November 5, 2023
ALL SAINTS SUNDAY

INTRODUCTION
All Saints celebrates the baptized people of God, living and dead, who are the body of Christ. As November heralds the dying of the landscape in many northern regions, the readings and liturgy call us to remember all who have died in Christ and whose baptism is complete. At the Lord's table we gather with the faithful of every time and place, trusting that the promises of God will be fulfilled and that all tears will be wiped away in the new Jerusalem.

CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
All may make the sign of the cross, the sign that is marked at baptism, as the presiding minister begins.
Blessed be the holy Trinity, + one God,
in whose image we are made,
who claims us and calls us beloved.
Amen.

Silence is kept for reflection.

Holy One,
we confess that we are not awake for you.
We are not faithful in using your gifts.
We forget the least of our siblings.
We do not see your beautiful image in one another.
We are infected by sin
that divides your beloved community.
Open our hearts to your coming,
open our eyes to see you in our neighbor,
open our hands to serve your creation.
Amen.

Beloved, we are God's children,
and Jesus, our Beloved, opens the door to us.
Through + Jesus you are forgiven,
by Jesus you are welcome,
in Jesus you are called to rejoice!
Let us live in the promises prepared for us
from the foundation of the world.
Amen.

PRAYER OF THE DAY
Almighty God, you have knit your people together in one communion in the mystical body of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. Grant us grace to follow your blessed saints in lives of faith and commitment, and to know the inexpressible joys you have prepared for those who love you, through Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.

GOSPEL ACCLAMATION
Alleluia. They are before the | throne of God,* and the one who is seated on the throne will | shelter them. Alleluia. (Rev. 7:15)

READINGS AND PSALM
Revelation 7:9-17
Psalm 34:1-10, 22
Fear the LORD, you saints of the LORD; for those who fear the LORD lack nothing. (Ps. 34:9)
1 John 3:1-3
Matthew 5:1-12

FIRST READING: Revelation 7:9-17
The book of Revelation is written to seven churches in western Asia Minor during a time of great oppression. Today's reading is a response to the question asked in 6:17: "Who is able to stand?" The writer gives the faithful the assurance of God's protection and a vision of victory.

9After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. 10They cried out in a loud voice, saying, "Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 11And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12singing, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." 13Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?" 14I said to him, "Sir, you are the one that knows." Then he said to me, "These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. 16They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; 17for the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

PSALM: Psalm 34:1-10, 22
Fear the LORD, you saints of the LORD; for those who fear the LORD lack nothing. (Ps. 34:9)

I will bless the LORD | at all times;
	 the praise of God shall ever be | in my mouth.
2I will glory | in the LORD;
	let the lowly hear | and rejoice.   R
3Proclaim with me the greatness | of the LORD;
	let us exalt God's | name together. 
4I sought the LORD, who | answered me
	and delivered me from | all my terrors.
5Look upon the LORD | and be radiant,
	and let not your faces | be ashamed.
6I called in my affliction, and | the LORD heard me
	and saved me from | all my troubles.   R
7The angel of the LORD encamps around those who | fear the LORD
	and de- | livers them. 
8Taste and see that the | LORD is good;
	happy are they who take ref- | uge in God!
9Fear the LORD, you saints | of the LORD, 
	for those who fear the | LORD lack nothing.
10The lions are in want and | suffer hunger,
	but those who seek the LORD lack nothing | that is good.
22O LORD, you redeem the life | of your servants,
	and those who put their trust in you will | not be punished.   R

SECOND READING: 1 John 3:1-3
A saint is one who has been set apart by God for God's purposes. God, out of divine love, set us apart to be the children of God. Our holy hope is that we shall see God as God really is.

1See what love the Father has given us, that we should be called children of God; and that is what we are. The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. 2Beloved, we are God's children now; what we will be has not yet been revealed. What we do know is this: when he is revealed, we will be like him, for we will see him as he is. 3And all who have this hope in him purify themselves, just as he is pure.

GOSPEL: Matthew 5:1-12
In the Beatitudes, Jesus provides a unique description of those who are blessed with God's favor. His teaching is surprising and shocking to those who seek wealth, fame, and control over others.

1When Jesus saw the crowds, he went up the mountain; and after he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2Then he began to speak, and taught them, saying: 3"Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 4Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. 6Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7Blessed are the merciful, for they will receive mercy. 8Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. 10Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. 11Blessed are you when people revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account 12Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."

PRAYERS OF INTERCESSION
The prayers are prepared locally for each occasion. The following examples may be adapted or used as appropriate.
Let us turn our hearts to God, our breath and life, as we pray for the church, the world, and all who are in need.
A brief silence.
Holy God, the church triumphant gathers around your throne to praise you. We join them in worship and remember your sustaining grace in every generation. Heal our divisions; show us unity in your presence. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Holy creator, we marvel at your creation revealed in the cycle of seasons, changing landscapes, and the rise and fall of ocean tides. Turn us from selfish consumption and open us to gentle healing of the earth so all creation thrives. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Holy advocate, we lift grateful hearts for the ability to vote and elect leaders. Grant wisdom to those who will be elected and safety to poll workers. May civic leaders serve the whole community, especially all who are underrepresented or oppressed. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Holy healer, bless the brokenhearted and all who mourn. Send your compassion to all who grieve, grant wholeness to those who are sick, and accompany the dying. Be near to all who need you (especially). Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Holy comforter, we pray for this congregation, that the promise of your new life may be shared and experienced. We pray for the funeral ministry of this congregation, that families and friends seeking your love find it here. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
Here other intercessions may be offered.
Holy One, for the saints who now rest in your mercy, we give you thanks. We remember their witness of faithfulness and love. (Here the names of those who have died in the previous year may be read.) Praise to you for the eternal life they have been given through Jesus Christ. Hear us, O God.
Your mercy is great.
We offer our spoken prayers and those held in our hearts trusting in your mercy; through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
Amen.

OFFERING PRAYER
God of all goodness,
generations have turned to you,
gathered around your table,
and shared your abundant blessings.
Number us among them
that, as we gather these gifts from your abundance,
and give thanks for your rich blessings,
we may feast upon your very self
and care for all that you have made,
through Jesus Christ, our Sovereign and Servant.
Amen.

INVITATION TO COMMUNION
There is a place for you at the banquet.
Come and feast at Jesus' table.

PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Lord Jesus,
in this simple meal you have set a banquet.
Sustain us on the journey,
strengthen us to care for the least of your beloved children,
and give us glad and generous hearts
as we meet you on the way.
Amen.

BLESSING
May the God of all creation,
in whose image we are made,
who claims us and calls us beloved,
who strengthens us for service,
give you reason to rejoice and be glad!

The blessing of God,
Sovereign, + Savior, and Spirit,
be with you today and always.
Amen.

DISMISSAL
Beloved of God,
go in peace to love and serve the Lord.
Thanks be to God.

Reprinted from Words for Worship, copyright 2022 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission. Scripture quotations (except psalms) from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved. Used by permission.