All Saints’ Day (observed) 11/3/2024
All Saints Day11.3.2024 PDF ds1
ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY (observed)
NOVEMBER 3, 2024
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
✠ ✠ ✠
PRELUDE Trumpet Voluntary 1 By: William Rowan
WELCOME
ENTRANCE HYMN (Stand) We Sing for All the Unsung Saints LSB 678
1 We sing for all the unsung saints,
That countless, nameless throng,
Who kept the faith and passed it on
With hope steadfast and strong
Through all the daily griefs and joys
No chronicles record,
Forgetful of their lack of fame,
But mindful of their Lord.
2 Though uninscribed with date or place,
With title, rank, or name,
As living stones their stories join
To form a hallowed frame
Around the myst’ry in their midst:
The Lamb once sacrificed,
The Love that wrested life from death,
The wounded, risen Christ.
3 So we take heart from unknown saints
Bereft of earthly fame,
Those faithful ones who have received
A more enduring name:
For they reveal true blessing comes
When we our pride efface
And offer back our lives to be
The vessels of God’s grace.
CONFESSION AND ABSOLUTION LSB 151
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
But if we confess our sins, God, who is faithful and just, will forgive our sins and
cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Silence for reflection on God’s Word and for self-examination.
Let us then confess our sins to God our Father.
Most merciful God, we confess that we are by nature sinful and unclean. We have
sinned against You in thought, word, and deed, by what we have done and by
what we have left undone. We have not loved You with our whole heart; we have
not loved our neighbors as ourselves. We justly deserve Your present and eternal
punishment. For the sake of Your Son, Jesus Christ, have mercy on us. Forgive us,
renew us, and lead us, so that we may delight in Your will and walk in Your ways to
the glory of Your holy name. Amen.
Almighty God in His mercy has given His Son to die for you and for His sake forgives you all your sins. As a called and ordained servant of Christ, and by His authority, I therefore forgive you all your sins in the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
KYRIE LSB 152
In peace let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace from above and for our salvation let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For the peace of the whole world, for the well-being of the Church of God, and for
the unity of all let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
For this holy house and for all who offer here their worship and praise let us pray to
the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
THIS IS THE FEAST LSB 155
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Worthy is Christ, the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of
God.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Power, riches, wisdom, and strength, and honor, blessing, and glory are His.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Sing with all the people of God, and join in the hymn of all creation:
Blessing, honor, glory, and might be to God and the Lamb forever. Amen.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
For the Lamb who was slain has begun His reign. Alleluia.
This is the feast of victory for our God.
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
THE PRAYER OF THE DAY
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Let us pray. Almighty and everlasting God,
You knit together Your faithful people of all times and places into one holy
communion, the mystical body of Your Son, Jesus Christ. Grant us so to follow Your
blessed saints in all virtuous and godly living that, together with them, we may
come to the unspeakable joys You have prepared for those who love You; through
Jesus Christ, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and forever. Amen.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF THE WORD
FIRST LESSON (Be seated) Revelation 7:2-17
Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea, saying, “Do not harm the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God on their foreheads.” And I heard the number of the sealed, 144,000, sealed from every tribe of the sons of Israel:
12,000 from the tribe of Judah were sealed,
12,000 from the tribe of Reuben,
12,000 from the tribe of Gad,
12,000 from the tribe of Asher,
12,000 from the tribe of Naphtali,
12,000 from the tribe of Manasseh,
12,000 from the tribe of Simeon,
12,000 from the tribe of Levi,
12,000 from the tribe of Issachar,
12,000 from the tribe of Zebulun,
12,000 from the tribe of Joseph,
12,000 from the tribe of Benjamin were sealed.
After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, “Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?” I said to him, “Sir, you know.” And he said to me, “These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
“Therefore they are before the throne of God,
and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;
the sun shall not strike them,
nor any scorching heat.
For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,
and he will guide them to springs of living water,
and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.”
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ANTHEM Jubilation Quintet God Be in My Head Setting: John Rutter
God be in my head and in my understanding
God be in mine eyes and in my looking
God be in my mouth and in my speaking
God be in mine heart and in my thinking
God be at mine end and in my departing
SECOND LESSON 1 John 3:1-3
See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are. The reason why the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure.
This is the Word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
ALLELUIA VERSE (Stand) For All the Saints Sts. 1-3 LSB 677
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!
2 Thou wast their rock, their fortress, and their might;
Thou, Lord, their captain in the well-fought fight;
Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
3 Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
And win with them the victor’s crown of gold!
Alleluia! Alleluia!
GOSPEL Matthew 5:1-12
The Holy Gospel according to St. Mathew the 5th chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
Seeing the crowds, [Jesus] went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him.
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be
satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the
kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of
evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is
great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
This is the Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to You, O Christ.
SERMON
Grace, mercy and peace be to you from God our Father and from our Lord and Savior Jesus. Amen. Dear friends in Christ:
Our hymnal contains a number of hymns which lead us in celebrating and praying for the church. You’ve probably noticed this. One of these hymns surrounds our Gospel and sermon today – the beloved hymn For All the Saints.
What you may not have noticed is that our hymnal groups these church-focused hymns into three categories. The first category is simply labelled “the church” and includes those hymns which speak about the church in a general way. But the second and third categories have more specific labels. The second category is called “the church militant” and the third is “the church triumphant.”
I bring the names of these last two categories to our attention today because they can help us understand what is being communicated in today’s reading from the book of Revelation, chapter seven. As I will explain, the verses at the beginning of the reading speak about the church militant, while the verses which conclude the reading speak about the church triumphant.
Before getting into the definition of these terms, let me first address the fact that the idea of a church militant might make us a little nervous. And that is because we know that the church is not to take up arms. Certainly it shouldn’t do this for expansion purposes. And perhaps not even to defend itself.
Some people think that in order to safeguard this point the church should avoid all military language. But our church thinks otherwise. We know that the church is called to battle evil in the world – both the evil that brings chaos to the world and the evil that constantly tempts us. And we also know that in describing how these battles are best fought, our scriptures often employ military language. They do this to help us understand our capabilities, our equipment, and our task.
At its most basic level, the term “church militant” simply refers to the church which exists here on earth. This is the church which is seen in its people, its properties, and its teachings. This church is militant in the sense that it has work to do.
In contrast to this church, the “church triumphant” is the one that exists in heaven. This is the church made up of the saints who have gone before us and are now in the full presence of God. They may have died while here on earth, but their spirits are now very much alive in heaven and their bodies will be resurrected on the last day. They have triumphed over death – thus the name “church triumphant.”
In looking at the first vision given in our text today from Revelation seven, we find at least two clues that tell us that this is a vision describing the church militant. The first of these clues comes as we note how the church has a finite number of people – 144,000. This fine number then contrasts with the following vision – the one describing the church triumphant – which tells of a great multitude that “no one could number.”
Regarding that number 144,000: this is the number we get when we multiply twelve times twelve thousand. Twelve, as noted in the reading, is the number of Israel’s tribes. So this immediately gets us thinking about those Old Testament scriptures which so carefully recorded Israel’s numbers. But twelve is also the number of Jesus’ closest disciples – the one he chose to be the Apostles. And in the New Testament age, disciples are definitely to multiply, according to Jesus’ will and command.
The number in the first vision may be finite and specific, but it is also symbolic. It represents the total number of believers on earth – whatever that exact number may be.
Note that this is a big number, but not that big. And it’s a number which symbolizes power – as shown by being divided into military-type ranks – but also a power that is limited.
Only God knows the number of people in his earthly kingdom. But those who are a part of the kingdom will definitely know that they are included. And this is the message given by the second clue in the text.
In this vision, we see that the 144,000 have been sealed. And this sealing draws on the image of a ruler placing his seal on a document to indicate its approval and official status.
Accordingly, the sealing of the saints is a visual depiction of what happens, throughout the history of the church, when saints are sealed with God’s name. This is a sealing which happens in the waters of Holy Baptism. For at Baptism, the sealing with the divine name protects the saints in the midst of the challenges that sin causes. According to the Book of Revelation, the saints bear this name during both their earthly journey (as seen in 14:1) and forever in resurrected glory (as seen in 22:4).
Just so you know, the use of the word “seal” can be a bit confusing here. And that’s because these verses come in the midst of a progression of visions where seven seals are opened. These seals, however, indicate something different. And here we have an example of why this book is so difficult to understand.
In the vision of the 144,000, one of the messages that we are no doubt meant to catch is that the visible church is important. God may be the only one who knows the true number of believers, but believers should still be aware of their fellow believers and work with them in carrying out God’s mission. God wills this, to be sure.
And hearing this, we should be reminded of the importance of making commitments to the church. For not only do commitments help us in our work together, but they also bring the benefit of support which comes from Christian fellowship.
The other day I was reminded of one particular church which works hard together and which also includes the idea of the church militant in their very name. You know this church: it’s the Salvation Army. We in America tend to think of this group as just a charity organization. But originally it was a church – one that organized itself with military terminology and often wore uniforms. This church still exists today.
In the coming weeks, our church will be thinking about work and commitment as we emphasize the need to be good stewards of what God has given. We will encourage you – our members and friends – to give generously and faithfully for the work of God’s kingdom here through St. Paul’s. A letter towards this end has in fact already gone out.
As you think about these things, please know that we won’t be cutting anybody off if their generosity and faithfulness don’t meet certain standards. Yes, we are like an army in that we work together. But our discipline in this army – at least in the matter of stewardship – is always a matter of grace. And that’s because we all have room to grow.
This practice of grace is informed by what we see in today’s second vision from Revelation seven. There we see a glorious gathering described as a “great multitude… from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands.” This is a gathering of the Church Triumphant – meaning those who are in heaven. And in this scene, the saints are gathered around the throne of God in a beautiful act of worship, united with angels, archangels and all the hosts of heaven.
In the text, when the question is asked who these people are, the answer given is that they are “the ones coming out of the great tribulation… [those who] have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”
And here we have an indicator of God’s loving grace. For those who are appearing in that heavenly scene are not there because of their good works or their great faith, but because they have been washed clean of their sins by the one who shed his blood for them.
That one who shed his blood is Jesus – here described as the Lamb. And this is a description which fits him very well. For just as lambs were sacrificed in Old Testament times as payment for sins, so also Jesus was sacrificed on the cross to pay for our sins.
In an earlier hymn to the Lamb, recorded in Revelation chapter five, the heavenly worshipers say: “For you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation” (5:9). Here we find extra light to shed on the scene in chapter seven. For these words explains that the Lamb’s blood serves as a ransom for God’s people.
You may recall that this light is shed on us every time we sing our version of it – which is the hymn This is the Feast. In that hymn we sing of “Christ the Lamb who was slain, whose blood set us free to be people of God.”
The vision of the church triumphant given in Revelation seven makes clear that our blessed future is completely the result of God’s grace. All we have to do is “wash our robes” in Christ’s blood. And this is something we do every time we turn to him in faith, confess our sins, and receive him in his holy Supper.
Beyond this, the vision given here also tells us what we as the Church will do after Christ’s return into eternity. It does this as it says: “Therefore they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple.”
We can’t say for sure how literal this description is meant to be. It sounds like it might be an endless church service… which sounds pretty good to me! But I’m thinking it’s more than that too. The key word in the statement is “serve.” So we will be active in heaven. And our activity will be enjoyable and meaningful.
But even more than telling us about what our activity will be, the vision tells us what kind of environment we will live in. And as we can clearly see, the environment will be one of peace, joy and harmony. Specifically, we will be sheltered with the Lord’s presence and we will hunger and thirst no more. The sun will not strike us, nor any scorching heat. And all of this because the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be our shepherd. He will guide us to springs of living water and wipe away every tear from our eyes.
On this All Saints’ Sunday, we are reminded that those family members and friends of ours who have died in the faith are experiencing this peace, joy and harmony right now, at this very time. They are in the Lord’s full presence – not yet in body, but definitely in soul.
And someday we will be gathered with them. And there will be a great reunion. Stories will be told. Updates will be given. And new memories will be made.
What’s more, these blessed reunions will be enhanced because we will also gather with a great multitude – one that no one can number. And it will be made up of people from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages.
At that time our differences will no longer be a challenge to our unity. Rather, they will only enhance it and give us greater cause for celebration. Just like they should this side of heaven.
The future that awaits us is a bright and glorious one for sure. It is a time when Christ’s triumph will be fully celebrated and a time when we will share in the glories of his triumph. It is a future that will bring far greater glories than any we might experience on this earth.
How blessed we are to know of this future to come! And how blessed we are also to have been recruited into the church militant here in this life. Our service in this army of believers can help to raise the world to a higher place. And even more, it will bring salvation to many through the message of Christ our Savior.
May God then lead us to serve in his church with integrity and honor. And may God protect us and keep us in faith until that day when he returns in glory.
In the name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY (Stand) For All the Saints Sts. 4-8 LSB 677
4 Oh, blest communion, fellowship divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
5 And when the fight is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
6 The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
7 But, lo, there breaks a yet more glorious day:
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of Glory passes on His way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
8 From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia! Alleluia!
NICENE CREED Hymnal, back cover
I believe in one God,
the Father Almighty,
maker of heaven and earth
and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
begotten of His Father before all worlds,
God of God, Light of Light,
very God of very God,
begotten, not made,
being of one substance with the Father,
by whom all things were made;
who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven
and was incarnate by the Holy Spirit of the virgin Mary
and was made man;
and was crucified also for us under Pontius Pilate.
He suffered and was buried.
And the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures
and ascended into heaven
and sits at the right hand of the Father.
And He will come again with glory to judge both the living and the
dead,
whose kingdom will have no end.
And I believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Lord and giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son together is worshiped and glorified,
who spoke by the prophets.
And I believe in one holy Christian and apostolic Church,
I acknowledge one Baptism for the remission of sins,
and I look for the resurrection of the dead
and the life ✠ of the world to come. Amen.
OFFERING
Offerings support the church’s mission work – both here and through our many partners. Offerings may be placed in the box at the sanctuary entrance or sent to the church through our website or the mail. Fellowship Cards help us welcome new people and track participation. Please fill one out and place it in the offering box following the
service.
PRAYERS OF THE CHURCH
In our time of prayer, we remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us with the sign of faith. God gave new life to them through Holy Baptism, nourished them in the company of His people at His holy table, and in His mercy summoned them to His eternal presence so that they may continue to serve Him forever.
Those members and former members of St. Paul’s
receiving Christian burial this past year:
Dolly Coker, Ann Gratz, Susan Hecht, Richard Holzheimer,
Albert Kroening, Mona Smith, Xiang “Shawn” Wang
also in our prayers are loved ones of our parishioners
who died this past year:
Annemarie Banuelos, Karel Black,
Rev. Ronald Jansen, Anne Marshall, Gary Spear
Let us pray to the Lord, our God and Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.
Let us pray for the whole Church of God in Christ Jesus and for all people according to their needs.
Father in heaven, in your great mercy remember us who are poor in spirit, for we gather this day to receive Your grace and steadfast love. Fill us with your Holy Spirit and remind us that in our faith we are made rich in Christ. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God, our Father, You have set apart a people for Yourself and washed them in the blood of the Lamb to be Your own. Restore us daily through repentance and forgiveness, and renew our hearts and spirits in holiness, righteousness and faithfulness. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O God, bless all ministers of the Gospel and the congregations committed to their care, that the comfort of Christ’s sacrifice and the joy of His resurrection may be proclaimed to all who grieve their sin and mourn their dead. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Heavenly Father, we know Your deep love for us because You have called us to be Your children. In our families, deepen the love of children for their parents and parents for their children; strengthen fathers and mothers in their vocations that they may raise their children in the way they should go; hear the prayers of those who long for families; sustain all expectant mothers and their little ones; and encourage all of us through the knowledge that we are a part of your family, the church. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
Gracious Father, remember all civil authorities in Your kindness, and give them wisdom, courage and integrity. And bless our nation as it votes this week, that among us there be peace, order and mutual understanding. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
God of compassion, be near to the sick, the aged and infirm, the dying, the grieving, and all the afflicted. We pray especially for all those on our prayer list and for those we name in our hearts at this time… Grant them help and healing according to Your will, and comfort them with the certain hope of the resurrection. Lord, in Your mercy, hear our prayer.
O Lord, your prophet John wrote: “I heard a voice from heaven saying, ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord henceforth.’ ‘Blessed indeed,’ says the Spirit, ‘that they may rest from their labors, for their deeds follow them.’” Let us remember with thanksgiving those who have gone before us with the sign of faith, for they were redeemed by the God who gave them new life through His Son in Holy Baptism, nourished them in the company of His people at His holy table, and in His mercy and wisdom summoned them to His nearer presence so that they may rest in His blissful peace forever.
We remember especially today our brothers and sisters Dolly + Ann + Susan + Dick + Al + Mona + Shawn + and all who are dear to us including Annemarie, Karel, Ron, Anne and Gary +.
Keep us in fellowship with all your saints and bring us at last to the joy of your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
OFFERTORY (Stand) LSB 159
What shall I render to the Lord for all His benefits to me?
I will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will take the cup of salvation and will call on the name of the Lord.
I will pay my vows to the Lord now in the presence of all His people,
in the courts of the Lord’s house, in the midst of you, O Jerusalem.
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION
PREFACE (Stand) LSB 160
The Lord be with you.
And also with you.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right to give Him thanks and praise.
It is truly good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, holy Lord, almighty Father, everlasting God, through Jesus Christ, our Lord, who, out of love for His fallen creation, humbled Himself by taking on the form of a servant, becoming obedient unto death, even death upon a cross. Risen from the dead, He has freed us from eternal death and given us life everlasting. Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS LSB 161
Holy, holy, holy Lord God of pow’r and might:
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna. Hosanna.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
PRAYER OF THANKSGIVING LSB 161
Blessed are You, Lord of heaven and earth, for You have had mercy on those whom You created and sent Your only-begotten Son into our flesh to bear our sin and be our Savior. With repentant joy we receive the salvation accomplished for us by the all-availing sacrifice of His body and His blood on the cross.
Gathered in the name and the remembrance of Jesus, we beg You, O Lord, to forgive, renew, and strengthen us with Your Word and Spirit. Grant us faithfully to eat His body and drink His blood as He bids us do in His own testament. Gather us together, we pray, from the ends of the earth to celebrate with all the faithful the marriage feast of the Lamb in His kingdom, which has no end. Graciously receive our prayers; deliver and preserve us. To You alone, O Father, be all glory, honor, and worship, with the Son and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.
Amen.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
Our Lord Jesus Christ, on the night when He was betrayed, took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it and gave it to the disciples and said: “Take, eat; this is My ✠ body, which is given for you. This do in remembrance of Me.”
In the same way also He took the cup after supper, and when He had given thanks, He gave it to them, saying: “Drink of it, all of you; this cup is the new testament in My ✠ blood, which is shed for you for the forgiveness of sins. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
As often as we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes.
Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
O Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, in giving us Your body and blood to eat and to drink, You lead us to remember and confess Your holy cross and passion, Your blessed death, Your rest in the tomb, Your resurrection from the dead, Your ascension into heaven, and Your coming for the final judgment. So remember us in Your kingdom and teach us to pray:
LORD’S PRAYER
Our Father who art in heaven,
hallowed be Thy name,
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth
as it is in heaven;
give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Thine is the kingdom
and the power and the glory
forever and ever. Amen.
PAX DOMINI LSB 163
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI LSB 163
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world; grant us peace.
DISTRIBUTION (Be seated)
Those wishing to commune at the foot of the steps should come forward first. Those wishing to commune at the altar rail should come forward after these, front rows first, from both sides of the aisle. After receiving, all should return to their seats. A common dismissal will be given at the end.
COMMUNION HYMN Behold a Host, Arrayed in White LSB 676
1 Behold a host, arrayed in white,
Like thousand snow-clad mountains bright!
With palms they stand;
Who is this band
Before the throne of light?
These are the saints of glorious fame,
Who from the great affliction came
And in the flood
Of Jesus’ blood
Are cleansed from guilt and shame.
They now serve God both day and night;
They sing their songs in endless light.
Their anthems ring
As they all sing
With angels shining bright.
2 Despised and scorned, they sojourned here;
But now, how glorious they appear!
Those martyrs stand,
A priestly band,
God’s throne forever near.
On earth they wept through bitter years;
Now God has wiped away their tears,
Transformed their strife
To heav’nly life,
And freed them from their fears.
They now enjoy the Sabbath rest,
The heav’nly banquet of the blest;
The Lamb, their Lord,
At festive board
Himself is host and guest.
3 O blessèd saints in bright array
Now safely home in endless day,
Extol the Lord,
Who with His Word
Sustained you on the way.
The steep and narrow path you trod;
You toiled and sowed the Word abroad;
Rejoice and bring
Your fruits and sing
Before the throne of God.
The myriad angels raise their song;
O saints, sing with that happy throng!
Lift up one voice;
Let heav’n rejoice
In our Redeemer’s song!
NUNC DIMITTIS (Stand) LSB 165
Lord, now You let Your servant go in peace; Your word has been fulfilled.
My own eyes have seen the salvation which You have prepared in the
sight of ev’ry people:
A light to reveal You to the nations and the glory of Your people Israel.
Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
POST-COMMUNION COLLECT
BENEDICTION
SENDING HYMN Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise LSB 680
1 Thine the amen Thine the praise
Alleluias angels raise
Thine the everlasting head
Thine the breaking of the bread
Thine the glory Thine the story
Thine the harvest then the cup
Thine the vineyard then the cup is lifted up lifted up.
2 Thine the life eternally
Thine the promise let there be
Thine the vision Thine the tree
All the earth on bended knee
Gone the nailing gone the railing
Gone the pleading gone the cry
Gone the sighing gone the dying what was loss lifted high.
3 Thine the truly Thine the yes
Thine the table we the guest
Thine the mercy all from Thee
Thine the glory yet to be
Then the ringing and the singing
Then the end of all the war
Thine the living Thine the loving evermore evermore.
4 Thine the kingdom Thine the prize
Thine the wonder full surprise
Thine the banquet then the praise
Then the justice of Thy ways
Thine the glory Thine the story
Then the welcome to the least
Then the wonder all increasing at Thy feast at Thy feast.
5 Thine the glory in the night
No more dying only light
Thine the river Thine the tree
Then the Lamb eternally
Then the holy holy holy
Celebration jubilee
Thine the splendor Thine the brightness only Thee only Thee.
ANNOUNCEMENTS (Be seated)
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE For All the Saints Setting: Arthur Hutchinson
FLOWERS: “In honor of Dick Holzheimer” By the Holzheimer Family
FELLOWSHIP CONTRIBUTORS: Board of Youth
Those serving:
8:00 a.m.:
Greeter: Steve Berg
Comm. assist: Jim Easterly
Reader: Rich Kauzlarich
10:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Aaron Siebrass
Comm. assist: Holly Siebrass
Reader: Aaron Siebrass
Acolyte: Joshua Wang
AV Assistants: Hannes Buuck, Andreas Buuck
Acknowledgements
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy
Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing
ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Created
by Lutheran Service Builder © 2024 Concordia Publishing House.
678 We Sing for All the Unsung Saints Text: Carl P. Daw, Jr., 1944 Tune: Henry S.
Cutler, 1824–1902 Text: © 1996 Hope Publishing Co. Used by permission: LSB
Hymn License no. 110005326 Tune: Public domain
677 For All the Saints Text: William W. How, 1823–97, alt. Tune: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872–
1958 Text and tune: Public domain
676 Behold a Host, Arrayed in White Text: Hans Adolf Brorson, 1694–1764; tr. The Lutheran
Hymnal, 1941, alt. Tune: Norwegian, 17th cent. Text and tune: Public domain
680 Thine the Amen, Thine the Praise Text: Herbert F. Brokering, 1926–2009 Tune: Carl F. Schalk,
1929–2021 Text and tune: © 1983 Augsburg Publishing House. Used by permission: LSB Hymn
License no. 110005326