+ ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY +
24th Sunday after Pentecost
7 November 2020
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.
+ THE ORDER OF CELEBRATING +
Now the Feast and Celebration— Marty Haugen
PRE-SERVICE MUSIC
WELCOME
Of all three years of the lectionary, the year’s All Saints readings have the most tears. Isaiah and Revelation look forward to the day when God will wipe away all tears; in John’s gospel, Jesus weeps along with Mary and all the gathered mourners before he demonstrated his power over death. On this All Saints Sunday we celebrate the victory won for all the faithful dead, but as we grieve for our beloved dead, we also know that God honors our tears. We bring our grief to The Table of The Lord and as we gather with angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven, we find there a foretaste of The Feast to come.
PRELUDE Jesus Shall Reign—Larry Shackley
Tatsiana Asheichyk, Piano
SONG Oh, When the Saints Go Marching In
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 Lord in glory comes,
Oh, when the Lord in glory comes,
O Lord, I want to be in the number
When the Lord 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
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. 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.
NOW THE FEAST Refrain: Now the feast and celebration,
All of creation sings for joy
to the God of life and love and freedom:
praise and glory forevermore!
- Now is the feast of the Lamb once slain,
whose blood has freed and united us to
be one great people of God. Refrain
- Power and riches, wisdom and might,
all honor and glory to Christ forever. Refrain
- For God has come to dwell with us, to make
us people of God; to make all things new. Refrain
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, now and forever. Amen.
FIRST LESSON Isaiah 25:6-9
[Isaiah sees a vision of the end of days, when God will gather all people on God’s holy mountain and will prepare for them a rich feast. At this banquet God will wipe away the tears from all eyes. And there will be no more sorrow, for God will destroy death itself.]
On this mountain the Lord of hosts will make for all peoples
a feast of rich food, a feast of well-matured wines,
of rich food filled with marrow, of well-matured wines strained clear.
And he will destroy on this mountain
the shroud that is cast over all peoples,
the sheet that is spread over all nations;
he will swallow up death for ever.
Then the Lord God will wipe away the tears from all faces,
and the disgrace of his people he will take away from all the earth,
for the Lord has spoken.
It will be said on that day,
Lo, this is our God; we have waited for him, so that he might save us.
This is the Lord for whom we have waited;
let us be glad and rejoice in his salvation.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
PSALM of THE DAY Psalm 24 [Read responsively]
They shall receive a blessing from the God of their salvation. The earth is the LORD’s and all that is in it, the world and all who dwell therein.
For it is he who founded it upon the seas and
made it firm upon the rivers of the deep. They
shall receive a blessing from the God of their
salvation.
“Who can ascend the hill of the LORD? And who can stand in his holy place?
Those who have clean hands and a pure heart,
who have not pledged themselves to falsehood,
nor sworn by what is a fraud.
They shall receive a blessing from the LORD and a just reward from the God of their salvation.”
They shall receive a blessing from the God of their salvation. Such is the
generation of those who seek him, of those who seek your face, O God of
Jacob. They shall receive a blessing from the God of their salvation.
Lift up your heads, O gate: lift them high, O everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty
in battle.
Lift up your heads, O gates; lift them high, O everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.
Who is this King of glory? The LORD, strong and mighty, the LORD, mighty
in battle. They shall receive a blessing from the God of their salvation.
SECOND LESSON Revelation 21:1-6a
[Here is a vision of the new heaven and new earth in which God resides fully with God’s people so that mourning, despair, and pain have been eradicated. These renewing words from the God who spans all of time are trustworthy and true.]
Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying,
‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them, he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, for the first things have passed away.’
And the one who was seated on the throne said, ‘See, I am making all things new.’ Also he said, ‘Write this, for these words are trustworthy and true.’ Then he said to me, ‘It is done! I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift from the spring of the water of life.
The word of the Lord. Thanks be to God.
SPECIAL MUSIC For All the Saints—Ralph Vaughan Williams
HOLY GOSPEL John 11:32-44
[Through the raising of Lazarus, Jesus offers the world a vision of the life to come, when death and weeping will be no more.]
When Mary came where Jesus was and saw him, she knelt at his feet and said to him, ‘Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.’ When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who came with her also weeping, he was greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply moved. He said, ‘Where have you laid him?’ They said to him, ‘Lord, come and see.’ Jesus began to weep. So the Jews said, ‘See how he loved him!’ But some of them said, ‘Could not he who opened the eyes of the blind man have kept this man from dying?’
Then Jesus, again greatly disturbed, came to the tomb. It was a cave, and a stone was lying against it. Jesus said, ‘Take away the stone.’ Martha, the sister of the dead man, said to him, ‘Lord, already there is a stench because he has been dead for four days.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?’ So they took away the stone. And Jesus looked upwards and said, Father, I thank you for having heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I have said this for the sake of the crowd standing here, so that they may believe that you sent me.’ When he had said this, he cried with a loud voice, ‘Lazarus, come out!’ The dead man came out, his hands and feet bound with strips of cloth, and his face wrapped in a cloth. Jesus said to them, ‘Unbind him, and let him go.’
The gospel of the Lord. Praise to you, O Christ.
HYMN of THE DAY Sing with All the Saints in Glory LSB 671
SERMON Come and See— Pr. Jim Text: The Gospel Lesson
Come and See
+ In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. +
Death never seems fair. Covid especially stymies us by who it kills (especially those who take every precaution) or leaves asymptomatic (especially those who carry on in denial), while we feverishly race against time for some little insight that might change the game and our return to normalcy. No wonder we lash out and place blame upon whatever target seems convenient. Often we place God in the crosshairs for not seeming to heed our “thoughts and prayers.”
It was the same in today’s Gospel Lesson. Lazarus has died. Jesus waited for his friend Lazarus to die before traveling to Bethany. He doesn’t even get there in time for the wake. Martha and Mary greet him with a veiled reproach. “If you had been here, my brother would not have died (11:21, 32). After all they had warned him days ago that “he whom you love is ill (11:3). But that wasn’t enough … Jesus still procrastinated (11:6). People in the neighborhood even whispered their contempt. “He opened the eyes of a blind stranger (9:1-12) but didn’t bother to show up for his supposed “friend.” All Jesus can say for himself is, “Where have you laid him?” “Come and see,” they answer.
Theologian and author, Robert Kysar says John’s gospel is like the seamless outer garment Jesus wore. If you pull on one thread, you discover the thread extends from one end of the garment to the other. And so, midway through the gospel, in chapter 11, pull on thread of “Come and see” and watch for the movement on both ends of that seamless garment.
At the beginning of John’s gospel, Philip asks Jesus “Where are you abiding?” Jesus answers “Come and see.” Philip extends the invitation to Nathaniel, and they join in abiding with Jesus. In today’s text, Jesus asks, “Where have you laid Lazarus?” They answer, “Come and see.” They lead him to tomb where they have buried Lazarus. Come and see his abiding place … the grave. You … Messiah … come and see what you are up against.
And how does Jesus respond to death? We need to know because that is what we come to do on All Saints Day. Once again, we’ll read the names of those who died since we last observed All Saints Day as we recall the deaths of family members and friends. The poet asks, “How do we arm ourselves against death?”
In the text, Jesus armed himself with tears. Jesus wept. Jesus’ tears bind him to us … fellow human to fellow human … a weepy fellowship. Jesus met death with tears. He was greatly disturbed and deeply moved. In the Greek text those words … greatly disturbed and deep moved … are translated as angry and indignant.
Jesus was angry at the way death disfigures God’s good creation … turning it into the stench of death. Jesus was angry at the way death sows doubt even in the likes of Martha. Death postures … it poses as the ultimate final abiding place for us and the whole universe. And that makes Jesus angry. Jesus faces death armed with tears and with anger.
How can we be otherwise armed when our eyes are fixed on a grave … that gash in the earth or that urn of ashes? How else can we arm ourselves when we see the empty place at the table … the absence in the bed space next to us? Is there any other place to look? We can try to look away … to turn our gaze to something more pleasant. But in the midst of tears, it isn’t easy to look away.
But notice that in the midst of tears, Jesus looked upward but did not look away. With the grave still in his line of sight he looked up, and in the hearing of Mary and Martha said, “Father, I thank you.” “Eucharistow” … σε ευχαριστώ in Greek … ” he prayed. There at the tomb of Lazarus, Jesus faced death armed with faith in his Father. And with that Jesus drew the eyes of Mary, Martha, and their friends up to him. All eyes were on him. What they came to see was Jesus. Jesus ordered them to take the stone away and commanded Lazarus to come out … raising him to life.
Now as you pull the thread “Come and see,” look to the other end of John’s gospel. Mary Magdalene came to the tomb of our Lord and saw that the stone had been removed. She stood weeping and asked the one she took for the gardener, “Where have you laid him?” “Mary,” he said, drawing her eyes to him. Mary sees her Lord and ours risen from the grave. He has the power over death. With Mary, we see that Jesus … not the grave … is our final abiding place. Yes … we face death armed with tears, with anger, and with one more thing. We face death with faith in Jesus.
In today’s Second Lesson, John writes: "'The dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.' And He who was seated on the throne said, 'Behold, I am making all things new'" (Revelation 21:3-5a).
“Come and see … then go and tell what he has done in Christ Jesus, our crucified and risen Lord.”
+ In the Name of the Father, and of the + Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. +
APOSTOLIC CREED
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth.
And in Jesus Christ, His 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.
The third day He rose again from the dead.
He ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty.
From thence He will come 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 THE CHURCH
Eternal God, you hold firm amid the changes of this world. Hear us now as we pray for The Church, the world, and everyone in need.
Holy God, we give thanks for bishops, pastors, missionaries, and teachers who have brought your message of hope and grace that flows from The Cross. Continue to inspire us all to humbly and
boldly proclaim your love for all people in word and deed. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of creation, we praise you for abundant harvests and the goodness of creation. Write in our hearts a new sense of stewardship and care for creation so that all land, water, and soil will be cherished by future generations of saints. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of peace, we give you thanks for leaders of nations who work for peace and the common good of all. Pour wisdom and understanding upon all who govern so that peace may extend in every direction. Watch over all who are fleeing violence, persecution, or death, and sustain them and create safe places for all people. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of comfort and healing, we give you thanks for all who labor around the clock for the health of others. Bring wholeness to all who need your touch this day, especially Cindy (Gary’s wife) who is recuperating; Lois who is recuperating from hip replacement surgery; together with those who are suffering with cancer, dementia, COVID-19 and its variants. Bless the hearts of all who are home-bound and unable to worship with us especially Sharon, Richard & Doris, Bonnie, Vernia, Elma, Marguerite, together with those we name in our hearts. Remind us of their continued role in this community of faith. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of life, we praise you for all parish and community ministries that bring people together for nourishment and fellowship. Bless chefs and cooks, bakers, communion assistants, and meal ministry coordinators and assistants. Make us ever mindful of the needs of others. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of grace, we give thanks for the many blessings we have received as a congregation. Continue to inspire generosity in all of us so that we may carry out the work of seeking the lost
and making disciples of all nations. Bless this time of transition for Pr. Josh, Rebecca, and John as they prepare to leave Holy Trinity/Logan and join us in the new days of ministry and service that are ahead of us so that in all things your good and gracious will may be done. May your blessing rest upon our brothers and sisters in Christ at Holy Trinity as they enter a time of self-study and preparation to enter the call process. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of our redemption, we give you thanks and praise for all the saints who have paved the way for us and cheer us on toward our eternal home. We remember those who have received the crown of life during this past year: Joyce Paxson; Charles Means; Christopher McCollum; Katherine (Rusty) Saunders; Fred Baumgartner. By their witness and example, inspire us to live a life of love, service, and faithfulness until we feast together on your holy mountain. Lord, in your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of resurrection and strength, we entrust to you all for whom we pray. Remain with us always, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
OFFERING PRAYER
Heavenly Father, in Christ you have raised us to new life. Receive what
we have to offer, that others might know that life through the gifts you
give us to use and to share in the Name of your Son, Jesus Christ, our
Savior and Lord. Amen.
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. And also with you.
DISTRIBUTION
Distribution Music Seed, scattered and sown
PRAYER of THANKSGIVING
O God of love, you bind us to yourself in this sacrament, and strengthen
us through this meal for service to the world. Guide us by your Spirit that
we may forever give witness to the Name of Jesus Christ, the Lord of Life.
We ask this in his Name. Amen.
BLESSING
SONG Thanks Be to You (Join in singing)
- Praise to you, O God of mercy: Thanks be to you forever!
Raising high the weak and lowly: Thanks be to you forever!
- From of old you loved and sought us: Thanks be to you forever!
Truth and justice you have taught us: Thanks be to you forever!
Strong is your faithfulness, strong is your love,
Rememb’ring your covenant of love with us.
- Praise to you, O God of mercy: Thanks be to you forever!
Raising high the weak and lowly: Thanks be to you forever!
Thanks be to you forever!
DISMISSAL
Go in peace. Serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God!
+ With Great Joy … Tell Everyone What He Has Done! +
GRACE NOTES
Don’t forget to set next Sunday aside for WORSHIP ‘n WORK CLOTHES. Wear your work clothes to Sunday’s worship and be ready to start work following a time for Coffee Connections. A Sign-up Sheet of things we need to accomplish is on the table in the back of the nave. Choose a chore and accomplish it. Lunch will follow at 12:30 pm.
THIS WEEK at GRACE
TODAY: Coffee Connections 11:00 am
TUESDAY: Women’s Study 10:00 am
SATURDAY: NewMen’s Breakfast Study 8:30 am
NEXT SUNDAY: Worship 10:00 am
Coffee Connections 11:00 am
Worship ‘n Work Clothes
Lunch 12:30 pm
LOOKING AHEAD: December Newsletter Deadline Nov. 23
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS: Today’s music is used by permission, CCLI 540181. Now the Feast and Celebration, Text & Music: Marty Haugen, Text & Music copyright 1990 GIA Publications.
Do you have questions? Email: gracelutheranashland@gmail.com.
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If you’re the last to leave … PLEASE REMEMBER to check that lights are off, and doors are locked before leaving.