All Saints Day

COLOR: White
SCRIPTURE READINGS: Isaiah 25:6-9; Psalm 24; Revelation 21:1-6a; John 11:32-44

THEME IDEAS

The true home of God is among humans. In the realm of God, all that is broken will be healed, and all will live in peace, joy, and eternal life.

INVITATION AND GATHERING

Call to Worship (Isaiah 25, Psalm 24)

The earth and all that is in it belongs to the Holy One.
Look, here is our God, for whom we have waited.
This is the Holy One, for whom we have waited.
Let us be glad and rejoice in our salvation.
Who shall ascend the hill of the Holy One?
And who shall stand in this holy place?
We come, seeking the face of God.

Opening Prayer (Psalm 24, Revelation 21)

Faithful Redeemer, you are the beginning and ending of all things.
You promise to wipe away every tear,
that death and mourning will be no more.
You make your home among us,
and abide with us as our God.
Teach us to live as the saints you call us to be,
that we may truly be your people,
living and doing your will,
in the name of Jesus, who is the Christ. Amen.

PROCLAMATION AND RESPONSE

Prayer of Confession (Psalm 24, Revelation 21, John 11)

Patient, Forgiving Spirit, we come seeking your face.
We hold on to ancient angers and hurts, and refuse to believe that you alone can make all things new.
Like Mary and Martha, we have forgotten your promises of eternal life.
Like the crowd that mourned for Lazarus, we have not believed that we would see your glory.
Forgive our unbelief, O God.
Bring us back, and restore our trust in you.

Words of Assurance (Revelation 21)

The Holy One shows us a vision
of a new heaven and a new earth,
where everyone will live in peace and blessing.
Trusting in God’s promise to wipe away all our tears,
in the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
Glory to God. Amen.

Passing the Peace of Christ

Rejoicing in the love of the one for whom we wait, let us exchange signs of Christ’s peace:
May the peace of Christ be with you, today and always.
May the peace of Christ be with you, today and always.

Response to the Word (Revelation 21, John 11)

Alpha and Omega, beginning and ending of all creation, in your word we are unbound from death, and brought out into eternal life in you. Amen.

THANKSGIVING AND COMMUNION

Offering Prayer (Isaiah 25, Revelation 21)

Generous Giver of all that we need, accept these gifts of simple bread and ordinary wine, that we may one day share in your holy feast spread out through all the world. We pray in the name of Jesus, your holy child, who sets the table for all people — a table of rich food and abundant joy. Amen.

Great Thanksgiving

Christ be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to God.
Let us give our thanks to the Holy One.
It is right to give our thanks and praise.
It is a right, a good, and a joyful thing
always and everywhere to give our thanks to you,
Alpha and Omega, beginning and ending of all creation.
In the days of Isaiah, you promised to lead
all the nations to your holy mountain,
and swallow up death forever.
You have revealed the coming of a new heaven
and new earth, in which every tear
will be wiped from our eyes,
and all will feast at your heavenly banquet.
And so, with your saints now on earth
and all the company of heaven,
we praise your name
and join their unending hymn, saying:
Holy, holy, holy Lord,
God of power and might,
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is the one
who comes in your holy name. Hosanna in the highest.
Holy are you, and holy is your son, Jesus Christ.
When he raised Lazarus from the grave,
he showed us all your glory,
giving thanks only to you and praising your name.

(Words of Institution and Memorial Acclamation)

Pour out your Holy Spirit on us gathered here,
and on these gifts of bread and wine.
Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ,
so that we may become one with Christ,
one with each other, and one in ministry
to all the world, until all things are made new.
Alpha and Omega, Beginning and Ending,
Spirit of new beginnings, we praise your holy, eternal, triune name. Amen.

SENDING FORTH

Benediction (Psalm 24, Revelation 21)

Go into the world as the living body of Christ,
bringing eternal life to all who seek God’s face. Amen.

CONTEMPORARY OPTIONS

Contemporary Gathering Words (Psalm 24)

The earth and all that is in it belongs to the Holy One.
Look, this is our God, for whom we have waited.
Will you come to the hill of the Holy One?
We come, seeking the face of God.
Come, let us worship.

Praise Sentences (Psalm 24)

This is the Holy One for whom we have waited.
We rejoice in our salvation.
This is the Holy One for whom we have waited.
We rejoice in our salvation. 

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From “The Abingdon Worship Annual,” edited by Mary J. Scifres and B.J. Beu, Copyright © Abingdon Press.