WELCOME TO WORSHIP

It is our deepest hope that you feel welcome here. Restrooms and drinking fountains are available in the lobby area. We welcome all baptized Christians to Christ’s table for Holy Communion. Instructions for distribution are shown before the Dialogue. This worship guide is designed to provide you with the information you need to join us in worship, but should you have any questions, please feel free to ask an usher, the minister, or someone near you. Let us join in praising God as we are nourished by the Word and at the Table.

 

Worship presider (P) speaks normal print texts; congregation (C) joins for bold print texts.

 

*Indicates to stand as you are comfortable.

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE DAY

All Saints celebrates the baptized people of God, living and dead, who are the body of Christ. As November heralds the dying of the landscape in many northern regions, the readings and liturgy call us to remember all who have died in Christ and whose baptism is complete. At the Lord’s table we gather with the faithful of every time and place, trusting that the promises of God will be fulfilled and that all tears will be wiped away in the new Jerusalem.

 

Prelude and bells

 

Announcements & PRAYER REQUESTS

 

*CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS

 

P   Blessed be the holy Trinity, ☩ one God,

our dwelling place for all generations, whose compassion never slumbers.

C         Amen.

P   Let us confess our sin in the presence of God and of one another.

 

Silence is kept for reflection.

P                Holy God,

C     we confess that we have trusted in our preparation instead of your invitation. We prioritize our piety over care for your beloved. We trust the voice of our shame and fear, which keeps us from entering fully into relationship with you and others. We are not awake to the coming of your reign. Rouse us and rescue us, that we may enter into your joy. Amen.

P     Inherit the riches of God’s grace. ☩ Jesus, the good shepherd, feeds you with his mercy. You are forgiven. Blessed are you.                   

C     Amen.

 

*Opening Hymn                                                                      As Saints of Old                                                                             ELW 695

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

1       As saints of old their firstfruits brought of orchard, flock, and field

          to God, the giver of all good, the source of bounteous yield;

          so we today firstfruits would bring, the wealth of this good land,

          of farm and market, shop and home, of mind and heart and hand.

 

2       A world in need now summons us to labor, love, and give;

          to make our life an offering to God, that all may live.

          The church of Christ is calling us to make the dream come true:

          a world redeemed by Christ-like love; all life in Christ made new.

 

3       In gratitude and humble trust we bring our best today

          to serve your cause and share your love with all along life's way.

          O God, who gave yourself to us in Jesus Christ your Son,

          teach us to give ourselves each day until life's work is done.

 

Text: Frank von Christierson, 1900-1996, alt.

Text © 1961, ren. 1989 The Hymn Society, admin. Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved. Used by permission

 

P       The grace of Jesus Christ our Savior, the reconciling love of God,

and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.              

C  And also with you.

 

*HYMN OF PRAISe                   Praise and Thanksgiving                                          ELw 689

1. 1 & 4

1       Praise and thanksgiving, God, we would offer

          for all things living, you have made good:

          harvest of sown fields, fruits of the orchard,

          hay from the mown fields, blossom and wood.

 

4       Then will your blessing reach ev'ry people,

          freely confessing your gracious hand.

          Where you are reigning, no one will hunger;

          your love sustaining showers the land.

 

Text: Albert F. Bayly, 1901-1984, alt.

Text © Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.

*Prayer of the Day

P         The Lord be with you.                           C      And also with you.

P         Let us pray together,

C    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.

 

First Reading: Revelation 7:9-17

The book of Revelation is written to seven churches in western Asia Minor during a time of great oppression. Today’s reading is a response to the question asked in 6:17: “Who is able to stand?” The writer gives the faithful the assurance of God’s protection and a vision of victory.

 

⁹ After 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. ¹⁰ They cried out in a loud voice, saying,
 “Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne and to the Lamb!”
¹¹ And 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, ¹² singing,
 “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom
 and thanksgiving and honor
 and power and might
 be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
  ¹³ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?” ¹⁴ I said to him, “Sir, you are the one who 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.
 ¹⁵ For 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.
 ¹⁶ They will hunger no more and thirst no more;
  the sun will not strike them,
  nor any scorching heat,
 ¹⁷ for 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.”

 

L:      The Word of the Lord.                                       C:  Thanks be to God.

 

Psalm: Psalm 1 (read responsively)

  1 I will bless the Lord at all times;
  the praise of God shall ever be in my mouth.
 2 I will glory in the Lord;
  let the lowly hear and rejoice. 
 3 Proclaim with me the greatness of the Lord;
  let us exalt God’s name together.
 4 I sought the Lord, who answered me
  and delivered me from all my terrors.
 5 Look upon the Lord and be radiant,
  and let not your faces be ashamed.
 6 I called in my affliction, and the Lord heard me
  and saved me from all my troubles. 
 7 The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear the Lord
  and delivers them.
 8 Taste and see that the Lord is good;
  happy are they who take refuge in God!
 9 Fear the Lord, you saints of the Lord,
  for those who fear the Lord lack nothing.
 10 The lions are in want and suffer hunger,
  but those who seek the Lord lack nothing that is good.
 22 O Lord, you redeem the life of your servants,
  and those who put their trust in you will not be punished. 

 

Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-3

A saint is one who has been set apart by God for God’s purposes. God, out of divine love, set us apart to be the children of God. Our holy hope is that we shall see God as God really is.

 

¹ See 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. ² Beloved, 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. ³ And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

 

L:  The Word of the Lord.                                          C:  Thanks be to God.

 

*GOSPEL ACCLAMATION                                                                                                                                           ELW pg. 142

C      Alleluia! Lord, to whom shall we go? 

You have the words of eternal life. Alleluia, alleluia.

 

P                 The Holy Gospel according to Matthew the 5^thchapter

C                Glory to you, O Lord

 

Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

In the Beatitudes, Jesus provides a unique description of those who are blessed with God’s favor. His teaching is surprising and shocking to those who seek wealth, fame, and control over others.

 

¹ When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain, and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. ² And 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 the sake of righteousness, 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. ¹² Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

 

P  The gospel of the Lord.          C  Praise to you, O Christ.

 

CHILDREN’S MESSAGE & NOISY OFFERING

 

SERMON

 

 

 

*Hymn OF THE Day                                                     For All the Saints                                                                ELW 422

1.                              1, 2, 6, & 7

1       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!

 

2       Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;

          thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;

          thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light. Alleluia! Alleluia!

 

6       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!

 

7       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!

 

Text: William W. How, 1823-1897

 

*APOSTLES’ CREED                                                                                             ELW pg. 105

C                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 into hell.

                             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 again 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 of Intercession

P       United with the great cloud of witnesses, we offer our prayers for the church, the world, and all of creation.

 

A brief silence.

 

After each petition, the congregation responds:

 

P     Hear us, O God.                                            C      Your mercy is great.

 

The prayers conclude:

 

P     Into your steadfast love, faithful God, we entrust all for whom we pray, in the name of Jesus, your beloved.

C     Amen

 

Peace

P      The peace of the Lord be with you always.                       C      And also with you.

 

OFFERING

An offering is gathered for the mission of the church, including the care of those in need. You are welcome to mail your offering to the church or access our on-line giving option: https://tinyurl.com/bp6yzvs4

 

*OFFERTORY HYMN              Accept, O Lord, the Gifts We Bring   ELW 691

st. 1 & 3

1       Accept, O Lord, the gifts we bring to place upon your table.

          We do not worship as we ought but only as we're able.

 

3       Our hopes and dreams, our toils and cares we lift in prayer before you.

          Lord, by your grace now come to us, as humbly we adore you.

 

Text: Beth Bergeron Folkemer, b. 1957

Text © 1990 Augsburg Fortress.

 

OFFERING PRAYER      

P     Eternal God,

C     our time, talents, and treasures are gifts from you. Receive what we offer,

and all that you entrust to us, until hungry no more, all the world is fed,

through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord.  Amen.

 

 

*INVITATION TO COMMUNION                                       

Here Is Bread                                                                                                                                          ELW 483 st. 1 & 2 then refrain

 

1  Here is bread, here is wine, Christ is with us, he is with us.

   Break the bread, taste the wine, Christ is with us here.

 

2  Here is grace, here is peace, Christ is with us, he is with us.

   Know his grace, find his peace, feast on Jesus here. 

 

Refrain

In this bread there is healing, in this cup is life forever.

In this moment, by the spirit, Christ is with us here.

 

Text: Graham Kendrick, b. 1950 Music: Graham Kendrick

Text and music © 1991 Make Way Music, admin. By Music Services in the Western Hemisphere

 

Communion

We welcome all whom God has claimed in baptism to the Lord’s Table. Those who desire receiving communion in their seat, please notify the usher.

 

*DIALOGUE

P      The Lord be with you.                                       C      And also with you.

P      Lift up your hearts.                                                     C      We lift them to the Lord.

P      Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.    

C  It is right to give our thanks and praise.

 

P                 It is indeed right, our duty and our joy,

that we should at all times and in all places

give thanks and praise to you, almighty and merciful God,

through our Savior Jesus Christ.

By the witness of your saints

you show us the hope of our calling

and strengthen us to run the race set before us,

that we may delight in your mercy and rejoice with them in glory.

And so, with [  name/s   and] all the saints,

with the choirs of angels and all the hosts of heaven,

we praise your name and join their unending hymn:

 

C                 HOLY, HOLY, HOLY                                                                                                                                                 ELW SM 193

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of pow’r and might.

Heav’n and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest. Hosanna in the highest.

P       Christ has died.  Christ has risen.  Christ will come again.

C                Amen, amen, amen (sung)

 

P                 In the night in which he was betrayed,

                             our Lord Jesus took bread, and gave thanks;

                             broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying:

                             Take and eat; this is my body, given for you.

                   Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

                   As you take the wafer, hear these words.

                   “The body of Christ given for you.”  Partake of the bread.

                  

Again, after supper, he took the cup, gave thanks,

                             and gave it for all to drink, saying:

                             This cup is the new covenant in my blood,

                             shed for you and for all people for the forgiveness of sin.

         Do this for the remembrance of me.

 

As you take the cup of wine or juice, hear these words.

                   “The blood of Christ shed for you.”  Partake of the wine/juice.

 

The Lord's Prayer

C   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 trespasses,      

  as we forgive those who trespass against us;

  and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.

  For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory,

  forever and ever. Amen

 

RECEPTION OF HOLY COMMUNION

P   In bread and cup the reign of Christ is breaking in. Come, receive what Christ has prepared.

 

*POST COMMUNION HYMN   Now Thank We All Our God                     ELW 840

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            st 3         

3       All praise and thanks to God the Father now be given,

          the Son, and Spirit blest, who reign in highest heaven,

          the one eternal God, whom earth and heav'n adore;

          for thus it was, is now, and shall be evermore.

 

Text: Martin Rinkhart, 1586-1649; tr. Catherine Winkworth, 1827-1878

 

*POST COMMUNION PRAYER     

P                 Holy God,

C       we have received your never-ending mercy in this meal. You continuously seek the lost, bind the injured, and feed your people abundantly. Now send us out, awake to your presence, now and forever. Amen.

 

*BLESSING

P     The holy Trinity, Father, ☩ Son, and Holy Spirit, bless you with wisdom to welcome the reign of God, today and always.

C    Amen.

 

*SENDING HYMN            Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In                            ACS 950

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         st 1, 2, 4, & 5

1       Oh, when the saints go marching in, oh, when the saints go marching in,

          O Lord, I want to be in that number when the saints go marching in.

 

2       Oh, when the Lord in glory comes, oh, when the Lord in glory comes,

          O Lord, I want to be in that number when the Lord in glory comes.

 

4       Oh, when they gather round the throne,

oh, when they gather round the throne,

O Lord, I want to be in that number when they gather round the throne.

 

5       And on that hallelujah day, and on that hallelujah day,

          O Lord, I want to be in that number on that hallelujah day.

 

Text: African American spiritual

 

*DISMISSAL

P       Go in peace. Encourage one another.             

C      Thanks be to God.

The worship has ended: the service begins

 

 

From Sundays and Seasons.com. Copyright 2026 Augsburg Fortress. All rights reserved. Reprinted by permission under Augsburg Fortress Liturgies Annual License #42052. Permission to podcast/stream the music in this service obtained from One License with license #A-731018 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.

 

SPECIAL THANKS TO TODAY’S FAITHFUL SERVANTS

Presiding:                                                                                Vicar Chris Edmonds

Greeter:                                                                                           

Usher:                                                                                               Dennis Hamilton

Acolyte:                               

Communion Deacon:                               Chris Hamilton

Lector:                                    Kay Davis Warren      

Altar Guild:                                                                            Pam Musser

Coffee Host:                                                                 Chris Hamilton

Cleaning:                                                                                Chris & Dennis Hamilton (A)

 

Readings and Psalm for Sunday, November 8, 2026

Amos 5:18-24  Let justice roll down like waters

Psalm 70  You are my helper and my deliverer; O Lord, do not tarry. (Ps. 70:5)

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  The promise of the resurrection

Matthew 25:1-13  The story of the wise and foolish bridesmaids

 

 

A word of generosity

 

St. Paul writes,

⁹So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. ¹⁰So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us work for the good of all, and especially for those of the family of faith.

                                                                                                                                                         Galatians 6:9-10