071104 Luke 6:20-31 Saints Alive

Worship Service
Twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost
All Saints Sunday
4 November 2007– 10:55 AM


Prelude Gloria Dowty

Greeting Pastor Ron Smith
Pastor: We are surrounded by a cloud of witnesses
All: Death has no dominion over them.
Pastor: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord,
All: For theirs is the kingdom of the heaven.

Choral Call to Worship Chancel Choir “Rejoice in God’s Saints””

*Song of Praise 712 “I Sing a Song of the Saints of God”

Prayer:
Almighty God, your people of all the ages live and praise you without ceasing.
In our communion with you, we have communion with generations past and generations yet unborn.
Before your throne we are one with a great multitude which no one could number, and in praising you we join with those from every nation.
Grant to your church on earth that as we celebrate the triumph of your saints in glory
we may profit by their example and enter with them into the inexpressible joys
you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

First Lesson Daniel 7:1-3; 15-18

Choral Praise “Be Not Afraid” Chancel Choir


Second Lesson Ephesians 1:11-23

Song of Reflection 723 “Shall We Gather at the River”

Gospel Lesson Luke 6:20-31 Pew Bible pg 895
The Word of God for the People of God. Thanks be to God!

Saints Alive Pastor Ron Smith
Perhaps you are more familiar with the Beatitudes according to Matthew 5:3-12. The message from Jesus is often used to refer to the saintly qualities along with Galatians 5:22-26, which says that “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us have no self-conceit, no provoking of one another, no envy of one another.” Hebrews 11 is a hall of fame for heroes of the faith like Abel, Enoch, Abraham, Isaac, Joseph, and Moses.
Many of us recognize that we probably won’t live lives that will be as highly regarded or historically famous as the saints and sinners in the Bible. But Ecclesiasticus 44:7-15 says “All those who were honored in their generations, and were the glory of their times” are not the only saints. “There are those, who have left a name behind them, that their praises might be reported. And there are some, who have no memorial; who perish, as though they had never been; and are become as though they had never been born; and their children after them. But these were merciful men and women, whose righteousness hath not been forgotten. With their seed shall continually remain a good inheritance, and their children are within the covenant with God. Their seed stands fast, and their children for their sakes. Their seed shall remain forever, and their glory shall not be blotted out. Their bodies are buried in peace; but their name lives for evermore.
The people will tell of their wisdom, and the congregation will show forth their praise.”
There are many of you whom God has used like the unnamed servants who showed the disciples the “large upper room, furnished and ready” and who “made preparations for them there before the last supper" (Mark 14:15) - who provided a donkey for Jesus to ride into Jerusalem - Who led the disciples to the place where they would eat the Passover meal - Who set the table for the Last Supper - and Who washed the dishes.
The Bible tells us little or nothing about these people. But they faithfully carried out their responsibilities and did their part in serving the Lord. To me, they represent all the unnamed faithful throughout the ages who have rendered service not for material reward but for the love of Jesus.
Today, many Christians write sermons and instruct young people in the faith. Volunteers prepare the elements for Communion and count the offering. Their names are seldom announced, and few are known outside the communities in which they live. Yet these people are saints who contribute to advancing God's kingdom.
Many of you are the ones quietly serving in your community. There are still others whom you and I can recognize for their efforts and praise their faithfulness.
As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16).
Dear Heavenly Father we claim to be Your obedient children who may have no memorial that is obvious to the world and who may perish, as though they had never been – like so many other saints who have served You. We cannot compare ourselves to the renowned saints regarded in Your scripture. We feel as though we may have never been born sometimes like Job crying out to You. But You have called us to be merciful – to be the righteous living saints, whom You will not forget. Our seed – our witness – shall continually praise You and honor Your glory as it remains “a good inheritance.” All Your children are within the covenant we have made with You. Your seed of holiness stands fast, and the witness of Your children stands fast. Because of Your steadfast loving kindness our seed of faith with the holy ones shall remain forever, and Your glory shall not be blotted out. Our earthly bodies will be buried in peace; but the names and the spirits of Your saints will live for evermore. Others will follow after us and tell of Your wisdom that dwells in Your saints, and the congregation will show forth their praise – in the name of Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace and King of All Saints, Amen.

Response to the Word
*Affirmation of Faith 881 Apostles’ Creed

I believe in God the Father Almighty, maker of heaven and earth;
And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit
born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried; the third day he rose from the dead;
He ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic (universal) church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and the life everlasting. Amen.

R: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. Amen. [70]

Naming of the Honored Dead
Loved ones and friends may stand at the mention of the name.

Joys + Concerns + Lord’s Prayer
Members of the congregation may pray spontaneously from their seats or from the altar rail praying intercessions, confessions, petitions, and thanksgivings followed by the common response, “Lord, hear our prayer.” Conclude with the Lord’s Prayer.

Confession and Pardon UMC Hymnal pg. 8

Offering of Ourselves and Tithes
Offertory Music Gloria Dowty

*Doxology 95 UMH
R: Praise God, from whom all blessings flow; praise him, all creatures here below; praise him above, ye heavenly host; praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

The Great Thanksgiving see bulletin insert
Congregational Singing during the sharing of the elements hymn 628 “Eat This Bread”

*Song of Invitation 710
“Faith of Our Fathers”

*Dismissal with Blessing

Anyone who wishes to join the church by profession of faith in Christ or by transfer of membership is invited to come forward and talk with the pastor as we sing the closing song.

Closing Choral Response

* Postlude Gloria Dowty

*Please stand if it’s comfortable for you.
Sign our Worship Register.