSHIP OF PRAYER

JOYS AND CONCERNS

We remember our church members who have passed away since All Saints Day 2022

Anne Anderson
Phyllis Armstrong
Jerry Bland
Jill Bobek
Jane Bowers
Penny Cassling
Florence Howell
Ron Mau
Beverly Neal
Martha Sherman
Ross Stebbins
Wally Stern
Jackie Upah
Joan “Jody” Watt
Roy Willis
Robert Wright

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE

The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.  For thine is the kingdom and the power and the glory, forever. Amen.

ANTHEM — “Requiem aeternam” from Requiem — Maurice Duruflé

Grant them eternal rest, O Lord, and let eternal light shine upon them.
A hymn befits thee, O God in Zion, and to thee a vow shall be fulfilled in Jerusalem.
Hear my prayer, for unto thee all flesh shall come.

PROCLAMATION OF GOD’S WORD

SCRIPTURE READING                 Matthew 24:6, Romans 15: 1-6   pages 805 & 924 of the pew Bible
This is the Word of the Lord.  Thanks be to God!

SERMON — Ellen Smith, PCUSA Mission Co-worker

*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH — The Apostles’ Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.  I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.

*SANCTUS (#572) — “Holy, Holy, Holy” — (Pavlechko)

RECEPTION OF TITHES AND OFFERINGS

OFFERTORY –”Deep River” — Robert Hobby

*DOXOLOGY (#607) –“Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow” — OLD HUNDREDTH

Praise God, from whom all blessings flow. Praise Christ, all people here below.
Praise Holy Spirit evermore. Praise Triune God, whom we adore. Amen.

*PRAYER OF DEDICATION

*HYMN OF DEDICATION #307 — God of Grace and God of Glory — CWM RHONDDA

*CHARGE AND BENEDICTION

POSTLUDE — Amen from “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” — John Rutter

“Ach Herr, lass deign lieb Engelein” — Johann Ludwig
(Lord, let at last thy angels come)