23rd Sunday After
Pentecost
ALL SAINTS DAY
We Gather as the Body of Christ
WELCOME, ANNOUNCEMENTS,
and Funny Story
Pastor Bob
CENTERING WORDS (Revelation 7)
Pastor Bob
Blessing, honor, and glory to the Lord,
our God. Praise the ancient of days.
CALL TO WORSHIP (Psalm 34)
Sharon Stewart (responsive reading)
Bless the Lord at all times.
Praise God’s holy name.
Magnify the Lord with hearts full of devotion.
Sing of God’s glory with tongues full of song.
Seek the Lord of love.
We will worship the living God.
OPENING PRAYER (1 John 3, Matthew 5)
(Unison) Sharon Stewart
God of mercy and grace, shower us with your loving kindness. Fashion us into the saints you call us to be. Love us abundantly so that others may see your kindness and joy reflected in our lives. Bless us with your abiding presence, that we may shine as saints of your holy love. Amen.
HYMN: Marching to Zion
UMC Hymnal #733
EPISTLE READING
1 John 3: 1-3 Sharon Stewart
CHILDREN'S TIME with Pastor Bob
PREPARATION to PRAYER
I Love You Lord
The Faith We Sing Hymnal #2068
PASTORAL PRAYER AND
REMEMBERING OUR SAINTS
Pastor Bob
PRAYER OF CONFESSION (Matthew 5)
(Unison) Sharon Stewart
We yearn to be counted among the saints of old, but the journey is long and difficult. We long to love others as we should, even when they revile and hate us. We seek to forgive those who wrong us, even when it means swallowing our pride. We strive for the openness of spirit to pray for those who persecute us, even when we want to hold onto our wounds. Guide us on this journey of discipleship, that we may grow as your children and live as saints of your love. Amen.
ASSURANCE OF PARDON (1 John 3)
Pastor Bob
Beloved children of God, even when we fail, God’s love never fails. What we will be has not yet been revealed, but we know that we will be like Christ one day. Until that day, trust that we are surrounded by the love and tender mercies of our God.
We Attend to the Word
HYMN: Make Me a Channel of Your Peace
The Faith We Sing Hymnal #2171
GOSPEL READING
Matthew 5: 1-12
MEDITATION Pastor Bob
Living the “Be-Attitudes”
We Gather at Christ's Table
INVITATION to the OFFERING
Pastor Bob
Blessed are those that share God’s blessings by returning a portion back to God. Give as you are called and as you are able.
OFFERTORY Erin Tellier
DOXOLOGY
Praise God from Whom all Blessings Flow
UMC Hymnal # 94
BLESSING OF THE OFFERING
(Unison) Pastor Bob
O Gracious one, you offer us the bread of life and the living water of Christ. We come before you to offer our hearts and the riches we have received from your hand. Bless these gifts, that they may bring the Spirit’s comfort to those whose eyes are wet with tears. In Christ’s holy name we pray. Amen.
COMMUNION HYMN: Eat This Bread
UMC Hymnal #628
GREAT THANKSGIVING
HOLY COMMUNION
PRAYER FOLLOWING COMMUNION - LORD’S PRAYER
We Are Sent in Ministry to the World
BENEDICTION (Philippians 2)
Pastor Bob
Brothers and sisters in Christ…Go out into the world and be a peacemaker and when we do that…others will see Jesus in and through us. Amen.
SENDING FORTH HYMN
Let There Be Peace on Earth
UMC Hymnal #431
DEPART IN PEACE...SHALOM!
Worship Liturgy is taken from two sources:
Lectionary Liturgies and the Abingdon Worship Annual 2023.