Taylor W. Burton-Edwards
We Enter and Praise God
The service begins with a festal procession accompanied by djembe and other instruments as available. As persons enter the worship space, they are invited to touch the water of the baptismal font.
Come, All You People (Uyai Mose) The Faith We Sing, 2274
Use the verse in TFWS as a refrain. Use the following verses between singing the refrain to the same tune. All stand and dance throughout the singing, and remain standing for the responsive prayer that follows.
Come all you holy ones, come receive the kingdom.
Come all you holy ones, come receive the kingdom.
Come all you holy ones, come receive the kingdom,
Come receive the kingdom of God.
Sing, dance, rejoice! Make melody to Jesus!
Sing, dance, rejoice! Make melody to Jesus!
Sing, dance, rejoice! Make melody to Jesus!
Sing, dance, rejoice and be glad!
You brought us truth, the gospel of salvation.
You brought us truth, the gospel of salvation.
You brought us truth, the gospel of salvation,
And you have filled us with love.
Blessed are the poor, the hungry and the hated!
Blessed are the poor, the hungry and the hated!
Blessed are the poor, the hungry and the hated,
blessed by the kingdom of God!
They are the saints in glory everlasting!
Make us your saints in glory everlasting!
They are the saints in glory everlasting,
Saints in the kingdom of God!
During the responsive prayer, the instrumental music continues and segués from “Come, All You People” to “You Alone are Holy”)
Prayer
God of all the saints,
God of mercy, love and power,
we have come to praise you today.
God, cleanse our hearts.
Cleanse our hearts!
Jesus, cast out unholy fear.
Cast out unholy fear.
Open our lips, enliven our minds
and set our bodies dancing
to the cadences of your Truth.
Come, Holy Spirit,
and fill us for your glory;
for you, O God, are One and holy!
Amen.
You Alone Are Holy The Faith We Sing, 2077
Sing at least twice. Then invite the congregation to hum the tune as the accompaniment fades away.
After a brief silence, invite all to be seated.
We Listen and Respond to God’s Word
Dim lights in the worship space to near darkness, if possible. Shine a spotlight or bring a large candle to the first reader, stationed by the baptismal font.
If possible, project images of the sea at night or sunset as the reading is offered. (The large clouds in the linked video clip could remind one of the beasts Daniel describes).
A Reading from The Prophet Daniel Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18
Silence
Response:
Reader: Though the actions of earth’s rulers may frighten us,
People: the holy ones of the Most High shall receive the kingdom for ever and ever.
Lights come up.
“Freedom is Coming” The Faith We Sing, 2192
Sing three times. First time: a praise team or ensemble. Second and third time: whole assembly. Third time, unaccompanied.
The second reader begins, standing behind the Lord’s Table. The tone of this reading is bold and vibrant.
A Reading from Paul’s Letter to the Christians near Ephesus Ephesians 1:11-23
Response:
Reader: May we come to know the riches of Christ’s glorious inheritance among the saints.
People: And may we truly be Christ’s body, the fullness of the One who fills all in all.
“Come now, O Prince of Peace” (O-So-So) The Faith We Sing 2232
On the fourth verse, all stand as the reader of the gospel walks into the midst of the assembly. During the reading, the djembe begins to play again. All remain standing for the reading.
A Reading from the Gospel of Jesus according to Luke Luke 6:20-31
“Come All You People” (Reprise) The Faith We Sing, 2274
Blessed are the poor, the hungry and the hated!
Blessed are the poor, the hungry and the hated!
Blessed are the poor, the hungry and the hated,
blessed in the kingdom of God!
Homily/Sermon/Message
As the sermon/homily concludes, the djembe begins to play again.
Remembering the Dead
“Come All You People” (Reprise) The Faith We Sing, 2274
These are your saints in glory everlasting!
These are your saints in glory everlasting!
These are your saints in glory everlasting,
Saints in the kingdom of God!
The djembe continues to play as the names of those who have died in the previous year are read. A bell may sound or a candle may be lit as each is named. A final bell is rung or candle lit for those whose names are unknown to us but known to God. The congregation resumes singing:
Come all you holy ones, come receive the kingdom.
Come all you holy ones, come receive the kingdom.
Come all you holy ones, come receive the kingdom,
Come receive the kingdom of God!
Instrumental music continues and segués into “The Prayers of the People, TFWS 2201. All kneel, hands lifted, palms up for the prayers, as able.
The Prayers of the People The Faith We Sing, 2201
At the conclusion of the prayers, all are invited to stand as able.
We Give Thanks at the Lord’s Table
Come to the Lord's Table,
all you who love him.
Come to the Lord's Table,
confess your sin.
Come to the Lord's Table,
be at peace.
Confession of Sin
We have not believed you or trusted in your power.
Lord, help our unbelief.
We have stained our souls by our action and inaction.
Cleanse us, Lord.
We are broken by disease, bruised by the sins of others, weakened and unable to repair ourselves.
Heal us, Lord.
We ignore your call to center our lives in you, and so are deaf to the hopes and cries of the poor, the sick, the needy, and the earth.
Ground us, Lord!
Silence
When we confess our sinful ways, God abundantly pardons.
In the name of Jesus Christ, you are forgiven.
In the name of Jesus Christ, we are all forgiven. Glory to God!
By one Spirit we are all baptized into the one body.
Let us then pursue the things that make for peace and build up our common life.
The peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be always with you!
And also with you.
Signs of peace may be offered and exchanged.
All stand or remain standing for the Great Thanksgiving. All are invited to pray with hands raised, palms up (orans position).
Thanksgiving and Communion
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to you, Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to praise you, O God!
It is right, and a good and joyful thing,
Always and everywhere to give thanks to you,
Holy Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
your name is praised among all peoples.
Therefore we praise you,
joining our voices with your people on earth
and all the company of heaven
who for ever sing this hymn to the glory of your name:
(Use a call and response version, such as TFWS 2257)
Holy, holy, holy, Lord,
God of power and might
Heaven and earth are full…
Full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna in the highest!
Blessed is the One who comes
In the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest!
Hosanna in the highest!
You are holy, Almighty One!
Blessed are you, Jesus Christ!
In the power of the Spirit
you created all things, blessed them, and called them good.
You called to yourself a people
to make your mercy and truth known in all the world.
We betrayed your calling;
You were faithful.
We wandered from the way;
You called us to return, and led us home.
And still we turned from your ways,
abused your creatures,
and made ourselves slaves to sin and death.
At the right time
you came and dwelt among us,
as one of us,
bringing good news to the poor,
healing the sick, raising the dead,
sharing table with the unrighteous,
and teaching the way that leads to life.
By your incarnation, life, suffering, execution and resurrection
you gave birth to your church,
delivered us from slavery
made a new covenant with us
by water and the Spirit,
and receive us and all your saints to yourself
in glory everlasting.
On the night of your betrayal, Lord Jesus,
you took bread, blessed it, broke it, gave it to your disciples and said,
"This is my body which is given for you.
Do this in remembrance of me."
You did the same with the cup after the supper, saying,
"This cup that is poured out is the new covenant in my blood."
Blessed Trinity, in remembrance of all you have done to save us,
we offer ourselves to you in praise and thanksgiving
as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ's offering for us,
as we proclaim the mystery of our faith:
Christ has come among us. Christ has died.
Christ has risen. Christ abides with us.
Christ will come again.
Pour out your Spirit on us
Pour out your Spirit on us
Pour out your Spirit on these gifts
Pour out your Spirit on these gifts
Make these gifts the body and blood of Christ
Make us, through them, Christ's body alive in the world.
Abba, Father!
Let your kingdom come!
Glory to you!
Glory to you!
Come, Lord Jesus!
Be our daily bread.
Glory to you!
Glory to you!
Holy Spirit!
Send us to the world.
Glory to you!
Glory to you!
Holy, Blessed Trinity!
One God forever!
Glory to you!
Glory to you!
Breaking the Bread
Giving the Bread and Cup
Giving Thanks
(All pray):
Lord, you now have set your servants free
to go in peace as you have promised.
For these eyes of ours have seen the Savior
whom you have prepared for all the world to see!
Blessing and honor and glory are yours,
now and forever. Amen.
As the prayer concludes, the djembe resumes.
We are Sent into the World
Come, All You People (Uyai Mose) The Faith We Sing, 2274
Your saints surround us, your Spirit guides us.
Your saints surround us, your Spirit guides us.
Your saints surround us, your Spirit guides us.
Send us, your people, in peace.
Benediction
You have seen the Savior. Go now in peace.
And the blessing of God,
One in Three and Three in One,
Go with you.
Amen.
A Global Contemporary Service for All Saints Day/Sunday, Year C is Copyright (c) 2010, The General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church. Congregations are free to use it for worship or education provided this copyright statement is included in its entirety. It may not be sold or reproduced on websites not under the auspices of The General Board of Discipleship without written permission. To obtain permissions, contact worship@gbod.org.