All Saints Sunday
Gathering Music “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing” Jan Green by Lani Smith
Welcome to the Mantua Center Christian Church!
We are a community seeking to have open minds, open hearts, and open arms, building community in a fragmented world.
Opening Scripture - Psalm 34:1-5
I will bless the Lord at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul makes its boast in the Lord; let the humble hear and be glad. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the Lord, and he answered me,and delivered me from all my fears. Look to him, and be radiant; so your faces shall never be ashamed.
*Response - Weave
Weave, weave, weave us together,
Weave us together, in unity and love.
Weave, weave, weave us together,
weave us together, together in love.
*Call to Worship - Travis Brant
ONE: In all our weakness and strength, with our youth-filled spirits and aging bodies,
ALL: We come to be your people, O God.
ONE: Strong in faith and eager with questions, singing our praise and whispering our prayers,
ALL: We come to be your people, O God.
ONE: Filled with saintly determination yet mindful of our human limitations,
ALL: We come to be your people, O God.
ONE: Made strong in your endless love for us, we know ourselves to be yours and
ALL: We come to be your people, O God. May we truly become your people today. Amen.
*Opening Hymn - For All the Saints #637, v. 1&3
1 For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
who thee by faith before the world confessed,
thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
Alleluia, alleluia!
3 O blest communion, fellowship divine!
We live and struggle, they in glory shine;
yet all are one in thee, for all are thine.
Alleluia, alleluia!
Stewardship Moment Travis Brant
Children’s Moment Ally Bozeka
Pastoral Prayer Rev. Chad Delaney
ALL Saints Prayer by Christine Jerrett
You are our God and we are Your people, and we are grateful that You have claimed us as your own. You have set us in the company of saints past and present, among those who have made bold witness to Your goodness and Your truth.
Your Word opens up new futures where we see no way forward.
You know the places in our hearts where we are afraid
— afraid of a future we cannot control;
— afraid of losing health and independence
— afraid for the well-being of our children
— afraid that past mistakes will ruin our future
We give to you the griefs of our years, the yearnings of our hearts on this day. Write the stories of your people deep into our hearts so that we may learn to trust you beyond our fears. Give us hearts and minds and spirits ready to trust and follow wherever your Spirit leads, confident that you will not lead us beyond your loving embrace.
On this day we lift to you the griefs, the concerns, the joys, the gratitude of our hearts in silent prayer….
We ask in Jesus’ name
whose outstretched arms welcome us
and hold us securely in your grace.
~ written by Christine Jerrett
Communion
Meditation - Ruth Anne Ruehr
Communion Hymn - Come, Share the Lord #408 v. 2&3
2 He joins us here, he breaks the bread,
the Lord who pours the cup is risen from the dead;
the one we love the most is now our gracious host:
Come, take the bread, come, drink the wine,
come, share the Lord.
We are now a family
of which the Lord is head;
though unseen he meets us here
in the breaking of the bread.
3 We'll gather soon where angels sing;
we'll see the glory of our Lord and coming King;
now we anticipate the feast for which we wait:
Come, take the bread, come, drink the wine,
come, share the Lord.
Prayer & Lord’s Prayer -Ruth Anne Ruehr
Words of Institution - Rev. Chad Delaney
Distribution of Communion elements
All Saints Day Candle Lighting and Tribute
INTRODUCTION
On this All Saints Day we are remembering the Saints who have gone before us and celebrate those living today who give us examples of how to live and love in the likeness of Christ.
Also, on this day of remembrance we will take time to acknowledge just some of the losses we have experienced in this time of pandemic. In expressing these griefs and aches of our minds, bodies, and spirits to God...we hope for healing, reconciliation, and newness of life in Christ. To move forward with Faith and Trust.
CANDLE LIGHTING
Pandemic
Today, we light a candle of remembrance for those who have died of covid-19. We pray for those whose lives have been deeply affected by this disease. For those who were unable to take visitors or make visits. For those who have lost their loved ones. For the doctors, nurses, first responders, and health officials who have worked tirelessly on our behalf. We lift these up to God’s love and light for healing and presence.
Relationships
We light a candle for all those in this season who have had relationships strained or even broken. For whom the divisions in our culture and world have struck more deeply personally in their families, friendships, and relationships. We acknowledge these losses and lift them up to God’s love and light for hope in the possibility of reconciliation.
Ministry
We light a candle for all those experiencing the pain of change in their faith communities. Here at Mantua Center we recognize the pain of separation and awkwardness of new ways of doing things. We acknowledge the pain of losing ministries over the past years to the pandemic (Fellowship Gatherings, Loaves and Fishes meals, Clothing Giveaway, Xplor Program, and many others).
We lift up these losses to God’s Love and Light knowing that God is still working and restoring and offering new life. We give thanks that new opportunities have emerged and ministries have restarted all across the Body of Christ giving testimony to God’s Spirit still at work.
Loved Ones Lost
We light a candle on behalf of all of us here who have lost loved ones over the last year. For those whose recent loss is still with them and aching inside. For those who long to rewind the clock for just a few more minutes. For those who wonder how to move forward. We lift these up to God’s loving embrace.
Christ
Finally, we light a candle for Christ in gratitude that Christ gives us rest among our griefs and burdens. We remember that though there is loss and struggle we are always in his light. As we acknowledge these pains and losses we pray that our hope may be restored so we can continue to live and love as the saints Christ has called us to be. We are not defined solely by our grief and loss, but stand on the promises of God and trust in the hope and gifts and grace offered to us in Jesus Christ. That we may live as saints---with mercy, peace, joy, and love.
Amen.
VIDEO TRIBUTE
As a church family, we each have losses of loved ones on our hearts and minds. Parents, spouses, siblings, children, friends, loved ones---the saints of our lives who have deeply impacted who we are. Some of whom passed away recently and others whom it feels like only yesterday. We offer a tribute to them and share our gratitude together for each one pictured and any on our hearts and spirits.
SCRIPTURE READING - Hebrews 12:1-2
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God.
PRAYER
When I say, “In Your Presence” you respond “We remember, O God.”
Ancient of Days, God Almighty…
Today we remember the countless saints of history who have blazed a trail of courage through time, the tender touch of loved ones, the example of heroes, the healing words of comforters, the remarkable acts of fearless ones.
In Your Presence, We remember, O God
We remember the gentle strength of grandmothers, the loyalty of friends, the kindness of strangers, the joy of children, the sacrifice of parents.
In Your Presence, We remember, O God
We remember and hold close the supreme love of Jesus, the blessing of his Spirit, the reminder of his words, the sharing of his suffering, the glory of his resurrection:
We see your glory shining forth in the lives of his disciples,
young and old,
dead and living,
articulate and silent,
strange and familiar,
brilliant and ordinary.
In Your Presence, We remember, O God
We remember in every time and place the saints of God who have shown us the Lord. Always and forever surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses. We rejoice in the joy and gift of your presence knowing that you walk beside us now and always!
In Your Presence, We remember, O God
Amen.
Closing Hymn - Blest be the Tie #433
1 Blest be the tie that binds
our hearts in Christian love:
the fellowship of kindred minds
is like to that above.
2 When we are called to part,
it gives us inward pain;
but we shall still be joined in heart,
and hope to meet again.
*Benediction - Rev. Chad Delaney
Benediction written by Bruce Prewer
Go on your way rejoicing;
Surrounded as you are by such a great cloud of witnesses,
take courage as you face each new challenge,
and comfort when you pick yourself from a fall,
In whatever good you choose to do,
precede it with hope,
accompany it with prayer,
and follow it with thanksgiving.
The blessing of God Most Wonderful,
whom the saints have trusted as
Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
will be with you
now and ever more.
Amen!
Postlude - “From All That Dwell Below the Skies” - Jan Green by Dorothy Wells