All Saints Sunday
November 6, 2022
The Rev. Joshua Heimbuck, Pastor
WELCOME
A warm welcome to all who worship with us this morning. Today we gather around Word and Sacrament through which God equips, directs, and supports his people in the mission and ministry of his Kingdom. All that God has promised in his Son, Jesus Christ, comes together by the power of the Spirit as we worship. Guests and visitors, please honor us
by signing our Guest Book in the entrance hall of the church as you leave this morning’s worship. If you have no church home of your own, we invite you to make Grace Lutheran Church the center of your worship, learning, fellowship, and service. After this morning’s worship, join us for a cup of coffee and let us become better acquainted with you as you
get to know us better. Come to worship with us again and often!
AS WE GATHER Blessed are they…
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders, let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfector of our faith.” [Hebrews 12:1,2a]
We stand in the company of a mighty host who has left us a legacy of faithfulness. This day we call to mind those who have gone before us with the sign of faith and have made contributions to our lives and heritage. Surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, we remind ourselves of our opportunity and responsibility as God’s people to hand on a legacy of faithfulness and service.
PRAYER BEFORE WORSHIP
Lord God, you have surrounded us with so great a cloud of witnesses. Grant that we, encouraged by their example, may persevere in the way of faith that is set before us, to
be living signs of the Gospel and at last, with all your saints, to share in your eternal joy; through your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
+ Lutheran Service Book Setting 4 +
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
CHIMES
WELCOME
PRELUDE I Sing a Song of the Saints of God — By Lani Smith
Tatsiana Asheichyk, Organ
SONG For All the Saints
+ Gathering +
[Remembering our baptism, we gather in the Name of the Triune God to confess our sins and receive the assurance of our forgiveness as his people.]
ORDER OF CONFESSION
In the Name of the Father and of the ☩ Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
‘As I live,” says the Lord, “I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that
the wicked turn from their ways and live.”
If we confess our sins, God who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins
and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Let us confess our sins before God our Father and in the presence of one another.
+ A Brief Silence for Reflection & Self-examination +
Most merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you in our thinking, in our speaking, and in our doing. We deserve your wrath and punishment. It is only for the sake of your obedient Son, Jesus Christ, that we dare to ask for forgiveness. Forgive us, renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in your will and walk in your ways, to the glory of your holy Name. Amen
You have been raised to life with Christ. Now set your minds on what is in heaven, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Rejoice in the Lord, your sins are forgiven in the Name of the Father, and of the ☩ Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
Forgiven and reconciled by God, let us be reconciled with one another and share the peace of the Lord as we greet each other.
THE PASSING OF PEACE
[The congregation is encouraged to share the peace of Christ and greet one another with the words: “The Lord’s peace be with you.” The response: “And also with you.”]
APOSTOLIC GREETING
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God the Father, and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And also with you.
KYRIE
Gloria in Excelsis
PRAYER OF THE DAY
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 your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God whom we worship and praise with angels and archangels and all the company of heaven, now and forever. Amen
+ Word +
[Whenever we worship, God speaks, and we listen. We hear the Word of God read aloud in our midst, bringing us both God’s judgment and grace.]
FIRST LESSON Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
[The book of Daniel was written in the 2nd Century before the birth of Jesus, when the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes was severely persecuting the Jews. Daniel’s vision of the four beasts was meant to remind God’s people that history was ultimately controlled by God, that human beings will come and go, and that this time of severe trial would pass.]
In the first year of King Belshazzar of Babylon, Daniel had a dream and visions of his head as he lay in bed. Then he wrote down the dream: I, Daniel, saw in my vision by night the four winds of heaven stirring up the great sea, and four great beasts came up out of the sea, different from one another.
As for me, Daniel, my spirit was troubled within me, and the visions of my head terrified me. I approached one of the attendants to ask him the truth concerning all this. So, he said that he would disclose to me the interpretation of the matter: “As for these four great beasts, four kings shall arise out of the earth. But the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever—forever and ever.”
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SECOND LESSON Ephesians 1:11-23
[After giving thanks for the faith of the Ephesians, Paul prays that they might understand the wisdom, hope, and power of God that is embodied in Jesus Christ.]
In Christ we have also obtained an inheritance, having been destined according to the purpose of him who accomplishes all things according to his counsel and will, so that we, who were the first to set our hope on Christ, might live for the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and had believed in him, were marked with the seal of the promised Holy Spirit; this is the pledge of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s own people, to the praise of his glory.
I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, and for this reason I do not cease to give thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers. I pray that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of all glory, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation as you come to know him, so that, with the eyes of your heart enlightened, you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power for us who believe, according to the working of his great power. God put this power to work in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly
places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the age to come. And he has put all things under his feet and has made him the head over all things for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
GOSPEL VERSE
HOLY GOSPEL Luke 6:20-31
The gospel according to Luke, the 6th chapter. Glory to you, O Lord.
[In echoes of the prophet Isaiah and Mary’s song of praise, Jesus reveals some surprising things about who enjoys blessing and who endures woe. He invites his disciples to show radical love, blessing, forgiveness, generosity, and trust, even to enemies and outsiders.]
Then [Jesus} looked up at his disciples and said: “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God. Blessed are you who are hungry, for you will be filled. Blessed are you who weep now, for you will laugh. Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets.
“But woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry. Woe to you who are laughing now, for you will mourn and weep. Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is what their ancestors did to false prophets.
“But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also; and from anyone who would take your coat do not withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you; and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again. Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
SONG For All the Saints
SERMON The Kingdom is Yours — Pr. Josh
NICENE CREED
We believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
and of all things visible and invisible.
We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ,
the only Son of God,
begotten from his Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
he suffered and was buried.
and the third day he rose again according to the Scriptures
And ascended into heaven
and sits at the right of the Father.
And he will come again with glory to judge both the living and
the dead, whose kingdom will have no end.
We believe in the Holy Spirit,
The Lord and giver of life,
Who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
Who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and
glorified, who spoke by the prophets.
We believe in one catholic and apostolic Church.
We acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins.
We look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life ☩ of the world to come. Amen
PRAYERS of THE CHURCH
+ Meal +
[As the first-fruit offerings of all that we are and have are gathered, The Lord’s Table is prepared to celebrate “The Feast that knows no end” instituted by Christ our Lord for the strengthening of our faith and the assurance of our forgiveness.]
OFFERING PRAYER
Gracious God, you open your hand, filling our lives with all good things and renewing the face of the earth. We offer these gifts in thanksgiving for all
that we have received from your bounty. Accept them for the sake of him
who offered himself for us, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give him thanks and praise.
Holy God, mighty Lord, gracious Father, endless is your mercy and
eternal is your reign. You have filled all creation with light and life;
heaven and earth are full of your glory.
When sin scarred the world, you sent your Son to heal our ills and
to form us again as one.
.
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 which is given
for you. Do this in remembrance of me.
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 in remembrance of me.
Remembering his life and death, his resurrection and ascension, and his
command to love one another, we pray for his coming again.
Come, Lord Jesus, live in us that we may live in you.
Send now, we pray, your Spirit, that all your promises may come to us
and your whole creation.
Amen. Come, Holy Spirit.
Through him all glory and honor are yours, Almighty Father, with the Holy
Spirit, in your holy Church, both now and forever. Amen
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 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
Pax Domini
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
Agnus Dei
[We come to The Sacrament sincerely believing in the real presence of Christ and that in the eating and drinking of the bread and wine of The Sacrament we receive the true body and blood of our Lord for our forgiveness, salvation, and strength for Christian life and witness.]
DISTRIBUTION
SONG Oh, When the Saints
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.
Oh, when the King in glory comes,
Oh, when the King in glory comes,
O Lord, I want to be in that number
When the King in glory comes.
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.
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
Public Domain
DISMISSAL
+ Sending +
[Strengthened in faith and empowered for service, we leave with
Thanksgiving and the Lord’s blessing.]
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING
God our Creator, at this table you have satisfied us with the good things
of your grace. Fix our hearts on your mercy and truth, that our lives may
reflect your love to all creation; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
BLESSING
GRACE CHOIR God Be with You Till We Meet Again — By William G Tomer
Congregation, please join in on the 4th verse, below.
God be with you till we meet again;
Ended when for you earth’s story,
Israel’s chariot sweep to glory;
God be with you till we meet again.
SILENT PRAYER
ANNOUNCEMENTS
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
POSTLUDE
+ With Great Joy — Tell Everyone What He Has Done! +
Grace Notes
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY — Revelation 7:9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands… November 6th is All Saints Sunday, a day set aside to remember those lost to us through death. We honor not only those who lived exemplary lives, but all who have been baptized into Christ. For Lutherans, All Saints resonates with the conviction that in Christ every saint is a sinner and every sinner a saint, and it is God’s grace, apart from our works, that makes us saints.
CONGRATULATIONS TATSIANA! — After eight months of very hard work, Tatsiana has achieved all of the requirements for the Nationally Certified Teacher of Music in Piano certification. Please stay after worship this morning for refreshments as we help Tatsiana celebrate. A copy of her certification is posted on the Music bulletin board in the Administration Wing hallway.
WORSHIP ‘n WORK CLOTHES — Sunday, November 20th Wear your work clothes to Sunday worship and be ready to start working following a cup of coffee. A Sign-up Sheet of chores that need to be accomplished in and around the church will be posted. Choose a chore and accomplish it on Worship ‘n Work Clothes Day or at your leisure before or after. Be sure to bring your tools and cleaning supplies with you! A light LUNCH will follow!
ELECTION DAY — Tuesday, November 8th In order to be certain that your ballot for the General Election gets counted, be sure to use one of the seven Drop Boxes located in Ashland, Medford, Central Point, Phoenix, Eagle Point, and Rogue River. They will be open until 8:00 pm on November 8th. For detailed information, go to:
JOB OPENING! — We are still looking for an Administrative Assistant to replace Margaret. Time is running out! The position is part time, 15 — 20 hours per week, Tuesday through Thursday, 9:30 am to 3:00 pm with a half hour lunch. If you know of anyone who might be interested, please have them contact the church office ASAP at gracelutheranashland@gmail.com.
NOVEMBER GRACE CONNECTIONS — You can pick up a hard copy of the November newsletter, Grace Connections, in the main entryway to the church.
Please see the back cover for This Week at Grace calendar.
This Week at Grace
MONDAY the 7th: Lay Ministry meeting in Library 12:30 pm
TUESDAY the 8th: Election Day
Women’s Bible Study 10:00 am
Council meeting in Library 12:30 pm
WEDNESDAY the 9th: Choir Rehearsal 7:00 pm
FRIDAY the 11th: Veterans’ Day
SATURDAY the 12th: Men’s Breakfast Study 8:30 am
SUNDAY the 13th: Bible Discussions — Racism 8:45 am
Sunday School for All Ages 9:00 am
Worship 10:00 am
Coffee Connection 11:00 am
Grace Lutheran Church
660 Frances Lane
Ashland, OR 97520
541-482-1661
Pastor Joshua Heimbuck — heimbuck@me.com