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All Saints Sunday
(Welcome to worship today. Bold responses are spoken by the congregation. Note that an * indicates when all are invited to rise in body or in spirit.)
Prelude “Meditation on ‘When the Saints Go Marching In’” David Neff
“For All the Saints–Prelude on Sine Nomine” Phil Lehenbauer
Greetings and Announcements Rev. Gregg Neel
This is the day the Lord has made.
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
An Act of Praise
Introit “Oh Morning Star, How Fair and Bright” Nicolai
*Westminster Chimes
*Invitation to Worship Martie and Steve Tarter
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons and daughters of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Come, let us worship the God who calls us into his presence.
We open our hearts to praise the Lord together!
*Hymn #853 “We Are Marching in the Light of God” siyahamba
*Invitation to Confession Martie and Steve Tarter
When God sets the table, all are welcome – the young and the old; those who were faithful, and those who failed; those who followed Jesus, and those who lost their way. Let us confess to our God our unsaintly ways, knowing how quick God is to forgive, first in silence.
*Silent Prayer
*Unison Prayer of Confession
Forgive us, Saint Maker, that we follow the wrong examples and listen to false teachings. It is the peacemakers who live into your hope; it is those whose hearts are shaped by yours who are able to see you in the poor and broken; it is those who give themselves to serve others who are your saints, following the example of Jesus Christ, our Lord, our Savior, our Shepherd.
*Assurance of Forgiveness
When we seek God, we are found; when we cry out, we are heard; when we confess, we are forgiven and made new.
We can taste the flavor of grace, we can drink the deep wine of hope, we can find our home in God’s heart, receiving mercy and new life. Thanks be to God. Amen.
*The Passing of the Peace
The peace of Christ be with you all.
And also with you.
An Act of Proclamation
The Scripture Reading Matthew 5:1-12 Rev. Gregg Neel
When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Moments with Children Rev. Eileen Parfrey
Sermon “Why Some Christians Love the Beatitudes” Rev. Gregg Neel
A Moment for Silent Reflection
An Act of Response
*Hymn #326 “For All the Saints” sine nomine
(We will sing verses 1-3 and 5 of the hymn. After verse 1,2, and 3, we will pause, and you are invited to name the saints in your life. You may speak the names aloud where you are, or at the microphone in the center aisle, or you may name them silently. You may also write or draw the names or images of remembered saints in the window image on the bulletin cover.)
- 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!
- 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!
- O blest communion, fellowship divine! We feebly struggle, they in glory shine; Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine. 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!
Sharing Joys & Concerns Rev. Junha Kim
(At the conclusion of spoken joys, let us pray together, “Thanks be to you, O God.”
For concerns, let us make them our own by praying, “Lord, hear our prayer.”)
Pastoral Prayer
Offering Ourselves and Our Gifts
(Text 73256 the word WESTPRESPDX to give using your mobile device. This number will never send unsolicited texts to you. To cancel further messages, text STOP. If you need assistance with text giving, text HELP. Standard text message and data rates may apply.
If you’re new to Westminster, please let us know by filling out a pink visitor card and dropping it in the offering plate. Thank you.)
Offertory Anthem “On Wings of Song” Gwyneth Walker
Had I the wings of a turtle dove, how I would fly! I’d fly away
To realms of joy and light and love, in shining portals of the day.
Give me the wings of a turtle dove, and I would fly on up to my aerie nest.
I’d find the peace of heaven above, with loving friends I’d take my rest.
In the arms of friends I’d take my rest. Though through the weary world I tread, at morn the Spirit is my friend. At noon and e’er at last I take my bed, my prayer shall still to Thee ascend.
And on my path I move along through life’s short brilliant, fleeting day.
I carry in my heart a song until the final sunset ray.
Refrain
*Doxology – Hymn #606
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him, all creatures here below;
Praise Him above, ye heavenly host;
Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
-OR-
Praise God, from whom all blessings flow;
Praise God, all creatures here below;
Praise God above, ye heavenly host;
Creator, Christ, and Holy Ghost. Amen.
The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper
The Invitation to the Table Rev. Gregg Neel
Great Prayer of Thanksgiving Rev. Junha Kim
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up unto the Lord.
Let us give thanks to our God.
It is right to give thanks and praise.
It is right and good to give you thanks and praise, O God, because from the beginning, you invited us on a journey with you, a journey of wonders and miracles, a journey of healing and joy, a journey of mystery, a journey full of life and love.
And so in praise we join our voices with the great cloud of witnesses, those we know and don’t know. And we remember those in our community who have gone from us to you, and together name them this day: David Bogucki, Karen Ditmar-Bogucki, Doris Fong, Eileen Hufana, Mike Moeller, Deloris Moss, Gail Munnecke, Janet Murphy, Ameen Ramzy, Kay Tousley, and Sandra Wagenius
Blessed is your son, O God, our savior Jesus Christ, who joined us on our journey, who was so full of grace and truth that we cannot help but follow him. When his path went back to you, you sent us your Spirit to continue alongside us, to empower and inspire us to continue to be your people. Now we pray that that same Spirit will be among us, and among these elements of bread and cup, that our ordinary meal will become our sacred feast, to nourish us for the next part of the journey.
As we break bread together, as we drink from the same cup, unite us as people who are grateful for the journey, for each other’s company, and for your guiding presence. And hear us as we are bold to say together the prayer that Jesus taught….
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.
Words of Institution
On the night before the Lord Jesus died, he took bread, and after giving thanks, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, saying: Take, eat. This is my body, given for you. Do this in remembrance of me. In the same way he took the cup, saying: This cup is the new covenant sealed with my life, given for you for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this in remembrance of me.
Receiving the Bread and the Cup
(Today, the congregation is invited to come forward to receive communion. Someone will hand you a piece of bread, which you will eat. You may then move to the next person, who will hand you a cup of juice, which you will drink. As you return to your pew, you may put your cup in the basket. For those unable to come forward, a pastor will bring you the elements.)
Communion Anthem “The Lord is My Shepherd” Howard Goodall
Jean Mittlestaedt and Christina Mata, soloists
The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want,
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil.
For You are with me; You will comfort me.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me
All the days of my life,
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
Prayer After Communion The Rev. Eileen Parfrey
O God, number us among your saints, and join us with the faithful of every age, that strengthened by their witness, we may run with perseverance the race that is set before us. Give us strength to serve you faithfully until, with the redeemed of all the ages, we will feast with you at your table in glory. Amen.
*Hymn #172 “Blest Are They” blest are they
*Benediction Rev. Gregg Neel
(We will be using the song “From This House” provided by Music Makes Community until Advent. It is a call and response song. This benediction encourages us to serve outside the walls of Westminster.)
“From this house to the world we will go hand in hand.
The way of peace, the way of freedom, the way of hope.”
*Postlude “Postlude on Sine Nomine” Ethan Haman
(You may be seated for the postlude or you may depart.)
Today’s liturgy is from lectionaryliturgies.blogspot.com by Thom Shuman and holdfasttowhatisgood.com by Beth Neel.