All Saints’ Sunday
All Saints Sunday11.7.2021 PDF
ALL SAINTS’ SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 7, 2021
ST. PAUL’S LUTHERAN CHURCH, FALLS CHURCH, VA
✠ ✠ ✠
PRELUDE Sing with All the Saints in Glory Setting: Walter Pelz
WELCOME
ENTRANCE HYMN (Stand) #671 Sing with All the Saints in Glory
1 Sing with all the saints in glory,
Sing the resurrection song!
Death and sorrow, earth’s dark story,
To the former days belong.
All around the clouds are breaking;
Soon the storms of time shall cease;
In God’s likeness we awaken,
Knowing everlasting peace.
2 Oh, what glory, far exceeding
All that eye has yet perceived!
Holiest hearts for ages pleading
Never that full joy conceived.
God has promised, Christ prepares it;
There on high our welcome waits.
Ev’ry humble spirit shares it,
Christ has passed the_eternal gates.
3 Life eternal! Heav’n rejoices:
Jesus lives who once was dead.
Shout with joy, O deathless voices!
Child of God, lift up your head!
Life eternal! Oh, what wonders
Crowd on faith; what joy unknown,
When, amid earth’s closing thunders,
Saints shall stand before the throne!
INVOCATION
In the name of the Father and of the ✠ Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
EXHORTATION
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.
(We observe a moment of silence for self-reflection.)
CONFESSION AND FORGIVENESS
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 see p. 152 for music
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 their worship and praise let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, have mercy.
Help, save, comfort, and defend us, gracious Lord.
Amen.
HYMN OF PRAISE p. 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 7:9-17
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.
PSALM 149 (Read responsively)
Praise the LORD! Sing to the LORD a new song!
His praise in the assembly of the saints!
Let Israel be glad in his Maker; let the children of Zion rejoice in their King!
Let them praise his name with dancing, making melody to him with tambourine and lyre!
For the LORD takes pleasure in his people;
He adorns the humble with salvation.
Let the saints exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds.
Let the high praises of God be in their throats and two-edged swords in their hands,
To execute vengeance on the nations and punishments on the peoples,
To bind their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron,
To execute on them the judgment written!
This is honor for all his saints. Praise the LORD!
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.
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) #677 Sts. 1-3 For All the Saints
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 Mark 12:38-44
The Holy Gospel according to St. Mark the 12th chapter
Glory to You, O Lord.
In his teaching [Jesus] said, “Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes and like greetings in the marketplaces and have the best seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at feasts, who devour widows’ houses and for a pretense make long prayers. They will receive the greater condemnation.”
And he sat down opposite the treasury and watched the people putting money into the offering box. Many rich people put in large sums. And a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, which make a penny. And he called his disciples to him and said to them, “Truly, I say to you, this poor widow has put in more than all those who are contributing to the offering box. For they all contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in everything she had, all she had to live on.”
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:
I think it’s safe to say that among all the changes that the digital age has brought us, with all its online content and easy communications, one of the most significant is the vast growth of commenting that now takes place. Certainly, people have always shared their comments on what they observe. But now these comments are collected for us and shared with the world. Many people, in fact, spend more time reading the comments than they do the actual content. The comments can be more fun! Besides, oftentimes the content is more or less just commentary anyway.
In the Gospel lesson just read, we hear Jesus commenting on two scenes that he has observed. Both scenes took place in Jerusalem. And both happened just a short time after Jesus had entered the city to great fanfare ahead of the Passover celebration. In those days, Jesus was doing some final teaching and engaging of the people in the Temple area. Very soon he would be arrested, tried and convicted. Therefore, he doesn’t hold back.
His commentary on the first scene regards an observation about the scribes – those religious leaders of Israel that were experts in the law and especially of the scriptures themselves. Jesus had seen many scribes in his day and now felt compelled to share how the scribes liked to appear very religious but were in fact frequently corrupt. Their long robes, friendly greetings, honored positions and lengthy prayers were often, according to Jesus, just show – a pretense – covering up the fact that they liked to take advantage of people – people like widows with accumulated wealth. Jesus shares this observation in order to warn the people – telling them to be aware.
After this, Jesus spends some time watching people put their offerings into the offering box. And there he sees something else he feels compelled to share. But this time he shares it with just his disciples – giving them another lesson about what it means to follow him. Jesus observes a poor widow put two small mites into the offering box. Her offering moves him to teach about true and sacrificial giving. One of his points is that the biggest givers aren’t necessarily the ones who give the biggest sum. Rather, the biggest givers are really the ones who make the biggest sacrifice. A second point is that although other people might not be able to see the sacrifice that is being made, God does. The faithfulness of those who sacrifice in their giving is noted by God and will be remembered.
What’s more, this particular woman gave the highest percentage one could ever give, for she gave everything. All that she had. In doing this, the woman showed that she was giving out of complete faith – trusting that honoring God was more important than holding back to provide
for herself and believing that God would provide for her in some other way. The woman was a wonderful example of giving with faith and provided a lesson that all disciples of Jesus should know.
These two scenes observed by Jesus – that of the scribes and of the poor woman – are both very helpful for us today as we introduce a particular subject that we’ve chosen to address this month at St. Paul’s – that of stewardship. Stewardship, you recall, is the word we give to our task of managing well all that God has placed in our hands. We will address the subject at a greater level of depth the next two Sundays. But let’s also make some brief connections from our text today.
Jesus’ observation about the scribes reminds us that stewardship is about more than just showing up for church, or dressing nicely, or giving friendly greetings, or saying long prayers. It’s about doing things because they are right, and in the right way – not as a show. When we give to God, we don’t have to tell others what we’ve done. Oh we can if that would be helpful, for sometimes we need good examples. But let’s be careful about our telling too.
And even more, let’s be certain that in our giving we’re honest, not corrupt. People can make their giving seem greater than it really is. In fact, I get the feeling this happens quite a bit with corporations, businesses, politicians, and many who share with us about all the good they’re doing. Instead, let’s give honestly, humbly and not feel a need to be celebrated, pampered and adored. Let’s give because it’s the right thing to do.
As for Jesus’ observation about the widow, this reminds us that not only is it honoring to God when we give, and that God sees the extent of our sacrifice, but it also teaches us that we are to give our whole selves to God. The story is not just about money. It’s about our obedience, our honor, our trust. It’s about whether we do everything to the honor and glory of God, or whether we do it to serve ourselves. A true disciple of Jesus does not hold back from him. A true disciple of Jesus steps out in faith each day.
In the coming weeks you will be asked to consider your stewardship to God given through the church. In fact, you should get a letter on the subject this week. The letter will ask you to consider making a pledge or estimate of your financial giving for the year and to consider serving with us in our ministry efforts. The church has people it needs to engage with, classes to teach, buildings to maintain, gatherings to plan, services to coordinate… and it needs volunteers to help. We will only be as good as those who serve. So please, do some thinking and praying about your participation.
All this being said, I would like to use the rest of our time today to explore what our Gospel reading today says to the occasion of All Saints’ Day. That is the other theme our church is lifting up today.
Looking at that first observation of Jesus – the one about the scribes of his day – should remind us that not all who appear to be saints truly are. Just because one has an honored position, or speaks eloquently, or is very friendly doesn’t mean that they are a person of good character.
One immediately thinks of clergy who have been defrocked because of some moral failure – sexual or financial or otherwise. There have been many over the years who abused the trust placed in them and did things outside their high calling.
But Jesus’ words here point to other failings too. Not all failings are so public or such a clear and drastic fall. And not all failing are sins of commission – meaning something was done. Some are sins of omission.
The sins of commission that Jesus lists are the devouring of widow’s houses and the long prayers as an act of pretense. But beyond that, Jesus paints the picture here of clergy who enjoy their place of honor but don’t really do anything with it. They like their amenities and the approval of those who assume they are doing what is holy and good so much that they just kind of exist – but more like a leach on society rather than a help. Jesus’ words here remind us that the scribes in Jesus’ day didn’t recognize the good that Jesus was doing, seeing him more as a competitor than a helper, and that they certainly didn’t sacrifice their easy lives to assist with his teachings.
True saints don’t do this. True saints are the ones who walk the walk, not just talk the talk. True saints don’t do things only for show. True saints don’t take advantage of others.
I’ve got to say, as one who wears a long robe and enjoys greeting people at church and has the best seat in the house, this text speaks particularly strongly to me! But of course Jesus’ words are not just a lesson for clergy. They’re for all of us.
True saints are the ones who do the right thing even when no one is looking. True saints are the ones who sacrifice for others. And here we think of that second observation of Jesus in today’s text – that of the poor widow. The widow had no idea anyone was watching her when she placed her last coin in the offering box. But God saw. And God has shared that story with us, that we may see here an example of true sainthood.
We wish we knew her name and could celebrate her on a special day! But the scriptures don’t share her name. Or anything else about her.
And maybe we should do some thinking about this. Certainly her anonymity speaks to the anonymous nature of many saints. That is no doubt the prime lesson we are to glean here. It’s important for us to remember the unsung saints too.
But what if her name was left off because she wasn’t always so saintly? What if there were other things about this woman that others – if she were named – would know? And question? Maybe her story wasn’t always so good.
I take us down this road a bit just to remind us that saints can fall. And saints aren’t perfect. None are. Lifting up people too highly can be a dangerous thing.
As you know, our country is having quite a discussion these days about who gets lifted up on monuments and schools, roads and buildings. I’m not saying that we should shy away from lifting up fallible people, nor am I saying that we should excuse horrible sins. But I am pointing out the limitations of saints. Jesus felt the need to point out the limitations of the scribes as saintly figures in his day. So also, we should exercise care in our understanding of sainthood.
Most importantly, we should remember that the scriptures do not only – or even primarily – use the idea of a saint to describe a life lived in a holy manner. Rather, a saint, primarily, is one who is considered holy – even though their actions may say otherwise. They are holy because of what God has done for them.
These are the ones referred to in our first reading, from Revelation chapter seven (v.14) – the “ones coming out of the great tribulation, [who] have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.” The Lamb being Jesus, who was sacrificed on our behalf.
And these are the ones referred to also in our second reading, from First John chapter three (v. 1) – the ones who have been given the love of the Father, that they “should be called children of God.” And so they are.
These are the ones, too, mentioned at the beginning of most of St. Paul’s letters, when he says words as he said to the Ephesians, chapter one (v. 1): “To the saints who are in Ephesus, and are faithful in Christ Jesus.”
This definition comes to one who is declared holy. And this declaration can only come when a person has been forgiven.
Thankfully, our forgiveness by God has been made possible. That’s what the Gospel of Jesus is all about. Christ Jesus has died to pay the penalty of our sin so that we can be declared holy by God and live with him as his children. Through faith in him we are forgiven. By God’s grace we are declared to be saints.
Knowing this, we now seek to live up to our name. We seek to live lives of holiness – to God’s glory and for the good of our neighbor. We seek to live lives of honesty and integrity. And we seek to live lives of generosity and faithfulness.
Today we remember all those who have left us examples of true sainthood – even though at times they may have failed. And, even more, we remember God’s actions through Jesus which cause us to be saints in his sight.
Let the saints therefore exult in glory! And let them sing for joy!
In the holy name of Jesus. Amen.
HYMN OF THE DAY (Stand) #677 Sts. 4-8 For All the Saints
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!
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, died and was buried. He descended into hell. The third day He rose again from the dead. He ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. From thence He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy Christian Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.
OFFERING
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 of St. Paul’s receiving Christian burial this past year:
May-Britt Alexis, Gladys Hane, Jim Hickey, Paul Provance, Stan Stringer
also in our prayers are the former members and loved ones of our parishioners
who died this past year:
Francoise Bardout, Darlene (Laemmerzahl), Bruce Marshall, Pat Sebring
Let us pray to the Lord, our God and Father, who raised Jesus from the dead.
The response to each petition will be:
“Lord, in your mercy,”
“hear our prayer.”
✠ ✠ ✠
THE LITURGY OF HOLY COMMUNION
PREFACE TO HOLY COMMUNION (Stand) p. 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…evermore praising You and saying:
SANCTUS
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
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 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.
THE WORDS OF OUR LORD
PAX DOMINI
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
Amen.
AGNUS DEI
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)
The Communion Assistant will come forward to receive first, then those from the pulpit side – by order of pew, front to back. Communicants will come up the center aisle and return via the side aisle. When all from the pulpit side have communed, the baptismal font side will commune in the same manner. Distancing must be maintained between all communicants. We ask that the wine be consumed away from the tray table. Empty cups should be dropped into the baskets.
COMMUNION MUSIC Organ Sonata No. 2 2. Ruhig Bewegt (peaceful moving) Paul Hindemith
NUNC DIMITTIS (Stand) p. 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 #670 Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones
1 Ye watchers and ye holy ones,
Bright seraphs, cherubim, and thrones,
Raise the glad strain: “Alleluia!”
Cry out, dominions, princedoms, pow’rs,
Virtues, archangels, angels’ choirs:
“Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”
2 O higher than the cherubim,
More glorious than the seraphim,
Lead their praises: “Alleluia!”
Thou bearer of the_eternal Word,
Most gracious, magnify the Lord:
“Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”
3 Respond, ye souls in endless rest,
Ye patriarchs and prophets blest:
“Alleluia, alleluia!”
Ye holy Twelve, ye martyrs strong,
All saints triumphant, raise the song:
“Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”
4 O friends, in gladness let us sing,
Supernal anthems echoing:
“Alleluia, alleluia!”
To God the Father, God the Son,
And God the Spirit, Three in One:
“Alleluia, alleluia!
Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia!”
ANNOUNCEMENTS (Be seated)
DISMISSAL
POSTLUDE For All the Saints Setting: Arthur Hutchinson
Those serving:
Sunday, November 7, 8:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Steve Berg
Comm. assist: Jim Easterly
Reader: Aaron Siebrass
10:30 a.m.:
Greeter: Jim Easterly
Comm. assist: Dan Buuck
Reader: Dan Buuck
Worship Notes
Thank you for worshiping with us at St. Paul’s! In worship Christ is present among His gathered people and the
Holy Spirit is poured out through Word and Sacrament.
If you have a need or concern that you would like us to lift up in prayer, you may fill out a yellow Prayer Request Card and give it to the greeter or pastor. Restrooms can be found both downstairs and near the parking lot entrance. Parents can take their children to the Cry Room as needed, but we love to have them with us in worship. Before you leave, we ask that you fill out a Fellowship Card and place it in the offering box at the sanctuary entrance.
In the Lord’s Supper, Jesus gives us his true body and blood. This meal forgives our sins and strengthens our faith. The Supper is for baptized Christians who have been taught the faith, examined themselves and share with us in confession. If you are not communing, you may still come forward for a blessing (bow your head or cross your arms). If you’re not sure whether you should commune, please speak first to one of our pastors.
We pray that God’s love and care be evident to you in our gathering, and that He gladden your heart and give peace to you this day!
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 © 2021 Concordia Publishing House.
Sing with All the Saints in Glory Text: Public domain Tune: © 1995 Augsburg Fortress. Used by permission: LSB Hymn License no. 110005326
For All the Saints Text & Tune: Public domain
Ye Watchers and Ye Holy Ones Text & Tune: Public domain