November 1, 2020: All Saints Day
From Faithelement.net Worship Resources
Liturgical Color: White
Not so much because of any state of purity on the human part. And like light itself, white includes every scattered color. Including the ones we don’t perceive because of our own limitations. But God, who sees every color, will gather and purify.
Scriptures for Year A:
Revelation 7:9-17 (The redeemed gather at God’s throne worshiping the Lamb)
Psalm 34:1-10, 22 (O taste and see, the Lord is good. The Lord redeems)
1 John 3:1-3 (Through God’s love, we are God’s children)
Matthew 5:1-12 (The Beatitudes: Blessed are you)
Themes: Holiness, God’s Word, Love, Great Commandment, Saints of God
Prayers, Quotes & Liturgies
I have always been impressed by how close I am
to a lot of people who have died long ago,
but still have a very active influence on my life,
an influence that is deeper and more lasting
than when I had known them in the flesh.— HENRI J.M. NOUWEN, Love, Henri: Letters on the Spiritual Life
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GATHERING PRAYER
(inspired by Psalm 34)
O God, source of all that is in time and space,
in you is the quiet center of blessing upon all creation.
From you comes the invitation: O taste and see that the Lord is good.
O Refuge and Redeemer, we open our hearts to you
in this time and space. Amen.
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RESPONSIVE CALL TO WORSHIP
(from Psalm 34)
I will bless the Lord at all times;
God’s praise shall continually be in my mouth.
O magnify the Lord with me,
let us exalt God’s name together.
With all the saints, we sing God’s praise.
With all of God’s servants, we give thanks and sing.
O taste and see that the Lord is good.
Happy are those whose refuge is in God.
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A saint is one who makes goodness attractive.
— LAWRENCE HOUSEMAN (1865)
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PRAYER FOR ILLUMINATION
(inspired by Matthew 5)
Surprising God, you bless the overlooked ones.
Your love reaches to the least in your kingdom.
Bless us now in the reading of your word
that we not overlook you, who became least. Amen.
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Love Beyond All Love: By your mercy,
I am here on earth to receive and reflect your glory as a vessel of Christ.
By your grace, I am one mile of the everlasting highway of saints
encircled in the light of prayer and worship
destined for the city of God. Amen.
— PETER TRABEN HAAS, Centering Prayers
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RESPONSIVE PRAYER OF CONFESSION
(based upon Matthew 5)
Gracious God, we confess we have not fully lived out your Gospel.
When we place our desires over the needs of others, we forsake your words:
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
When we put up buffers between us and the pain of others, we ignore your words:
Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
When we like to appear in control and strong, we forget:
Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.
When the path of privilege we tread is easy for us, we overlook:
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
When we cheer for sweet revenge and just deserts, we forfeit:
Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy.
When our hearts are confused and conflicted, we abandon your words:
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
When we lose patience and hurt those closest to us
and yet choose silence about the warring ways of our nation, we neglect your truth:
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.
When we look the other way, or sit down when we ought to stand up for justice, we sideline your truth:
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Have mercy upon us, O God, and purify our hearts, we pray:
Amen.
(inspired by a prayer by Jim Cotter)
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WORDS OF ASSURANCE
(from Psalm 34)
The Lord redeems the lives of those who serve God.
None who take refuge in God will be condemned. Alleluia.
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Let me be with you
in the silence
that is to come,
to sing with all the saints
an endless hymn
of love for you.— RICHARD BEALE, Silence and the Gift
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SENDING
(based upon 1 John 3)
Go out into the world as God’s beloved children,
surrounded by saints, and sent forth
to rejoice in all things,
to trust in all circumstances,
and to proclaim God’s kingdom to all people.
Amen.
