All Saints celebrates the baptized people of God, living and dead, who are the body of Christ. In holy baptism God makes saints out of sinners. The readings and liturgy for this day call us to remember all who have died in Christ and whose baptism is complete. We trust that the promises of God will be fulfilled and that all tears will be wiped away in the new Jerusalem.
Welcome
Below you will find prayers, songs, readings, and a message to help you experience worship. You can light a candle to remind yourself of the presence of the Holy Spirit. Whether you are alone or with others, we hope that you can feel each other’s presence, and the presence of God, as we find creative ways to worship together, even though we are not in the same building. One good thing about virtual worship is that if you really like a song, you can listen to it again! Do what you need to do to worship God wherever you are.
Announcements, Thanksgiving for Baptism & Remembrance of all Saints
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Joined to Christ in the waters of baptism, we are clothed with God’s mercy and forgiveness. Let us give thanks for the gift of baptism. We give you thanks, O God,
for in the beginning your Spirit moved over the waters and by your Word you created the world, calling forth life in which you took delight.
Through the waters of the flood you delivered Noah and his family. Through the sea you led your people Israel from slavery into freedom. At the river your Son was baptized by John and anointed with the Holy Spirit.
By water and your Word you claim us as daughters and sons, making us heirs of your promise and servants of all.
We praise you for the gift of water that sustains life, and above all we praise you for the gift of new life in Jesus Christ.
Shower us with your Spirit, and renew our lives with your forgiveness, grace, and love.
To you be given honor and praise through Jesus Christ our Lord in the unity of the Holy Spirit, now and forever.
Amen.
Remembrance of All Saints
Let us remember all the saints before God.
Gracious God, we thank you for gathering those who faithfully waited in hope for the redemption you promised, and now for adding us who celebrate the love of your Christ for the redemption of the world. Prepare a place for us among those who are already with you. Help us remember them as an encouragement to saintly living, exciting us to love, in anticipation of an eternal reunion.
In joyful expectation of the resurrection to eternal life, we remember those who have gone before us in faith and who now rest from their labors, especially those dear to us who have died since last All Saints Day.
Lorraine G.
George L.
Sunny S.
Vera W.
Bob S.
Chris H.
Christ says, “Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart,”
and you will find rest for your souls.
“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
And you will find rest for your souls.
Throughout 2020 COVID-19 has taken an immeasurable toll on human life. The deaths- over1,160,000 worldwide and over 225,000 in our nation- are difficult to comprehend. We risk becoming numb to such enormous loss.
We are reminded on this All Saints Sunday that each of these dead was a beloved human soul with a name, a story, friends, and family. We acknowledge that without the presence of this virus, they may still have had more time to share with us. As Christians, it is right to communally remember their lives and grieve their deaths.
We remember those who died in quarantine, unable to say final goodbyes to loved ones.
May they find peace among the great cloud of saints in the Church Triumphant, and may God comfort those left to mourn.
We remember the elderly and those at high risk for whom this virus was simply too great to overcome. We remember the young who have left so much work undone. We remember those who died as a result of the hardships this pandemic has created.
We thank God for their faithfulness, wisdom, and care throughout all seasons of their lives. We thank God for all they were.
Finally, we remember those health care workers who paid the ultimate price while caring for others.
There is no greater love than this: that a person would lay down their life for the sake of others. May they receive eternal reward in heaven.
On this All Saints Sunday we name, honor, and remember. May God pour out healing on our bodies, minds, and souls. Amen.
Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to God forever and ever!
See what love our God has given us,
That we should be called children of God.
In joyful celebration of the priesthood we all share in Christ Jesus, we remember those who have become members of the body of Christ and have been claimed by Christ in the waters of baptism, especially those who have been baptized at St. Peter since last All Saints Day.
Dakota B.
Mya B.
Cirilla G.
Blanca G.
Crosby S.
Scripture teaches us that the church is a communion of saints that spans both time and space. As we remember those who have gone before us, we also call to mind that God faithfully gathers us and all who hope for the redemption God promises. May those who have gone before us encourage us to live saintly lives, loving and serving others as God has loved us. When our time comes, we anticipate taking our place around the heavenly throne.
Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to God forever and ever!
See what love our God has given us,
That we should be called children of God.
(During the opening song, you are invited to light a candle to remember someone who has died, or in honor of someone who has been baptized.)
Opening Song
Shall We Gather at the River
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Shall we gather at the river, where bright angel feet have trod, with its crystal tide forever flowing by the throne of God?
Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
On the margin of the river, washing up its silver spray, we will walk and worship ever, all the happy golden day.
Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
Ere we reach the shining river, lay we ev’ry burden down; grace our spirits will deliver, and provide a robe and crown.
Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
Soon we’ll reach the shining river, soon our pilgrimage will cease; soon our happy hearts will quiver with the melody of peace.
Yes, we’ll gather at the river, the beautiful, the beautiful river; gather with the saints at the river that flows by the throne of God.
Prayer of the Day
Let us pray. Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen
ReadingS
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REVELATION 7:9-17
9After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
“Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!”
11And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12singing,
“Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” 14I said to him, “Sir, you are the one that knows.” Then he said to me, “These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
15For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them.
16They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; 17for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
1 John 3:1-3
1See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God’s children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.
Children’s Moment
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Gospel and Message
Matthew 5:1-12
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1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
3“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
Hymn of the Day
For All the Saints
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For all the saints who from their labors rest, who thee by faith before the world confessed, thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine, we feebly struggle, they in glory shine; yet all are one in thee, for all are thine. Alleluia! Alleluia!
The golden evening brightens in the west; soon, soon to faithful servants cometh rest; sweet is the calm of paradise the blest. Alleluia! Alleluia!
But then there breaks a yet more glorious day: the saints triumphant rise in bright array; the King of glory passes on his way. Alleluia! Alleluia!
From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast, through gates of pearl streams in the countless host, singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost: Alleluia! Alleluia!
Apostles’ Creed & Prayers
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With the whole church, let us confess our faith.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried; he descended to the dead. On the third day he rose again; he ascended into heaven, he is seated at the right hand of the Father, and he will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
Prayers
Held together in one body by the Spirit of Christ, let us pray for the church and the world, and all who are in need.
We praise you, O God, for all the saints who have ministered in your church. Give us now, we pray, pastors, deacons, teachers, and lay leaders who will guide your people in the way of truth. Bless all who minister during this difficult time. Lord, hear our prayer.
We praise you, O God, for all the saints who were peacemakers. Give us now government authorities who will strive for peace between and within their nations. Lord, hear our prayer.
We praise you, O God, for all the saints who strove for equality and justice. Guide us during this election week, that those who seek the common good will be elected; protect those who vote; and preserve our nation from all forms of civil discord. Lord, hear our prayer.
We praise you, O God, for all the saints who worked to renew society. Give us now persons who will struggle against prejudice, lethargy, and evil, and will work to improve the lives of others. Lord, hear our prayer.
We praise you, O God, for all the saints who ministered to the needy. Give us now people who will care for those in need. We pray for those in need, the war-torn, the unemployed, those who experience discrimination, those who are weighed down with anxiety, and those who needs are known only to you. Lord, hear our prayer.
We praise you, O God, for all the saints who nursed the sick. Support physicians, nurses, and all medical staff, especially as they confront the continuing crisis of the coronavirus. Lord, hear our prayer.
We praise you, O God, for all the faithful who have suffered in body, mind, or spirit. Give wholeness to the sick, especially to those with the coronavirus. Send your healing power on all people. Lord, hear our prayer.
Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to you, O God, forever and ever. Amen.
The Lord’s Prayer
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Gathered into one by the Holy Spirit, let us pray as Jesus taught us.
Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. Forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us. Save us from the time of trial and deliver us from evil. For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. Amen.
Franciscan Sending
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Read this out loud. If you are with other people, take turns reading the parts out loud.
May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships, so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people, so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.
May God bless you with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, starvation and war, so that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and to turn their pain into joy.
May God bless you with enough foolishness to believe that you can make a difference in this world, so that you can do what others claim cannot be done.
And the Blessing of God, who Creates, Redeems, and Sanctifies, be upon you and all you love and pray for this day, and forevermore. Amen.
Go in peace. Share the good news.
Thanks be to God.
Sending Song
By All Your Saints
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By all your saints still striving, for all your saints at rest, your holy name, O Jesus, forevermore be blessed! For you arose victorious that they might wear the crown and share the light of glory reflected from your throne.
Apostles, prophets, martyrs, and all the noble throng who wear the spotless raiment and raise the ceaseless song—for these passed on before us, we sing our praise anew and, walking in their footsteps, would live our lives for you.
Give praise to God Almighty, and worship God the Son, and sing to God the Spirit, eternal Three in One, till all the ransomed number fall down before the throne, and honor, pow’r, and glory ascribe to God alone.
Worship Assistants
Music: Lori
Message: Pastor Kristin
Readers: Inara, Satya, Dan, Sally
Children’s Moment: Kathy
From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2005 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted and streamed by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #SAS002432. New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Hymns reprinted and streamed with permission. CCLI#1162147. Portions of the All Saints Liturgy adapted from Rev. Leslie Mamas, United Church of Christ