Liturgy

On this day, All Saints Day, we remember
and honor all the saints, those that have
paved the way before us, and those that
walk within our midst.

O Lord our God, we thank you for the
many people throughout the ages who
have followed your way of life joyfully:

For the many saints and martyrs,
men and women, who have offered
up their very lives, so that your life
abundant may become manifest.

For your love and faithfulness,
we will at all times praise you.

O Lord, we thank you for those who chose
the way of Jesus Christ. In the midst of trial,
they held out hope, in the midst of hatred,
they kindled love; in the midst of persecutions,
they witnessed to your power; in the midst of
despair, they clung to your promise.

For your love and faithfulness,
we will at all times praise you.

We pray in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Community Confession

If we have placed our only hope
in the things we can see and touch,
and have denied ourselves, or those close to us,
that greater hope in the glory of things unseen.
Lord, have mercy.

If we have chosen to nurse our pain
with bitterness and contempt for ourselves
and others without hope or faith in your saving love,
Christ, have mercy.

If we put the saints, or any one man or woman
on pious pedestals, and restrict ourselves to a
diminished respect for our own capacity to grow
in the knowledge and love of God,
Lord, have mercy.

God of love, we thank you for your patience.
You have given us many guides and helpers
to inspire us, and have given us the word
that one day we shall be as Christ Jesus is;
yet we have been slow to hear, reluctant to
learn and sluggish in our efforts.

We repent this our lack of faith and love,
and ask that the love of Jesus Christ
which so healed and uplifted the saints,
may show us mercy and grace

We ask in the name
of the Father,
of the Son
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Sermon and Reflection

Sermon Podcast 11.08.16 – Hope

How can we see ourselves and others the same way God sees us?
How can our responses to hopelessness be more life giving instead of life limiting?
How can we practice grace in the face of hopelessness?

Benediction

As people of faith we have gathered for worship.
As people of faith we now return to our city.

May we go out to live and share the story
of faith, the story of life, with the world
around us. May we share the faith in word
and in deed, in speech and in action.

As we go out to give a living witness, as we go
out to testify to God’s love active in the world,
may we go knowing that God goes with us, sharing
the laughter and the hope, the fears and the tears.

May we leave here,
in name of the Father,
of the Son,
and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.

Go in peace and live the church.
See you throughout the week.

[Photo by Carmen Marchena @ Flickr]