All Saints Sunday - Year C - Worship Service - 11:00 AM Service -- Pastor Naomi Carriker

We are a small church, but big on Grace. We gather each Sunday at 11:00 am for worship by singing hymns, hearing readings from the bible, praying together and a celebration of Holy Communion. Communion is the spiritual bread our bodies need to live. All are invited to join us at the Lord's table to be fed by his heavenly food, There are no strangers in God’s house, and if you choose to worship with us, we would be honored by your presence.

Introduction

In holy baptism God makes saints out of sinners. In holy communion God forgives the sins of all the saints. In worship today we give thanks for all the saints “who from their labors rest.” In the same breath we petition our God for the strength to hear and to heed the admonitions of Jesus in today’s gospel. Sealed by the Spirit and sustained by the Savior’s body and blood, we live with joy as God gives us breath, to the praise of God’s glory.

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.

Amen.

First Reading: Daniel 7:1-3, 15-18

The book of Daniel was written in the second century BCE, when the Syrian king Antiochus Epiphanes was severely persecuting the Jews. Daniel’s vision of the four beasts proclaims that human kings will come and go, but the kingdom will ultimately belong to God and to God’s people.

Psalm: Psalm 149

Sing the Lord’s praise in the assembly of the faithful. (Ps. 149:1)

Second Reading:  Ephesians 1:11-23

After giving thanks for the faith of the Ephesians, the writer of this letter prays that they might understand the wisdom, hope, and power of God that is embodied in Jesus Christ.

Gospel:  Luke 6:20-31

 In echoes of the prophet Isaiah and Mary’s song of praise, Jesus reveals surprising things about who enjoys blessing and who endures woe. He invites his disciples to shower radical love, blessing, forgiveness, generosity, and trust even on enemies and outsiders.

20  Then [Jesus] looked up at his disciples and said:  “Blessed are you who are poor,   for yours is the kingdom of God.  

21  “Blessed are you who are hungry now,   for you will be filled.  “Blessed are you who weep now,   for you will laugh.  

22  “Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man.

23  Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets.  

24  “But woe to you who are rich,   for you have received your consolation.  

25  “Woe to you who are full now,   for you will be hungry.  “Woe to you who are laughing now,   for you will mourn and weep.   

26  “Woe to you when all speak well of you, for that is how their ancestors treated the false prophets.  

27  “But I say to you who are listening: Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you;

28  bless those who curse you; pray for those who mistreat you.

29  If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also, and from anyone who takes away your coat do not withhold even your shirt.

30  Give to everyone who asks of you, and if anyone takes away what is yours, do not ask for it back again.

31  Do to others as you would have them do to you.”

After the Sermon, Holy Communion will be offered. Come as you are, the gift of the Table of the Lord has been prepared as Jesus has requested and now we are invited to the meal. Come to the table like Peter, with m ore enthusiasm than resolve and like James and John, disappointed and the priorities of God’s reign. Come to the table like Martha, hosting and leading with confidence like Mary, full of love and grief. Come to the table like Judas, disillusioned and rebellious and like Mary Magdalene, faithful till the end. Come to the table, because it is God who invites us and it’s God’s will that those who want to should meet God here.

Blessing for the day (Our blessing is an adaptation of a Franciscan Prayer)

May God bless us with discomfort at a Easy answers, half truths and superficial leaderships so that we may live out God’s will deep in our heartland in our world.

May god bless with anger at injustice, oppression and exploration and the environments that we may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless us with tears to shed for those who suffer from pain, rejection, hunger and war so that we may reach out with hands and hearts to help them, walk with them and turn their pain into hope and joy.

And may God bless us with enough foolishness to believe that we can make a difference in this world, so that we can do what others claim cannot be done. To bring justice, peace, hope and love to all children, the poor and all others in any need.

God be your comfort, your strength;

God be your hope and support;

God be your light and your way; and the blessing of God Creator, Redeemer and Giver of Life, remain with you now and forever.