Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
All Saint’s Sunday
Organ Prelude Praeludium and Fugue in F-major (Lübeck)
Congregational Welcome
Choral Introit
Call to Worship
*Opening Hymn #314 Like the Murmur of the Dove’s Song
*Prayer of Invocation and Covenant (unison)
Eternal God, we invite you now to our moments of worship together. On this day, O Spirit, we gather in memory and hope: in thankful memory of those gone before us who have kept the faith, who have given us hope for our days; we pray that we be gentle in this faith. Gathered in Jesus’ communion, we pray for our neighbors and for ourselves. Indeed, we pray for our world, yearning for its care. So, Adonai, give us wisdom for your will, minds for your message, and bread enough to share: Spirit for when we are alone and when we are united. Gather your qaddish (kad-déesh) today: your saints in Christ. For with your saints, in community, and through Christ we live and pray, Amen.
*Assurance of Grace
*Response in Praise
From all that dwell below the skies, Let the Creator’s Praise arise:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let the redeemer’s name be sung through every land, in every tongue.
Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia! Alleluia!
*Sharing of Peace
One Voice: The Peace of Christ be always with you.
All: And also with you!
The Epistle Reading Revelation 7: 9-17
The Gospel Reading Matthew 5: 1-12
The Saint’s Story The Rev. Kenneth Baily
Call to Offering
Choral Offering “Holy is the True Light” (William H. Harris)
*Doxology
Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
Praise Christ the word in flesh born low,
Praise Holy Spirit evermore,
One God, Triune, whom we adore. Amen.
*Hymn of Thanks #364 I Sing a Song of the Saints of God
The Celebration of Holy Communion
All: For this table is spread for you and for me that we might know that God has come to us and shared our common lot and invited us to receive life anew. Indeed, God has triumphed even over death. So we come to this table for thanksgiving, for grace, for God’s presence, for peace.
Leader: Let us unite our voices in preparation. God be with you.
All: And also with you.
Leader: Lift up your hearts.
All: We lift them up to God!
Leader: Let us praise God together, saying:
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of power and might. Heaven and earth are full of your glory, Hosanna in the Highest. Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest.
Sharing of Communion Elements
*Prayer of Thanksgiving and Remembrance of Saints (please rise as you are able)
*Hymn of Departure #526 For All the Saints
vs. 1, 2, 3, & 6 (And when the strife…)
*Blessing and Benediction (unison)
Now you are the Body of Christ.
God grant you on Christ’s eyes to perceive human need,
Christ’s hands to heal, and Christ’s heart to love.
So be it; Alleluia! Amen.
*Choral Benediction
Postlude Fugue in d-minor (J.S. Bach)
* Those who are able please stand
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NHCC is an Open and Affirming, Still Speaking congregation where all are welcome regardless of the divisions or separations that some in society would impose: whoever you are, you are welcome in God’s house. “In Christ we are a new creation,” so we are blessed to be together in Christ’s name.
Would you like to learn more about membership at NHCC?
Contact Ken Baily or any Deacon (readers and welcomers).Thanks to worship leaders Ken Baily, Yevgenia Semeina, Jan Zimmerman, Wendy Donnell, Amanda Ketchpaw, Joy Huber, Steve Harris, and Misha Hill.