November 3, 2024
All Saints Sunday (White)
Prayer Focus: Thanks for All the Saints
Welcome to worship at Central!
In the name of Jesus Christ, welcome to worship at Central where it is our mission to follow Jesus by loving God and loving our neighbors. Our clergy, Rev. Thomas Smith, Rev. Dr. Ann Kovan, and Rev. Meg Jiunnies, are grateful you ’ ve chosen to make Central a part of your day today. We have prayed for you and planned for you, and we hope you have a meaningful worship experience. Whether it’s your first time worshiping with us or you ’ re a lifelong member, we welcome any opportunity to speak with you about how to connect with God through Central. If it is your first time worshiping with us, please fill out a Connect Card and bring it to the Welcome Center where you will receive a gift from the church. Once again, welcome!
Sermon Note
This is a vision of heaven, in which we are offered a perfect new reality. As we remember the saints this morning, this is the reality of those who are now with God. If we can only put up with earth a little bit longer, this wonderful future awaits us.
Music Note
Gracia Grindal (b. 1943), who wrote the text for today’s anthem This Host in Shining Robes was born in Powers Lake, ND., and became a member of the Luther Seminary faculty as associate professor of pastoral theology and ministry, communications, in 1984. She was named a professor in 1992. Following an interest in the connection between theology, culture, and hymnody, Gracia created the Reformation Festival, which grew from "Songfest" (a series of hymn festivals begun in 1992) and "Singing the Faith" (Reformation Day services focusing on Luther's Catechism). She earned the B.A. degree from Augsburg College in 1965, the M.A. degree from Luther Seminary in 1983, and the M.F.A. degree from the University of Arkansas in 1969. She has served on several boards including the Hymn Society board in the mid 1970s, the hymn text committee of the Lutheran Book of Worship (1978), and as a consultant to the United Methodist Hymnal of 1989. Author of numerous books, her hymns and hymn translations are published in hymnals of several mainline churches, including Episcopalian, Lutheran, Mennonite, Methodist and Presbyterian.
GATHERING
PARISH CONCERNS
(The service of worship begins. The prelude is offered for the entire congregation. Quiet meditation and private prayer are encouraged.)
OPENING VOLUNTARY ........................................................................
*CHIMING OF THE HOUR
Carl Philipp Emmanuel Bach Siciliano from Flute Sonata in E-flat Major
(*All who are able are asked to stand.)
*GREETING
Leader: Grace to you and peace from God who is, and was, and is to come.
People: Amen.
Leader: And from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and ruler of kings on earth.
People: This is the Lord for whom we have waited. Let us be glad and rejoice in God.
Leader: The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all the saints.
People: Thanks be to God!
*HYMN IN PROCESSION 711 .......................................................................................
For All the Saints
*AFFIRMATION OF FAITH 881 .....................................................................................
Apostles’ Creed
*GLORIA PATRI 71 ........................................................................................................... GREATOREX
Glory Be to the Father COLLECT
God of all glory, we gather here today with the saints of every time and place to honor and praise your holy name. As you have revealed your mercy and might to your faithful people in every age, so let us glimpse – even through our tears – the mystery of your life-giving grace and the love that even death cannot destroy; through Jesus Christ, Alpha and Omega. Amen.
RITUAL OF FRIENDSHIP CHILDREN’S CHURCH DISMISSAL
PROCLAMATION
God’s Word is Shared
ANTHEM .............................................................................................................................
This Host in Shining Robes
Who is this host in shining robes? The blessed saints in heaven above. Their names engraved on mossy stones, we see them now before God’s throne, their faces shining, free of tears. They’re singing anthems we can share. They hover near and cheer for us through every victory, every loss. The altar railing circling ‘round enfolds us in green fields of sound. We bless them for the ground they broke; they planted in us faith and hope. That gives us courage to go, go forth with songs of praise to join the earth with all the hosts in heaven, in heaven above.
SCRIPTURE LESSON ...............................................................................................
Revelation 21:1-6a
Leader: The Word of the Lord! People: Thanks be to God!
SERMON ..................................................................................................................
Rev. Thomas Smith
A Vision of Heaven PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
*LITANY OF THE NAMING OF THE SAINTS
Leader: After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying: People: Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.
Leader: Let us give thanks for these brothers and sisters in Christ to whom God has granted rest from their labors.
(Reading of the names of those who died in the faith this year)
John Helgen
CHORAL RESPONSE .......................................................................................................... Carl Schalk
Rest Eternal Grant Them, O Lord Rest eternal grant them O Lord; and let light perpetual shine on them. OFFERTORY .......................................................................................................
Arioso from Cantata BWV 156 *DOXOLOGY 95 ......................................................................................................................
Praise God, from Whom All Blessings Flow *PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING *COMMUNION HYMN 623 ...................................................................................................
Here, O My Lord, I See Thee CELEBRATION OF HOLY COMMUNION 12 THE LORD’S PRAYER GIVING THE BREAD AND THE CUP COMMUNION MUSIC .................................................................................. Georg Philipp Telemann
Largo from Sonata for Oboe and Continuo HYMNS DURING COMMUNION(sung by all) 614 ........................................................................................................................ FOR
For the Bread Which You Have Broken 628 ...................................................................................................................................
Johann Sebastian Bach
