Chilmark Community Church
November 1,2009 All Saints Day
Prelude: Invention #7 J.S. Bach
Gathering and Announcements
Introit :Remembrance Stephen Heller
Call to Worship and Ceremony of Remembrance
Everliving God, this day revives in us memories of loved ones who are no more. What joy, when, loving and being loved, we lived our lives together. Their memory is a blessing for ever.
Months or years may have passed, and still we feel near to them. The links of life are broken, but the links of love cannot break. Their souls are bound up in ours for ever.
We see them now with the eye of memory, their faults forgiven, their virtues grown larger. So does goodness live, and weakness fade from sight.
We praise and thank you that they now live with you.
Now , let us name those who we especially remember today.
( Speak names. Take time to bring a flower forward.)
*Hymn 707 “ Hymn of Promise”
Peace ( children go to Sunday School)
Confession (unison)
Let us draw near to God in the silence of our hearts.
O Great Spirit whose voice we hear in the winds, and whose breath gives life to all the world, hear us. We come before you as your children. We are small and weak; we need your strength and wisdom. Make us wise, so that we may know the things you have taught your people, the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock. Help us to be ever ready to come to you, so when life fades as a fading sunset, our spirits may come to you without shame. adapted from Traditional Native American Prayer.
Silent prayer
Word of Assurance
Psalm 24 p. 755 responsively
Lessons
Isaiah 25:6-9
Revelation 21:1-6a
Sermon by Janet Holladay
*Hymn 89 “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee”
Concerns and Celebrations
Silent prayer
Pastoral Prayer
The Lord’s Prayer
Offering
*Hymn 95 “Praise God From Whom All Blessing Flow”
Prayer of Dedication (unison)
Almighty God, giver of every good and perfect gift, teach us to render to you all that we have and all that we are, that we may praise you, not with our lips only, but with our whole lives, turning the duties, the sorrows, and the joys of all our days into a living sacrifice to you. AMEN
*Hymn 673 “ God Be with You till We Meet Again”
Benediction
Postlude: Gavotte J.S. Bach
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Organist: Carol Loud
Guest Preacher: Janet Holladay
Next Week’s Lessons: Ruth 3: 1-5; Psalm 127; Hebrews 9:24-28; Mark 12:38-44
*Stand if you are able