On Whom Does God’s Favor Rest?

All Saint’s Sunday – During today’s Worship Service we remember the lives of our members that have been called into the church triumphant this past year.

The gospel text for today is the beatitudes from Matthew. When Jesus calls certain people “blessed,” he is saying that God’s favor rests on them. Based on the content of these blessings, it’s clear that he’s speaking to the people of Galilee whose lives have been negatively affected by the tyrannical rule of Herod and Rome. But the blessings not only give hope to the hopeless, they also reflect the values of people who have been healed by faith in God’s grace. The strife and divisions in our world are not healed by doing what is evil, excusing it on the basis of past conflicts. It is healed by speaking the truth in the midst of evil and acting in ways that preserve the value and dignity of all people.

WE GATHER FOR WORSHIP

Prelude: “We Pray Now to the Holy Spirit”, Dietrich Buxtehude, “Harvest Home”, Gilbert Martin

Welcome and Announcements

Gathering Hymn: “For All the Saints”

Apostolic Greeting

Hymn of Praise

Prayer of the Day

First Reading: Revelation 7:9-17

Second Reading: 1 John 3:1-3

Choir Anthem: “Give Thanks for Saints”, Text by Martin E. Leckenbusch

Children’s Time

Gospel Acclamation and Gospel: Matthew 5:1-12

Sermon: “On Whom Does God’s Favor Rest?”, Pastor Dan Severson

Sermon Hymn: “Lord Whose Love in Humble Service”

Apostles Creed

Remembering the Saints

Prayers of Intercession

Offertory: “Open My Eyes”, Tune by Clara Scott and Paul Taylor

Offering Prayer

The Great Thanksgiving

The Words of Institution

The Lord’s Prayer

Angus Dei

Communion Distribution

Post Communion Prayer

Benediction

Sending Hymn: “For All Your Saints, O Lord”

Dismissal

Postlude: “To Deum Laudamus”, Dietrich Buxtehude